Pour one simple, creamy mixture over raw rice, turn on the slow cooker, and let it do all the work. This Slow Cooker Rice Pudding is warm, comforting, creamy, and perfectly sweet—a cozy winter dessert that tastes like something Grandma would make.
The rice slowly absorbs the sweet, cinnamon-spiced milk mixture as it cooks, becoming tender and creamy. It’s an incredibly simple dessert with basic pantry ingredients and almost no hands-on work.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked white long-grain rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins, optional
Instructions
1. Add the Raw Rice
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with a little butter or cooking spray.
Pour the uncooked rice evenly into the bottom.
2. Make the Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
3. Pour It Over the Rice
Pour the entire milk mixture slowly over the raw rice.
If you’re using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the top.
Give everything one gentle stir to make sure the rice is distributed evenly.
4. Slow Cook
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 2½–3½ hours, stirring once or twice during cooking.
The pudding is ready when the rice is tender and most of the liquid has turned into a thick, creamy sauce.
Slow cookers vary, so begin checking around the 2½-hour mark to prevent the rice from becoming overly soft.
5. Let It Thicken
Turn off the slow cooker and let the pudding rest for 10–15 minutes.
It will continue to thicken as it cools.
If it becomes thicker than you like, stir in a small splash of warm milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the rice pudding warm in individual bowls with:
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- Extra raisins
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- A drizzle of honey
- A little brown sugar
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- Toasted coconut
For an extra cozy winter treat, serve it warm with a cup of tea or coffee.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
Use regular white rice. Long-grain white rice works well, but avoid instant or parboiled rice because the cooking results can be different.
Don’t overcook it. The rice will continue absorbing liquid as it rests, so don’t wait until the pudding is extremely thick in the slow cooker.
Stir occasionally. A couple of gentle stirs during cooking help distribute the rice and prevent uneven cooking.
Adjust the sweetness. If you prefer a less-sweet dessert, reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup.
Add extra milk if needed. Rice pudding naturally thickens considerably as it cools.
Easy Variations
Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Stir in finely diced apple and a little extra cinnamon for a warm apple-pie-inspired version.
Chocolate Rice Pudding
Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the milk mixture and increase the sugar slightly if desired.
Coconut Rice Pudding
Replace 1 cup of the milk with canned coconut milk and top with toasted coconut.
Orange Vanilla Rice Pudding
Add 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest along with the vanilla for a bright citrus flavor.
Storage
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
The pudding will become thicker when chilled. Add a splash of milk and gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring until creamy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice?
Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time, so this particular recipe is designed for white rice. Using brown rice without adjusting the recipe can result in unevenly cooked rice.
Can I make it without raisins?
Absolutely. Raisins are completely optional.
Why did my rice pudding become too thick?
Rice continues absorbing liquid even after cooking. Simply stir in a little warm milk until the pudding reaches the consistency you want.
Can I serve it cold?
Yes. Some people actually prefer rice pudding chilled. Refrigerate it until cold and add a little milk before serving if it becomes too thick.
Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2½–3½ hours
Total Time: About 3 hours
Servings: 6
This Slow Cooker Creamy Rice Pudding is proof that delicious comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. Just pour the sweet, cinnamon-scented milk mixture over raw rice, let the slow cooker work its magic, and you’ll have a warm, creamy dessert that’s perfect for cold winter evenings.