The Ultimate Instant Pot Rice Pudding: Creamy, Quick, and Easy Arroz con Leche

This Instant Pot rice pudding recipe crafts a delightful dessert with short-grain rice, water, sugar, milk, vanilla, and the secret ingredient for ultimate creaminess – sweetened condensed milk. Enjoy this comforting treat in under 30 minutes!

Welcome, fellow dessert lovers! While there are countless Instant Pot rice pudding recipes out there, you’ve landed on one designed for maximum flavor and minimal effort. Many of you have enjoyed my pastelitos de guayaba y queso and tres leches French toast, inspiring me to share another beloved Cuban-style dessert. Rice pudding, or Arroz con Leche, held a special place in my childhood, though it seems to have faded from many restaurant menus today. It’s truly a shame, as this dessert remains one of my all-time favorites.

My Cuban grandmother’s traditional Arroz con Leche often includes a rich blend of raisins, eggs, rum, and fresh lemon zest. While her recipe is undeniably delicious, I wanted to create a version that is incredibly simple, approachable, and quick for everyday enjoyment without sacrificing that authentic, comforting taste. This easy Instant Pot rice pudding recipe truly delivers on that promise, bringing a taste of homemade goodness straight to your table in record time.

Why Choose the Instant Pot for Rice Pudding?

The Instant Pot isn’t just for savory meals; it’s a game-changer for desserts too, especially for rice pudding. Here’s why it’s the superior method:

Speed: Traditional stovetop rice pudding can take an hour or more of constant stirring. The Instant Pot drastically cuts down cooking time, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dessert in under 30 minutes.
Hands-Off Cooking: Forget standing over the stove, stirring continuously to prevent scorching. Once you set the Instant Pot, it does all the work for you, freeing up your time.
Consistent Results: The pressure cooking environment ensures even cooking of the rice, resulting in a perfectly tender texture every single time.
Less Risk of Scorching: The sealed environment and precise temperature control of the Instant Pot minimize the chances of the rice sticking to the bottom and burning, a common issue with stovetop methods.
Creamier Texture: Pressure cooking helps to break down the rice more effectively, releasing starches that contribute to a wonderfully thick and creamy pudding without extra effort.

Ingredients for the Perfect Instant Pot Rice Pudding

Achieving a truly delicious Arroz con Leche starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in the final taste and texture:

Short-Grain Rice: This is key for the classic creamy texture. Short-grain rice varieties like Arborio or bomba rice are high in starch, which breaks down during cooking, creating that signature luscious consistency. While you *can* use long-grain rice, it won’t yield the same thick, comforting mouthfeel.
Water & Milk: A combination of water and whole milk provides the perfect liquid base. Whole milk adds richness and body to the pudding. For a slightly lighter version, you can use 2% milk, but adjust for a less creamy outcome.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is my absolute favorite addition and a non-negotiable for my recipe. Sweetened condensed milk not only adds sweetness but also an incredible depth of flavor and an irresistibly smooth, velvety texture that granulated sugar alone cannot replicate. It truly elevates this pudding to another level.
Granulated Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar complements the condensed milk, allowing you to fine-tune the sweetness to your preference.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla brightens all the flavors and adds a warm, aromatic note.
Cinnamon Stick: Infusing the pudding with a cinnamon stick during cooking imparts a subtle, natural spice that is deeply comforting.
Salt: A pinch of salt might seem counterintuitive for a dessert, but it’s essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors.

Can I Use Long Grain Rice?

Yes, you can, but I highly recommend sticking with short-grain rice for the most authentic and creamy Instant Pot rice pudding experience. Short-grain rice, such as Arborio or sushi rice, contains more starch, which breaks down during cooking to create that wonderfully thick and luscious texture that defines a great rice pudding. Long-grain rice will still work and produce a tasty dessert, but the final consistency will be a bit lighter and less overtly creamy. If long-grain is all you have, feel free to use it, just manage your expectations for the texture.

Do I Have to Add Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Adding sweetened condensed milk is truly my preferred way of preparing Arroz con Leche, as it imparts an unparalleled flavor and a delightfully rich, smooth texture. Many traditional recipes, however, opt to use only granulated sugar. While omitting condensed milk will still result in a sweet and satisfying rice pudding, it won’t have the same depth or luxurious creaminess. If you prefer to skip it, you may need to increase the granulated sugar to taste and perhaps add a little extra milk or cream to achieve a desired consistency.

Do You Serve This Cold, Warm, or at Room Temperature?

This is a matter of personal preference, and there’s no wrong answer! I personally enjoy Instant Pot rice pudding best at room temperature, as it allows the flavors to truly shine. However, it’s equally delicious served warm, especially on a chilly day, or chilled directly from the fridge. Keep in mind that as rice pudding cools and chills, it tends to thicken significantly. If you find it has become too dry or firm after refrigerating, simply add a splash of milk (whole milk or your preferred type) and stir gently before serving to restore its creamy consistency.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Rice Pudding

Don’t Skip Rinsing: Rinsing the rice 2-3 times before cooking helps remove excess starch, preventing the pudding from becoming too gummy while still allowing enough starch for creaminess.
Natural Pressure Release vs. Quick Release: While the recipe calls for quick release, if you have extra time, a natural pressure release for 5-10 minutes before a quick release can result in an even creamier texture as the rice continues to absorb liquid.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: The amount of sugar and condensed milk can be adjusted based on your preference. Taste after adding them and add more if needed.
Stir Well After Opening: After releasing the steam and opening the lid, the pudding might look a bit liquidy. Stirring it thoroughly will combine all the ingredients and activate the starches, leading to a perfectly creamy consistency as it cools.
Let it Cool: For the ultimate creamy texture, let the rice pudding cool for a bit before serving or refrigerating. It will thicken considerably as it cools.

What Should I Serve This With?

Rice pudding is fantastic on its own, but a few simple garnishes can elevate it into a truly special dessert. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this creamy Instant Pot treat:

Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the rich pudding.
Ground Cinnamon: A classic pairing, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon enhances the warm spices and provides a beautiful visual finish.
Nuts: Toasted slivered almonds, chopped walnuts, or pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Raisins: Soft, plump raisins are a traditional addition, offering bursts of natural sweetness. You can even soak them in a little rum beforehand for an extra kick!
Shredded Coconut: Toasted shredded coconut adds a tropical twist and a lovely texture.
Dried Fruit: Beyond raisins, consider chopped dried apricots, cranberries, or cherries for varying flavors and colors.
Fresh Berries: A handful of fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries can add a refreshing tartness that cuts through the richness.
Caramel or Dulce de Leche Drizzle: For an extra decadent touch, a swirl of caramel sauce or dulce de leche is absolutely divine.

Troubleshooting Common Instant Pot Rice Pudding Issues

Even with the best instructions, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are solutions to common Instant Pot rice pudding problems:

Pudding is Too Thick: This is a common occurrence, especially after refrigeration. Simply stir in an additional splash of warm milk (whole milk works best) until you reach your desired creamy consistency. You can do this before serving, or even reheat gently on the stovetop with extra milk.
Pudding is Too Thin: If your rice pudding is too liquidy after stirring, it likely needs more time to thicken. You can either set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” (on low) and gently simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your liking, or simply let it cool longer. Rice pudding thickens considerably as it cools.
Rice is Not Cooked Enough: If the rice is still too firm, it might be due to variations in rice type or Instant Pot models. Seal the lid again and pressure cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, followed by a quick release. Ensure you’ve used the correct amount of liquid as well.
Scorched Bottom: While less common in an Instant Pot, it can happen if ingredients aren’t properly mixed or if the pot is overfilled. Ensure all ingredients are well combined *before* sealing. If it does scorch, carefully scoop out the unburnt pudding, leaving the bottom layer behind.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Instant Pot rice pudding is a fantastic dessert for making ahead, and it stores beautifully:

Cool Completely: Before refrigerating, always allow the rice pudding to come to room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming and keeps the texture optimal.
Airtight Container: Transfer the cooled pudding to an airtight container. This will keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods in your fridge.
Refrigeration: Stored properly, rice pudding will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating: If serving warm, you can gently reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk as needed to restore creaminess.

If you enjoyed this creamy Instant Pot rice pudding, you’ll surely love this rice pudding with peaches! For a more traditional preparation, check out this classic rice pudding recipe. You can also find other delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos on YouTube and Facebook.

4.67 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Rice Pudding

By Julie Maestre

This instant pot rice pudding is made with short rice, water, sugar, milk, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk. Made in under 30 minutes!

Prep: 2

Cook: 20

Total: 22

Servings: 6 servings

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Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 cup short grain rice
1 1/4 cups water
2 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick
ground cinnamon, to taste

Instructions

Rinse the short-grain rice 2-3 times under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. This helps prevent the pudding from becoming too gummy.
Add the rinsed rice, water, whole milk, salt, granulated sugar, and cinnamon stick to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the vent to the sealing position. Select the “Porridge” function and cook for 20 minutes.
Once the 20-minute cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of all the steam before opening the lid.
Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the vanilla extract and the sweetened condensed milk until well combined and the pudding reaches a creamy consistency. It will thicken further as it cools.
Serve your Instant Pot rice pudding warm, at room temperature, or chilled, garnished with ground cinnamon or your favorite toppings.

Notes

Always read your Instant Pot manual before using it for the first time.
If the rice pudding thickens too much to your liking, especially after being refrigerated, simply add a splash of extra whole milk and stir it in to achieve your desired creaminess.
Allow the rice pudding to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating. This helps maintain its best texture.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Julie Maestre

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 22

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Cuban

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 181

Keyword: Arroz con Leche, Instant Pot Arroz con Leche, Instant Pot Rice Pudding

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