Brown Rice Pudding

Creamy Brown Rice Pudding sweetened with vanilla and maple syrup then topped with juicy fruit. Perfect as a healthy breakfast or dessert!

If you’re looking for more healthy breakfast ideas, try my chia pudding and banana chia pudding.

This brown rice pudding is my dad’s rice pudding recipe he cooked for me. I made it more healthy by using brown rice and cut back on some calories but not flavor. I remember it was the creamiest thing ever!

Start your day with this delicious breakfast and if you’re still thinking about it when you get home, treat yourself to a healthy snack or healthy dessert, I won’t tell anyone.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy: Greek yogurt makes it rich and creamy with the perfect texture.
• Not overly sweet: Vanilla and maple syrup add just the right amount of sweetness without needing sugar.
• Wholesome: A gluten-free indulgence loaded with nutrient-dense foods like chia seeds, raisins, and fruit.
• Can use leftover rice: This recipe is the best way to use up any leftover rice.
• Can be made ahead: Make a batch of rice pudding on Sunday and enjoy an on-the-go breakfast all week long.

Ingredients for Brown Rice Pudding

To make this brown rice pudding recipe you’ll need 9 simple ingredients.

• Brown rice: Uncooked brown rice that has been rinsed and drained. Choose from long grain brown rice, brown jasmine rice, or brown basmati rice. You can use short grain brown rice, but pudding will be more mushy.
• Milk: I recommend to use plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, or coconut milk to cut back on calories. However, you can use any milk.
• Butter: Helps create a rich consistency. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt when cooking your rice.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract adds that traditional warming flavor.
• Raisins: Stirring in raisins adds a touch of sweetness.
• Chia seeds: Use whole chia seeds for the best taste and texture, you can use black chia seeds or white chia seeds.
• Yogurt: Instant Pot yogurt or regular yogurt is fine, I like Greek yogurt because it’s more creamy.
• Liquid sweetener: I prefer the taste of pure maple syrup for this recipe but honey or agave nectar will work too.
• Frozen fruit: Add your favorites like blueberries, cherries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries.

How to Make Brown Rice Pudding

Here’s a quick overview of how to make brown rice pudding using one pot right on your stovetop.

There is a full recipe card below.

• Bring rice to a boil: In a large pot, combine rice, 4 cups of milk, butter and vanilla extract. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is soft, about 40 minutes. I always stir a few times so rice doesn’t burn.
• Add raisins and chia seeds: Turn off heat and stir in the remaining milk, raisins and chia seeds. Let the pudding sit for 15 minutes.
• Finish the pudding: Transfer the pudding to a large baking dish. Add berries, Greek yogurt and maple syrup, then stir gently. Adjust to taste and serve hot or warm.

Tips for Best Results

Here are some things to remember when making rice pudding with brown rice.

• Don’t walk away from milk: Milk can boil over and burn quickly, so keep a close eye on it until it boils, then reduce heat right away. This will save it from burning.
• Use leftover rice: You will need 3 cups of cooked Instant Pot brown rice, Instant Pot long grain white rice, Instant Pot jasmine rice or Instant Pot basmati rice.
• Make it vegan and dairy-free: Customize the recipe by using coconut oil instead of butter, and dairy-free yogurt. So good!
• About fruit and berries: Use fresh berries when in season and frozen other months to save money. I also love replacing berries with frozen mango in winter.

Variations

Try these flavor variations and see which one you like best.

• Use white rice: If you’re using white rice, cook it for about 20 minutes or until soft. Any white rice works.
• Other dried fruit: Substitute raisins for dried cranberries, chopped dates, apricots, or prunes.
• Warm spices: Add a dusting of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger.
• Citrus zest: Add lemon zest, lime zest, or orange zest for a true citrus flavor.
• Fresh fruit: The sky is the limit when it comes to adding fruit to pudding. Use whatever is in season like fresh berries, sliced banana, pomegranate, grated apples, mango, pineapple, or stir in some jam before serving.
• Extract: Swap vanilla for almond extract, coconut extract, or banana extract.
• Chocolate: Make a decadent treat by mixing in cocoa powder or chocolate chips.
• Nuts: I like adding crunch with pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios.

How to Store and Reheat

Store: Keep your pudding refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freeze: Transfer cooled rice pudding to an freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Move it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.

Reheat: Add pudding to a small pot and reheat on low heat, stirring often so it doesn’t burn. Add a splash of milk too to rehydrate its creaminess.

Can I Make It Ahead?

Yes! Make ahead and refrigerate it in a large baking dish for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove on low with a splash of milk.

Hello, easy breakfast!

FAQs

More Pudding Recipes to Try

• Chocolate banana chia pudding
• Mango chia seed pudding
• Chocolate chia pudding
• Coconut milk chia pudding
• Matcha chia pudding
• Cottage cheese pudding