Vegan Rice Pudding

Quick, comforting and creamy vegan rice pudding that’s ready in just 30 mins on the hob. Try it with cinnamon and citrus zest inspired by the Spanish Arroz con Leche, or have fun customising it with other flavours. 

This easy vegan rice pud is:

• Ready in just 30 mins 
• Simple with only 5 ingredients
• Comfortingly creamy – with no dairy needed!
• Naturally gluten free
• And so easy to customise for endless flavour variations….

Rice pudding is a traditional dish around the world, and many countries have their own recipes. One thing is common – the simple base of sweet & creamy rice.

This vegan rice pudding recipe is inspired by the Spanish rice pudding Arroz con leche. The lemon and orange zest infuses the rice pudding with a warming citrusy flavour, and the cinnamon adds a richness. If you want to be even more authentic to the Spanish way of making rice pudding, then add a stick of cinnamon in when you first cook the rice. 

Jump to:

• Ingredient tips
• Step by step
• Make this recipe your own
• Serve it…
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredient tips

Which vegan milk?

You can use your favourite plant milk for this recipe. We usually use soy or oat milk. For a more nutty taste, try almond milk or our homemade walnut milk. And for an extra creamy version, you can use canned coconut milk. 

Which rice works best?

Short grain rice works best for making pudding, as it tends to be a bit more naturally creamy. In Spain look for bomba or paella rice. Arborio rice also works well. In the UK you can also often find short grain rice sold simply as ‘pudding’ rice. 

We’ve also tested it with long grain white rice, and it works too. So don’t worry if you can’t get short grain, you can stilll enjoy this yummy dessert.

Can I use leftover/already cooked rice? 

Yes you can! As long as it’s plain and has been stored properly you can use already cooked rice to make rice pudding. No need to throw those leftovers away! And if you want a savoury way to use leftover rice try our Vegan Egg Fried Rice. 

Step by step

1. Place rice with water and citrus zest in a saucepan
2. Cook for 10 mins, covered with a lid, until the water is absorbed
3. Add plant milk of your choice and cinnamon
4. Simmer uncovered for 15 mins
5. Stir in sugar (or alternative sweetener to taste)
6. Dissolve sugar and simmer for a few more minutes until it reaches desired thickness

Make this recipe your own

There’s so many ways you can vary the flavour of this vegan rice pudding that you’ll never get bored! How about:

• Stir in some dark chocolate and sprinkle with cocoa for a chocolatey twist
• Switch the sugar for maple syrup and toss some pecans on top
• Stir in some peanut butter and your fave jam for a PB&J Rice Pud!
• Use coconut milk and top with mango and chill for a tropical rice pudding
• The variations are endless… let us know what you try!  

Serve it…

As you can see we had our vegan Arroz con Leche with another Spanish delight – blood oranges. We just love these bright red beauties when they are in season.

This pudding is wonderfully versatile. You can serve it hot and let its creamy warmth comfort you on a cool, dark evening…

Or served it chilled, and you’ll notice how refreshing and delicate it can taste on a summer’s day. 

This vegan rice pudding is so good, you can even serve it instead of oatmeal/porridge for breakfast topped. Just reduce the sugar and top with fresh fruit and granola. 

We hope you enjoy our easy vegan rice pudding! Check out these other vegan Spanish recipes if you fancy some more inspiration.

For more yummy vegan desserts that are simple to make try our:

Easy Vegan Tiramisu (that’s ready in 10 mins!)

or this no bake Chocolate Salami that’s fun to make.

Thanks for dropping by Vegan on Board 💚

Sophie & Paul

📖 Recipe