This recipe is the combination of two recipes up on the blog: Vitamix Almond Milk and Grandma's Stovetop Rice Pudding. I never thought it would be possible to make a healthier, low-fat, vegan version of rice pudding until I experimented in the kitchen. I have made this recipe 5 times, tweaking it each time until it came out perfect.
Throughout this process of tweaking, I found two ways to sweeten the pudding: one with sugar and the other with dates. I couldn't pick which one to make this recipe about, so I've included both ways. If sweetening with sugar, this dairy-free rice pudding rivals the same taste as milk rice pudding. The proof is in the pudding, or shall we say rice pudding.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Almond Milk: I recommend using homemade almond milk to make this recipe because it's creamier than store-bought almond milk. Also, I have not tried making this recipe with store-bought almond milk, so I'm not sure how it will turn out. If you make it with store-bought, drop a comment at the bottom!
- Cooked Rice: This recipe calls for pre-cooked plain rice. It can be any type of steamed rice. For this exact recipe, I used leftover Calrose steamed rice from last night's dinner.
- Cornstarch: This rice pudding thickens up because of the added cornstarch. This is a MUST for this recipe.
- Sugar: You can use raw sugar, white sugar, or brown sugar for this recipe. Alternatively, you can sweeten this almond milk rice pudding with dates (see the section below).
Using Dates As A Natural Sweetener
I was a little hesitant to add this section because it might complicate the recipe. However, almond milk sweetened with dates is so good! The dates give the almond milk rice pudding some caramel flavor undertones. Dates are a natural sweetener, unlike refined sugar, so this would be my go-to recommendation if you have easy access to dates.
If using dates, add 20 Sukari or 15 Medjool pitted dates to the blender while making the almond milk. Strain the almond milk using a cotton cloth. The end result will be a darker color almond milk that is very sweet. Because the almond milk is already sweetened, do not add any additional sugar.
Ingredients for Already Sweetened Almond Milk 
Sweetened vs Unsweeted Almond Milk
Tips and Tricks
- Make your almond milk from scratch. It takes 5 minutes to blend and strain the milk with a cotton cloth.
- Don't freak out if the almond milk is not thickening. I go into more details in the section below for exactly how to thicken up almond milk with the cornstarch. Just keep stirring and give it a little more time on the stovetop until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Don't panic if your rice pudding is too thick. There's a quick fix for that issue as well. Just add a little bit more almond milk (and stir) until the right consistency is achieved.
- Add nuts or spices to garnish. I prefer ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg to my almond milk rice pudding.
- For thicker rice pudding, put it in the fridge overnight. The rice pudding thickens as it cools.
How To Thicken Up Pudding
- Dissolve the cornstarch in cold almond milk. I whisk the almond milk for a good 30 seconds to a minute to make sure the cornstarch is completely dissolved into the almond milk before setting it on the stovetop.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to medium heat. Don't keep the stovetop on high, otherwise, the bottom of the pan will burn.
- Closely monitor the almond milk and stir frequently. I stir every 1 to 2 minutes to make sure the almond milk is not sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the rice once the almond milk is thickened up. Continue to cook on the stovetop for another 5 to 7 minutes.
- Once the texture is where you want it, remove the rice pudding from the stovetop. Allow the rice pudding to cool for 30 minutes.
Dissolve cornstarch in cold almond milk 
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer 
Add the rice once the milk is thickened 
Allow rice pudding to cool for 30 minutes
Try Some Other Dairy-Free Desserts
Creamy Almond Milk Rice Pudding
Ingredients
Homemade Almond Milk
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 2 Medjool dates
- 5 cups water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make homemade almond milk or use store-bought almond milk.
- If making homemade almond milk, add ½ cup of raw almonds, 2 Medjool dates, 5 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high. Strain the almond milk with a cotton cloth for a smooth milk base.
- In a pot, add the cornstarch, sugar (if using), and almond milk together. Stir for 30 seconds to a minute until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Put the pot on the stovetop on high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer (medium-high heat). Continuously monitor and stir every couple of minutes until the almond milk thickens up (about 7 to 10 minutes).
- Add in the cooked rice. Continue to stir until the rice expands slightly (about 5 to 7 minutes).
- Remove from the stovetop and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Serve with crushed nuts or ground spices.
Notes
- Thicken up the rice pudding while on the stovetop by continuing to stir on medium-high heat until the pudding mixture is at the desired consistency.
- Thicken up the rice pudding by allowing it to cool at room temperature or in the fridge.
- If the pudding is too thick, add a little bit of almond milk and stir.
Roshni Gokhale
Your likes are very similar to mine, love cooking too. I love adding a pinch of cardamom and nutmeg powders to a rice pudding, you may want to try it.
Lily
Thank you for the comment! Cardamom and nutmeg sound like an excellent idea- I will try them the next time I make it!
Janice
Can you use store-bought almond milk?
Lily
It depends on the almond milk you buy (they are all so different). You really need a thick unsweetened almond milk, and the best way to make the almond milk is with a Vitamix.
Mariam
Deliciously creamy rice pudding recipe that's dairy-free!
Lily
Glad you liked it