Rice pudding is pure comfort food, yet is surprisingly difficult to make, as the rice usually has to be cooked for quite a while, which is why so many people just buy ready-made. But homemade rice pudding is delicious and high in protein, topped with a splodge of fruity jam. It’s a Christmas dessert in Scandinavia. And apparently Buddha’s last meal, before enlightenment! Keep these puddings away from pets due to toxic ingredients like plant milk, dried fruits and nutmeg (never use xylitol sweetener near pets).
Gaz Oakley’s Vegan Rice Pudding (Avant Garde Vegan) costs just 55p per portion. Made with pudding rice, plant milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve with jam or apple compote.
If you want a quick recipe to start you off, head to Manchester’s Unicorn Grocery (a creamy stovetop version) that boils up plant milk with short-grain rice and salt, then adds a cinnamon stick. It’s thickened with silken tofu, sweetened with maple syrup and finished with raisins and vanilla essence. Prefer to buy? We Can Vegan Rice Pudding is sold in a zero waste tin. It’s made with water, rice, coconut milk, sugar and maize starch. Just heat and eat.
Vegan Rice Pudding (Crowded Kitchen) is very easy to make. Packed with flavour, it is made with rich coconut milk (Biona and Nature’s Charm are two good brands that don’t use monkey harvesting) and warming cinnamon. Top with fruit and nuts.
Crockpot Rice Pudding (The Roasted Root) is a thick and creamy pud, ideal if you own a slow cooker. You can make this with white rice, arborio rice or even sushi rice.
Rice Pudding Vegan Gelato (Lazy Cat Kitchen) is based on a traditional Italian gelato flavour, but instead of milk, uses a blend of cashew and coconut milk, with toasted risotto rice and spices.
International Rice Pudding Recipes
Middle Eastern Rice Pudding (Lands & Flavors) is an aromatic version using orange blossom water and mastic (tastes like pine, from the dried resin of a tree). If you can’t find it, you can just use more orange blossom water.
Spanish Rice Pudding (Simple Vegan Blog) is called ‘arroz con leche’ in Spain and South/Central America. It’s made with brown rice and brown sugar. Or instead try Iosune’s Spanish Rice Pudding Mousse, which is made with short grain rice and coconut milk (use oat or rice milk, if preferred).
