Decadently Creamy Vegan Rice Pudding with Spiced Orange Compote: Your Ultimate Dairy-Free Dessert Recipe
Indulge in the comforting embrace of our exceptionally creamy vegan rice pudding, a delightful dessert that promises a nostalgic taste without any dairy. Perfectly balanced in sweetness, this pudding is incredibly versatile, tasting exquisite whether served warm or chilled. For an elevated experience and a vibrant burst of flavor, pair it with our homemade spiced orange compote. This recipe demonstrates just how effortless and rewarding plant-based desserts can be, proving that going vegan doesn’t mean compromising on texture or taste.
This timeless recipe for vegan rice pudding was first published on July 7, 2022, and has since been thoughtfully updated with fresh insights and enhanced information on August 18, 2023, to ensure you achieve the best possible results.
Why You’ll Adore This Vegan Rice Pudding Recipe
Rice pudding holds a special place in the hearts of many worldwide, often evoking cherished childhood memories. Beyond its inherent deliciousness, this particular vegan rendition stands out for several compelling reasons:
- Unbelievably Creamy Texture: Prepare to be amazed by the rich, velvety texture of this stovetop rice pudding. The secret to its incredible creaminess lies in the use of evaporated oat milk, which delivers a luxurious mouthfeel so authentic that no one will suspect it’s entirely plant-based and dairy-free. It truly redefines what vegan desserts can be.
- Comforting, Familiar Flavors: This recipe masterfully combines classic, warming flavors that everyone knows and loves. Aromatic cinnamon sticks infuse the pudding with a subtle spice, while the fresh seeds from a vanilla bean provide a deep, sweet, and comforting essence. These timeless notes create a truly satisfying dessert experience.
- A Refreshing Fruity Twist: While traditional rice pudding often features raisins, our recipe offers an exciting and delightful alternative: a homemade citrus compote. This juicy, refreshing topping, bursting with the bright flavors of oranges and grapefruit, provides a wonderful contrast to the rich, creamy pudding. The zesty tang of the compote cuts through the sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced and irresistible dessert.
- Made with Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You don’t need exotic items to create this gourmet-level dessert. The rice pudding itself requires just 8 basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The accompanying orange compote is equally straightforward, needing only 7 ingredients, cleverly utilizing the vanilla bean pod leftover from the pudding for zero waste and maximum flavor.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight treat, a comforting dessert on a cold evening, or an elegant offering for a dinner party, this vegan rice pudding fits the bill. It’s easy to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and appeals to a wide range of palates.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Rice Pudding
Crafting the perfect creamy, dairy-free rice pudding begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
Rice: For the most tender and creamy rice pudding, short-grain rice is unequivocally the best choice. Varieties like arborio rice, often used for risotto, or sushi rice are ideal because they release more starch during cooking. This starch is what contributes to the pudding’s signature thick, luxurious texture. Avoid long-grain rice if possible, as it tends to result in a less creamy, more separate consistency.
Evaporated Oat Milk: This is the game-changer for a truly creamy dairy-free experience. I specifically recommend Nature’s Charm’s evaporated oat milk for its unparalleled richness and neutral flavor profile, which allows the vanilla and cinnamon to shine. While evaporated coconut milk or regular canned coconut milk can be used as quick substitutions, be aware that they will impart a distinct coconut flavor. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – you’ll simply end up with a delicious coconut rice pudding, which can be a wonderful variation!
Vanilla Bean: To achieve the most authentic and deep vanilla flavor, using the seeds scraped directly from a fresh vanilla bean is highly recommended. The difference in aroma and taste compared to extract is profound. If a vanilla bean isn’t available, you can substitute with 2 teaspoons of high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla paste, but try to get your hands on a bean if you can!
Cinnamon Stick: A whole cinnamon stick is preferred over ground cinnamon for its ability to impart a subtle, warm, and nuanced cinnamon essence into the pudding. It slowly releases its flavor as it simmers, avoiding the potentially overpowering taste that ground cinnamon can sometimes create. If you don’t have a cinnamon stick, use ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, adding it cautiously and tasting as you go.
Vegan Butter: Just a small tablespoon of vegan butter works wonders to enhance the overall richness and silkiness of the rice pudding. It adds a lovely gloss and a hint of buttery flavor without any dairy. Any good quality plant-based butter will work perfectly here.
Orange Peel: A strip of fresh orange peel introduces a bright, subtle citrus note to the pudding, beautifully complementing the vanilla and cinnamon. It’s not meant to make the pudding taste overtly orange, but rather to add an extra layer of fragrant complexity that elevates the entire dish.
Granulated Sugar and Fine Salt: These foundational ingredients are essential for balancing the flavors. The granulated sugar provides the perfect level of sweetness, while a pinch of fine salt is crucial for enhancing all the other flavors, preventing the pudding from tasting flat.
Expert Tips for the Best Vegan Rice Pudding
Achieving a consistently perfect, creamy vegan rice pudding is simple with these invaluable pro-tips:
- Always Rinse the Rice First: This step is non-negotiable for ideal texture. Rinsing the rice with cold water helps to remove excess starch from the surface of the grains. Place the rice in a bowl, cover it with water, swirl gently with your hand for a few seconds, then carefully pour out the cloudy, starchy water. Repeat this process two to three more times until the water runs mostly clear. By removing this extra starch, you ensure your rice pudding becomes wonderfully creamy, rather than unpleasantly mushy or sticky.
- Stir Frequently During Simmering: Once the rice is simmering in the milk mixture, it’s crucial to stir the pot every few minutes. This prevents the rice grains from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning, which can ruin the flavor and texture of your pudding. Consistent stirring also promotes even cooking and helps release the starches needed for creaminess.
- Remove from Heat Before It Gets Too Thick: This is a common pitfall! Remember that rice pudding continues to thicken considerably as it cools, and even more so when chilled in the refrigerator. To avoid an overly dense, brick-like pudding, make sure to take it off the heat *before* it reaches your desired final thickness. After simmering for approximately 30 minutes, when it’s still slightly looser than you’d prefer for serving, immediately transfer it to a heat-proof bowl. This stops the cooking process and prevents it from over-thickening in the hot pot.
- Ensure Plastic Wrap Touches the Surface: Once your rice pudding has cooled to room temperature, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, making sure the wrap directly touches the entire surface of the pudding. This simple trick is key to preventing a dry, unsightly “skin” or film from forming on top, keeping your pudding perfectly smooth and moist.
- Adjust Sweetness to Your Liking: The recipe provides a good starting point for sweetness, but feel free to adjust. Taste the milk mixture before adding the rice, and again towards the end of cooking. If you prefer a sweeter pudding, add a little more sugar (or maple syrup/agave for a more liquid sweetener) gradually until it suits your palate.
- Experiment with Toppings: While the spiced orange compote is highly recommended, don’t shy away from other toppings! Fresh berries, toasted nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or even a sprinkle of chocolate shavings can all make wonderful additions.
Vegan Rice Pudding with Spiced Orange Compote
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Ingredients
For the Creamy Vegan Rice Pudding
- ½ cup short-grain white rice (such as arborio or sushi rice)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cans evaporated oat milk (recommended for best creaminess)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean (use just the scraped seeds)
- 1 strip orange peel
For the Refreshing Spiced Orange Compote
- 3 oranges
- 1 grapefruit
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup or maple syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean pod (use the leftover pod from the rice pudding, for flavor and zero waste)
Instructions
Preparing the Vegan Rice Pudding
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Begin by rinsing the short-grain rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Transfer the rinsed rice and 1 cup of fresh water to a medium-sized pot. Heat on medium-high until it reaches a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the rice to partially cook.
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Next, add the evaporated oat milk, granulated sugar, vegan butter, fine salt, a strip of orange peel, the cinnamon stick, and the freshly scraped seeds from your vanilla bean into the pot with the simmering rice. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to combine the ingredients well.
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Once the mixture has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer gently for an additional 30 minutes. During this time, stir the pot every few minutes to ensure the rice cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom, preventing scorching and promoting maximum creaminess.
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After 30 minutes, immediately remove the pot from the heat. Carefully pour the creamy rice pudding mixture into a separate heat-safe bowl to stop the cooking process and allow it to cool down.
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If you plan to serve the rice pudding cold, wait until it has cooled to room temperature. Then, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap makes direct contact with the surface of the pudding. This prevents a “skin” from forming. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour, or until thoroughly cold and firm.
Crafting the Spiced Orange Compote
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While your rice pudding is chilling, prepare the exquisite orange compote. Carefully cut the oranges and grapefruit into segments, removing any pith and seeds. Place the juicy citrus segments into a separate heatproof bowl.
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In a small pot, combine the granulated sugar, water, agave syrup (or maple syrup), any citrus juice collected while segmenting the fruit, a fresh cinnamon stick, and the leftover vanilla bean pod from making the rice pudding (this adds another layer of vanilla flavor and reduces waste). Heat this mixture over medium-high heat.
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Once the compote syrup reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and carefully pour the warm, spiced liquid over the prepared citrus segments in the heatproof bowl. Allow the compote to cool completely to room temperature before serving.
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Serve the chilled vegan rice pudding generously topped with the cooled, spiced orange compote. Enjoy this delightful dairy-free treat!
Nutrition Information
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Vegan Rice Pudding
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious vegan rice pudding for days, or even months!
Storing in the Refrigerator: Once the rice pudding has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. It can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always ensure the lid is tightly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent any absorption of refrigerator odors. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of extra oat milk if needed, or enjoy it cold directly from the fridge.
Freezing for Longer Preservation: For optimal results when freezing, allow your freshly cooked rice pudding to cool entirely to room temperature. Then, portion individual servings into thick freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. When using bags, press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn. This vegan rice pudding can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. To defrost, simply transfer the frozen portions to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. Once defrosted, you can gently reheat it on the stove or microwave, adding a little extra oat milk or water if it seems too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Rice Pudding
Yes, traditional rice pudding recipes almost always contain dairy, typically in the form of cow’s milk, cream, or sometimes condensed milk, which provide its characteristic richness and creamy texture. To make rice pudding dairy-free, as in this recipe, it’s essential to substitute these dairy components with plant-based alternatives like evaporated oat milk and vegan butter. Some recipes may also include egg yolk for added richness; for a completely vegan rice pudding, ensure no eggs are used either.
Our vegan rice pudding can certainly be part of a balanced diet. According to Mackenzie Burgess, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, “Rice is an excellent source of carbohydrates, which are our body’s primary and preferred energy source. It’s also naturally low in saturated fat and sodium.” While this recipe uses white rice, Mackenzie suggests, “If you’re aiming to increase your protein and fiber intake, consider incorporating a variety of grains into your diet, including both refined grains like white rice and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, or oatmeal.” Furthermore, she highlights the nutritional benefits of the compote: “The delicious orange and grapefruit compote adds a significant nutritional boost, being rich in potassium, folate, and vitamin C. Research consistently shows that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and plays a crucial role in supporting the body’s immune response to infection, making this a dessert that offers more than just indulgence.”
No, you absolutely cannot taste the oat flavor from the evaporated oat milk in this rice pudding recipe. The combination of warming cinnamon, fragrant vanilla, and the bright, zesty orange peel are so robust and well-balanced that they effectively mask any subtle oat notes. The evaporated oat milk is chosen for its superior creaminess and neutral profile, ensuring the classic rice pudding flavors truly shine through, making it indistinguishable from a dairy-based version.
Yes, this vegan rice pudding is naturally a gluten-free dessert! Rice itself is gluten-free, and all the other ingredients specified in this recipe, including the evaporated oat milk and vegan butter, are also gluten-free. This makes it a fantastic dessert option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, provided you check the labels of your specific brand-name ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free, especially for cross-contamination concerns.
While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, most culinary experts agree that short-grain rice yields the absolute best results for a truly creamy rice pudding. Varieties such as arborio rice (renowned for risotto), traditional pudding rice, or sushi rice are highly recommended. These types of rice contain a higher starch content, which they release during the simmering process, creating that desirable velvety, thick consistency. If long-grain rice is all you have on hand, you can certainly use it, but be prepared for a slightly less creamy and more separated texture in your final pudding.
Absolutely! Using leftover cooked rice is a fantastic way to expedite the process and prevent food waste. If you’re starting with pre-cooked rice, simply skip the initial step of cooking the rice in water. Instead, add the already cooked rice directly to the pot along with the evaporated oat milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and vanilla seeds. Then, proceed with simmering the mixture until it reaches the desired creamy consistency, adjusting the cooking time as needed, likely reducing it by about 10-15 minutes.
Explore More Delicious No-Bake & Easy Vegan Dessert Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of this vegan rice pudding, you’re in for a treat! We have an array of other fantastic no-bake (or oven-free) vegan dessert recipes that are just as easy to make and equally satisfying:
- For blueberry enthusiasts, you must try these no-bake blueberry cheesecake bites—they’re incredibly creamy, bursting with berry flavor, and perfect for a quick indulgence.
- Start your day right with my blueberry overnight oats. They can be prepped several days in advance, guaranteeing you a relaxed and delicious morning without any fuss.
- If mango is your passion, you’ll adore this refreshing mango lime sorbet and my fun, chewy mango boba tea. They are absolutely perfect for mango season or whenever you have a bag of frozen mango patiently waiting in your freezer!
- For those who appreciate traditional Japanese sweets, particularly mochi, explore my collection of delightful cooked-but-no-oven-needed recipes:
- Classic and wonderfully chewy shiratama dango.
- The beautiful and subtly sweet sakura mochi.
- Festive and flavorful kashiwa mochi.
- And the ever-popular, sweet, and fruity strawberry mochi (Ichigo Daifuku). These treats offer a unique dessert experience without requiring you to turn on your oven!