Slow Cooker Rice Pudding {Unofficial Slimming World}

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How come some of the simplest recipes end up being the tastiest? That's how we find this easy slow cooker rice pudding. With just a handful of simple ingredients cooking in a pot while you work, it's a delight to come home to!

Includes step-by-step instructions and video to follow.

slow cooker rice pudding pot with pomegranate seeds, maple syrup and a cinnamon stick

Whatever the time of year, this creamy rice pudding slow cooker recipe is the perfect dessert that cooks while you're busy and doesn't need babysitting.

Growing up, my grandparents would cook us a classic rice pudding using the traditional method: in the oven, and in an enamel pot with a lid. My auntie told me this homey dessert should be so thick, it holds its shape on the spoon.

The outside layer of the skin was dark brown, with pure white underneath. But my slow cooker version is very different. Its creamy dessert texture resembles canned rice pudding (no thin layer), which I adapted for a sugar-free Slimming World weight loss plan.

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🛒 Ingredient Notes
📋 Instructions
👩‍🍳 Substitutions
⚖️ Variations
🔪 Equipment
❄️ Storage
💡Pro Tip
❓ FAQ
➕ More Dessert Recipes
➕More Slow Cooker Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities, daily values and preparation instructions at the bottom of this post.

slow cooker rice pudding ingredients on a wooden kitchen worktop

Pudding rice - this type of rice is also known as "white rice" in some countries. If you can't find it in your grocery store, then arborio rice will work too.

Milk - we use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk to make an unofficial Slimming World rice pudding. However, whole milk or other types of fresh milk will work depending on your chosen dietary requirements.

Sugar or sweetener - similar to above, we use sugar-free stevia sweetener by Pure Via for a low calorie count that's kinder on the teeth. Alternatively, you could use ⅓ cup of sugar if preferred.

Vanilla extract - just a little vanilla extract goes a long way to make it an extra delicious rice pudding.

Ground cinnamon - or cinnamon sticks to enhance a warming and comforting dessert.

Optional toppings - fresh fruit such as raspberries, pomegranate seeds, honey, pure maple syrup, etc.

📋 Instructions

uncooked pudding rice placed in a slow cooker

Add the pudding rice to your slow cooker.

milk being poured into a slow cooker with pudding rice

Pour in a whole carton of your preferred milk.

cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar being added to uncooked rice pudding mixture

Now add a sprinkle of cinnamon, any other spices, vanilla extract, citruses or zests, and sweetness, then stir well.

Lid on top of a slow cooker to cook rice pudding

Cover with a lid and cook on low for 4 hours before stirring the hot rice mixture and serve with your favourite toppings or an extra dash of cinnamon if required.

Tips: the texture should be creamy, similar to how you find tinned rice pudding. If you prefer a thicker consistency, then I recommend cooking for an extra hour or on the stove top over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.

planted based rice pudding cooked in a slow cooker

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Here are a few simple swaps you can make:

Plant-Based Milk - use regular milk if desired or half milk with a 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk (but omit the sugar!)
Sweetener - use brown sugar or granulated sugar, or sweeten with a little bit of honey, jam or maple syrup drizzled at the end which tastes divine!
Cinnamon - use allspice, lightly crushed cardamon seeds, or pumpkin spice for an autumn dessert

topping ideas for home cooked rice pudding on a butchers block kitchen counter

⚖️ Variations

Here are a few different ways you can personalise this crockpot rice pudding recipe for the whole family:

Deluxe creamy pudding - add cinnamon sticks (instead of a teaspoon ground cinnamon), seeds from a vanilla pod (instead of extract), a knob of butter and heavy whipping cream
Fruity - ⅓ cup raisins with uncooked rice, lemon or orange zest for Moroccan rice (avoid the white part of the peel) and tasty coconut flakes for the ultimate sweet treat
Kid version - add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a chocolate rice pudding, topped with sprinkles
Coffee flavour - to make a coffee mousse rice pudding, replace ¼ cup of milk with strong brewed strong coffee and heavy cream or cream cheese
Adult version - steep a handful of raisins in warm rum while the rice pudding is cooking, then stir in at the end

See this multicooker and instant pot version of this recipe on my website for a quicker cooking time.

vegan slow cooker rice pudding in white bowls with fresh raspberries on a blue cloth

🔪 Equipment

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Tip: for easy cleanup, you can spritz the inner bowl of slow cooker with cooking spray, or use a liner.

close up of creamy syn free rice pudding topped with fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup

❄️ Storage

Ideally, it is best to eat homemade rice pudding as soon as it is cooked.

If you have leftover rice pudding, then leave it to cool at room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

It is recommended to reheat it no more than once. We find the easiest way is to microwave it in a lidded container until piping hot so it doesn't lose moisture during the cooking process.

A hand grabbing a rice pudding pot dessert

💡Pro Tip

If this slow-cooker rice pudding recipe being naturally vegan isn't important, you can thicken it with an egg mixture:

Whisking an egg and 2 tablespoons of milk together
Stir in a small amount of cooked rice pudding quickly to avoid the egg cooking
Pour back into the pot and cook high for 10-15 minutes until thickened

vegan rice pudding pots in GU pots topped with fruit, maple syrup and cinnamon sticks on the side

❓ FAQ

Is eating rice pudding a Slimming World tweak?

I'd previously heard people talking in my group about using it in a crock pot rice pudding recipe. And there's been confusion about whether it's a tweak or not.

If NOT making it with your Healthy Extra A*, (ie, water), then it would be a tweak and needs counting as it's an ingredient that's easy to overeat.
*I estimate that between 4 people, each serving uses 250ml of your 400ml almond milk daily allowance.

Does sweetener need to be counted?

Sweeteners now have to be counted on Slimming World when over ½ a teaspoon. Please note, I do not have any experience with WW points (Weight Watchers).

Can I use long grain rice in a slow cooker rice pudding recipe?

For the best result, you can long grain rices such as jasmine and basmati, with 2 cups of milk instead.

However, we don't recommend using short grain rice as it will turn out mushy.

Minute rice (instant grains of rice), can also be used with the same cooking method in the recipe card.

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Looking for another delicious dessert recipe? Here's what we think is extra special!

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