Apple and Cinnamon Rice Pudding

Name: Apple and Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 pink lady apple; 1 cup arborio rice; 1 cup water; 4 cups milk; 1 cinnamon stick; 1/2 tsp nutmeg; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 tsp vanilla paste; 1/2 cup thickened cream

Published: Jun 16, 2021. Modified: Jun 16, 2021By:Kylie·This post may contain affiliate links·

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Rice pudding screams childhood memories for me! This Apple and Cinnamon Rice Pudding can be made in the instant pot, slow cooker, or even in the oven, so you can choose how quick, slow or hands on you want to be. Perfect for a deliciously creamy winter dessert the kids will love. You can have this made in under 25 minutes! And there is no need to serve it with anything, it's all in the dish.

apple and cinnamon rice pudding in bowls

Contents hide

1 Why you're going to love this recipe

2 What goes into the recipe

3 How to make this recipe

4 Slow cooker, Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

5 Expert tips and FAQs

6 More apple desserts

7 Apple and Cinnamon Rice Pudding

Why you're going to love this recipe

What's not to love about retro desserts? Rice pudding is a family favourite, and I'm sure this one will become a family favourite for you too! Here's why:

quick and easy to make
choose how to cook it: slow cooker, instant pot, pressure cooker or in the oven
lower sugar thanks to the apple
flavoured with traditional apple pie spices
deliciously creamy
can be served warm or cold
kids love it because it's so easy to eat
no need to add any extras

What goes into the recipe

don't forget to scroll to the recipe card for full amounts and method

ingredients: arborio rice, milk, thickened cream, sugar, nutmeg, apple, vanilla and cinnamon stick

arborio rice- why? Sure, it's more expensive, but this short grain rice is perfect for rice pudding as it retains some crunch and cooks really well with very little stirring. Bought a pack and don't know what else to use it for? We use it in risotto.
apple- this is a large pink lady apple, the red apples are sweeter and therefore better for this recipe.
cream- to add to the creamy texture, I stir this through at the end. It helps to make the rice pudding incredibly delicious
milk- choose the milk that suits you, light, full cream, even rice! I use a full cream jersey milk, but I have used UHT milk when we have had nothing else.

How to make this recipe

grate the apple (image 1)
combine the rice and water (image 2)
add the apple (image 3)
add the milk (image 4)

grate the apple, add the water and rice to the bowl, add the apple, add the milk

Add the nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla and sugar. (Image 5)
Mix well and cook using your preferred method:
Slow cooker: 8 hours low/ 4 hours high (stirring when you can)
Instant Pot: 20 minutes with manual pressure release
Oven: 180 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. (Image 6)
Stir well. (Image 7)
Add in the cream and allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken before serving. (Image 8)

add the nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla, stir well and cook, and the cream

Slow cooker, Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

Choose your own adventure with this dessert, depending on how much time you have and how hands on you want to be!
Slow cooker: 8 hours low/ 4 hours high (stirring when you can)
Instant Pot: 20 minutes with manual pressure release
Oven: 180 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

Expert tips and FAQs

Making this dessert couldn't be simpler, whichever method you choose.

What milks can I use?

Full fat, skim, they all work for this. For non dairy options, you can use rice milk, oat milk, soy. Swap the cream for coconut cream.

What is the best rice for rice pudding?

By far, it has to be arborio rice! It has smaller grains, and keeps a bit of crunch even after cooking.

close up of apple and cinnamon rice pudding

More apple desserts

images of recipes overlaid with: want more family-friendly recipes?

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