Gluten-Free Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice

This creamy, comforting gluten-free rice pudding, infused with warm vanilla and a hint of sweetness. Its velvety texture and subtle aroma make it a perfect simple dessert or a delightful base for your favorite toppings.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Total: 60 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This medium desserts recipe yields 4 servings in about 1h (25 min prep, 35 min cook). It uses 8 ingredients — including arborio rice or short-grain white rice, unsweetened almond milk or other dairy-free milk, water — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more desserts recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

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Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice: When preparing this desserts recipe, short-grain or Arborio rice and almond milk should both be labeled gluten-free, along with any ground spices stirred in. Simmer in a clean saucepan, and pick toppings like toasted nuts that carry the same label.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on rice as its base. Always verify that all packaged ingredients, such as milk alternatives and spices, are gluten-free.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Ingredients

Shop links on this page are for Arborio rice or short-grain white rice, unsweetened almond milk or other dairy-free milk, granulated sugar or coconut sugar. Buy the package that says gluten-free. A shared production line is the usual risk with these pantry items. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm the product is labeled gluten-free before you buy.

0.75 cup Arborio rice or short-grain white rice Shop
3 cups unsweetened almond milk or other dairy-free milk Shop
1 cup water
0.5 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar Shop
1 tsp pure vanilla extract Shop
0.25 tsp salt
Optional: pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg spices
Optional: fresh berries, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup toppings

Instructions

1 Rinse the Arborio rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain it thoroughly. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, unsweetened almond milk, and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
2 Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for about 25-30 minutes. Stir frequently, ensuring the rice is tender and the mixture has thickened to a creamy consistency. The pudding should be thick but still pourable.
3 Stir in the granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and salt. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the pudding has reached your desired thickness. If using, stir in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for added warmth.
4 Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice pudding stand for about 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the pudding to thicken further as it cools. The aroma of vanilla should be prominent.
5 Serve the gluten-free rice pudding warm, or chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours for a firmer, cold dessert. Garnish with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup just before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

432

Calories

Protein

54g

Carbs

22g

Fat

Fiber

118mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Stir often in the last 10 minutes. The rice can stick to the bottom as the pudding thickens.
The pudding thickens a lot as it cools, so take it off the heat while it's still a little loose.
Add a strip of lemon or orange zest while simmering for a fragrant, classic flavor.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice?

Check Arborio rice or short-grain white rice, unsweetened almond milk or other dairy-free milk, water before they go into Gluten-Free Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice. Short-grain or Arborio rice and almond milk should both be labeled gluten-free, along with any ground spices stirred in. Simmer in a clean saucepan, and pick toppings like toasted nuts that carry the same label.

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