Coconut Rice Pudding Topped With Berries (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
GLUTEN FREE II DAIRY FREE II SESAME FREE II SOY FREE II VEGAN II EGG FREE II SHELLFISH FREE II FISH FREE
Savour a bowl of coconut rice pudding thatโs smooth and rich, alive with the taste of fresh fruit. This vegan rice pudding recipe is packed with flavour and shines on hot days when served cold, especially when you top it with a handful of ripe berries.
Whether you enjoy it warm with a spoonful of fruity jam or chilled as a simple treat, coconut milk rice pudding delivers comfort and a touch of the tropics in every bite.
The creamy coconut blends with tart, sweet berries for a dairy-free rice pudding thatโs both satisfying and refreshing. This is a dessert youโll return to, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.
Notes on ingredients for coconut rice pudding recipe
Coconut
I usually use fresh coconut and grate it myself as the flavour is much better. However, if you lack the time, use desiccated coconut instead. Which is available in most supermarkets.
Sweetener
Feel free to swap the honey for another sweetener that's vegan, like agave, rice or maple syrup. If you would like to make this sugar-free, then use an alternative sugar like stevia, xylitol or monk fruit. If you are in the USA, we canโt get that here in the UK.
Dairy-free milk/tinned coconut milk
I always choose Rude Health milk because it has fewer artificial additives. The barista version stands out, as it is creamier and works much better for cooking than the thinner options. It is also more heat-stable to use in cooking.
For dairy-free milk in this coconut milk rice pudding, I used coconut milk, which I obtained from both a carton and a tin. Iโm careful with tinned coconut milk and avoid supermarket brands since many of them include gums and other unnecessary additives.
You can just use tinned coconut and not both, but I find that the coconut rice pudding is just too rich and heavy, which is why I have used both a carton and tinned coconut milk for the best tasting dairy-free rice pudding that's out of this world!
The brands I rely on use only coconut and water. Iโm careful to avoid any ingredients that might trigger inflammation, as I manage gut issues myself. If you have IBS or other inflammatory conditions, pay attention to labels and stay away from products that could make symptoms worse, like gums and unnecessary additives.
My favourite brands of coconut milk - Available online or at health food stores
Pudding rice
You can buy this anywhere, and it is simply labelled as pudding rice. Please only use pudding rice and not any other type of rice, as they are all distinctly different, for example. Arborio and pudding rice look alike but are quite different.
Arborio works well in risotto and savoury dishes, while pudding rice is best for sweet recipes thanks to its soft, sticky texture. Knowing which rice to use helps you make better meals and brings out the best in your dishes.
Read more about the best ways to use certain types of rice in your recipes here.
Coconut Oil
I buy mine from Lidl; it costs ยฃ2.00. Be sure to buy a good quality coconut oil for this coconut rice pudding. Use unrefined coconut oil, which contains more nutrients and has a stronger taste and smell, making it great for adding flavour to dishes. Read more about the best types of coconut oil to use in your cooking and why here.
Vanilla extract
I always use an extract or a vanilla powder in my cooking recipes over an essence, which is just essentially diluted low-quality flavour. My fave brands are:
Vanilla powder, made with dried vanilla pods - Buy online
Neil Massey Vanilla extract with real vanilla - Buy in most supermarkets, this is what chefs use in kitchens and is highly rated.
Ingredients
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
This vegan coconut milk rice pudding is the ultimate combination of creamy comfort and tropical freshness. The richness of coconut milk pairs beautifully with the tart sweetness of fresh berries, making it a dessert youโll want to make again and again. Itโs:
Dairy-free and vegan-friendly
Naturally gluten-free
Customisable with your favourite fruits
Perfect for breakfast or dessert
Taste like summer in a bowl
Can be eaten any time of the year, cold in the summer, topped with soft fruits, or warmed in the winter with a dollop of jam.
Recipe Tips & Variations
Extra tropical: Add a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes before serving, and use mangoes instead of berries.
Berry swirl: Stir in berry compote before chilling for a marbled effect. Try my vegan chia jam recipe here.
Creamier texture: Add a few spoonfuls of coconut milk powder
Breakfast version: Serve with chia seeds and nuts for more protein.
Dessert version: If serving cold, add some grated chocolate to the rice pudding with a swirl of vegan salted caramel, try my recipe here.
Storing & Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Add a splash of coconut milk and warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Freezer: Best eaten fresh โ freezing changes the texture, so I would not recommend this.
FAQโs
Can I make this with brown rice?
Yes, but cooking time will increase by 15โ20 minutes and texture will be slightly firmer. Also note that brown rice is not starchy, and you will have sweet watery coconut milk with nutty brown rice, it wonโt be thick and creamy. The starch is what helps create the creaminess when using pudding rice.
How to make a coconut rice pudding?
The full method and ingredient list is below. My top recommendations are using high-quality ingredients and cooking this dairy-free rice pudding slowly so it doesn't burn or catch on the stove. Iโm also a big fan of putting all the ingredients in your slow cooker and slowly cooking for a few hours.
Do you rinse rice before making rice pudding?
Absolutely not, washing the rice will wash all the starch away, which is what makes this delicious vegan rice pudding so creamy.
Can I make coconut rice pudding ahead of time?
Yes. You can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. It will become thicker as it cools, so you might want to stir in a splash of coconut milk or water before serving.
What toppings work well with coconut rice pudding?
Toasted coconut flakes, mango, pineapple, or passion fruit are all winners. A drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon also adds a nice kick.
How do I stop the pudding from sticking to the pan?
Cook over low heat and stir frequently. A non-stick saucepan is helpful. If the coconut rice pudding seems to be catching, add a little more liquid and reduce the heat.
Alternatively, cook it in a slow cooker or oven. I often do this at work because I usually cook four or five dishes at once, so I combine all the ingredients in a deep oven-proof dish, cover with foil, and bake until the rice is soft and the coconut milk rice pudding is thick and creamy.
Remember to check it regularly while cooking, as you'll need to stir the rice pudding often. Add more milk if the rice has absorbed too much liquid.
Is coconut rice pudding gluten-free?
Rice and tinned coconut milk are naturally gluten-free, always check ingredients though to be on the safe side but also check any extras like flavourings or toppings for gluten if you need a guaranteed gluten-free dish.
Step by step
Recipe
150 g pudding rice
50 g coconut (fresh or desiccated)
1 & 1/4 pint plant-based milk ( see notes)
2 tin coconut milk
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp honey/agave/coconut blossom nectar or more if you like it sweeter
A handful of mixed berries to garnish I used organic raspberries, strawberries & pre-prepared pomegranate
Method
Place all ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil for a few seconds, stirring often.
Once the milk has been bought to a boil, reduce to the lowest heat setting and simmer for approx 45 minutes - 1 hr, often stirring to stop the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Alternatively, put all the ingredients into a slow cooker or oven and cook till rice is soft and creamy, approximately 2-3 hours cooking time in a slow cooker and 1 hour in the oven at 180 ยฐC. Please note these are approx times only and may require more or less time.
Serve either hot or cold with seasonal fruit.
Similar recipes you might like
Blackberry chia jam - Serve with this delicious vegan rice pudding recipe
Vegan salted caramel - Great to swirl into this delicious dairy-free rice pudding
Apple sauce recipe - Try adding a few spoonfuls of apple sauce to serve, with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Try serving the apple sauce hot with cold coconut rice pudding and some chopped nuts on top!
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