Arroz con leche or Mexican rice pudding is a super easy to make dessert or snack. You can serve this creamy dish either warmed up or cold, which makes it a delicious choice for just about any time of year. With a little creativity, you can easily add new flavors to the pudding to customize it to your family’s tastes.
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What is Arroz Con Leche Mexicano?
"Cremoso" is the Spanish word for Creamy ,"Arroz" is the Spanish word for Rice , "Leche" is the Spanish word for Milk . Put ’em together and you’ve got Mexican version of rice pudding. It combines rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon to create a sweet, refreshing dessert.
You can eat it hot and fresh, warmed up, or cold from the fridge if you like. It is super easy to make with the Instant Pot and needs very little prep work.
How is Arroz Con Leche different from Rice Pudding?
While Arroz Con leche is a very simple recipe, the recipe varies based on the ingredients and the quantity used. Some use more water, some use condensed milk and evaporated milk. Using cinnamon also adds a different flavor and warmth to the Arroz Con Leche recipe. The Spanish version uses little water and milk to cook the rice, condensed milk to sweeten the pudding and vanilla to add flavor.
?Ingredients needed to make Arroz Con Leches
When you make arroz con leche, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Milk - Whole milk works best, but you could use reduced fat versions. It may not be as creamy and may be a bit more watery if you do though.
- Water
- Salt - You don’t not need much, this just helps to bring out the flavors a bit.
- Long-grain white rice - You can use your preferred long-grain rice, just make sure to rinse it first to remove extra starch and debris.
- Vanilla extract - We like using real vanilla, but you could use imitation if you prefer.
- Sweetened condensed milk - This helps sweeten and thicken the pudding.
For an optional garnish, you’ll want to also have the following on hand:
- Cinnamon powder
- Chopped pecans - You could use a different nut if you prefer.
- Raisins - Another dried fruit can also taste good with this.
?How to make Arroz con Leche in an Instant Pot
The following steps explain how to make arroz con leche in the Instant Pot. Here’s what you need to do:
- First, pour the water, milk, and salt into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Next, add in the rice and let it sit.
- Once the rice is in, close and lock the lid. Move the seal to the “Sealing” position to trap in the pressure..
- Press “Porridge” and give it a few minutes to come up to pressure.
- When the timer goes off, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for about 10 minutes and then do a quick release of the remaining pressure.
- After the pressure valve has dropped, open the lid and pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and stir until combined.
?Tips & Pro Tips
When you make arroz con leche, follow these tips for the best results:
- Rinse and wash the rice well to remove the starch. If you don’t, the rice will become very dense & sticky. This is the secret to creamy, soft rice pudding my friends!
- Letting the pressure release naturally in the Instant Pot for 10 minutes is very important to create the perfect consistency.
How to serve
Mexican rice pudding makes a great sweet snack or dessert. You can serve it either warm or cold. This makes it a great pick on either a cold day, since it can help warm you up, or on a hot day, since it can help cool you down.
You can also make substitutions and changes in flavors easily with the addition or removal of different ingredients.
?Substitutions & Toppings
Arroz con leche has a mild, sweet flavor, which makes it easy to add new flavors to it. Here are some suggestions for toppings and substitutions:
- Your favorite berries like raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries
- Dried fruits such as pineapple, apples, or your favorite
- Mix in some chocolate powder for a chocolatey rice pudding
How to store
You can store rice pudding by allowing it to cool and then scooping it into an airtight container. Once transferred, place the pudding in the fridge and store for up to 5 days. You can serve the pudding cold from the fridge or warm it up before serving.
How do I warm up the arroz con leche after it has been refrigerated?
If you like warm arroz con leche, you can easily warm it up using the microwave. All you need to do is place it in a microwave safe bowl and then head for about a minute or until warmed through.
If it is too thick, you can pour in a small amount of milk to thin it out a bit. You may need to mix the pudding and then reheat for another few seconds to ensure even cooking.
Can arroz con leche be left out overnight?
We recommend putting the arroz con leche in the fridge to store. This contains milk, which can spoil on the counter, particularly in warm climates.
?What type of rice to use for Arroz Con Leche / Mexican Rice Pudding
When you make arroz con leche, you will want to use long grain white rice. This produces the right texture for the pudding. You could use either basmati or jasmine white rice for this recipe.
More Delicious Desserts
- Chocolate Hummus
- Tapioca Pudding
- Chocolate Fondue
- Zeppole
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple chips
- Carrot Pudding
- Vermicelli Pudding
- Churro bites
- Rice Pudding
- Indian Kheer
Let us know what you think
If you make this delicious recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!
Print
Cremoso Arroz Con Leche - Mexican Rice Pudding
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Diet: VegetarianDiet
Description
Arroz con leche or Mexican rice pudding is a super easy to make dessert or snack. You can serve this creamy dish either warmed up or cold, which makes it a delicious choice for just about any time of year. With a little creativity, you can easily add new flavors to the pudding to customize it to your family’s tastes.
Ingredients
- Milk (whole milk preferred) - 2 cups
- Water - 1-¼ cups
- Salt - ¼ teaspoon
- Long-grain white rice (rinsed) - 1 cup
- Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
- Sweetened condensed milk - 1 (14-ounce) can
Garnish
- Cinnamon powder - 1 teaspoon
- Chopped pecans (optional) - ¼ cup
- Raisins (optional) - ¼ cup
Instructions
- First, pour the water, milk, and salt into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Next, add in the rice and let it sit.
- Once the rice is in, close and lock the lid. Move the seal to the “Sealing” position to trap in the pressure..
- Press “Porridge” and give it a few minutes to come up to pressure for 20 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for about 10 minutes and then do a quick release of the remaining pressure.
- After the pressure valve has dropped, open the lid and pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and stir until combined.
Notes
When you make arroz con leche, follow these tips for the best results:
- Rinse and wash the rice well to remove the starch. If you don’t, the rice will become very dense & sticky. This is the secret to creamy, soft rice pudding my friends!
- Letting the pressure release naturally in the Instant Pot for 10 minutes is very important to create the perfect consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Additional Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Mexican
