I love rice pudding, but I’m notorious for burning it when I cook it on the stove. So I’ve started making microwave rice pudding instead! I find it so much more reliable than the stovetop version, and this arroz con leche preparation gives it a creamy, flavorful finish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rice pudding is rich, creamy, sweet, and packed with warm cinnamon and juicy raisins to make for a comforting, delicious dessert. It’s naturally vegetarian and gluten free as well, making it suit a variety of dietary needs.
Arroz con leche is a variation of traditional rice pudding which uses sweetened condensed milk instead of just sugar, and more cinnamon to give it some extra bold flavoring.
It’s a great option for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, but an equally delicious dessert option any time your sweet tooth is calling. Since it’s warm, I love it on a fall evening just as much!
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Ingredients List
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup milk or half and half (I use 2%)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
- ¼ cup raisins (or to taste)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- You can use pretty much any white rice you want. I have long grain, but jasmine, Arborio, and short grain rice varieties all work well (though cooking times can vary slightly between them)
- The vanilla can be swapped for almond extract if you’d like a different flavor profile
- The cinnamon and the raisins can be adjusted (or omitted) based on your personal preferences. You can use regular or golden raisins
How to Make Microwave Rice Pudding
- To a large microwave safe container, add the rice, water, salt, and cinnamon stick
- Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes, or until the water is mostly evaporated
- Remove the cinnamon stick and add the extract, all 3 milks, ground cinnamon, and the raisins, and still well
- Cover again and place it back in the microwave. Reduce to 50% power and cook an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked
- Rest for about 5 minutes (the pudding will continue to set)
- Enjoy warm, or cover and refrigerate for later
What to Serve With Rice Pudding
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Banana
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Jam
- Fruit compote
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate sauce
- Chocolate chips
- Candied fruits
- Dried fruits
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Toasted coconut
- Sesame seeds (toasted)
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream
There are lots of great ways to dress up your rice pudding to make it your own. If you’re feeding a crowd, offer small bowls of lots of different options so your guests can customize their dish.
Try my microwave rice pudding with my Microwave Chocolate Sauce, Sangria Wine Jelly, or some Air Fryer Honey Roasted Pecans.
Since this is arroz con leche style, the cinnamon notes would pair well with my Strawberry Horchata Chai, or a Salted Caramel Crown and RumChata Martini for the adults!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Different Types of Rice for Microwave Rice Pudding?
Yes, you can use various types of rice such as short-grain, long-grain, or even arborio rice, depending on your preference for texture and flavor.
Cooking times can vary slightly between different varieties of rice, so make sure to check it frequently near the end of cooking. Add additional milk if your rice starts to dry out too much before it cooks fully.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Rice Pudding in the Microwave?
Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage and the type of rice you’re using. Generally, microwave rice pudding takes around 20-25 minutes in total to cook.
By using pre-cooked rice, you can reduce the time to 10-15 minutes if you’re in a rush.
Can I Add Different Flavorings to My Microwave Rice Pudding?
Absolutely! You can customize your rice pudding with various flavorings like vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even citrus zest to suit your taste preferences.
Dried fruits and nuts are other common choices. While raisins are a common addition, you can also use dried cranberries, blueberries, or another option you enjoy to create a new combination.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Use a big microwave safe container, as rice always has a tendency to overflow when cooking. Even my 2-qt bowl does, so if you have something larger go with that. Otherwise, just grab the paper towels and prepare to wipe up the spillage!
- If your rice pudding gets too thick, thin it with a little milk. Arroz con leche will thicken as it cools so it can set up too much, but a lot is personal preference for how runny you want it! I like mine on the thicker side, but I know plenty of people who like it more like porridge, so adjust for your tastes!
- I make this recipe in my 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, expect cooking times to vary slightly. Just watch your liquid levels and test your rice so you can adjust accordingly
Storage and Reheating Tips
- After cooling completely, store leftover rice pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- To reheat rice pudding in the microwave, place a portion in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30-60 seconds, until desired temperature is reached. It may also be heated on the stovetop. If the mixture has become too thick after sitting in the fridge, you can add a little more milk to thin it before heating
- Easy Air Fryer Cauliflower Rice
Final Thoughts
Once you see how easy it is to make microwave rice pudding, you’ll never stand over the stovetop again! While it’s not really faster (rice still takes a while to cook), what you do save is the headache of burned rice.
I’m not going to say this recipe is foolproof, because anything is possible. However, I’ve never screwed it up as badly as any attempt on the stove!
This arroz con leche version uses sweetened condensed milk for just the right amount of sweetness. Add in the cinnamon and raisins and you’ve got a creamy, delicious dessert that’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo, fall nights, and more!
Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian and gluten free (though still always a good idea to double check your ingredients to be safe), so it fits a variety of dietary needs.
Microwave Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) Recipe
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl (large)
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup milk or half and half (I use 2%)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
- ¼ cup raisins (or to taste)
Instructions
- To a large microwave safe container, add the rice, water, salt, and cinnamon stick1 cup white rice, 2 cups water, ½ tsp salt, 1 cinnamon stick
- Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes, or until the water is mostly evaporated
- Remove the cinnamon stick and add the extract, all 3 milks, ground cinnamon, and the raisins, and still well1 tsp vanilla extract, ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup evaporated milk, ½ cup milk or half and half, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ cup raisins
- Cover again and place it back in the microwave. Reduce to 50% power and cook an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked
- Rest for about 5 minutes (the pudding will continue to set)
- Enjoy warm, or cover and refrigerate for later
Notes
- You can use any white rice you want. I have long grain, but jasmine, Arborio, and short grain rice varieties all work well (though cooking times can vary slightly between them)
- The vanilla can be swapped for almond extract if you’d like a different flavor profile
- The cinnamon and the raisins can be adjusted (or omitted) based on your personal preferences. You can use regular or golden raisins
- Use a big microwave safe container, as rice always has a tendency to overflow when cooking. Even my 2-qt bowl does, so if you have something larger go with that. Otherwise, just grab the paper towels and prepare to wipe up the spillage!
- If your rice pudding gets too thick, thin it with a little milk. Arroz con leche will thicken as it cools so it can set up too much, but a lot is personal preference for how runny you want it! I like mine on the thicker side, but I know plenty of people who like it more like porridge, so adjust for your tastes!
- I make this recipe in my 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, expect cooking times to vary slightly. Just watch your liquid levels and test your rice so you can adjust accordingly
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any adjustments or toppings added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
I usually make rice pudding with granulated sugar, but I had a can of sweetened condensed milk to use up so this was perfect! It came out sweet and creamy, and I was able to reheat it and enjoy it for a few days too!
Glad to hear this was able to help clean out the food pantry! I hate having leftovers that go to waste.