Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche in Spanish) is a sweet, creamy Mexican dessert that is quick and easy to make in an Instant Pot.

With no eggs and sweetened condensed milk, this easy rice pudding will quickly become one of your family’s favorite Mexican Desserts!

Table of Contents

• What is Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding or Arroz Con Leche?
• Why Is This The Best Rice Pudding Recipe?
• What Type Of Rice Is Used To Make Rice Pudding?
• What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Rice Pudding?
• How To Make Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding or Arroz Con Leche?
• What Are Other Variations of Rice Pudding?
• Tips For Perfect Instant Pot Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)
• Other Unique Rice Pudding Recipes
• Other Recipes Using Rice
• Other Mexican Dessert Recipes
• Recipe
• Reviews

What is Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding or Arroz Con Leche?

1. Dessert. Arroz Con Leche or Mexican Rice Pudding is a sweet, creamy dessert made with rice, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Sometimes raisins or lemon zest are added. When we go out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, the Mexican Rice Pudding is our go-to dessert.
2. Thousands of Years of Tradition. Rice Pudding is thousands of years old and just about every country in the world has its own variation. It is a sweet, creamy, comfort food dessert for just about everyone in the world. See below for several variations of rice pudding and find out which one is your favorite.

Why Is This The Best Rice Pudding Recipe?

1. Simple Ingredients. The ingredients used are all you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator. There is no need to make a special trip to a gourmet specialty store.
2. No Eggs Required. This Mexican Rice Pudding recipe, or Arroz Con Leche, uses no eggs. So there is no need to cook the eggs. Instead, this rice pudding uses sweetened condensed milk to give it that rich, creamy sweetness that rice pudding is known for.
3. Instant Pot Makes It Easy and Fast.  The Instant Pot is all you need. There is no need to dirty any other pots and pans making this recipe. It is truly a one-pot dessert. Plus the Instant Pot cooks it perfectly in a short time. If you want rice pudding fast, use your instant pot.

What Type Of Rice Is Used To Make Rice Pudding?

Recommended Types of Rice

1. Long-Grain Rice. I like to use a long-grain white rice for the Mexican Rice Pudding. It is found in almost every grocery store in the U.S. 
2. Medium-Grain Rice. Medium grain rice works well also, maybe even a little better than the white rice. 

Don’t Use These Types of Rice 

1. Short-grain (Sushi) Rice. Keep the short-grain rice for Sushi and not for the rice pudding. It does not provide a good texture for the rice pudding.
2. Arborio Rice.  With the extra starch and usual creaminess found in Arborio Rice, which is often used in risotto, you would think it would be good for rice pudding. The problem is that it provides too thick a rice pudding and does not give as creamy a texture.
3. Brown Rice. I love brown rice for salads and pilafs but not for rice pudding.
4. Instant Rice. Don’t take shortcuts with the rice for rice pudding. Use the regular long-grain rice. The Instant Pot will shorten the cooking time. Don’t use Instant Rice in this rice pudding. It is not recommended.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Rice Pudding?

Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don't have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

1. Rice. I recommend using long-grain rice. See discussion above for more detailed information regarding the different types of rice.
2. Milk. I used whole milk for this recipe. You could probably use 2% milk and that would work, but I don’t recommend using 1% or skim milk as those will not provide the creamy texture needed for this recipe.
3. Water. This is needed to have the right ratio of liquid to solids. 
4. Sugar.  A couple of tablespoons of granulated sugar are all that is needed since the sweetened condensed milk adds additional sweetness. Then if you add any sweet toppings, that will add sweetness as well. Please be aware that the sugar may need to be adjusted based on your preference and based on the sweetness of other ingredients, such as sweetened condensed milk, raisins, or other sweet toppings, such as maple syrup, caramel, or cajete.
5. Salt. A little salt balances out and complements the sweetness of the rice pudding.
6. Sweetened Condensed Milk. This gives the Mexican Rice Pudding, or Arroz Con Leche, its creaminess and adds to the sweetness of the rice pudding. 
7. Vanilla. This is a must for rice pudding. It adds that unique vanilla flavor and the rice pudding just doesn’t taste right without it.
8. Cinnamon. (Optional). This is optional but is a typical ingredient in a Mexican Rice Pudding. 
9. Raisins. (Optional). This is another optional ingredient but is often found in Mexican Rice Pudding. Often golden raisins are used and are soaked in tequila or other liquor.
10. Pecans. (Optional). Add a crunchy texture to contrast the rich, creaminess of the Mexican Rice Pudding or Arroz Con Leche.

if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card.

How To Make Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding or Arroz Con Leche?

This Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) is really easy to make, especially in the Instant Pot. The cooking time will definitely be shorter using the Instant Pot pressure cooker than cooking it the traditional way. 

• Pour the milk, water, sugar, and salt into the Instant Pot and then add the rice.
• Close and lock the lid. Move the seal to the “Sealing” position. 
• Press “Porridge.”  (It will take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to the pressure level before it starts to cook.)
• After it has finished cooking for 20 minutes, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for about 10 minutes and then do a quick release.
• After the pressure valve has dropped, open the lid and pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir until combined. 

• The Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) is now ready to serve. Spoon it into a serving dish and top it with cinnamon and chopped pecans.

What Are Other Variations of Rice Pudding?

Feel free to vary the toppings or mix-ins of this Mexican Rice Pudding. This way you can make the recipe your own.

1. Cinnamon is commonly found in Mexican Rice Pudding and is used in this recipe. You could even add cinnamon sticks to the rice and milk mixture while it cooks for more cinnamon flavor.
2. Raisins, especially golden raisins soaked in liquor, are a favorite add-in for Mexican Rice Pudding.
3. Pecans or walnuts, almonds or your favorite nut could be added as a crunchy topping for a contrasting texture to the creamy rice pudding.
4. Maple Syrup adds additional sweetness and that distinct maple flavor to the rice pudding.
5. Cajeta, a type of dulce de leche, similar to caramel, adds a rich sweet topping to any rice pudding.

Tips For Perfect Instant Pot Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

1. Use the Recommended Rice. See the discussion above about the recommended type of rice. Use the long-grain or short-grain white rice for the best results.
2. Rinse The Rice.  Before adding the rice into the Instant Pot be sure to rinse the rice first. This gives the rice a much better texture after cooking. Do not skip this step.
3. Don’t Use Skim or Low Fat Milk.  For the creamiest rice pudding, I recommend using whole milk and avoiding the low fat or skim milk. 2% milk might work, but the lower the fat, the less creamy the rice pudding will be.
4. Measure Correctly. Use the correct type of measuring cup, appropriate for each ingredient. Be sure to measure the milk and water using a measuring cup designed for liquids. Don’t use the same measuring cup used to measure the rice. As well, don’t measure the rice in a measuring cup designed for liquids.  

Other Unique Rice Pudding Recipes

1. Peaches and Cream Rice Pudding Recipe For One – by One Dish Kitchen – is a single serving dessert is filled with juicy peaches and toasted pecans. Made with fresh or canned peaches.
2. Warm Cardamom and Coconut Rice Pudding – by Fearless Dining – this creamy dairy-free warm cardamom and coconut rice pudding is the perfect dish to enjoy anytime you need a "better for you" dessert.

Other Recipes Using Rice

If you are looking for recipes to use rice, we have some recommendations for tried and true recipes from this blog and other food blogger friends.

1. Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole – is an easy, cheesy, delicious ground beef skillet dinner loaded with Mexican beefy taco flavor that your whole family will love!
2. Mexican Rice – or Spanish Rice, with its bold Mexican flavors, will make your taste buds do a salsa dance, which makes it a perfect side dish for your Mexican dinner.
3. Beef Tips and Rice – with sauteed onions and peppers covered in a savory gravy, made in a dutch oven or crockpot, make an easy, delicious, and hearty dinner your family will love.
4. Shrimp Fried Rice – by Cooking with Curls – the ultimate in easy meals to throw together last minute. Even if your shrimp is frozen, you just have to run them under cold water for a few minutes to defrost while the Steamed Rice is cooking.
5. Savory Chicken and Rice Turnovers – by Kylee Cooks – are quick to make and popular with the whole family!

Other Mexican Dessert Recipes

1. Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars – inspired by the Mexican dessert called sopapillas, have a sweet, creamy cheesecake filling tucked between 2 crescent roll pastry sheets, and are topped with butter, cinnamon, and sugar and drizzled with honey.
2. Churro Muffins – The buttery sweet cinnamon pastry called Churros are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and just melt in your mouth. These Churro Muffins have all the flavor of your favorite Mexican dessert in little baked, bite-sized muffins; and they are so easy to make!
3. Mosaic Jello (AKA Gelatina Tres Leches) – Cubes of brightly colored gelatin inside a creamy white base for a beautiful, colorful vibrant Mexican dessert.
4. Instant Pot Kahlua Flan – by Cooking With Curls – has a silky smooth texture and it's swimming in caramel for the ultimate dessert.
5. Miguelitos with Chocolate – by The Bitter Side of Sweet – a pastry made with puff pastry and chocolate sandwiched in between them topped with powdered sugar.

If you like this recipe, be sure to follow us on:

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Recipe