Instant Pot Arroz con Leche

Step-by-Step Guide on how to make Instant Pot Arroz con Leche! Easy to make Rich & Creamy Mexican Rice Pudding with few pantry ingredients. No need to stand by the stove and constantly stir the arroz con leche to make this delicious, heartwarming, and comforting dessert.

arroz con leche instant pot

Arroz Con Leche

Arroz con leche means “rice with milk”. It’s a sweet, thick, creamy, and milky rice pudding. Many enjoy it as a comforting breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Many cultures from around the world have their tasty version of rice pudding. And many versions of arroz con leche originated from Spanish Arroz con Leche.

Nowadays, “arroz con leche” can refer to Spanish, Mexican, or Latin American rice pudding.

mexican rice pudding instant pot

What is arroz con leche made of?

Arroz con leche is mostly made of rice, milk, spices, flavorings, and sweeteners.

There are many variations of arroz con leche from different cultures, and each adds its unique ingredients and twists.

Some common ingredients include cinnamon, raisins, star anise, vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, lemon peel, orange peel, various spices, dulce de leche, or sugar.

Different cultures also use different types of rice to make their arroz on leche. For example, Spanish arroz con leche is often made with Arroz Bomba (bomba rice).

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How to Make Arroz con Leche in Instant Pot

The best part about making Arroz con Leche in Instant Pot means you don’t need to tend the pot and stir constantly to keep the rice pudding from sticking and burning.

arroz con leche pressure cooker

Here are the simple ingredients you need to make Instant Pot Arroz con Leche:

arroz con leche ingredients

Amy + Jacky’s Tips – Optional Ingredients: The Star Anise, Lemon Zest, and Unsalted Butter are optional in this recipe. They add a bit of flavor, aroma, and increase the rice pudding’s smooth texture. If you don’t have these ingredients, you can skip them.

Which type of rice is best for Arroz con Leche?

Most White Rice will work for making Arroz con Leche. You can make this Arroz con Leche Instant Pot recipe with Jasmine Rice, Basmati Rice, or Arborio Rice. These 3 types of rice are great choices.

Best Types of Rice for Making Rice Pudding - Jasmine Rice, Arborio Rice, Basmati Rice

Amy + Jacky’s Tips – Types of Rice: Different types of rice need different cooking times, and liquid ratios. Depending on the rice you use, your Arroz con Leche will come out differently. For example, Jasmine rice and Basmati rice will come out less chewy than Arborio rice. If you prefer a softer rice texture with your rice pudding, add an extra ¼ cup of water.

*Note: We used Jasmine rice to develop this arroz con leche recipe.

Step 1

Add Rice and Spices in Instant Pot

Optional Step: Rinse rice under cold water 2 to 3 times, then drain well.

add rice and spices

First, add 1 cup (230g) Jasmine rice and 1 cup (250ml) cold water to the Instant Pot. Make sure all the rice is completely submerged in water.

Then, add 1 (3.5g) cinnamon stick, 1 star anise (optional), and lemon zest (optional) in Instant Pot.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips – Rice Texture: Using our Rice to Water Ratio, the rice will have an al dente texture. If you prefer softer rice, add an extra ¼ cup (63ml) of cold water.

add water

For Arborio Rice and Basmati Rice, Use these Ratios:

  • Arborio Rice: 1 cup (200g) Arborio Rice and 1½ cup (375ml) cold water
  • Basmati Rice: 1 cup (210g) Basmati Rice and 1 cup (250ml) cold water
Step 2

Pressure Cook Rice

With Venting Knob in Venting Position. Close the lid. Then, turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.

instant pot pressure cook at high pressure for 6 minutes

After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

When the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Step 3

Make Instant Pot Arroz con Leche

pressure cooked jasmine rice

Now, add 1 can (12oz or 354ml) evaporated milk to the Instant Pot. With a spatula, give it a few stirs to mix well.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips! Make sure you release all the rice from the bottom of the pot with your spatula.

add evaporated milk to rice

Press “Cancel”, then press “Saute” button until the Instant Pot is in “Saute Normal” mode.

instant pot saute normal

Add 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract, ¼ tsp (1.5g) table salt, and 1 can (10oz or 300ml) sweetened condensed milk in Instant Pot.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips – Sweetness: If you prefer less sweet, substitute ¼ (63ml) cup of sweetened condensed milk with the same amount of whole milk. Taste & adjust based on your sweetened condensed milk and preference.

add condensed milk

Step 4

Thicken and Serve Arroz con Leche

Keep stirring until the rice pudding starts to simmer.

Stir and add raisins in Arroz con Leche.

Allow the rice pudding to simmer for another minute or two until the Arroz con Leche has reached your desired thickness.

how to make arroz con leche

Optional: Add and melt 1 tbsp (14.5g) unsalted butter in Arroz con Leche.

Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sweetened condensed milk if necessary.

Turn off the heat (press “Cancel”).

arroz con leche in Instant Pot

Amy + Jacky’s Tips – Thickness: The rice pudding will continue to thicken as it cools down. Some rice will release too much starch and cause the rice pudding to thicken too much. If this is the case, you can heat and thin it out by adding more whole milk. Make sure to taste and adjust the sweetness according to your preference.

If you don’t have milk, you can thin the consistency with water.

Finally, you can add more raisins and lemon zest, then sprinkle some cinnamon powder on the Arroz con Leche before serving.

arroz con leche recipe

How to Serve Arroz con Leche

The choice is yours! Depending on how you like your rice pudding, you can serve this arroz con leche hot or cold. You can enjoy it as a sweet creamy snack, a heartwarming dessert, or start your morning with this comforting breakfast. 

Toppings for Arroz con Leche

There are lots of toppings you can add to your arroz con leche. Here are some traditional and creative topping ideas:

  • Raisins, golden raisins, currants, dried cranberries 
  • Lemon zest
  • Cinnamon powder, nutmeg
  • Grated coconut
  • Toasted pecans, toasted almonds
  • Dulce de leche
  • Granola

Enjoy Creamy Sweet Arroz con Leche!

5 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Arroz con Leche

Author: Amy + Jacky
Step-by-Step Guide on how to make Instant Pot Arroz con Leche! Easy to make rich and creamy Mexican Rice Pudding with few pantry ingredients. No need to stand by the stove to make this delicious, heartwarming, and comforting dessert.
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Servings 6 - 8
Total Time 28 minutes
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Ingredients

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Instructions 

  • Add Rice and Spice in Instant Pot: Rinse rice under cold water 2 to 3 times, then drain well.
    Add 1 cup (230g) Jasmine rice and 1 cup (250ml) cold water to the Instant Pot. Make sure all the rice is completely submerged in water.
    Then, add in 1 (3.5g) cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, and lemon zest.
  • Pressure Cook Rice: Close the lid. Turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position. Open the lid carefully.
  • Make Arroz con Leche: Add 1 can (354ml) evaporated milk to the Instant Pot. With a spatula, give it a few stirs to mix well. Make sure you release all the rice from the bottom of the pot with your spatula.
    Press "Cancel", then press "Saute" button to "Saute Normal" mode. Add in 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract, ¼ tsp (1.5g) table salt, and 1 can (300ml) sweetened condensed milk.
    Amy + Jacky's Tip: Make sure to taste and adjust the sweetness by using more or less sweetened condensed milk according to your preferences (see notes).
  • Thicken and Serve: Keep stirring until the rice pudding starts to simmer. Stir and add in raisins. Allow the rice pudding to simmer for another minute or two until it reaches your desired thickness.
    *Note: The rice pudding will continue to thicken as it cools down.
    Optional: Add and melt 1 tbsp (14.5g) unsalted butter in arroz con leche.
    Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sweetened condensed milk if necessary.
    Press “cancel” to turn off the heat.
    Add more raisins and lemon zest, then sprinkle cinnamon powder on top of the Arroz con Leche. Serve and enjoy this heartwarming dessert~

Notes

1. Arborio Rice and Basmati Rice:
  • Arborio Rice: 1 cup (200g) Arborio Rice and 1½ cup (375ml) cold water
  • Basmati Rice: 1 cup (210g) Basmati Rice and 1 cup (250ml) cold water
2. Rice Texture: Using our Rice to Water Ratio, the rice will have an al dente texture. If you prefer softer rice, add an extra ¼ cup (63ml) of cold water.
3. Sweetness: If you prefer less sweet, substitute ¼ (63ml) cup of sweetened condensed milk with the same amount of whole milk. Taste & adjust based on your sweetened condensed milk & preferences.
4. Thickness: Some rice will release too much starch and cause the rice pudding to thicken too much. If this is the case, you can heat and thin it out by adding more whole milk (or water if you don't have milk). Make sure to taste and adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you!
Calories: 352kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Latin American, Mexican, South American
Keyword: arroz con leche instant pot, arroz con leche pressure cooker, instant pot arroz con leche, mexican rice pudding, mexican rice pudding instant pot

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 428mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 1mg
instant pot arroz con leche | arroz con leche instant pot | mexican rice pudding instant pot | arroz con leche pressure cooker
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