Who knew that you can make desserts in the crockpot?! We’ve all been slow cooking soups and stews and casseroles for years, but if you’ve never thought about trying a sweet treat, this recipe is going to be the one to convince you!

There’s really nothing quite as comforting as having this crockpot rice pudding bubbling away on a cold day. It’s creamy, cinnamon-scented, and so easy to make — just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. No standing over the stove, no tricky steps, just sweet, cozy perfection in a bowl.

The slow cooking lets the rice soak up all that vanilla and cinnamon flavor until it’s tender and rich, while the milk turns into a thick, creamy pudding that’s pure nostalgia.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

A true “set it and forget it” dessert — the crockpot does all the work.
Perfect for chilly nights, holidays, or Sunday comfort food cravings.
Creamy, cozy texture with that classic rice pudding flavor.
Make-ahead friendly, and tastes even better the next day.
Feels nostalgic and homemade, just like grandma used to make.

Whether you serve it warm by the fire or chilled straight from the fridge, this crockpot rice pudding is the kind of simple, sweet comfort food that never goes out of style. Let me show you how to make it!

Ingredients

Want to save this recipe? Scroll down to grab the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post! It’s perfect for your holiday binder or family recipe box. Keep it handy for those chilly nights when you’re craving something sweet, simple, and straight-up comforting.

Whole milk – The key to that rich, creamy texture. You can use 2% if needed, but whole milk gives the pudding that old-fashioned, velvety consistency.
Instant rice – Makes this recipe quick and easy! It cooks perfectly in the slow cooker and soaks up all that sweet, spiced flavor.
White granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the pudding thicken slightly as it cooks.
Brown sugar – Brings a hint of caramel flavor and a little depth — the combo of the two sugars is what makes it extra special.
Salted butter – A touch of richness that ties everything together (and balances the sweetness).
Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and classic pudding flavor.
Cinnamon – The star spice here — cozy, comforting, and just right for fall and winter.
Salt – Just a pinch to enhance all the sweet and creamy flavors.
Raisins (optional) – A traditional add-in if you like that classic rice pudding vibe.
Extra cinnamon & cinnamon sticks (optional garnish) – For sprinkling on top or adding a little holiday flair when serving.

How To Make Crockpot Rice Pudding

Prep the crockpot: Lightly spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick spray to make cleanup easy later.
Add the ingredients: Pour everything into the crockpot and give it a good stir so the rice, milk, sugar, and spices are well combined.
Let it cook: Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, stirring now and then. It’s ready when the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened to your liking — it’ll continue to thicken slightly as it cools, too.
Serve and enjoy: Spoon it into bowls and garnish with a little cinnamon, a few raisins, or even a cinnamon stick for that cozy homemade touch. Serve warm for the ultimate comfort dessert.

Storage & Reheating

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Don’t freeze: Unfortunately, rice pudding doesn’t freeze well — the rice tends to get grainy once thawed.
Best enjoyed fresh: This dessert is at its creamiest when served warm, straight from the crockpot, but it’s still delicious chilled the next day. Just stir in a splash of milk before reheating to loosen it up again.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Everyone has their own opinion on the perfect rice pudding texture. Once the rice is fully cooked, you can stop cooking whenever it reaches your ideal thickness — it’ll thicken a bit more as it cools.
If you’re a raisin lover, go ahead and add them in with the rest of the ingredients so they plump up as it cooks. Prefer them just as a topping? Sprinkle a few over each serving instead.
It has to be instant rice for this version! Regular rice won’t cook the same in the slow cooker and will throw off the texture completely.

Serving Ideas

Here are a few ways to dress it up and make it even more special:

Classic & cozy: Serve warm in small bowls with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few plump raisins on top.
Holiday style: Garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick and a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant touch at Christmas or Thanksgiving.
For a crowd: Transfer it to a pretty serving dish or keep it warm in the slow cooker and set out a “toppings bar” — with things like toasted coconut, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts.
Sweet tooth upgrade: Drizzle a little caramel sauce or honey on top for extra indulgence.
Chilled treat: Let it cool completely and serve it cold from the fridge — it’s surprisingly refreshing and makes a great make-ahead dessert.

Variations To Try

Once you’ve made this classic version, it’s so easy to play around with flavors and make it your own. Here are a few of my favorite twists:

Coconut Rice Pudding: Swap half (or all) of the milk for coconut milk and top with toasted coconut flakes. It adds a creamy tropical flavor that works beautifully with cinnamon.
Holiday Spice Blend: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or even pumpkin pie spice for that extra warm, Christmassy vibe.
Cranberry-Orange: Stir in dried cranberries and a little orange zest near the end of cooking — it’s bright, festive, and perfect for the holidays.
Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Mix in a handful of mini chocolate chips just before serving for a melty surprise.
Caramel Drizzle: Top each bowl with a swirl of caramel sauce or dulce de leche for dessert that feels restaurant-worthy.
Raisin Rum (Adults Only!): Soak your raisins in a splash of rum or rum extract before adding them in for a grown-up twist on this classic.

Print Recipe

Crockpot Rice Pudding

This crockpot rice pudding is rich, creamy, and full of cozy flavor — the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dessert for chilly days and holiday gatherings. Made with simple ingredients like milk, sugar, cinnamon, and instant rice, it slowly transforms into a warm, comforting pudding that feels like a hug in a bowl. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chilled straight from the fridge — either way, it’s pure comfort food magic.

Prep Time10

Cook Time4

Total Time4 10

Course: Dessert

Servings:

Ingredients

6 cups whole milk
2 cups instant rice
¾ cup white granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins optional add-in/garnish
Extra cinnamon optional garnish
Cinnamon sticks optional garnish

Instructions

Prep the crockpot: Lightly spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick spray to make cleanup easy later.
Add the ingredients: Pour everything into the crockpot and give it a good stir so the rice, milk, sugar, and spices are well combined.
Let it cook: Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, stirring now and then. It’s ready when the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened to your liking — it’ll continue to thicken slightly as it cools, too.
Serve and enjoy: Spoon it into bowls and garnish with a little cinnamon, a few raisins, or even a cinnamon stick for that cozy homemade touch. Serve warm for the ultimate comfort dessert.

I hope that once you try this one, you’ll agree that crockpot desserts are definitely the way forward! Oh, and I’d really appreciate it so much if you could leave a comment below. It helps other people who might be thinking about making the recipe, and hearing your feedback helps me to create more ideas you’ll enjoy too!