Rice isn’t just for dinner—it’s a secret weapon in desserts too. From creamy rice puddings to sweet rice cakes, rice brings texture and subtle flavor that turns simple ingredients into something special. And the best part? You don’t need hours (or culinary school) to pull it off.
With Minute® Instant Rice ready in just five minutes, or Minute Rice Cups done in 60 seconds flat, you can whip up a rice-based dessert faster than you can decide what to watch. Craving something sweet? Pop a cup in the microwave and you’re one minute away from your next creation.
Epic eats made easy—even when “eats” means dessert.
Easy Rice Desserts You’ll Actually Make Again
These easy rice dessert recipes do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. Swap toppings, switch up flavors, or keep it simple—they’re flexible enough to match whatever you’re craving (or whatever’s already in your pantry). Make the same recipe twice and it’ll taste different each time if you want it to.
Whether you’re comfortable in the kitchen or just trying not to burn things, these recipes meet you where you are. No special skills required. No elaborate prep. Just a quick path to something sweet when the craving hits.
Easy Rice Pudding
When it comes to rice-based desserts, nothing is more classic than rice pudding. This Easy Rice Pudding recipe uses just four ingredients, so you can whip together a delicious dessert in just minutes. The recipe uses Minute White Rice Cups, so it’s the perfect individual size when you’re craving something sweet.
Just combine a Minute White Rice Cup with pudding and raisins, then top with cinnamon. Try getting creative by using different pudding flavors and add-ins, such as dried cranberries or dates, granola or trail mix, coconut, nuts, chocolate chips or crushed cookies. You can’t go wrong!
Layered Chocolate-Caramel Rice Pudding Cake
When your sweet tooth hits, look no further than this cake to satisfy it. This Layered Chocolate-Caramel Rice Pudding Cake combines decadent layers of dulce de leche rice pudding, chocolate cake and peanut butter for a delicious single-serving dessert you’ll love. Using Minute Instant White Rice and mug cake mix, it’s ready in minutes so you can dive in whenever you get a sweet craving.
Mango Sticky Rice
Rich, creamy coconut milk and fresh mango combine with aromatic Minute Jasmine Rice in this Mango Sticky Rice for an easy-to-make take on a classic sticky rice dessert. Using Minute Jasmine Rice Cups, this recipe is great for a single serving or can be doubled or tripled if you want to make enough to share.
Combine warm coconut milk, fresh diced mango, and a Minute Jasmine Rice Cup for an aromatic, pudding-like dessert. Try swapping the mango for other fruits to mix it up based on the season and your preferences to keep this recipe fresh.
Chocolate Coconut Almond Rice Pudding
The classic combo of chocolate and coconut is brought to life in this Chocolate Coconut Almond Rice Pudding. Simply combine a Minute White Rice Cup with chocolate pudding, sweetened coconut flakes and toasted almonds, and you have a rich and delicious dessert in under five minutes. Garnish with whipped cream, coconut flakes and almonds for a classy look.
Make this dish your own by mixing things up! Try including chocolate chunks or sprinkling the dish with cacao powder to add more rich chocolate flavor. Not a chocolate fan? Substitute the chocolate pudding with vanilla for an equally tasty treat.
Rice Pudding Balls
These Rice Pudding Balls are a fun take on classic rice pudding, and make a great bite-sized sweet snack. Aromatic jasmine rice and nutty, protein-packed quinoa from Minute’s Jasmine Rice & Red Quinoa Cups combine with decadent condensed milk, vanilla extract and sugar to create a sweet rice pudding with a deep flavor.
After letting the mixture cool in the refrigerator, these rice pudding balls are ready to be rolled in your favorite topping, like shredded coconut, crushed nuts like pistachios, cocoa powder or powdered sugar. These Rice Pudding Balls are a great treat to have on hand for when you need a sweet pick-me-up.
Basmati with Apricots, Walnuts, Yogurt and Honey
Perfect as a breakfast bowl or a sweet late night snack, this Basmati with Apricots, Walnuts, Yogurt and Honey recipe is sure to keep you coming back for more. Light and fluffy basmati rice, dried fruit, nuts and yogurt add a great variety of texture and a touch of sweetness to this filling treat. The beauty of Minute Instant Basmati Rice is that it’s ready in just five minutes, so this dish comes together incredibly quickly.
Prepare Minute Instant Basmati Rice and combine with dried apricots, walnuts and yogurt—or get creative with your favorite dried fruit and nuts! Top with cinnamon and a drizzle of honey, and this delicious bowl is ready to enjoy.
Vanilla Berry Parfait
This Vanilla Berry Parfait can satisfy any sweet tooth, and couldn’t be easier to make. Sweetness from vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit combine beautifully with aromatic basmati rice for a balanced treat.
The dish comes together by mixing a Minute Basmati Rice Cup with your favorite vanilla yogurt and top with mixed berries for a quick treat that’s ready in minutes. Try experimenting with different combinations of yogurt flavors and fruits, and you’ll never get tired of this recipe.
Berry Rice Pudding Crumble
This Berry Rice Pudding Crumble brings a fun twist to traditional rice pudding and makes a perfect summertime dessert or a sweet breakfast treat. Start by creating a classic rice pudding with Minute Instant White Rice, then add in mixed berries and jam to infuse the dish with plenty of fruity flavor.
Sprinkle the rice pudding with your favorite granola to add a great crunch to the dish. For even more creamy goodness, you can also top with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The Berry Rice Pudding Crumble can be served hot or cold, so you can prepare this dish ahead of time and keep it refrigerated so it’s always on hand.
Chocolate Hazelnut Rice Pudding
Chocolate lovers, look no further than this Chocolate Hazelnut Rice Pudding for a delicious and simple way to enjoy a rich chocolatey dessert. Just combine a Minute Jasmine Rice Cup with milk and chocolate hazelnut spread, then microwave for a quick and decadent treat.
Top with a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts and shaved dark chocolate on top, or whatever other topping suits your current craving. Need even more chocolatey goodness? Try substituting chocolate milk for regular milk for an even more rich chocolate flavor.
Simplicity and Versatility with Rice
Rice isn’t just for dinner; it works surprisingly well in desserts, too. From classic rice pudding to new takes on sweet treats, it’s a pantry staple that brings more to the table than you might expect.
The best part? With Minute Rice, these desserts come together in minutes, not hours. No need for a long baking project after you’ve already made dinner. Just quick, straightforward recipes that fit into your evening.
And because these recipes are simple, they’re easy to customize. Add seasonal fruit, try a different topping, adjust the flavors—whatever appeals to you. Make it once as written, then make it your own next time.
