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    Home » Desserts » Vegetarian Desserts

    Instant Pot Rice Kheer | Rice Pudding

    Published: Jun 1, 2017 · Modified: Oct 12, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 85 Comments

    1103 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Creamy perfectly sweetened 'Rice Kheer' is an Indian rice pudding infused with fragrant saffron and cardamom. In India, Rice pudding, kheer, or payasam is a quintessential dessert that is often made for festivals and celebrations.

    rice kheer in 2 glass bowls
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Why I Love to make Instant Pot Kheer
    • Tips for Instant Pot Rice Kheer
    • Step-by-Step Instant Pot Rice Kheer
    • Variations
    • More EASY Instant Pot Dessert Recipes
    • Recipe

    This comforting recipe was developed on one busy evening when I needed a last-minute dessert. I tossed in rice, ghee, sugar, cardamom, and some milk in my Instant Pot, pressed the porridge button, and ran to get the door as the guests arrived for dinner.

    An hour later, I realized that the Instant Pot was in the keep warm mode and had depressured. I opened the Instant Pot to see creamy, fluffy rice with the beautiful aroma of saffron and cardamom. I stirred in some more milk and let it sit for a few more hours on warm mode until we were ready to serve the dessert.

    We scooped out some warm rice pudding in the bowls. As I put the first spoonful of the pudding in my mouth, it took me back to memory lane. It reminded me of my mom's kheer with cardamom's aroma and the creamy kulfi (milk ice cream) with a hint of nuts and saffron. The dessert was devoured by all and I was left mesmerized by how easy it was to make.

    Ingredients

    • Rice - I love using aromatic basmati rice for this recipe. You can use any starchy white rice
    • Ghee - homemade ghee works best
    • Milk - I recommend low-fat milk, you can also use whole milk or unsweetened dairy-free milk
    • Sugar - Adds perfect sweetness and can be easily adjusted to taste
    • Nuts and Saffron - I like to add almonds, cashews, and pistachios. You can add nuts of choice or skip them for a nut-free dessert. Saffron adds a rich aroma and color to the kheer
    • Raisins - Add them if you like, make sure to rinse them to remove any impurities
    Ingredients for rice pudding in bowls - rice, nuts, sugar, raisins, ghee and saffron

    Why I Love to make Instant Pot Kheer

    ✔️ EASY and handsfree recipe
    ✔️ Kheer is healthier as the starch from the rice makes the kheer very creamy, so there is no need for any cream
    ✔️ Great make-ahead dessert
    ✔️ Authentic taste, creamy and so DELISH!!

    Rice pudding in glass bowls

    Tips for Instant Pot Rice Kheer

    Although the rice kheer recipe is super easy, here are some tips to keep in mind so the kheer does not curdle when pressure cooking:

    1. Rinse the rice and then drain all the water out. If using raisins, make sure to rinse and pat dry. Basically, we want to remove any dirt or impurities from ingredients so the milk does not curdle
    2. Use relatively fresh milk. Stale milk has higher chances of curdling when heated at high temps
    3. Use low-fat milk! Whole milk is high in protein and the proteins can separate with the high heat of pressure cooking making it look like the milk has curdled.
    4. Add some water while pressure cooking, this will prevent the milk from browning or burning at the bottom of the pot
    5. Do not quick release. Milk will splutter all over causing a mess. You want the Instant Pot to naturally release which gradually lowers the temperature of the milk inside
    6. Ensure the stainless steel pot, lid, and sealing ring are clean. You may want to keep a designated sealing ring for sweets and desserts
    7. The kheer will continue to thicken as it cools down. If making ahead of time, add more milk and then reheat before serving
    8. If you like to add cream or full-fat milk for a rich creamier texture, make sure to add it after the pressure cooking cycle is complete
    rice kheer in silver bowls

    Step-by-Step Instant Pot Rice Kheer

    • Sauté rice in ghee
    • Add sugar, milk, water, nuts, saffron, coconut & sugar
    • Give a quick stir and cook on porridge mode for 20 mins with NPR
    • Open the Instant Pot and add more milk to bring the kheer to a consistency you like!
    Steps one through four of making rice kheer
    • Add more milk to the kheer and bring it to the consistency you like. Especially when making ahead, you will notice that the kheer gets thick over time.
    rice kheer in Instant Pot

    Variations

    • Vegan Kheer - Substitute ghee with dairy-free butter and milk with almond milk
    • Nut-Free - Allergic to nuts? Skip them or add the ones you can eat as a garnish
    • Short on time - skip the sautéing of rice and simply dump all the ingredients and press the porridge button
    rice kheer in a glass bowl garnishes with pistachios and dried rose petals

    More EASY Instant Pot Dessert Recipes

    • Gajar Ka Halwa
    • Dudhi Halwa
    • Sevai Kheer
    • Sweet Coconut Rice
    • Mango Cheesecake
    • Ricotta Cheesecake

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    rice kheer served in 3 silver bowls
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.37 from 50 votes

    Instant Pot Rice Pudding

    A lightly sweetened creamy Indian dessert made with rice and milk that is infused with aromatic saffron and cardamom
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 285kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon ghee
    • ½ cup white rice basmati or short grain amber mor, Rinsed and drained
    • 4 to 5 cups low fat milk divided
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup sugar more or less depending on taste
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
    • 4 tablespoons nuts almonds, and walnuts coarsely chopped or sliced(optional)
    • ½ teaspoon saffron optional
    • 2 tablespoons raisins optional, rinsed and pat dried
    • 1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut optional
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add ghee and rice. Sauté for 30 seconds.
    • Add 3 cups low-fat milk, water, sugar, cardamom powder, nuts, saffron, raisins, coconut, and salt.
    • Close Instant Pot lid with the pressure valve to sealing. Press the Porridge button. Allow Natural Pressure Release.
    • Open Instant Pot, Mash the rice with the back of a spoon. Add remaining 1 to 2 cups of low-fat milk (depending on the consistency you like). Add more sugar if needed.
    • Cook on saute for 2-3 minutes or keep on the warm mode until ready to be served. Serve Warm or Chilled

    Video

    Notes

    1. Rinse the rice and then drain all the water out. If using raisins, make sure to rinse and pat dry. Basically, we want to remove any dirt or impurities from ingredients so the milk does not curdle
    2. Use relatively fresh milk. Stale milk has higher chances of curdling when heated at high temps
    3. Use low-fat milk! Whole milk is high in protein and the proteins can separate with the high heat of pressure cooking making it look like the milk has curdled.
    4. Add some water while pressure cooking, this will prevent the milk from browning or burning at the bottom of the pot
    5. Do not quick release. Milk will splutter all over causing a mess. You want the Instant Pot to naturally release which gradually lowers the temperature of the milk inside
    6. Ensure the stainless steel pot, lid, and sealing ring are clean. You may want to keep a designated sealing ring for sweets and desserts
    7. The kheer will continue to thicken as it cools down. If making ahead of time, add more milk and then reheat before serving
    8. If you like to add cream or full-fat milk for a rich creamier texture, make sure to add it after the pressure cooking cycle is complete
    Variations
    • For the non-dairy version, substitute ghee with vegan butter and milk with almond milk
    • Allergic to nuts, simply skip them or add the ones you can eat as a garnish
    • When short on time, skip the sautéing of rice and simply dump all the ingredients and press the porridge button
    • Want to make it less sweet, stir in sugar to taste after the pressure cooking cycle is completed. You can also use your favorite sweetener 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 198mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Samir says

      February 11, 2018 at 11:51 am

      Archana, Thank you SOOOO much for this fantastic recipe - really works!! Reminded me of the mouth watering kheer we had in India made lovingly by our moms. I followed the recipe exactly as stated, except that I added the nuts in Step 5 and added cardamom and saffron at the end to retain their flavor. Everyone asked whether we had added condensed milk.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 11, 2018 at 3:37 pm

        You are welcome! I agree, I like to think of it as kulfi kheer.

        Reply
    2. Amy Hill says

      February 16, 2018 at 3:54 pm

      I'm craving something lovely and comforting, and I adore kheer. Do you think the addition of orange blossom water or rose water might go well? I have some in my cupboard I've been dying to use. Also, I believe I'm out of raisins, but have dried apricots. Do you think those would clash?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 16, 2018 at 7:07 pm

        Hi Amy! You can try either orange blossom or rose. And you can totally skip raisins. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Juveria says

      March 08, 2018 at 10:57 am

      Hi! How long does it cook on porridge mode? I've always put in the time suggested in recipes for porridge mode. And if I double the recipe, would I adjust the time?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 08, 2018 at 10:58 am

        20 mins on low pressure is the preset tome. Works for rice pudding and same time even even you double the recipe.

        Reply
    4. Chhavi says

      July 17, 2018 at 5:14 pm

      Awesome recipe - so simple and yet so sumptuous ! Thanks! I just added 1 extra cup of milk in the pot (4 cups of milk plus 1 cup water as suggested) and did Porridge mode on high for 20 minutes. The taste / texture was perfect ! Thank you so much for this recipe !5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 17, 2018 at 5:51 pm

        Thank you for the feedback. This is my go to dessert now.

        Reply
      • Shweta says

        December 27, 2020 at 11:31 pm

        My husband loves indian desserts and I always found them so tedious to make. This recipe has changed my life!! I have been making it for every festival and special occasions for last 2 years! It’s so easy to make and the kheer comes out amazing- The husband loves it!

        Reply
    5. Samir Bhatnagar says

      October 27, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      What a fantastic recipe - have made it multiple times with consistently amazing results. I did follow the recommendations of adding the nuts and cardamom at the end. Also, I noticed that I did add milk each time. It does help to 'mash' the rice in after cooking. THANK YOU!!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        October 27, 2018 at 5:56 pm

        So glad you enjoy this recipe! Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    6. Salimeh says

      December 15, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      I don’t have ghee at home and was going to make this today. Can I use coconut oil or canola oil instead?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 15, 2018 at 10:38 pm

        Yes! Or butter works too

        Reply
      • JKK says

        June 06, 2020 at 5:56 pm

        Archana, just got the instant pot after trying many of your recipes. This was my first food in it. Turned out really well. Quick question: if I use full fat milk, how much water to milk ratio should I use so it doesn’t burnt while cooking?

        PS - love ALL your recipes. Never cooked anything that didn’t turn out perfect! Thank you for sharing your love of cooking!

        Reply
        • Archana says

          June 07, 2020 at 6:58 pm

          Thank you for your kind words. I would use half milk and half water.

          Reply
    7. Lauranne says

      January 22, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      I love this recipe, made it using half milk and hlaf coconut milk. The rest all the same. So silky smooth and delicious thank you5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 22, 2019 at 6:27 pm

        You are welcome

        Reply
    8. Deepthi Rao Polsani says

      March 03, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      Hi, can I feed this kheer to my baby during annaprasana ceremony.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 04, 2019 at 2:58 pm

        Yes! Its such a yummy recipe and perfect for little ones. You may want to skip the nuts or crush them very finely.

        Reply
        • Deepthi Rao Polsani says

          March 07, 2019 at 7:00 pm

          Thank you

          Reply
    9. Umme abdullah says

      June 22, 2019 at 10:38 pm

      Made this Kheer today. It was super easy and came out delicious. Thank you for such easy to follow and good recipes5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 24, 2019 at 7:52 pm

        Thank you for the feedback

        Reply
        • Umme abdullah says

          July 01, 2019 at 3:44 pm

          If I am doubling the recipe, should I also double the water? Or 1 cup would be sufficient to prevent the bottom of the pan from burning?

          Reply
          • Archana says

            July 01, 2019 at 3:45 pm

            1 cup is enough. You can add more later

            Reply
    10. Amita says

      November 07, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      What is the size of insta pot used in the above ? I have a 3 qrt and an new at instapot cooking. Will it work ? TIA

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 07, 2019 at 6:24 pm

        Hi Amita! Yes this will work in a 3QT too

        Reply
    11. Tsippi says

      April 22, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks so much for this great recipe!! I halved the amounts (made 3 servings) and cooked it in my Instant Pot Mini, using unsalted butter instead of ghee and 1% milk. It was perfect. It took about 15 minutes to reach full pressure, then 20 minutes of cooking, then 19 minutes before the pressure button dropped. While still on "keep warm", I added the spices, a bit more milk, very moist prunes chopped to be the size of raisins, and the almonds, which were very thinly sliced. After about two minutes, I put the pot in the fridge until dinner. Outstanding! I will make this often. BTW, if I had had raisins or thicker almonds, I would have added them before cooking, but the prunes and thin almonds would have disintegrated.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 23, 2020 at 9:39 pm

        Thank you for the lovely and detailed feedback.

        Reply
    12. SLakh says

      July 08, 2020 at 7:10 pm

      Just made this and it melts in your mouth! Thanks for another great one!5 stars

      Reply
    13. stephanie g. says

      July 31, 2020 at 12:10 am

      Hi Archana,

      Do you need to wash the rice?

      Thanks.

      Stephanie G.
      Toronto, Canada

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 31, 2020 at 11:07 pm

        Yes you can ask the rice

        Reply
    14. Ambika Mulchandani says

      February 02, 2021 at 3:34 am

      Does the milk curdle what cooking this rice kheer in porridge mode on the IP. Any tips to prevent the milk from getting curdled?4 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 02, 2021 at 11:13 am

        Milk may curdle if the Instant pot insert is not clean. Make sure to rinse and drain the rice. And the other biggest reason is if the milk is old.

        Reply
    15. Ambika Mulchandani says

      February 07, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      Fool proof recipe! Was so quick and easy. It came out exactly as mentioned and pictured. Absolutely delicious and quick kheer to make. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    16. Sejal says

      October 24, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      I made this as a special dessert for Diwali - it was a hit with the whole family! So easy and wonderfully delicious….thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        October 26, 2022 at 5:20 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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