
This gluten-free Baked Brown Rice Pudding is a wholesome, satisfying dessert or breakfast option that turns leftover rice into a delicious and nourishing dish. It’s a versatile recipe that can be customised with your choice of spices, fruits, and sweeteners.
One of the ways I manage to feed my family unprocessed foods without spending endless hours in the kitchen is to always cook more than we need for that meal. So even when I cook rice to go with a curry, I often cook a little extra and use it to make this delicious breakfast (that could also double as dessert).
In my many years consulting as a Naturopath and assessing patients diets, the one meal where most people failed drastically, was breakfast. I found so many people searching for energy, vitality, productivity and better general health; spending large sums of money on supplements and searching for the ‘magic bullet,’ but also neglecting the one meal that could improve both their short and long-term health. In my professional opinion, eating a nutritionally balanced, unprocessed breakfast each and every day is THE very best place to start if you want to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Find an awesome range of brekkie inspo in my ebook ‘Rise and Shine a Well Nourished Breakfast‘ – designed with mad morning’s in mind, it will ensure your brekkie is as good as it gets.
Health Benefits
Did you know that half of the daily calories for half of the world’s population come from rice? For many of the oldest living people in the world, brown rice is a dietary staple. Brown rice is a low allergenic, high fibre and nutrient rich food. When brown rice is produced, only the outermost layer of the rice kernel, the hull (which contains few nutrients) is removed. According to The Worlds Healthiest foods, ‘the complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids.’ I always try to soak my rice before cooking it to ensure it’s as digestible and nourishing as can be.
As you will notice, I have used brown basmati because I adore the flavour, but feel free to use any brown rice available to you. Combined with protein from the milk, eggs (see variations for egg-free), and nuts, this makes a wonderful, sustaining breakfast. The additional anti-inflammatory spices and lemon zest make this even more nourishing and healing. Their warming, immune boosting properties make this a wonderful start to a wintery day.
Ingredients
You’ll need leftover cooked brown rice, eggs, milk, a sweetener like rice malt syrup or honey, and your choice of fruit and nuts for topping. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger can also be added for a warming flavour boost.
How to make this baked rice pudding recipe
Start by preheating your oven to 200℃/395℉ and greasing a baking dish. Spread the cooked rice evenly in the dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, sweetener, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and spices, then pour this mixture over the rice and stir. Top with almonds or other nuts and fruit, and bake for 20-30 minutes until the pudding is set like custard.
If you own a Thermomix, we’ve also included Thermomix instructions for this recipe.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Enjoy this creamy brown rice pudding warm from the oven, topped with full-fat natural yogurt, cultured sour cream, or coconut yogurt. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days, making it a great meal-prep option for breakfasts or snacks.
Vary this baked brown rice pudding to suit your dietary needs
For a low-fructose version, use rice malt syrup and low-fructose fruits like berries. The pudding can easily be made dairy-free by using nut or coconut milk and served with coconut yogurt. For an egg-free or vegan option, replace the eggs with chia gel and use a plant-based milk. To make it nut-free, substitute the nuts with seeds or shredded coconut.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
For more delicious, healthy and easy to make breakfast recipes, click HERE.
Ingredients
- 2 cup/s leftover cooked brown rice (approx.) I used brown basmati
- 2 egg/s (these need to be large eggs, approx. 80-90g otherwise use 3 eggs or it won't set quickly)
- 500 ml milk (of choice) (2 cups)
- 85 g rice malt syrup, honey or maple syrup (¼ cup)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 lemon/s -zest finely grated (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- ½ tsp ground ginger (optional)
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric (optional)
- ½ cup/s flaked almonds (or any nut of choice)
- 1 cup/s fresh fruit -to bake on top (apple, rhubarb, pear, stone fruit, banana, berries)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200℃/395℉ (fan-forced).
- Grease a small baking dish (25 x 25cm) well and add the leftover brown rice.
- In a blender (or by hand with a whisk and muscle) combine the eggs, milk, sweetener, vanilla, zest and spices.
- Pour over the rice, top with almonds (or any other nuts you like) and fruit.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until set (like a custard), whilst you take a shower, make lunches etc;
- Enjoy hot out of the oven with full-fat natural yoghurt, cultured sour cream or coconut yoghurt (I love Coyo).
Thermomix Method
- Preheat your oven to 200℃.
- Grease a small baking dish well and add the leftover brown rice.
- Place the eggs, milk, sweetener, vanilla, zest and spices in the TMX and mix 30 seconds, speed 4.
- Pour over the rice, top with almonds (or any other nuts you like) and fruit.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until set (like a custard).
- Enjoy hot out of the oven with full-fat natural yoghurt, cultured sour cream or coconut yoghurt (I love Coyo).
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.



Kerri says
ohmygoodness this looks divine!! I remember loving ‘rice pudding’ that my Mum used to make when I was little. Can’t wait to try this thanks Georgia!
Georgia Harding says
Hope you enjoy it Kerri, yes my nan used to make it too (just with loads of caster sugar and white rice – lol) G x
Cathy says
Thanks Georgia! I was googling rice pudding receipes last night and nothing looked very appealing. This looks much more my style. Can’t wait to give this a try.
Georgia Harding says
Hope you like it – it is more nutty and dense obviously than a white rice pud, but delicious none the less G x
Jasmine says
Oh my goodness, this brings back memories. My mum would only ever buy brown rice. I only tasted white rice a handful of times when at friends’ places or at school camp. Mum always used to cook brown rice pudding with leftover cooked rice. Hers was nice, but very simple – just brown rice, milk, eggs, raw sugar and cinnamon or nutmeg. Your version sounds delicious, can’t wait to try it!
Georgia Harding says
Jasmine that’s wonderful being raised with whole foods – my mum was much the same. I can remember going to friends houses after school and loving toasted ‘white’ bread and vegemite (I used to get what I now sometimes give my kids – raw veggie stick and hummus, a cube of cheese if I was lucky)! I think you’ll find this quite similar really, enjoy G x
Elisa James says
We just made this for breakfast and it tastes delicious but U.S. Still very milky and hasn’t set. Used whole grain brown rice. Even with more cooking I don’t think it would set due to amount of milk. We cooked for 30 mins. Would reducing the amount of milk work or do I need at adjust other things too? Kids are devouring it anyway!
Georgia Harding says
Elisa, I did purposely make this very moist/milky. I just find with brown rice being quite nutty, my kids really didn’t like the heavily set/dryer version so I decided to share a more ‘wet’ pudding. Definitely if you reduce the milk quantity it will thicken up more. Also the type of rice will effect the level of moisture absorbed – play around with the milk ratio to find a consistency that suits you G x
Sue says
Mmmmm. Made it loved it, moist creamy and a beautiful balance of spice. Thanks, Sue
Georgia Harding says
Thanks Sue, yes even though I’ve said the spices/zest are optional, I adore them all together, makes a really tasty pudding that takes me back to India. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks G x
Amy says
So delicious – just like all of your recipes Georgia, thank you!
Georgia Harding says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Amy, glad you enjoyed it! G x
Linda Robinson says
Could you prepare this the night before and then bake in the morning?
Georgia Harding says
I haven’t tried it Linda but I’m fairly certain it would be just fine G x
Kris Letcher says
Thank you for this recipe. Many thoughts on diet are now surrounding minimal carbs and more fats. Do you think we can live without or with minimal carbs. thankfully, Kris
Georgia Harding says
You’re welcome Kris. Yes, I believe that many people have to many REFINED carbohydrates in their diet. No doubt that the bulk of your carb intake should come from vegetables. Having said that I do consume brown rice, rolled oats and whole grains – just not a lot and always with a source of protein. Many of the longest living cultures in the world consume brown rice – you might like this post I wrote just this week G x https://wellnourished.com.au/the-healthiest-diet-in-the-world/
Emily Elizabeth Holler says
Just have to say that my son and I are so in love with this breakfast. We’re having it once a week. Thank you so much, it is soooooooo yummy!!!!
Georgia Harding says
So glad you are liking it – such a nice start to the day and thanks for your feedback Emily G x
Karen Barany says
I have tried making this twice this week and haven’t been able to get the custard to set in the oven. The second time I reduced the milk to 1 1/2 cups milk and increased to 3 eggs, it did end up setting after 30 mins in the oven, and then standing. Any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong? It is a great easy dessert so I want to perfect it.
Georgia Harding says
I’m thinking your oven is running a little hot. When egg mixtures such as custards or sauces are cooked too rapidly, the protein becomes overcoagulated and separates from the liquid leaving a mixture resembling fine curds and whey. You could try cooking in a water bath. Sorry Ive not experienced this, but it is supposed to be a loose/creamy custard generally so reducing the milk/increasing the egg is a good idea for a more dense custard. Gx
Natalie says
Could the setting problem for some be that the dish used is small in footprint which makes for a deep mixture ? I cooked mine yesterday in large pan which spread the mixture out, and it set perfectly.
Georgia Harding says
Great point – YES! Don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks Natalie G x
Nancy says
This is so tasty. I made it yesterday with all the spices you listed and I added a plum, goji berries, pepita seeds amd almonds. Sadly though my kids do not like it so I guess it’s all for me which is okay as I often miss breakfast but not this week.
Georgia Harding says
Glad you enjoyed it Nancy. Bugger with the kids, at least you’ve been well fed. G x
Renee says
Hi Georgia, just a question I’m seriously very lazy this morning but want to make this and don’t want to cook the rice from scratch I have 2 microwave instant bags in the cupboard (I know you’re probably having heart pelpatations just reading that cause I know it’s probably not good at all for me) but could I use them?? I was wondering should I microwave it first or just straight out of the bag? I pinky promise I’ll make my rice from scratch next time ?
Renee says
So I made it with microwave rice and it worked but it looks curdled when I cut it ???? I tried it and it tastes nice still! Is it safe to eat like this?? I don’t want to waste it. (I didn’t cook before making pudding!)
Georgia Harding says
Sorry for the delay, I’ve been out all morning. It’s totally fine to eat Renee. Sometimes if your oven runs hot it can separate. I’ve also read that fruit acids can cause separation, but it should still taste good? G x
Monica says
Love this! I always cook extra rice now so I can make this for breaky. The kids love it too. Winning! ?
Georgia Harding says
Yes I do the same. It’s great to have follow on recipes like this – makes life (and a having a healthy breakfast) so much easier G x
Melissa says
Hi Georgia. What are the dimensions of the dish you use for this pudding? I baked in a small dish, which meant it was quite deep, and it took forever to set.
Georgia Harding says
Ah yes – I’ve made it in a 25 x 25cm dish G X
Georgina Welsh says
Oh my!!! I just made this with a topping of sunflower seeds and blueberries. It smells absolutely divine. Cant wait until morning when I get to feed it to our three little girls. Sincerely hoping they love it as much as I will. Thanks for some much-needed breakfast inspiration!
Georgia Harding says
You’re welcome Georgina- hope you all loved it G x
KJ says
How long would this keep for in the fridge? Could i divide it up and eat it over a few days or does it need to be eaten the day it’s made?
Looks delicious, thanks for sharing your yummy nutritious recipes, I love your website and ebooks!
Georgia Harding says
It would keep for sure for a couple of days KJ. Thrilled you are enjoying my work G x
Adrienne says
This is such a great recipe! It was so easy and I make it the night before for quick breakfasts the next day. We all love it.
Georgia Harding says
Yay – so glad you all loved it Adrienne. Thanks for your feedback and the 5 stars too G x
Aneta says
It’s lovely recipe! I made it with walnuts and coconut flakes but no fruits.
I have some leftover quinoa so will try to make it with quinoa instead of rice. Hopefully it will be edible hahaha:)
Georgia Harding says
This is also great for leftover quinoa and a bit quicker https://wellnourished.com.au/quinoa-porridge/. Thrilled you loved it Aneta and thanks for the 5 stars G x
Aneta says
Definitely quicker?thank you
Dave Russell says
This looks good but I was looking for a recipe that tells me how to cook a brown rice pudding. Once I know how to, I can give your left over r.p. a try.
Dave
Gina says
We all love this recipe. So nourishing in winter for brekkie or dessert, heat it up and it’s good to eat with yoghurt. I add sometimes add extra spices, broken up walnuts & pepita seeds. I have to cook it for 45 mins in my oven to get it to set a little. Thank you ? so very much Georgia. I tell as many health conscious people as I can about this inspirational website xx
Georgia Harding says
Thanks for your feedback and support Gina. So glad you love it ???? G x
Nicole says
This is soooo delicious! Thank you for another fabulous recipe. I omitted the turmeric, put diced pear and blueberries on top, and baked at 180fAn for 30 mins. My kids declared it to a 10/10 and are looking forward to having it before their early morning trainings!
Georgia Harding says
Yay – so glad you all enjoyed it Nicole. Appreciate you rating the recipe too G x
Megan Lemon says
Love it however could you do a simple print version thanks!
Sarah says
This looks so lovely! Would it work with white basmati do you think? I’m trying to use some up that was gifted to us!
Georgia Harding says
Yes it would for sure Sarah, enjoy G x
Fiona says
So I’ve made this twice, can’t remember what happened the first time but it wasn’t great. And this time it’s turned out a coagulated mess. If my oven is fan forced should I reduce the temp to 180C? Also, my two eggs weighed in at 120g. I presume the 800-900g is a typo… I’m determined to succeed though; I love custard anything!
Georgia Harding says
Hi Fiona, thanks for pointing out the typo, yes I’d add in another egg and just make sure the wet is really well blended (like a frothy smoothie). G x
Emma Pickup says
Amazing breakfast recipe!! It tastes divine.
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed it Emma, thanks for the 5?s G x
Gail Harris says
I made the baked brown rice pudding and it is very nice but lacked salt. If you are going to make this, it needs salt.
Other than needing salt, it is a great alternative for breakfast!
Georgia Harding says
Thanks Gail, I had it myself on the weekend ☺️
skye says
I LOVE your recipes Georgia! And even more importantly, so does my 7 year old son who is a skinny as a rake. I’m trying to fatting him up a bit and your recipes are a perfect. I am just about to put this recipe in the oven but can’t stop ‘taste-testing’ the liquid portion 🙂 🙂
We also love your carrot cake baked oatmeal – delish. I can only imagine this is going to be just as good. Thank you for making my life just a little bit easier! Skye
Georgia Harding says
Ah you’re so welcome Skye, I’m thrilled you both love them xx
Lorraine says
Hi, do you bake this uncovered? Thanks
Ilinca says
Hi, I usually don’t leave reviews but this recipe is both easy to make and tasty. I loved the rich flavor given by the spices and for sweetner I opted for honey (luckily it was organic). For fruits I used bananas, bluberries and also added some carob powder. The texture was rather moist but I like it this way. It makes a great evening dish or a nice 5 o’clock dessert that I’d like to share when I’m having guests.
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed and thanks for your feedback. Love your flavour combinations too G x
Megan Jantke says
This is one of my all time fave recipes, I just keep coming back to it! Have just made it again now with frozen (precooked) brown rice that I doubled up on at some point for another recipe. I’ve also double batched this to give to a friend with a young baby, or to freeze for a week of breakfast for hubby and I another time. I also use leftover scraps of fruit (1/4 apple here, some old strawberries there) from the kids lunchboxes!
Well Nourished Team says
Hi Megan, this sounds amazing! And also to gift to your friend 🙂
Heather says
This is delicious! We had it for dessert and plan to have leftovers for breakfast in the morning.
Well Nourished Team says
How perfect Heather ☺️ great for brekkie and dessert!
Piotr says
I love this recipe. Could eat it everyday. Tasty and nutritious.
Well Nourished Team says
So happy to hear you loved the recipe 🙂
Elena says
Hello! I’ve been meaning to make this for breakfast, but I never have the leftover rice for when I want to make it! Can I ask how much raw brown rice I need to use to get two cups of cooked rice? Approximately, of course 🙃
Well Nourished Team says
Hi Elena, it should be approximately 1 cup uncooked rice makes about 2½ cups cooked rice.
Maree Cpr says
Hi such a lovely rice pudding ,could you freeze this for later. I really wanted to print recipe do I need to sign up to your email for this Kind Regards Maree