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Kheer or Payasam is a popular Indian dessert made for festivals and special celebrations. It is essentially a rice pudding made with rice and milk, infused with saffron, cardamom, and assorted dried fruits. This Kheer made in the Instant Pot is a game-changer. The best part about this is that there’s no stirring, and it’s ready in under 40 minutes!
Traditionally, making kheer involved keeping milk and rice on the stove for 2 hours, stirring it frequently until the milk thickened and became creamy. With the Porridge setting in the Instant Pot, the same thing happens, but you simply add all the ingredients and go your happy way to enjoy yourself!
As Diwali is approaching, I have been wanting to make some desserts that we can share with family and friends. Food, or rather desserts, is an integral part of Indian Diwali celebrations. You visit friends or have them over. But really, everywhere you go, you will find a table full of snacks and desserts laid out for you to enjoy. Oh, I love Diwali (how can a foodie not? 😉
This will be my dessert addition to Diwali potlucks this year: Instant Pot Kheer.
I call this the original kheer recipe as I was the first recipe developer to figure out this set-and-forget method, and it quickly became popular (for very good reason). Now you will find this method shared on many food blogs. The above picture is the one I first shared for this recipe in 2017.
Made kheer for the first time on Instant Pot.. my god.. amazing.. came out so good.. saved all the hard work and time .. this was so fast and authentic!
– INDRANI
Why Make Kheer in the Instant Pot?
It’s Easy and effortless. Just dump the ingredients, set the timer, and let the Instant Pot do the work.
No stirring is needed—no standing by the stove or worrying about milk sticking to the bottom.
It has the same authentic taste. It’s creamy, flavorful, and just like traditional stovetop kheer.
It’s perfect for any occasion
Ingredients
There are just a few basic ingredients that you need to make kheer:
Rice: I use fragrant white basmati rice to make kheer. Other types of white rice work too.
Milk: I used whole milk. You can also use low-fat milk or unsweetened dairy-free milk.
Sugar: I use regular granulated sugar. Sugar substitutes could work; see tips and notes.
Saffron: Adds color and a delicate aroma to the kheer.
Nuts and Raisins: I like to add almonds, cashews, and pistachios to kheer. Raisins are also a great addition.
How to make Kheer in the Instant Pot?
This rice pudding is super easy, with just the addition of all ingredients to the Instant Pot and setting it to porridge mode. The Instant Pot does its magic, and perfectly aromatic rice kheer is ready for you in 30 minutes. If you haven’t tried kheer in an Instant Pot yet, you simply must!
Vegan Kheer in Instant Pot
Substitute ghee with dairy-free butter and milk with your preferred dairy-free milk alternative. Some readers have tried this kheer with almond milk and oat milk and enjoyed it.
Recipe Tips
This Instant Pot Kheer is super easy to make, but here are some tips that will be helpful as you try this recipe:
Clean the Instant Pot thoroughly: Sanitize the steel insert, lid, and sealing ring thoroughly. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it.
Rinse Rice: Ensure the rice is rinsed thoroughly by washing it 2-4 times until the water runs clear.
Sugar Substitute: Although I have not tried it myself, some readers have suggested that if using jaggery or coconut sugar in place of regular sugar, add it after cooking on the porridge setting (otherwise, the milk can curdle).
Rose Water: If you like, you can add a teaspoon of rose water to this kheer. I recommend adding it after the kheer is cooked.
Add Water: This recipe adds some water to thin out the liquids in the Instant Pot. Do not skip this step, as otherwise, you can get a Burn sign on the Instant Pot.
Natural Pressure Release: It is essential to let the pressure release naturally, as otherwise the milk can splutter and cause a mess.
Storage: You can store kheer in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. The stored kheer can get thicker and creamier. If you prefer, you can thin the consistency by adding more milk.
I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious Instant Pot Indian Dessert – Rice Pudding. Do share how it turned out!
Kheer or Payasam, a popular Indian dessert, is rice pudding made with rice and milk, infused with saffron, cardamom, and assorted dried fruits. This Kheer made in the Instant Pot is a game-changer. The best part about this is that there's no stirring, and it's ready in under 40 minutes!
Sanitize the Instant Pot steel insert, lid, and sealing ring thoroughly. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it.
Rinse the rice 2-4 times until the water runs clear.
Heat the Instant Pot in Saute mode. Add 1/2 tablespoon of ghee and let it melt. Add the rinsed rice and saute for 30 seconds. (It is optional to saute the rice, but it adds richness and aroma to the kheer. If skipping, directly add the rinsed rice to the Instant Pot).
Add the water, milk, sugar, cardamom, and saffron. Give it all a good stir.
You can add the nuts now if you like. I prefer to sauté the nuts and raisins in ghee, then add them after cooking the kheer (see roasting nuts section).
Close the lid with the vent in sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to PORRIDGE mode for 20 minutes on high pressure. When the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
Remove the lid and mix well. Kheer is ready. It might seem a little thin in consistency, but it does thicken up as it sits for about 30 minutes. You can cook on SAUTE mode for 2-3 minutes.
Roasting Nuts & Raisins
Heat a small pan on medium-low heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon of ghee to it. Add the sliced or chopped nuts to the pan. Sauté for a minute until they lightly change color. Then add the raisins and saute for another minute. Remove from the pan so they don't overcook or burn. The nuts and raisins are ready to add to the cooked kheer.
Notes
Sugar Substitute: Although I have not tried it myself, some readers have suggested that if using jaggery or coconut sugar in place of regular sugar, then add it after cooking on porridge setting (else the milk can curdle). Storing: When kheer is stored, it gets thicker and creamier. If you prefer, you can thin the consistency by adding more milk. PLEASE READ: This recipe was created in a 6-qt Instant Pot DUO60 Multi-use Pressure Cooker. I do not recommend making this in a 3-qt or doubling the recipe in a 6-qt, as the milk boils and can come out. Kheer sticking to the bottom of the pot: I got feedback from some that the kheer sometimes sticks to the bottom of the pot. Some tips below to avoid this:
Try boiling 1/2 cup of water in the Instant Pot on sauté mode, then add the remaining ingredients. Make sure the water is already steaming before adding other ingredients.
After opening the pot, remove the instant pot steel insert from the pot so that the bottom layer does not overcook or stick to the pot.
Variations:
Add cinnamon powder and vanilla essence to get a different flavor.
You can use brown sugar instead of white sugar, based on your preference.
I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.
Made kheer for the first time on Instant Pot.. my god.. amazing.. came out so good.. saved all the hard work and time .. this was so fast and authentic! Thanks Meeta!
Hi Meeta. I tried your recipe and it was awesome. If I want a slightly grainy texture, should I pressure cook for less time? I used “LAL QILLA KHEER SPECIAL BASMATI RICE” The rice basically dissolved completely. Can I use the Low Pressure setting for more control? Thank you.
This recipe is the best! My family loves it.
But I have 1 question.
Sometimes the rice and milk done seem to be mixed very well. The rice is cooked but not fully incorporated with the milk.
Should I cook it longer in the instant pot?
Thank you.
Radhika S
Hi Radhika, I would suggest stirring the rice and milk very well after pressure cooking. If needed, put the kheer on sauté mode for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently. I am glad you all enjoy this recipe.
Made kheer for the first time on Instant Pot.. my god.. amazing.. came out so good.. saved all the hard work and time .. this was so fast and authentic! Thanks Meeta!
Hi Indrani – So glad you enjoyed the kheer.
Hi Meeta. I tried your recipe and it was awesome. If I want a slightly grainy texture, should I pressure cook for less time? I used “LAL QILLA KHEER SPECIAL BASMATI RICE” The rice basically dissolved completely. Can I use the Low Pressure setting for more control? Thank you.
Hi Shamin – I would recommend pressure cooking for less time, maybe 10 minutes first, and see if that works well with this rice.
This recipe is the best! My family loves it.
But I have 1 question.
Sometimes the rice and milk done seem to be mixed very well. The rice is cooked but not fully incorporated with the milk.
Should I cook it longer in the instant pot?
Thank you.
Radhika S
Hi Radhika, I would suggest stirring the rice and milk very well after pressure cooking. If needed, put the kheer on sauté mode for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently. I am glad you all enjoy this recipe.