Kheer or Payasam is an Indian favorite dessert for special occasions. It is basically 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 thing about this, no stirring and it is ready in less than 40 mins!
Traditionally making kheer meant keeping milk and rice on the stove for 2 hours and stirring it frequently until the milk thickens and becomes creamy. With the Porridge setting in instant pot, the same thing happens, but you just dump 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 are 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 is going to be my dessert addition to Diwali potluck's this year - Instant Pot Kheer.
How to make Kheer in Instant Pot?
This rice pudding is super easy with just adding all ingredients to the instant pot and setting it on porridge mode. The instant pot does it's magic and perfect aromatic rice kheer is ready for you in 30 mins. If you have not tried kheer in instant pot yet, you just have to!
I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious Instant Pot Indian Dessert - Rice Pudding. Do share how it turned out!
Here are some other dessert made in the instant pot that you might enjoy:
- Sabudana Kheer - This gluten-free Sabudana pudding is made with tapioca pearls and milk in the instant pot.
- Seviyan Kheer - Also called Vermicelli Kheer or Semiyan Payasam, this delicious dessert can be made in the instant pot in less than 25 minutes.
- Carrot Pudding - Carrot Kheer is made with carrots, milk, cashews and dates, with the added aroma of cardamom & saffron. A delicious & satisfying desert, with no added sugar.
- Coconut Almond Laddoo - A quick sweet recipe that can be made in just 20 minutes for any occasion.
Rice Pudding / Kheer - Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 5 cups Milk whole
- ½ cup White Rice preferably small or medium grain, rinsed
- ½ cup Sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup Roasted Mixed Nuts chopped or sliced (cashews, almonds, walnut, pistachios) (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Raisins (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder (Elaichi) (optional)
- ⅛ teaspoon Saffron (Kesar) (optional)
Instructions
- Sanitize the instant pot steel insert, lid and sealing ring thoroughly. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it.
- Add all the ingredients in the instant pot steel insert. Close lid with vent in sealing position. (Based on your preference, you can add sugar, nuts and raisins after pressure cooking too)
- Set instant pot to PORRIDGE mode for 20 minutes on high pressure. When instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
- Open Instant Pot and mix well. Rice pudding is ready. Serve warm or chilled.
- If needed, to get the desired consistency, cook on SAUTE mode for 2-3 mins. Or add more milk, mix and let it boil for a minute.
Video
Notes
- Try to boil ½ cup water in the instant pot on sauté mode, then add other ingredients. Make sure the water is already steaming before adding other ingredients.
- After opening the pot, take the instant pot steel insert out of the pot, so the bottom layer does not overcook or stick to the pot.
- Add cinnamon powder and vanilla essence to get a different flavor.
- You can use brown sugar instead of white sugar, based on your preference.
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Check out the collection of 10 Instant Pot Indian Desserts from the best blogs here.
Tej S says
If I double the recipe do you use same
Time to cook - 20 mins ?
Meeta Arora says
The same cooking time will work even if you double the recipe. As mentioned in recipe notes, please be very careful if doubling the recipe in a 6qt instant pot.
Alejandra says
My absolute favorite rice dessert next to rasmalai! I cannot wait to make it. It looks absolutely easy to make and delicious!!! Thank you so much!
Piping Pot Curry says
Hi Alejandra, So good to hear that. Thank you for sharing it 😀
Ryan says
I used the porridge setting but the rice was too soft. Should I try 15 minutes of cooking time instead of 20?
Rice typically just takes 4-5 minutes so maybe 10 might do?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Ryan - Sure, you can do lesser time. 10-15 minutes will work too.
Ryan says
Do you ever put rose water in this to get it a different flavor?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Ryan - you can add rose water. I would recommend to add it after the kheer is cooked.
Rajinder says
Sorry meant Meera, mis spelled your name
Rajinder says
Hi Meera, can I double this recipe in 6qt pot?
Thanks
Meeta Arora says
Hi Rajinder - Some people have tried to double the recipe and it has worked fine. However I do recommend to keep an eye on the instant pot if you double, as sometimes the milk can boil over and come out.
Diana says
Hi. I want to make this but don’t have any cardamom. Can I substitute cinnamon or another spice? And how much?
Thanks!
Meeta Arora says
Hi Diana - Sure, you can add cinnamon to this kheer too. Hope you enjoy it!
Chris Dias says
Can I make this with 1/2 canned coconut milk and 1/2 regular milk?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Chris - I have not tried myself, but it could work well. Many people have made this kheer with almond milk and enjoyed it.