Sabudana Kheer, or Tapioca pudding, is a sweet made with tapioca pearls and milk. This kheer is popular during the fasting festive season in India. It is super easy to make in the instant pot or on the stovetop. Vegetarian & Gluten-free!
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Soaking time30 minutesmins
Total Time55 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: instant pot kheer, sabudana kheer, sago kheer, tapioca kheer
Rinse the sabudana pearls with water until the water runs clear.
Sanitize the instant pot thoroughly by cleaning all the parts. Add the sabudana pearls in the instant pot along with water for soaking and soak for about 30 minutes. Make sure to leave the instant pot switched off at this time.
After the soaking time is done, set the instant pot on saute mode and let the sabudana simmer for about 3 minutes while stirring frequently. Then press cancel.
Now add the milk and saffron to the instant pot and stir well. Set to slow cook mode (medium) for 1 hour. You can use the instant pot lid or a glass lid.
Open the lid and stir the kheer. Add the sugar, cardamom, roasted nuts, and raisins. Mix well.
Mix well and put on saute mode for 4 mins while stirring frequently.
Turn off the instant pot. Let the kheer cool. This kheer thickens as it cools.
Garnish with more saffron and nuts to your liking. This Sabudana Kheer is delicious served hot or chilled.
On Stovetop:
As mentioned above, rinse and soak the sabudana pearls for 30 minutes.
Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan and bring it to a boil. Now add the soaked sabudana and saffron strands. Simmer to low heat and let the kheer cook till it gets thick while stirring frequently. Cook until the sabudana is cooked. This will take about 45 minutes.
Add the sugar, cardamom powder, nuts and mix well. Garnish with saffron and nuts, and serve hot or chilled.
Notes
Sanitize the instant pot thoroughly - the steel insert, lid, and sealing ring. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it. Sugar Substitute: Although I have not tried it myself, some readers have suggested that if using jaggery in place of sugar, then add it after cooking on porridge setting (else the milk can curdle). Roasted Nuts: If you don't have already roasted nuts. Add 1 tbsp of ghee to the instant pot and saute the nuts for about a minute. Then, follow the recipe. Consistency: This kheer thickens a lot as it cools. So you can add more milk to adjust the consistency before serving.Vegan Variation: Substitute milk with almond milk or another plant-based milk.Updated: This recipe has been updated to use the slow cook method, as the newer instant pot models are more sensitive and give a burn for this kheer. This recipe was created in a 6qt Instant Pot DUO60 Multi-use Programmable Pressure Cooker.