An easy recipe for Tapioca Pudding with tapioca pearls cooked in milk, condensed milk, and vanilla. This pudding is egg-free and naturally creamy with starch released from cooked Tapioca Pearls. Sharing easy method to cook Tapioca Pudding in Instant Pot (or Stove Top). With Instant Pot quick pressure cooking, you can have this amazingly and creamy dessert ready in just 5 minutes of cooking. I highly recommend it.
If you like lite and chilled desserts such as this egg-less tapioca puddings? Then I highly recommend trying my recipe for Instant Banana Pudding, Lemonade Sorbet, Ambrosia Salad,No Bake Cream Cheese Pie.
Let's make Tapioca Pudding today!
TAPIOCA PUDDING
Traditional Tapioca pudding is made with tapioca pearls boiled in egg-based custard of milk, egg yolks and vanilla. Egg yolks make pudding creamy and rich.
This recipe is a lite and healthier variation of traditional pudding with egg. Tapioca pearls release natural starch which is perfect to make a creamy pudding without eggs. Plus I use condensed milk instead of regular sugar which gives this pudding flavor as if cooked low-slow for a long period of time. The touch of vanilla keeps the same custard-like flavor.
In short, this is an easy egg free tapioca pudding recipewhich is suitable for gluten-free, nut-free and egg-free diet.A very good option for an easy chilled family/festive dessert. Don't forget to serve with spoon of strawberry sauce. (recipe in notes)
Nuts-Free: To keep it nuts free, don't garnish with pistachios.
TAPIOCA PUDDING INGREDIENTS:
This pudding recipe needs simple pantry ingredients and still makes an amazing tapioca pudding.
- Tapioca Pearls
- Milk
- Condensed Milk
- Vanilla
Often, I have seen everyone struggle a bit to find right kind of pearl tapioca. I used medium size tapioca pearls for this recipe. Medium pearls are same size as pearl couscous. (Smaller or large pearls will require adjustment of cooking time.)
For large Tapioca Pearls like you get in boba tea.. Cook for simmer 5-10 minutes more on stove top. 2 minutes more in Instant Pot. Best way to check if pudding is ready? Press a cooled cooked tapioca pearl and it should be very soft.
For very small Tapioca Pearls like size of regular couscous.Cook for simmer 5-10 minutes lesser on stove top. 2 minutes less in Instant Pot.
HOW TO MAKE DAIRY FREE TAPIOCA PUDDING with COCONUT MILK:
You can easily change this recipe to make it dairy free by replacing regular milk with coconut milk, and sugar instead of condensed milk. In-fact these two adjustments will also make this recipe vegan.You can also replace sugar in pudding with other natural sweeteners like agave syrup or even sugar free with Stevia.
HOW TO MAKE TAPIOCA PUDDING?
To make tapioca pudding on stove top, I start by:
- Bring milk and water to boil in heavy bottom pan. Then add tapioca pearls, 2 tbsp of sugar and pinch of salt.Simmer for 15-18 minutes or until pearls are translucent (SEE NOTE 2) and milk has reduced and has thick consistency.
- Now add condensed milk, vanilla and mix well. Simmer for another 5 more minutes. Take off heat.
Note:Pudding has more liquid when just cooked. Tapioca drinks up milk and pudding becomes thick and creamy in 1-2 hour. Just like shown in pictures.
WHERE TO BUY TAPIOCA PEARL?
Tapioca pearls are available in most US stores. To buy look in:
- Baking Isle. Flour Isle or International Food Isles of most top food grocery stores.
- Visit near buy Asian/International/India food market.
- You can also buyTapioca Pearls Online from Amazon. (affiliate link)
WHAT SIZE OF TAPIOCA PEARLS ARE GOOD FOR TAPIOCA PUDDING?
For this pudding, I used medium size pearl tapioca. It is almost the size of pearl couscous. Very small, very large pearls (the one used for boba drink), or instant pearl tapioca is not good for pudding.
If you looking to buy or need visual reference, check these out : Tapioca Pearls Online from Amazon.(affiliate link)
TO MAKE TAPIOCA PUDDING IN AN INSTANT POT:
- Add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk in Instant Pot. Add tapioca pearls, sugar, salt and close lid of pot. Seal the vent. Cook on Manual - High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once timer is up. Let pressure natural release in 12-15 minutes. Open lid, add condensed milk and vanilla. Mix well. Set aside covered 5 minutes (Instant Pot switched off).
Note:Pudding has more liquid when just cooked. Tapioca drinks up milk and pudding becomes thick and creamy in 1-2 hour.
In my home, this Tapioca Pudding is quick and delicious family-favorite summer dessert. I hope it will make same space in your home. Get some pearl tapioca and milk tonight. Make this dessert and surprise your family with a sweet treat. I highly recommend Instant Pot method for quick turnaround. It requires no perching on stove and yields equally creamy pudding.
Have a beautiful Spring week ahead. -Savita
