Saffron Rice Pudding

Oct 2, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Beans Easy

Creamy saffron rice pudding in a small ceramic bowl with a spoon, garnished as in the recipe

A rich and creamy saffron-infused rice pudding made with short-grain rice, whole milk, real vanilla bean, and delicate saffron threads for a warm, fragrant dessert.

Prep 10 min

Cook 40 min

Cooling 5 min

Total 55 min

Servings 6

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

¾ cup (150.0 g)short-grain white rice
4.0 cups (960.0 ml)whole milk
⅓ cup (67.0 g)granulated sugar
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
large pinch of saffron threads

Make it at home

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Instructions

Rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the whole milk, rinsed rice, sugar, salt, and the seeds scraped from the vanilla bean along with the bean pod.
Lightly crush the saffron threads and add them to the milk mixture. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom, until the rice is tender and the mixture is thick and creamy, about 35-40 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean pod before serving.
Remove the pudding from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm or chilled.

Tips

For deeper saffron flavor, soak the threads in a tablespoon of warm milk for 10 minutes before adding to the pudding.
Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to avoid scorching and stir often to prevent the rice from sticking.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make saffron rice pudding?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, plus 5 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 6 servings.

How should I store saffron rice pudding?

Store leftover pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally.

Can I make saffron rice pudding ahead?

The pudding can be made a day ahead and chilled; stir well before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A rich and creamy saffron-infused rice pudding made with short-grain rice, whole milk, real vanilla bean, and delicate saffron threads for a warm, fragrant dessert.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

234 Calories / serving

5.6g Fat

38.8g Carbs

6.9g Protein

19.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~1404 cal · 34g fat · 233g carbs · 41g protein · 118g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 234 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 44 min·2.6 mi·~5150 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 32 min·1.6 mi·~3200 steps
Moderate cycling 24 min·4.8 mi
Swimming laps 33 min
Jogging 23 min·1.9 mi·~3700 steps
Stair climbing 22 min·~2000 steps
Dancing 38 min
Bodyweight circuit training 24 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 54 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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