This simple cinnamon sugar rice is an easy, no-cook version of rice pudding that comes together in just moments. The sweet cinnamon sugar mixture makes leftover rice taste extraordinary! This recipe can easily be made dairy-free and is naturally gluten-free too.
If you need a quick and easy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, you found it! This cinnamon rice recipe is an old-fashioned family favorite. The milk softens the rice slightly, and the cinnamon sugar mixture brings it to life. Serve it with some creamy hot cocoa or a molasses cookie for an extra special treat!
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Sugar Rice
- Super simple dessert - It doesn’t get much easier than this! You’re simply mixing cooked with sugar, cinnamon, and milk for a warm, cozy treat. No stove is needed!
- Kid-friendly - I grew up eating this dessert as a simple treat after a meal. Kids love it!
- Great way to use leftover rice - Do you ever find yourself with way too much leftover rice? Put it to good use and make this easy rice with cinnamon and sugar. You’ll want to start making extra rice on purpose!
Ingredients
- Cooked white rice - The rice can either be fresh or chilled from the fridge.
- Cinnamon
- Sugar - Feel free to use either white or brown sugar.
- Milk - Any type will do (regular dairy or non-dairy).
Variations
- Add dried fruit and nuts - Stir in some raisins, dried cranberries, or your favorite dried fruit, and add a sprinkle of chopped almonds or pistachios.
- Cook it on the stove - For a creamier dessert, cook the rice with milk and cinnamon on the stovetop. This will soften the rice slightly and allow the flavors to mingle together.
- Use a different sweetener - Although it’s classic to use regular white cane sugar, this rice dessert is also great with a little maple syrup or honey.
- Make it creamy - Use evaporated milk or a little half-and-half for a richer, creamier dessert.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Rice
- Heat the rice in a small bowl in the microwave.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
- Top with milk.
- Eat.
Expert Tips
- Preseason the rice - Cook it in coconut milk to give it a creamier texture and flavor.
- Use good quality cinnamon - Although this dish is excellent with any cinnamon, it’s incredibly flavorful with high-quality, fresh cinnamon.
- Warm the milk on the stove - If you’re not in a rush, gently warm it instead of zapping it in the microwave.
Recipe FAQs
What’s the best type of rice for cinnamon sugar rice?
You can really make this dessert with any type of cooked white rice. It’s especially yummy with fluffy long-grain varieties like Jasmine or Basmati rice.
What’s the difference between cinnamon sugar rice and rice pudding?
Think of cinnamon sugar rice as being more like oatmeal or breakfast cereal than pudding. The rice is not cooked down to create a thick, creamy pudding, like rice pudding. Instead, it’s reheated, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and then the milk is poured on top. The rice won’t have time to absorb the liquid, so it’ll still stay runny. It’s one of those old-school, use-it-up recipes that tastes great, even if it’s incredibly simple!
How can you make cinnamon sugar rice even more flavorful?
If you want to take this dish to the next level, add some flavor powerhouses.
- Add a sprinkle of salt and a splash of vanilla extract.
- Replace the white sugar with brown sugar for extra flavor and richness.
- Infuse the milk with a cinnamon stick to let the cinnamon flavor really shine.
- Stir in some dried cranberries or cherries for a fruity pop, and sprinkle in some chopped nuts.
- A little fresh orange zest would really brighten it up, too!
More Rice Recipes To Try
Cinnamon Sugar Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup cooked white rice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Heat the rice in a small bowl in the microwave.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
- Top with milk.
- EAT.
Nutrition
Lois Carter Crawford is an author, home chef, health advocate, and food coach who fought her way back from several debilitating health issues, including a moderate heart attack! She discovered that inflammation caused by the food she ate was the underlying cause of most of her health problems and developed a method and tools to help others research their food sensitivities.
Erik Adrianus Verhoeven
Why milk?
Lois
Erik, we add milk to make it a warm cereal-type dessert. It makes it nice and creamy. What would you add?
Rebecka
This is a Spanish dish called Arroz con Leche!!!!
Lois
Rebeccka,
It is similar to Arroz con Leche, but the rice is not cooked with the milk. Since you cook the rice first (usually for another meal) and simply warm it up, the rice is generally not as creamy as in Arroz con Leche. Both are super good, though!
Lois
Kenneth Biel
This always brings me back to my childhood