Discover how the Instant Pot can revolutionize your cooking time with nutritious, healthy meals. Learn how I used this versatile kitchen tool to make a delicious Greek rizogalo dessert in half of the time. This is a DAIRY & GLUTEN FREE recipe.

I couldn’t wait to share this with you all! So, my mom introduced me to the Instant Pot when I came back to Greece, and it has completely changed my cooking game.

I can confidently say that the Instant Pot has become my second favorite kitchen tool. It has truly halved my cooking time! To really put it to the test, I made one of my favorite Greek desserts—rizogalo. Let’s dive into the recipe, shall we?

Instant Pot Rizogalo Recipe

(Dairy Free & Gluten Free)

Servings: 6-7

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of almond milk (You can use any milk of your choice)
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• 1 cup of uncooked short grain white rice (see notes)
• 1/4 cup of organic sugar
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla flavoring
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder
• 1 lemon peel or orange peel
• Pinch of sea salt
• Maple syrup or honey to serve

Directions:

1. Place the first 9 ingredients into the instant pot. Give the ingredients a good stir.
2. Place the lid over the instant pot, and lock it into place. Make sure to close the vent, so the instant pot properly works.
3. Place on the “porridge” setting. Cook for about 20 minutes, and let the rice mixture depressurize for 10 minutes.
4. Once the pudding has depressurized, carefully open the vent. Place rice pudding into ramekins, and chill overnight.
5. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup , and a dash of cinnamon powder.

**Rizogalo is always better the next day. I love to serve it with a big heaping teaspoon of powdered sugar and a bit more almond milk.

Kali Orexi!

 Notes:

When using dairy free milk alternatives, I recommend oat, coconut, or almond. I have used all three and they work great in this recipe.

As for the rice, I prefer short-grain (arborio rice) or even sushi rice works well. I have used basmati rice too and it works fine.  In Greece, they typically use Carolina rice, which is similar to arborio. Keep in mind that arborio rice does require a bit more liquid compared to other varieties Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and the texture you enjoy. Feel free to experiment with different types of rice to find the one you love best!

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In my next rice pudding post, I’ll be comparing three different types of rice to show you how each one impacts the texture and flavor of the pudding. Stay tuned to see which rice makes the creamiest, most delicious rice pudding

*Recipe updated March 11th 2025