Vegan Tapioca Pudding

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❤️ Why you’ll love it

I love how this vegan tapioca pudding is so rich and creamy, thanks to the combination of dairy-free milk and full-fat coconut cream. It creates a lusciously smooth texture that is irresistible.

The small pearl tapioca pearls add a chewy element to the pudding that is so satisfying. It is a simple yet delicious dessert that is perfect for any time of the year.

The best part is that you can customize it with your favorite toppings. I personally love serving it with homemade strawberry puree. The contrast of the sweet, vibrant puree with the creamy pudding is a match made in heaven.

🧾 Key ingredients

This vegan tapioca pudding is a delicious and healthy dessert that is simple to make. You can find these ingredients at your local grocery store, and they are easy to work with.

Small pearl tapioca is the star of this dessert. It is not the same as boba or sago, so be sure to use the right one. When cooked, these small pearls transform into delicious, chewy tapioca balls that give the pudding its unique texture.

Coconut cream and dairy-free milk are essential for a creamy, lusciously thick pudding. Be sure to use full-fat coconut cream, as it provides the richness that is key to this recipe.

Vanilla extract and cane sugar are the key flavorings in this recipe. The vanilla adds a sweet, aromatic flavor, while the sugar sweetens the pudding to perfection. If you want a snowy white pudding, you can use white sugar.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

For this vegan tapioca pudding recipe, a good quality, heavy-bottom saucepan is essential. This is because it helps the tapioca and the dairy-free milk and cream to cook evenly and prevents the mixture from sticking or burning at the bottom.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
In a bowl, combine the tapioca pearls and water. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Remember, the pearls will absorb the water, so do not let them sit for too long, as they may disappear.

Making the vegan tapioca pudding

STEP 1
Transfer the soaked tapioca pearls to a saucepan, making sure not to include the soaking water. Then, add the plant-based milk and cream to the saucepan.

STEP 2
Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

STEP 3
Continue to cook the tapioca pudding, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a pudding-like consistency. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. As the pudding nears completion, the tapioca pearls will become translucent. At this point, it is essential to stir more frequently to avoid burning.

STEP 4
Once the tapioca pudding reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Stir in the sweetener of your choice and the vanilla extract. Your vegan tapioca pudding is now ready to serve.

STEP 5
You can enjoy the pudding warm, straight from the stove. If you prefer it cold, refrigerating it for about an hour will help it set. Serve the vegan tapioca pudding with your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, fruit puree, chopped nuts, or whipped cream.

💡 Expert tip

The most crucial step in making the perfect vegan tapioca pudding is cooking the tapioca pearls until they are translucent. In a perfect tapioca pudding, all the pearls are translucent. If not all pearls are like that, you must cook them longer on low heat. But don’t stress on this. Even if some pearls remain white, the pudding will still have a delicious, creamy, and cooked texture.

🔄 Variations

Try serving this vegan tapioca pudding as a panna cotta. It offers a different presentation and texture, and you can easily achieve this by using a silicone muffin mold. The pudding will set in the mold, giving it a beautiful shape. You can enjoy it as a grab-and-go dessert or an elegant sweet treat at your next dinner party.

Add a chocolate twist to your tapioca pudding. If you are a chocolate lover, consider adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder during cooking. This will give your pudding a rich, chocolate flavor without compromising its creamy texture. It is a perfect option for those who are craving something a little more decadently sweet.

If you are out of tapioca pearls, consider using tapioca starch instead. However, keep in mind that this may alter the texture of the pudding. You will likely end up with a more custard-like dessert, but it will still be delicious. Just be mindful that the measurements will need to be adjusted, as they are not a 1:1 substitution for tapioca pearls.

🥣 Serving ideas

This vegan tapioca pudding is an incredibly versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It is a perfect base for a range of toppings, allowing you to customize it according to your tastes and preferences.

For a refreshing and healthy option, consider serving it with a dollop of homemade strawberry puree. The combination of the creamy pudding and the sweet, tangy puree is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

If you are a fan of berries, you can also try it with a lusciously rich and tangy raspberry sauce. It not only adds a burst of flavor but also a beautiful pop of color.

For a tropical twist, you can serve it with a mango puree. The creamy texture of the pudding pairs perfectly with the light, fluffy consistency of the mango puree, making for a truly delicious dessert.

Toppings

Take your vegan tapioca pudding to the next level by adding some recommended toppings. Fresh fruits like strawberries and mangoes, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes can add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your dessert. Here are some more tips for you to discover:

❄️ Storing tips

This vegan tapioca pudding is easy to store and the good news is that the flavor continues to improve as it sits, thanks to the continued absorption of the creamy, coconut-infused liquid by the tapioca pearls.

To store, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator. It should keep well for about 3 to 4 days. If you notice that it is becoming a bit too thick, you can stir in a little extra dairy-free milk to loosen it up.

I do not recommend freezing this pudding. The delicate, creamy texture that we worked so hard to achieve by slow-cooking the tapioca pearls can be compromised by the freezing and thawing process. This can result in a grainy or mushy texture that is not at all appetizing.

When you are ready to enjoy your pudding, you can serve it cold, straight out of the refrigerator, or you can reheat it before serving. If you choose to reheat it, the best way to do so is to do it slowly, over low heat, stirring it constantly to prevent the pudding from sticking to the bottom of the pan and scorching.

🤔 FAQs

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