American · Desserts

Tapioca Pudding

Small pearl tapioca simmered in milk until translucent, then thickened with egg and vanilla into a creamy pudding. Served cold, a nursery classic.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 40 min hands on plus 1 hr 30 min Soaking and chilling Serves 6 servings Easy
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How to Make Tapioca Pudding

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  1. Soak the tapioca in the water for 30 minutes, then drain.

  2. Put the drained tapioca, milk and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the pearls are translucent.

  3. Whisk the eggs with the sugar in a bowl, then whisk in a ladleful of the hot tapioca mixture. Pour it all back into the pan.

  4. Cook over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Do not let it boil. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.

  5. Spoon into 6 dishes, press cling film onto the surface to stop a skin forming, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until cold.

Tips for Making Tapioca Pudding

  • Soak the pearls first. It softens them so they cook evenly, and unsoaked pearls stay hard in the middle.
  • Stir often while it simmers. Tapioca settles and sticks to the base of the pan, and it can scorch.
  • Add the eggs off the boil. Boiling scrambles them, and the pudding turns grainy instead of smooth.

What to Serve with Tapioca Pudding

  • Fresh raspberries
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Stewed rhubarb

Storing & Reheating Tapioca Pudding

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, and thickens as it stands, so stir in a splash of milk before serving. Not suitable for freezing.

Tapioca Pudding FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Tapioca Pudding take to make?

About 40 minutes of hands-on work — 10 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 30 minutes of Soaking and chilling, so allow 2 hours 10 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Tapioca Pudding?

Soak the pearls first. It softens them so they cook evenly, and unsoaked pearls stay hard in the middle. Stir often while it simmers. Tapioca settles and sticks to the base of the pan, and it can scorch. Add the eggs off the boil. Boiling scrambles them, and the pudding turns grainy instead of smooth.

What should I serve with Tapioca Pudding?

Fresh raspberries; Ground cinnamon; Stewed rhubarb.

Can Tapioca Pudding be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, and thickens as it stands, so stir in a splash of milk before serving. Not suitable for freezing.

Is Tapioca Pudding suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Tapioca Pudding?

About 222 kcal per serving, with 6 g protein, 36 g carbohydrate and 6 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Tapioca Pudding Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

222Calories
6gProtein
36gCarbs
6gFat
0gFibre
23gSugar
160mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

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