I didn’t grow up with tapioca pudding, but after my first bite I was hooked for life. There’s something mysterious about a pudding that has so much texture. Plus, like all puddings, the flavor variations are endless.
I love making tapioca pudding in the slow cooker because you don’t have to soak the tapioca pearls before cooking. Another bonus is that you don’t have to constantly stir it. Just come home from work, throw in the pudding and make dinner and put the pudding away in the fridge before you go to bed. That way it’s ready for your party the next day!
This recipe makes a large amount of tapioca so it’s great for a crowd, but you can cut the ingredients in half for an any day treat.
One thing you need to know is that it will not set up in the slow cooker, but in the fridge. So remember that when the cooking time is up and it’s really soupy. It will seem like it could never turn into pudding. I promise it will be thick the next day. It’s such a big transition you’ll feel like you were visited by the tapioca fairies.
If you have enough room in your fridge you can even ladle out the warm pudding into individual serving glasses or bowls. That makes it an even more elegant treat!
Here are a few tapioca factoids that you can spring on unsuspecting guests at your party:
- Tapioca is actually made from the starch of a cassava root.
- It is a major ingredient in Daiya, one of my favorite vegan cheeses.
- Large brown tapioca pearls are in bubble tea.
- The small white pearls are used in puddings.
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Lisa says
I can’t wait to try this!
Taylor says
Oh good god, this looks amazing. I grew up with tapioca pudding, and even now when I go home I bribe my mum to make it for me. Next time I hit the store, this is what I’m getting supplies to make!
Beth F says
I wonder why you have to wait to add the sugar until it is all cooked?
Kathy Hester says
I do that when I add in to use the sweetener of your choice. Since the amount will vary wildly this allows you to add it at the end to taste as you go.
I do this alot when I’m using stevia – something that varies from brand to brand even.
Jayashiangel says
I had my doubt about this recipe since I had tried one like this before the differences were the temp & the length of time you cooked the pudding they suggested 4 hours.. I tried your recipe and instructions in half using regular milk since Lactose for DD is expensive.. It worked Great/Perfect in my 4 quart crockpot….. THANK-YOU!!!!! I have love tapioca pudding and no more store bought for me!!! and DD can’t want until I make here a batch….:O) p.s. for people who love reviews when it cooks for 2 hours it still looks like soupy milk DON’T stress as I did it worked great when it cooled and refrigerated overnight…Thanks again
Aadil Shah says
I don’t have ‘non-dairy’ milk. I wouldn’t even know where to buy it.
Could I use normal milk? If I use normal milk, does the quantity need to be adjusted?
Kathy Hester says
Nondairy milk is the same thing as soy milk, almond milk, etc. I don’t use dairy so I can’t tell you if regular milk works at the same amount, but if I were you I’d give it a try.