Name: Healthy Black Rice Pudding with Dates & Figs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Rice (black, overcooked; see expert tips for cooking instructions); 1 ltr Milk; 10 Dates (medjool dates recommended; pits removed); 5 Figs (dried figs); 2 tbsp Jaggery (optional, for extra sweetness); 1 tbsp Almond Flakes

Healthy Black Rice Pudding with Dates & Figs

Kirti Misra

UpdatedJuly, 2025

1 hour

1344 reads

4.67 from 3 votes

Desserts Indian Soul Food

About Healthy Black Rice Pudding with Dates & Figs

Discover the delicious and healthy world of black rice pudding! This recipe transforms the "forbidden grain" into a creamy, subtly sweet dessert, perfect for a guilt-free indulgence. Infused with the natural sweetness of dates and figs, this black rice kheer offers a unique twist on a classic Indian dessert.

I previously shared my tips on cooking black rice (see notes for details), and this recipe builds upon that knowledge to create a truly special treat. The overcooked black rice blends seamlessly with full-cream milk, creating a luxuriously smooth texture.

This recipe is easy to follow and yields a satisfyingly rich pudding that's both nutritious and delightful. Whether served warm or chilled, it's the perfect ending to any meal.

30-Day Indian Vegetarian Weight Loss Meal Plan

Stop Thinking About What to Cook Every Day

Weight loss, PCOS, and Healthy Eating, all planned out for you. Just follow the plan and cook. From ₹499.

Explore Meal Plans

Recipe Time & More

Prep30

Cook30

Total1

Calories20 kcal

Serves

Served AsDesserts

Recipe TasteCrunchy Sweet

Ingredients

For the Pudding

▢ 1/2 cup Rice black, overcooked; see expert tips for cooking instructions
▢ 1 ltr Milk
▢ 10 Dates medjool dates recommended; pits removed
▢ 5 Figs dried figs
▢ 2 tbsp Jaggery optional, for extra sweetness

For Garnishing

▢ 1 tbsp Almond Flakes

Start Focussed Cooking Mode →

Instructions

Prepare the Black Rice

Overcook 1/2 cup of black rice according to the expert tips. Soak 10 pitted Medjool dates and 5 dried figs in 1/2 cup of hot water for at least 30 minutes.

Cook the Milk

Boil 1 liter of full-cream milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the milk to 3/4 of its original volume (approximately 20 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Add the Rice and Simmer

Add the overcooked black rice to the reduced milk. The milk will turn slightly purple due to the black rice. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring gently.

Prepare the Date and Fig Paste

Remove the dates and figs from the soaking water. Blend them into a paste using an immersion blender or food processor, incorporating the soaking water. Strain the paste through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any fibers. Stir this paste into the rice pudding. If desired, add 2 tablespoons of jaggery for extra sweetness.

Garnish and Serve

Garnish the black rice pudding with 1 tablespoon of almond flakes. Serve warm or chilled.

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips

Cooking Black Rice: For perfectly overcooked black rice, rinse 1/2 cup of black rice thoroughly. Combine with 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is very soft and easily mashable. Drain any excess water.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the pudding before serving and adjust the sweetness to your preference using more jaggery or even a touch of honey.
Milk Alternatives: While full-cream milk is recommended for richness, you can use other types of milk, such as whole milk or even plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk), but the texture might be slightly different.
Storage: Store leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.