Chocolate Rice Pudding Recipe - chocolate and cocoa powder turn traditional rice pudding into the most incredibly delicious dessert! This easy to make "rice pudding for one" is rich, creamy, and filled with chocolate. Similar to the Filipino rice dish, Champorado and can be ready in under 30 minutes!

For the last several months, I've been working hard to create new recipes for our cookbook and as I was working on a rice recipe for the book, I became inspired to create this totally decadent chocolate rice pudding recipe.
There are two ways to make rice pudding. Many rice puddings are baked in the oven, some using leftover rice as in our traditional Rice Pudding recipe and our Peaches and Cream Rice Pudding.
Others are made on the stove which results in incredibly tender, silky-smooth pudding. Rice pudding cooked on the stove is absolutely magical and if you haven't tried it cooked this way, you simply must!
Why I Love This Recipe
Made with just a small amount of rice and a few pantry staples, this gloriously creamy dessert has quickly become one of my favorites.
It's sweet and silky smooth and certainly doesn't taste like a quick dessert. Some might be fooled into thinking that this dessert is complex, requiring hours of time and many ingredients. In reality, it can be ready in under 30 minutes.
It's truly amazing that a little bit of cocoa powder and a handful of chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks) can transform traditional rice pudding.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Ingredient Notes
See recipe box below for full recipe instructions.
- Rice: Use ¼ cup of long grain rice.
- Milk: I use 1 cup of whole milk but you could use almond milk or soy milk, if desired.
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons add the perfect amount of sweetness
- Salt: Just a ⅛ teaspoon.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use ½ tablespoon.
- Vanilla extract or Crème de Cacao: Use ¼ teaspoon.
- Chocolate: I use 2 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How To Make This Recipe
- The rice, milk, sugar, and salt cook in a small saucepan. As the rice cooks, the mixture thickens.
- After about 20 minutes, remove the pan from the stove and stir in the cocoa powder, vanilla or Crème de Cacao, and the chocolate.
The pudding can be eaten warm or refrigerated and enjoyed later.
Expert Tips
- Although these are the typical ingredients I use when I make chocolate rice pudding, you might like to add in a pinch of chili powder to your version. Chocolate and spice go hand in hand and I think you will find this to be a wonderful addition.
- I use semi sweet chocolate chips but feel free to use bittersweet chocolate instead.
- A vegan chocolate rice pudding can be made by using almond milk instead of cow's milk and by choosing vegan chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
This chocolate rice pudding reminds me of Champorado. The two are similar but not the same.
Champorado, also called chocolate rice is a Filipino rice porridge made with chocolate and traditionally served for breakfast. It is made with short grain glutinous rice, whereas this chocolate rice pudding is made with long grain rice.
Champorado is not always sweet and is often made with dark chocolate. It is traditionally served with dried salted fish.
For this chocolate rice pudding recipe, I use a 1-quart saucepan. For best results, use a pan of similar size.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients left over from this chocolate rice pudding recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
- Rice: Rice Pilaf, Fried Rice, Red Beans and Rice
- Milk: Hot Chocolate, Baked Oatmeal, Milkshake
- Cocoa powder: Chocolate Coffee Creamer, Red Velvet Donuts, Chocolate Scones
- Chocolate: Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Chip Muffin, Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you’ve tried this chocolate rice pudding or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Chocolate Rice Pudding For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup long-grain white rice
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (may also use Crème de Cacao instead)
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine the rice, milk, sugar, and salt in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until rice is tender and pudding is thick, 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and vanilla to the mixture.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.
Notes
- Although these are the typical ingredients I use when I make chocolate rice pudding, you might like to add in a pinch of chili powder to your version. Chocolate and spice go hand in hand and I think you will find this to be a wonderful addition.
- I use semi sweet chocolate chips but feel free to use bittersweet chocolate instead.
- A vegan chocolate rice pudding can be made by using almond milk instead of cow's milk and by choosing vegan chocolate.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Kaylah Ashenden says
Could this be made in an instant pot ?
Joanie Zisk says
We have not tested this rice pudding recipe in an instant pot.
Barb A says
Could this be made with brown rice?
Joanie Zisk says
Hi Barb,
This recipe would not do well with brown rice. First of all, the taste would be off. Secondly, the brown rice would have to cook longer and might need more liquid to keep it from drying.
I have only tested this rice pudding recipe as written, with white rice.
Joanie
Barb says
Joanie, should I cover the pan when cooking the rice? Barb
Joanie Zisk says
No, Barb. Keep the pan uncovered.
Joanie
Anna says
Put a lid on at an angle so the steam can get out or it will boil over and make a mess.