Something I love about January is the opportunity for reinvention. I’m not a diligent resolution-maker but do feel the effects of beginning a new year. A bit like completing a chapter in a book, when the last page turns everything does feel fresh. It’s a natural time for reflection, renewed resolve about healthy habits developed over the prior year as well as trying on new things, experimenting, and freshening-up life a bit.
I keep a running mental list of new things I want to try and foods I want to make. I find I can get into a rut like a trail horse walking the same route repeatedly day after day. Routine does not play to my strengths and I’m most happy when mixing things up. Lately I’ve wanted to incorporate more healthy plant-based options into our family diet for the health benefits but also to stretch my knowledge and recipe options.
I’ve always felt best with a high amount of plants in my diet but that gets off kilter during the holidays. The fact that chocolate comes from a plant seems to migrate it into that category as well! I’m starting my year off eating lower fat, lower sugar foods and focusing on natural whole foods. Another goal of mine is to get smarter about is time; I simply don’t have enough of it. I want to develop unique recipes and meals which offer flavor and nutrition without hours of preparation.
I needed to whip up a dessert for this week and candidly am burnt out on rich, decadent sweets. My family loves Tapioca which I don’t make often not wishing to stand over the stove attending to it’s demands. I decided to change it up in a few ways. First off I made it in the slow cooker; perfect! No slaving over the stove. And secondly, instead of cow milk I used Silk’s Almondmilk Light which has a 1/3 fewer calories than the original almond milk. Almond milk has sweetener added so the amount of sugar needed in the tapioca is reduced.
Out of curiosity I compared the nutritional content of Low Fat Cow Milk and Almondmilk Light to learn for a 1 cup serving both the low fat cow milk and Silk Almondmilk Light have 2 grams of fat, however the Almondmilk Light has only 5 grams of overall Carbohydrate (low fat cow milk = 13 grams), 0 cholesterol (low fat cow milk = 12 mg) and 40 calories (low fat cow milk = 102). Normally I make tapioca with whole cow milk (higher in fat and calories than low fat cow milk), so I was excited about the idea of reducing the fat and getting the calories and cholesterol down from my usual on-stove recipe. The texture of this recipe just as creamy as the original old-school tapioca we all love !
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
My dad use to request Tapioca Pudding growing up all the time. I have not had this in years, but seeing this recipe brought back great memories and I can’t wait to try this version. Pinned!
Toni Dash says
Isn’t it funny that we all remember it from childhood but don’t make it as adults?! Now that problem is solved with the slow cooker!
Christie - Food Done Light says
I haven’t had tapioca in years. Now I want it right now!
Toni Dash says
It’s one of those foods isn’t it Christie?
Liz says
A great recipe. Thanks so much.
Toni Dash says
You are so welcome Liz!
Claire Walter says
I have my daily (organic and unsweetened) cereal with Silk low-fat soy milk. Never tried their almond milk. So your recipe inspires me to A) give almond milk a try and B) try cooking with a dairy-free “milk.” Maybe B will even be tapioca pudding — and the slow cooker suggestions makes that more likely. Thanks.
Toni Dash says
I will admit I was a reluctant adopter of plant milks Claire. Soy was the first (also Silk’s organic unsweetened) but frankly I had an image of a bean being ‘milked’ I could not rid from my brain. Once over that I’ve loved experimenting with the different milks in ice cream, soups, smoothies and just drinking. Like many ingredients, they are all different vs how we think of cow milk as all the same (except for the flavor differences based on fat content). I love Silk’s integrity about their ingredient quality and conservation too.
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
I love tapioca, but never thought about making it in a slow cooker. Maybe this way I won’t burn it!
Toni Dash says
Ha, ha! I won’t burn (knock wood) and is effortless really. Spraying the slow cooker first helps with any potential sticking too.
Julia says
This is too cool!!! Tapioca pudding was always one of my favorites growing up, and I love that you made this in a crock pot AND with almond milk – so easy and tasty!! I’ll be trying this out for sure!! Hope your New Year is going well so far!
Toni Dash says
Isn’t it funny Julia how we all associate Tapioca with our childhoods and no one makes it when they ‘grow up’?! It bears that comforting feeling of childhood I think too. The slow cooker is a life changer for this recipe. Anything I can throw in and forget is a winner for me! Happy New Year to you too!
Cookin Canuck says
I love the feeling of a new year, too. My greatest pleasure on January 1st is opening my new planner for the year and filling in the blank pages. This pudding is something my kids would love and how great that it can be made in the slow cooker!
Toni Dash says
My kids love it too Dara. I love that it can be made in the slow cooker AND that it’s effortless and able to be made with non-dairy milks. Great for those dairy-free.
heather @french press says
this sounds out of this world good! and I LOVE that you made it in the slow cooker
Toni Dash says
I’m loving anything I can make in my slow cooker these days Heather! So many ways to keep things healthy and great tasting….and easy!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
I love tapioca pudding but have never tried to make it on my own. I’m definitely trying your version! I love that it’s dairy free and uses almond milk, love that stuff!
Toni Dash says
You’ll love the ease of making it with a slow cooker Danae. Stirring once and hour let’s you have your life back!
Phoebe @ Feed Me Phoebe says
I really love that this tapioca pudding can be made with a slow cooker! The use of almond milk to make it dairy-free is great too. xo
Toni Dash says
My feelings exactly Phoebe!
Rustee says
Curious how it will turn out if I use the large pearl and double it . ?
Toni Dash says
Hi Rustee. I’ve only made the recipe as written but tapioca is usually pretty forgiving. If you try it do ‘report back’ and let me know how it turns out!
Lisa Gilbreath says
What is the garnish in picture?…I assume mint and can’t figure out the other
Toni Dash says
Hi Lisa. I put some little mint leaves and some currants for color! They are edible too.
Carolyn says
Is it possible to substitute stevia for the sugar?
Toni Dash says
Hi Carolyn. I don’t have experience working with Stevia so I’m unsure about that swap. I’d suggest doing some research online about making that type of swap. I’m sure others have figured out a way!
kay says
What size slow cooker did you use? This sounds delicious.
Toni Dash says
Great question Kay! The recipe makes about 3 1/2 cups of pudding so a smaller slow cooker would be fine (like 4 quarts of even a bit smaller as long as it holds the volume of the recipe). I have a 4 quart and 7 quart and have used both.
Aleicia says
I Wanted to avoid using processed sugars, so I substituted 1/2 cup maple syrup for granulated sugar and used unsweetened almond milk. I wanted it creamier, but thought the syrup might thin things out, so I used 3.75 cups milk. It turned out really thick still so next time I’ll probably use 4-4.25 cups milk. The eggs still cooked upon entry even though I followed the cautionary steps in the recipe; perhaps my slow cooker is too hot even on low. Next time I’ll let the eggs sit out when I start so they’re room temperature when it’s time to prepare and add them.
Judith Norris Smith says
WOW…was so very glad to find your Almond Milk Tapioca Pudding. Love Tapioca pudding but have not made it since we only buy Silk Almond Milk for a few years. Now using Silk Almond Milk and Truiva sweetner so will be making it more often and will be anxious to try the slow cooker method. Just found this recipe today so will be making it soon. Thanks!!