Fantastic for fall Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Tapioca Pudding couldn’t be easier to make as well as being dairy-free and vegan too! Layered with fun toppings, this light dessert delivers on the autumnal spices we love.
We are rolling into the prime season for comfort food. There is no homier food holiday than Thanksgiving and thinking about all the classic flavors and texture is always exciting for me. Though I appreciate and look forward to traditional seasonal recipes I always love to think up new ideas you and my family will love!
Tapioca pudding is a cozy blanket recipe of my youth. Whether the creamy texture of the pudding or the squishy bite of the plumped tapioca, it always makes me happy. My children are the same. We don’t make it that often but they love having some in the refrigerator when the mood strikes.
One of the most popular recipes on Boulder Locavore is actually a slow cooker dairy-free version of tapioca from a few years ago: Slow Cooker Light Almond Milk Tapioca Pudding. I also reprised a dairy-free holiday recipe I found in a packet of vintage recipes I bought on eBay or at a thrift store. Cranberry Tapioca with Orange-Nutmeg Whipped Cream was the first time I had made tapioca pudding without dairy milk as the recipe calls for water. It completely changes the consistency and flavors.
I’m loving my slow cooker on these busy, chilly days and over a recent weekend decided to whip up some Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Tapioca using Silk Vanilla Almond Milk. It is a dairy-free and vegan recipe. As the pudding cooks the flavors caramelize leaving the pudding tasting like a cross of pumpkin and gingerbread (to me at least). It’s a homey dish perfect for fall.
The fun thing about this pudding for me is layering on some tasty toppings. It adds more flavor and texture, personalizing for each diner’s preferences too. I sprinkled on some dried unsweetened grated coconut, chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips (allergy-free or traditional both work), and chopped (gluten-free) ginger snap cookies. Add a mint spring and you have a simple and unique fall dessert recipe (with very little effort…..love that part)!
Recipe
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Tapioca Pudding (vegan)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 4 cups Silk Vanilla Almond Milk
- 1/2 cup small Tapioca Pearls (not instant)
- 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree ([homemade] or store purchased)
- Toppings (optional): dried unsweetened coconut, crushed ginger snap cookies, chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, raisins (soaked in rum even better), mint sprig
Instructions
- Lightly spray the insert of the slow cooker. Add all the ingredients into the slow cooker and whisk together.
- Cook on LOW for 3 to 3 1/2 hours until tapioca pearls become larger and transparent, and the liquid has thickened (it will not fully set until it is chilled). Stir once an hour to keep tapioca mixed in with the liquid.
- Remove tapioca and chill in the refrigerator to fully set.
Pam Wattenbarger says
It can be hard to find vegan recipes that look and taste good. This sounds perfect for fall.
Jenn says
I am not a big fan of the texture of tapioca, but I bet I could use many of these ingredients for another recipe. I love Silk Almond Milk. I use it quite a lot.
Reesa Lewandowski says
I’ve never used my slow cooker for dessert before! This looks delicious!
Torren Ptz says
wow, this look way too delicious! Can’t wait to try it for myself. Vegan food can feel so great but I was concerned about getting enough protein on a vegan diet.
Jen Rattie says
And you win the internet for the day! Tapioca pudding has always been one of my favorites, and pumpkin spice actually goes well with this pudding. I can’t wait to try this.
Toni Dash says
Yay! Glad you think so Jen!
Jeanette says
That looks wonderful! I know my entire family would absolutely love this! I will definitely be trying this over this holiday time!
Colleen Lanin says
That looks like the perfect dessert for our Thanksgiving this year. Pie is so played out. I’ve been trying to think of what I could make in its place.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds amazing. I love tapioca pudding, and I’m all about pumpkin spice everything this time of year. I can’t wait to make this.
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
Great recipe! My kids love tapioca! Gotta make this for them! Thanks!
Debra says
I see more and more people preparing dessert in their slow cooker. I had never thought about that before. I need to be more adventurous – this sounds amazing. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Toni Dash says
It was an a-ha moment for me too when I first starting making desserts in the slow cooker all year long! It’s great in the summer to keep the kitchen cool too.