Tapioca Pudding Recipe (2024)

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My recipe for Large Pearl Tapioca Pudding takes some time to cook right, but it is worth every last minute spent waiting for this delicacy to be ready to eat.

Tapioca Pudding Recipe (1)

What is Tapioca?

If you don’t know what tapioca is because none of your older relatives ever made you tapioca pudding, then you might be more familiar with the large black tapioca pearls commonly found in at the bottom of yourbubble tea.Your local boba house might just call them black pearls, they are really just large pearl tapioca that gets its color from the addition of brown sugar.

Boba is available at larger Asian markets. You can find it in white, black and multi-colored. There are also a ton of shapes and sizes.

I have never used these in tapioca pudding. It’s my understanding that they are meant to be cooked in sugar water before adding to boba or bubble tea.

What is the best kind of tapioca for pudding?

I believe the key to the best tapioca pudding is starting with large pearl tapioca. It will leave behind the large clear balls like you see in diners and snack packs.

Small pearl tapioca and instant tapioca can be used, but I have had poor luck with both of those.

Large Pearl Tapioca

Using large pearl tapioca will produce something similar to Kozy Shack. The packages of large pearl always say to soak it overnight, but I only ever soak mine for about 7 hours. It cooks up beautifully, even as a double batch.With that being said, I have also had days that I had to cook the pudding a few minutes longer because of my impatience.

Large pearl tapioca will take about 25 minutes of simmering even after the tapioca has been soaked for 8 hours or longer.

I use Reese brand large pearl tapioca. Use the soaking package directions for whichever brand you use.

Small Pearl Tapioca

Small pearl tapioca needs a much shorter soaking time, 30 to 60 minutes. Use the soaking package directions for whichever brand you’re using. It only needs to be simmered for 10 to 15 minutes. Only cook until te tapioca has turned clear.

Because of the smaller size, this one is more likely to stick to the bottom of the pan and scorch. Stir this constantly to avoid that.

Instant Tapioca

This one requires only 5 minutes of soaking and 5 minutes of simmering. Please don’t walk away from the stove when using this method.

I do not use instant tapioca because I don’t think it turns out as nice. As with the other sizes, look at the package directions and use their recommendations.

How to Make Large Pearl Tapioca Pudding

Soaking the tapioca is an important step for all three sizes. Allow enough time to properly soak whichever size you decide to use. I soak large pearl tapioca in cool tap water for at least 7 hours and up to overnight.

Drain the rehydrated tapioca well before adding to the rest of the ingredients because you don’t want to water down your pudding.

Add the milk and the sugar to the pan first and allow to come to a simmer. You want the sugar to be dissolved so that there is some sweetness inside the tapioca pearls.

As soon as the milk and sugar are hot, add the tapioca and stir it well. Stir as often as necessary to keep the tapioca from sticking to them bottom of the pan. Cook just until the tapioca balls are clear or nearly clear. Large pearl tapioca will take about 25 minutes.

You also want to avoid browning any of the pudding ingredients. It’s ugly and doesn’t taste very good either.

Temper your eggs before adding to the hot tapioca pudding mix or the eggs will turn into tiny scrambled eggs. Tempering eggs is just adding a bit of hot liquid to beaten eggs and mixing it well. I do this a couple of times to make sure that the eggs won’t get shocked. I add about 1/4 cup of the hot liquid to the eggs at a time.

Add tempered eggs back into the pan and mix well. Turn the heat back up and bring it all to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.

Cover the cooked tapioca with plastic wrap and press the plastic wrap to the top of the pudding. When cooling, make sure it is covered with plastic wrap sitting directly on top of the pudding. This prevents a skin from forming on top.

It is good warm, trust me, I couldn’t wait a minute longer and had to try some as soon as it was cool enough to get into my mouth. It’s a whole lot better cold though.

Can I Double a Tapioca Pudding Recipe?

You can easily double a tapioca pudding recipe, but unless you are feeding a crowd I do not recommend doubling it. It makes a ton of pudding.

How Long Does Tapioca Pudding Last?

Tapioca pudding will last in the refrigerator for up to one week. It’s usually all eaten long before it goes bad!

MORE OLD FASHIONED DESSERT RECIPES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

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Pineapple Sheet Cake

Green Jello Salad

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Tapioca Pudding Recipe (2)

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Tapioca Pudding Recipe (3)

Tapioca Pudding

Old fashioned tapioca pudding using large pearls, just like old-fashioned diners used to serve.

4.87 from 86 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 7 hours hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 7 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 274kcal

Author: Beth Mueller

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup large tapioca pearls
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar divided
  • 3 eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Place tapioca pearls in a bowl and fill with water.

  • Stir the tapioca around and drain.

  • Refill the bowl with water and allow to sit for at least 7 hours and up to overnight.

  • Drain the tapioca and set aside.

  • In a large saucepan mix milk and 3/4 cup of the sugar.

  • Over medium heat, bring milk and sugar to a simmer.

  • When little bubbles start forming around the edges of the pan, add the tapioca and reduce the heat to maintain just a simmer.

  • Continue to simmer for 25 minutes, or until tapioca balls are mostly clear, stirring frequently.

  • In a bowl, combine eggs and remaining 3/4 cup of sugar.

  • Temper the eggs by mixing small amounts of the hot mixture (about 1/4 cup at a time), until half of the hot mixture has been incorporated.

  • Add egg mixture back to the pan and stir well.

  • Cook and stir constantly for 2 minutes or until the pudding is thick.

  • Remove from heat and add vanilla.

  • Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill.

Notes

  • Can be made with less sugar, this will affect provided nutritional information.
  • To use small pearl tapioca, sreduce the soaking time to 30 to 60 minutes. Follow the rest of the directions in the recipe and only simmer the small pearl tapioca just until to turns clear, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • To use instant tapioca, soak the tapioca for 5 minutes. Follow the directions in the recipe but reduce the simmering to 3 to 5 minutes or just until the tapioca pieces have turned clear.

★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a rating!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 52.2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5.6g | Saturated Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 72mg | Sugar: 44.1g

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @PearTreeChefs or tag #PearTreeKitchen!

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.

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Tapioca Pudding Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is tapioca pudding healthy to eat? ›

The bottom line. Tapioca is high in carbs and calories, so it is not a traditionally healthful food. However, it can help a person meet the recommended daily allowance of several important nutrients. It can also be a tasty, nutritious food choice for people who need to gain weight.

What are the little balls in tapioca pudding made of? ›

Looking at a tapioca pearl, you may think, “What are these made out of?” These white little balls that give tapioca pudding its signature texture actually come from the starch of the cassava root, which is grown in the tropics. After this starch is extracted, it's formed into little pearls.

Is tapioca pudding healthier than rice? ›

Regarding nutritional value, tapioca, and rice pudding are high in carbohydrates and calories, but tapioca pudding is typically lower in fat than rice pudding. Tapioca pudding and rice pudding are both gluten-free, making either a good option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

What is the difference between tapioca pudding and tapioca pearls? ›

Tapioca pudding is historically the most common tapioca dish in the U.S. It's made using tapioca pearls, which are small, white balls with no flavor that are used mostly in sweet recipes. They swim in a sweet, custardy pudding made with milk, eggs, and sugar. Bigger pearls are the star of boba tea, or bubble tea.

Is tapioca good for bowel movement? ›

The vegetables and tubers that you may eat to avoid constipation are kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes with skin, tapioca, brussel sprouts, potatoes and cucumber among others. Eating raw vegetables is not a great idea if you suffer from constipation. Always eat them cooked.

Is tapioca starch inflammatory? ›

Tapioca caused an increase in anti-inflammatory bacteria and a decreased in pathogenic bacteria when fed to an animal model. However, this growth in beneficial bacteria may still be too much for patients with IBD. Consumption of starch has been shown to increase bacteria harmful to patients with IBD in this review.

What is another name for tapioca pudding? ›

The Guardian described it as "Britain's most hated school pudding", with names such as fish eyes, frogspawn and eyeball pudding. It is however making a comeback in the 21st century in Michelin-starred restaurants and less exalted places.

Is tapioca pudding the same as vanilla pudding? ›

Tapioca pudding tastes very much like vanilla pudding only its texture is quite different. While still delicately creamy and smooth, it's tapioca's distinctly pearly texture that turns some people off. Tapioca pudding has a reputation for resembling fish eggs, but they are nothing like such.

What is the difference between cassava and tapioca? ›

While both flours derive from cassava roots, tapioca flour is made only from the starch obtained from the root's pulp. Cassava flour, on the other hand, comes from the entire root. As you can imagine, those characteristics inform the results of whatever recipe they enter.

Can you eat too much tapioca pudding? ›

Tapioca starch has a high glycemic index. That means it can cause a quick spike in your insulin and blood sugar, and should be eaten in moderate amounts. Some popular tapioca items, such as tapioca pudding and boba tea, are often high in added sugars as well.

Is it OK to eat tapioca everyday? ›

Tapoica is safe and nutritious when consumed in moderation, however its excess use can cause some side effets. These iclude: Digestive Issues: Tapioca is high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, which can lead to digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, and constipation when consumed in excess.

Is tapioca good for high blood pressure? ›

Assists in controlling blood pressure: Another benefit comes tapioca its potassium content, an essential mineral for body. Potassium is a vasodilator, ie, reduces tension and stress of the blood vessels and arteries.

What are the clear balls in tapioca pudding? ›

A tapioca pearl, also known as tapioca ball, is an edible translucent sphere produced from tapioca, a starch made from the cassava root.

Why can't I find Jello tapioca pudding? ›

A recent tapioca shortage got people used to life without it

Naturally, this impacted the availability of tapioca pudding, as manufacturers were left without the key ingredient to this dish.

What is tapioca called in the USA? ›

It goes by many different names around the world. In the United States, it's commonly called cassava, yucca, or simply the tapioca plant. The word tapioca comes from the South American Tupí word — tipi'óka — for the starch. After cassava plants are harvested, their roots are treated to remove toxins found in the plant.

Is store-bought tapioca pudding healthy? ›

Generally, tapioca isn't the healthiest gluten-free starch on the market. Made up almost entirely of carbs, it is considered fat and protein-free with only minimal amounts of fiber. In fact, tapioca contains less than 0.1 percent of the amounts of the essential nutrients you need.

Is tapioca high in sugar? ›

Tapioca is very high in carbohydrates, providing nearly 89 grams per 100-gram serving. The majority of carbohydrates in tapioca comes from starch. Just under one gram is from fiber and 3.35 grams come from sugar.

Is tapioca good for kidney patients? ›

Tapioca pearls are low in potassium and phosphorus, while potatoes and peanuts are moderate sources of these minerals, making them safe for individuals with kidney disease when consumed in moderation.

Is tapioca or cornstarch healthier? ›

The nutritional benefits of these starches are almost mediocre, with none of them being nutrition packed. However, among the three starches Tapioca starch contains more calcium and vitamin B-12 making it a better option. It is also low in calories and easy to digest, preferable to use in cereals.

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