Homemade Cream of Rice Cereal

If you grew up loving the cozy comfort of Cream of Wheat, this delicious homemade Cream of Rice Cereal is sure to warm your heart! It’s a wonderful gluten-free alternative to the store-bought version and uses just a few simple ingredients.

This warm and tasty bowl is seriously comfort food at its very best.

Growing up, Cream of Wheat was one of my favorite foods. I remember the comforting feeling I would have just seeing the small red box. I loved diving into that bowl of creamy goodness topped with brown sugar, a little milk, and a dollop of margarine (yikes–yes, I said “margarine”).

Simply delicious.

Since our family is gluten free and whole foods focused now, I haven’t had the boxed brand in decades. In fact, my kids have never tried the original Cream of Wheat since we’ve been gluten-free that long, and well, you know–the processed food thing.

One day, I realized — why not make my own version?

By using wholesome, gluten-free ingredients, I knew I could create nutritious alternative to the processed version I used to love.

So I did it, and now Cream of Rice Cereal is now a favorite in our house!

It’s very soothing for an upset stomach, so it’s my kids’ go-to food when they’re sick. When they aren’t, it’s a simple but also special treat.

If you grew up loving Cream of Wheat like I did, you’re going to love this gluten-free cream of rice cereal… and your family will, too!

What is Cream of Rice?

Cream of rice is a very basic dish. It’s just a hot cereal made from ground, uncooked rice.

Sounds pretty simple, right?

The real magic happens when you add a bit of creamy liquid like coconut milk, a little butter, and a sweetener. Then, it turns into the most delicious bowl of cozy comfort!

The brand behind Cream of Wheat also makes Cream of Rice® that is a gluten-free alternative to their main cereal. Both cereals are fortified with vitamins. However, the name “cream of rice” can actually refer to any cereal made from ground rice. 

Is Cream of Rice Cereal Good for You?

The boxed brand of Cream of Rice is gluten free, making it great for those who are avoiding gluten, but it contains synthetic vitamins that you might not want to eat.

You can make this homemade version entirely from wholesome ingredients.

Don’t you just love tasty, hearty recipes that you can feel good about sharing with your family? Plus, it will save you quite a bit of money over the boxed brand.

The ingredients in this homemade cereal are very inexpensive. Basically you only need rice (white or brown) and liquid, which can be water, milk, or a dairy-free milk substitute.

At the time of publishing this post originally, a serving of the homemade variety cost only 14 cents each, which was about five times less than buying the packaged version.

This recipe also comes together in just five easy steps, and you most likely have the ingredients on hand in your pantry.

How to Make Cream of Rice Cereal from Scratch

This recipe is so simple, it can be made on even the busiest of mornings. And what busy mom doesn’t love having yummy recipes you can make in a matter of minutes?

• Grind rice coarsely in a blender or coffee grinder. It’s up to you how finely you want to grind the rice, as this will affect the texture of the cereal. I prefer a coarser grind that gives the dish a heartier feel.

• Heat liquid over medium heat to a slow boil. For the liquid, you can use water, milk, coconut milk, etc. You can even make your own Homemade Coconut Milk, Homemade Almond Milk, or Rice Milk, etc.

• Add rice gradually, stirring while adding. I always use brown rice, which makes a very hearty and filling dish. White rice will cook faster and make a lovely cereal, but it does have less fiber and nutritional value. You could also make this with basmati rice, jasmine rice, wild rice, black Japonica rice, or any other variety! Each one will give you a new flavor profile and will surely turn out delicious.

• Cover and simmer for 4-15 minutes, until thickened, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid as needed. The ground rice will soak up the liquid and become wonderfully creamy.

• Serve with desired toppings. I recommend butter or another fat, like coconut oil, sweetener, cinnamon, and a dash of salt. I list the salt as optional, but for me, it definitely is not. I include salt in pretty much all of my recipes, including sweet dishes, since it brings out the sweetness and totally makes the dish.

Topping Options

Because the rice makes such a neutral and comforting base, you can have a lot of fun with the toppings.

Butter, a low-carb sweetener, cinnamon, and salt are my favorite ways to dress up this dish. To make it extra rich and hearty, add a bit of cream on top. This Almond Fruit Dip would work well too for a fun twist.

More Processed Food Replacements

Here are some other alternatives to packaged foods that you might enjoy:

Homemade Taco Seasoning (so good–you’ll never buy packets again!)
Homemade Vegetable Broth | All-Purpose Seasoning (tastes great on everything)
Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips (better than store bought!)
Homemade Powdered Sugar (so easy!)
Homemade Truvia Copycat (Sugar Substitute)

What You Will Need

• Uncooked Rice
• Liquid (water, milk, or non-dairy milk like coconut milk. Here’s how to make your own Homemade Coconut Milk, Homemade Almond Milk, or Homemade Rice Milk.)
• Salt (optional. But it’s not optional in my book. I recommend Real Salt)
• Optional Toppings: butter (or other fat), sweetener, cinnamon, cinnamon sugar (here’s a link to our “best” homemade cinnamon sugar) etc.

Recipe and Dietary Notes

• Watch the pan when cooking the cereal. If necessary, add more liquid to keep the cereal from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• You can boost the nutritive value of this dish by soaking the rice overnight. See this post on Soaking Grains – the Why and the How for more information.
• Liquid Options: For the liquid, you can use water, milk, or a non-dairy milk like coconut milk (here’s how to make your own Homemade Coconut Milk, Homemade Almond Milk, etc.
• Rice: You can use any variety you choose. I prefer whole grain. If you use white rice it will cook much faster, but you will be giving up the fiber and nutrition of the bran and germ. White rice has a higher glycemic index as well.
• THM Diet: If you are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this cream of rice qualifies as an “E” recipe, depending on your topping choices.
• Salt: I mention in the recipe card that salt is optional. For me, it most certainly is not. Try it with a dash and you’ll see what I mean. It accents the sweetener and the cereal isn’t the same without it.

Cream of rice is a great way to warm up on a chilly fall or winter day of course, but you could easily add a bit of jam and some berries to make it perfect for a spring or summer day as well.

Basically, there’s no wrong way to eat this!

Note this post was originally published in April, 2013. It was since updated with new information and new photos. Here is an original photo for reference:

Let me know what you think of this recipe if you try it.
I’d love to hear how you serve yours.