Can You Reheat Rice Pudding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA/NHS reheating guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can reheat rice pudding — but the storage rules matter more than the reheating: cool within 1 hour, fridge for no more than 24 hours, reheat once until piping hot.
What makes it safe (or not)
Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus bacteria. The spores survive cooking, and if cooked rice sits at room temperature they can germinate and produce a toxin (Food Standards Scotland). Reheating rice does not kill the bacteria, so reheating cannot rescue rice that was left out. That's why the danger with rice pudding isn't the reheating itself, but how it was cooled and stored beforehand. Rice handled correctly from the moment it's cooked is safe to reheat.
You can also check the calorie content of rice pudding alongside its safety information.
How to reheat rice pudding safely
- Cool rice pudding within 1 hour of cooking — spread it on a tray to speed this up.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container and eat within 24 hours (UK FSA guidance).
- Reheat straight from the fridge with a splash of water, stirring halfway.
- Check it is piping hot all the way through — 75°C (165°F).
- Eat immediately and never reheat it a second time.
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Check Price →Common questions
Can you reheat rice pudding twice?
No — never. Rice should be reheated once at most. Each pass through the temperature danger zone raises the Bacillus cereus risk, and reheating does not kill the bacteria.
What is the best way to reheat rice pudding?
Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of milk, stirring, until steaming hot throughout, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.
Is it safe to eat rice pudding cold?
Yes — rice that was cooled quickly and refrigerated can be eaten cold (in a rice salad, for example) within 24 hours. Rice that has been left at room temperature should not be eaten hot or cold.
How long can I keep leftover rice pudding before reheating?
Up to 24 hours in the fridge (NHS/FSA guidance for anything containing rice), cooled within 1 hour of cooking. After that, throw it away rather than reheat it.
Can you reheat rice pudding?
Yes, once, if it was cooled and chilled promptly. It contains cooked rice, so the Bacillus cereus rules apply: cool quickly, refrigerate, and eat within 24 hours.
Can you eat rice pudding cold?
Yes — cold rice pudding from the fridge is fine within 24 hours of cooking.
Why does my rice pudding go solid in the fridge?
The starch sets as it cools. Stir in a splash of milk as you reheat it over a gentle heat.
Related answers
Primary source: FSA/NHS reheating guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.