CHEF ALTON BROWN has the BEST method for making Large Pearl Tapioca Pudding! If you are a tapioca fan and have never had the large pearls, try them! I like large pearls much better than small pearls.
I first tasted creamy large pearl tapioca pudding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at several famous restaurants there when I was about 13 years old. I love tapioca pudding and I never knew large pearls existed until that trip to Amish Country! To me, it was a huge difference for the better!
The large pearls were never easy to find. Even today not every store has them, but you can order them easily online now.
I have tried several recipes and Alton Brown has the best one as far as I’m concerned! I love Alton Brown’s recipes! He puts the science behind his techniques and I can understand why he does certain things!
It is made in a SLOW COOKER and it is SO EASY to do! The only thing different I do is substitute vanilla extract for his lemon zest. I admit, there is a step-by-step process to making it, but the steps are very easy to follow.
His brilliant technique and timing is what is so great with this!
It comes out perfectly every time!
Thanks, Chef Alton Brown!
See the steps how to make it in the slideshow below.
Enjoy!
Large Pearl Tapioca by Alton Brown
Ingredients
- ½ cup large pearl tapioca (3.5 ounces)
- 2 cup water cold
- 2½ cups milk whole
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the tapioca pearls in a medium bowl with the water. Cover, and let it stand overnight.
- Drain the water from the tapioca. Place the tapioca into a slow cooker along with the milk, heavy cream, and salt.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 HOURS stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl whisk together the egg yolk and the sugar.
- Temper small amounts of the tapioca into the egg mixture until you have added at least 1 cup.
- Then add this back into the remaining tapioca in the slow cooker. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes, stirring at least once.
- Transfer the pudding into a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap.
- Allow it to cool at room temperature for 1 hour then place it in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.
This is a simple, fool proof recipe for old fashioned tapioca pudding that will rock your world! Perfect flavor, texture, degree of “doneness,” and definitely the easiest way to cook it, without having to chain yourself to the stove, stirring implement in hand!
Thank you, Alton Brown!
I agree! I made it with soy
milk and it also turned out great! Perfectly cooked.
The instructions on my bag say to simmer in boiling water for 20 min, let sit overnight, simmer another 10 min then use in pudding. I tried to soak another batch in cold water & they broke apart. I’m wondering why his method works with some brands & not others??? I plan to use the first batch & follow his instructions, fingers crossed
My experience is that some tapioca pearls are almost precooked, making it less time consuming to make, but changing the make up of the pearls. I always try to be sure the package says Old fashioned when I buy, and I try to buy it from places that clearly describe the product, with suggested cook times.
Hi Angie! I’ve made this twice now and the 2nd time I doubled the recipe.I had to cook just a little longer but it was perfect! Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe. So much easier than using a pan!❤️🎵
Hi Jill! I agree! It is so much easier than using a pan on the stove! I think Chef Alton Brown’s technique for this is genius! Thanks for commenting!
Will using almond milk work the same?
I have never tried it with almond milk. But I did a google search if you can make tapioca pudding with almond milk and the answer is yes. Check them out. There are several recipes making slow cooker tapioca pudding with almond milk, so I would think this Alton Brown’s slow cooker recipe would work fine.
I can’t wait to try this. I’ve had a bag
of large pearl tapioca for a while. Wondering how to make it. Before my
Mom passed in 2012 of cancer, a Friend
told me Tapioca Pudding helps ease your tummy. She also said Ginger Ale helped ease your tummy too. So, I got a box of small pearl and made some for her on the stove. I am going to make
this in the morning after I soak the
pearls tonight. Thank you so much for
the recipe.
My sincere condolences about your Mom. I did not know tapioca can heal stomach issues, but I sure do find it comforting and satisfying to eat! Enjoy the large pearl tapioca and also the ease of making it! ! Thanks for commenting!
I love tapioca. Recently I found large pearl tapioca. I tried soaking it and cooking on the stove but the pearls didn’t get soft enough. Then I discovered this recipe and I’m sold. It is the best recipe I’ve found for tapioca and it is so much easier than the stove method. I have a bowl of pudding as I’m writing this review.
That is wonderful, Ivy Jo! I am so glad a fellow large pearl tapioca lover found this recipe! I
give all kudos to Alton Brown, who explains the techniques and science of recipes in a way
we can all understand! He is a great chef! You are making me go get some started right now! Can’t wait! YUM!
My family loves tapioca pudding as my grandmother made it! I doubled this recipe and it came out beautifully! I used 3 egg yolks as eggs aren’t as big as they use to be!
Made sure it was the large pearls! This is the fourth batch I made & the first few I overcooked it! This time I was very mindful on the time and did it exactly to the T…was perfectly delectable! Love ❤️ this recipe the only one we’ll use.
That is awesome, Jennifer! It is the best one I have ever tried, and I thank Alton Brown for it!
His technique works beautifully! I love how he uses the science of cooking in his recipes and
explains why it works! Glad you liked it!
Just wondering if one should pre-heat the slow cooker with water before introducing the tapioca mix? I usually use the recipe from the “Coalcracker” kitchen for large tapioca. But I’m going to try this tomorrow after I soak the pearls.
And FYI, since the pearls are pure starch there really is no need to drain the water, it will act as a thickener. Also I seldom have whole milk or whipping cream around, use 1% or 2% and add a tablespoon of butter for each 1/2 cup of milk (then skip the salt unless you have unsalted butter) for this crock pot recipe I think I would just use one full stick (4oz.) and 3 cups of milk.
I do not preheat the slow cooker. This recipe I use is Chef Alton Brown’s method and it works wonderfully for me as is every time.
I followed the directions exactly and it did not set up. Anyone know what I did wrong
I made it! So yummy! And now making it again, using larger slow cooker and doubling it!
Can’t wait to try it! My grandma used to make large pearl tapioca when I was lilttle. She called them “frogs’ eyes!!!”
Can this be doubled?
I have never doubled it so I don’t know. I have an average size slow cooker, about 12 inches in diameter. I wouldn’t double it in that size. I guess if your slow cooker was a little larger it would work.
Has anyone tried this in an instant pot?
I haven’t heard anything about this recipe on an instapot vs a slow cooker. I am not sure of the answer to this. I don’t have an Instapot to try it out. This is Alton Brown’s recipe and I know he used a slow cooker and I have made it many times in a slow cooker. I love this recipe of his! He has the right techinique to make this work perfectly every time for me!
I just made it in my Instapot, on the slowcooker setting. It came out great.There is enough room to double the recipe in the 6 quart Instapot.
Great information! Thank you for sharing that! Glad you liked it!
I tried it in my instapot on slow cooker mode it did not set up. Followed directions to a T and it was a bust. Disappointed I wasted all that product.
It was a fail for me. It was a gelatinous mess. The pearls weren’t even distinguishable. Won’t be making this again. It’s back to the stovetop double boiler for me.
I bought some pearl tapioca and can’t wait to try this especially after reading the posts! I used to buy walmarts tapioca in the deli but they no longer have it..so anxious to try this!
Great! It is a favorite of mine and many others. Glad you found the large pearl tapioca! Locally where I am they sell the small pearls, not the large pearls. They are hard to find so I order them online.
This pudding was a little time consuming but so worth it its delicious and worth the time I have a non stick slow cooker and it w worked great define “do again”
I made your tapioca recipe Angie and it’s the best recipe ever. A keeper!!! Thank you.
Awesome!! And tip your hat to the fabulous Alton Brown for his ingenious technique with the large pearl tapioca that I am finding out are more popular than I thought! Hundreds have saved it on Pintrest. I dug long and deep to find the best recipe …hit the gold with this one! Thanks for writing back!
Your welcome Lily! Glad you also are a fan of the pearls! 🙂
I love tapioca pearls, the texture is so much fin to eat, thanks for sharing your recipe:)