Om Ali (Egyptian Bread Pudding)

Name: Om Ali (Vegan Egyptian Bread Pudding)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Arabic
Ingredients: 2 small crescent rolls, store-bought dough; Oil spray; 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped; 2 tbsp pistachios, chopped; 2 tbsp raisins; 1 tbsp shredded coconut; 1/3 cup whipping cream, whipped; 3/4 cup plant milk (oat milk); 1/8 cup sugar; 1/3 cup vegan whipping cream; 1/4 tsp cinnamon; Pinch of cardamom

Jump to ingredients

Om Ali is a traditional Egyptian bread pudding reimagined as a vegan dessert, made with crescent rolls, plant milk, whipped cream, nuts, and coconut, then air-fried until bubbling and golden. This rich, cardamom-spiced comfort dessert delivers authentic Middle Eastern flavor with modern plant-based ingredients.

🌍Arabic 🌍Egyptian 🌍Middle Eastern 🏷️Bread pudding 🏷️Om ali Umm ali

About·Privacy·Terms

🏷️

Total

15 min

Servings

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Plantbasedarab · by Waseem Hijazi

Ingredients

Check what you already have. We'll leave it off your shopping list.

2 small crescent rolls, store-bought dough
Oil spray
2 tbsp walnuts, chopped
2 tbsp pistachios, chopped
2 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp shredded coconut
1/3 cup whipping cream, whipped
3/4 cup plant milk (oat milk)
1/8 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegan whipping cream
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of cardamom

12 Ingredients

CookOS may earn a commission from Instacart orders.

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Use stale store-bought crescent rolls. Break it up into small chunks. Cover in oil spray. Add the walnuts, pistachios, raisins, and coconut. Mix to combine. Air fry at 350F for 3 minutes.
2
Whisk the milk ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Set aside to use for the bread. Whip up the whipping cream in a bowl until thick and creamy.
3
Split the bread mixture into two small ramekins. Cover each with the hot milk, pushing down with the back of a spoon. Spread the whipped cream over the top. Air fry at 350F for 10 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Top off with more nuts, raisins, and coconut.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Air fry the bread-nut mixture separately for 3 minutes first to toast and crisp the crescent pieces before adding the milk.
Use stale crescent rolls—they absorb the hot milk without disintegrating like fresh dough would.
Whip the vegan cream until thick before spreading over the hot milk to create the signature creamy layer that sets slightly as it cools.
Push down gently with the back of a spoon after pouring hot milk over the bread to ensure even soaking.

Substitutions

Whipping cream → coconut cream (use full-fat canned, chilled and whipped)
Plant milk (oat) → cashew cream or full-fat coconut milk (maintains creaminess)
Walnuts + pistachios → almonds, pecans, or pine nuts (adjust ratio as desired)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes, or microwave briefly until warm.

Equipment

air fryer · small ramekins (2) · whisk · saucepan

Common Questions

Can I use fresh crescent rolls instead of stale ones?

Stale rolls work best because they absorb the milk mixture without turning mushy. If using fresh, let them sit out uncovered for a few hours to dry slightly before breaking them up.

What plant milk works best for Om Ali?

Oat milk is used in this recipe for its creamy texture, but cashew or coconut milk are also good choices. Avoid thin plant milks like almond.

Can I make Om Ali ahead of time?

Assemble the bread and milk mixture in ramekins up to 4 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Air fry just before serving to ensure the topping stays crispy.