Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This creamy and delicious chocolate almond milk pudding is made with avocado, almond milk, and cacao powder. This no bake recipe comes together in minutes. With the creaminess of avocado, paired with the richness of chocolate, it’s a naturally sweetened, totally guilt-free, super decadent dessert!
There is something so comforting about chocolate pudding.
Whether it brings back memories of childhood, or more recent memories of eating super fancy chocolate “pot de creme”, chocolate in pudding or mousse form is one of those desserts I can’t say no to.
It’s one of those easy recipes that’s creamy, luscious, decadent and rich.
But chocolate pudding has a couple problems: 1) It’s too decadent to enjoy on a regular basis and 2) It’s not typically vegan friendly, low in sugar, or healthy!
I decided to satisfy my chocolate cravings with this healthy chocolate pudding recipe, which has a secret ingredient to get all the creaminess of pudding in a healthy way.
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What ingredient did I add to this homemade pudding?
Avocado.
I know what you’re thinking: avocado and chocolate don’t go together. But with the addition of good quality cocoa powder, a few other simple ingredients, and the use of a blender, the avocado becomes the base for a super thick and creamy almond milk chocolate pudding recipe that tastes great.
The best part about this low sugar dessert recipe: it’s one of those healthy recipes that actually doesn’t taste healthy at all! This raw vegan chocolate pudding with almond milk also happens to be gluten-free, and is ready in less than 10 minutes!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Raw vegan chocolate mousse – adaptable for special diets
- Healthy fats from the avocado
- Naturally gluten-free
- Great way to satisfy your chocolate cravings
- Just as tasty and healthier than Jell-o puddings
- Super easy
- No allergen content
- No bake recipe – no stove required
- A secretly healthy dessert for picky eaters
- Best chocolate almond milk pudding recipe ever!
🥘 Ingredients
Everything you need for this chocolate avocado pudding can easily be found at your local grocery store! For detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Avocados: You will want ripe avocados in this almond milk chocolate custard, as the avocados gives it the denseness and creaminess it needs without the need for milk or cream.
- Banana: You’ll want ripe bananas. This adds natural sweetness to this vegan chocolate pudding recipe. You can add half a banana to a whole banana depending on how sweet you want this healthy chocolate dessert to be.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: You will need one cup of milk – unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or regular almond milk) with no added sugar. This reduces the overall sugar, and allows you to control the vanilla flavor. Any non dairy milk will work – you can also use unsweetened coconut milk (full fat coconut milk or coconut creme for more decadence), soy milk, oat milk, or another plant based milk.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I prefer a raw cocoa powder or cacao powder. It gives this dairy free chocolate pudding its rich chocolate flavor, and it also happens to be an excellent source of antioxidants. Cocoa powder does not have any sugar added it is slightly bitter in flavor (more like a really dark chocolate). If you want more decadence, feel free to add in chocolate chips.
- Maple Syrup: For a little more sweetness. You could also use agave, coconut sugar, or honey (not vegan). After blending all of the ingredients, taste this raw vegan banana pudding and add more syrup if necessary. For a healthier option with less sugar, you can reduce the amount of maple syrup, but the flavors of the avocado and cocoa powder will be stronger without a sweetener added.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla brings out the natural flavor of chocolate, and gives this almond milk dark chocolate pudding a rich and beautiful flavor. You could also use almond extract for more almond flavor.
- Almond Butter (optional). The almond butter adds a bit more richness and nuttiness to this homemade pudding without cornstarch. But if you have a nut allergy, you do not need to add it. I prefer using the raw almond butter from Trader Joe’s in this healthy chocolate mousse. It’s light and creamy.
- Cinnamon + A Pinch Of Salt: A touch of cinnamon and salt brings out the natural flavors of the chocolate and helps to mask any lingering avocado flavor in this natural chocolate pudding.
🔪 How To Make Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding
Prep Ingredients: Remove the peel and seed from the avocados. Cut into chunks. Peel the banana, and cut into chunks.
Add To A Blender! Add the avocado, banana, almond milk, dark cocoa powder, vanilla extract, almond butter, cinnamon, and salt in a blender of food processor. Blend until smooth and everything is combined.
Transfer to Bowls and Serve: With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, scoop your dark chocolate pudding into individual serving bowls and chill for at least 2-3 hours, longer the better. Feel free to add a few chocolate shavings on top of this healthy chocolate pudding with almond milk. Then serve & enjoy!
❓Recipe FAQs
Can you make pudding with almond milk instead of regular milk?
The answer is – it depends! If you are trying to make instant Jello pudding with almond milk, it likely is not going to set up and be thick the way you’d expect instant pudding to turn out.
But you can make cook & serve (non-instant) pudding with refrigerated almond milk and it should turn out thick and creamy. You can also add a corn starch slurry to your pudding to make it even thicker.
Alternatively, you can just make this homemade chocolate almond milk pudding and it will turn out rich and thick!
Is chocolate pudding healthy?
This chocolate almond pudding recipe definitely has more health benefits than traditional chocolate pudding made with milk and cream. It’s low in calories, low in sugar, but high in fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and nutrients.
Thanks to the avocado, you get a creamy, rich texture without adding a ton of calories or unhealthy fats. The fat that comes from avocados is mono-unsaturated fat, the good kind of fat your body needs.
Additionally, the cocoa powder + natural sweetness of the banana allow for this healthier chocolate pudding made with almond milk to be sweet while still being lower in sugar, and lower in calories. This way, you can get your chocolate fix with this recipe and still maintain your healthy lifestyle!
How do you serve this avocado chocolate pudding?
This healthy chocolate banana pudding is perfect for the dark chocolate lover in your life.
To serve: Divide pudding into 6 ramekins or small bowls. Loosely cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. Serve chilled, not room temperature.
For toppings, try a few shavings of dark chocolate, your favorite fresh fruit (sliced strawberries or raspberries work great), or chopped nuts for added crunch. This is such a versatile simple dairy free pudding that you can serve it the end of a dinner party, or use it as a healthy snack mid-day!
How do you store and keep this raw chocolate pudding?
Loosely cover this almond milk mousse with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 days.
💭 Expert Tips
- You must serve this low calorie pudding recipe super, super chilled – otherwise you will get a hint of avocado when you taste it.
- You can adjust the amount of banana, honey/maple syrup and cocoa powder depending on how chocolatey and sweet you like it. Taste it after the first batch and add more if needed.
- If you don’t like banana, you can substitute 2-3 Medjool Dates instead in this almond milk chocolate mousse.
- Most shelf-stable plant-based milks should work for this recipe – use your favorite kind and make sure it’s unsweetened.
- I don’t recommend freezing this raw pudding, as it won’t have the same consistency once it defrosts.
🍫 More Easy and Healthy Dessert Recipes!
- Banana Chocolate Ice Cream
- Vegan S’mores
- Cherry Fritters
- Nutella Pizza
- Protein Powder Mug Cake
- Eggless Donuts
- Strawberry Crunch Topping
- Matcha Brownies
- Tofu Ice Cream
- Biscoff Donuts
- Flaxseed Pudding
- Edible Brownie Batter
- White Chocolate And Raspberry Blondies
- 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Eggs
- Vegan Ferrero Rocher
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📋 Recipe Card
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding
This creamy and delicious chocolate almond milk pudding is made with avocado, almond milk, and cacao powder. This no bake recipe comes together in minutes. With the creaminess of avocado, paired with the richness of chocolate, it's a naturally sweetened, totally guilt-free, super decadent dessert!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 166kcal
Ingredients
- 2 avocados – peeled pitted, and cut into chunks
- ½-1 ripe banana peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup raw unsweetened cocoa powder or more to taste
- 2 tbsp maple syrup more to taste if needed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp almond butter optional
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Remove the peel and seed from the avocados. Cut into chunks.
- Peel the banana, and cut into chunks.
- Add the avocado, banana, almond milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, almond butter, cinnamon, and salt in a blender of food processor.
- Blend until smooth and everything is combined. Scoop into individual serving bowls and chill for a few hours. Then serve!
Notes
- You must serve this super, super chilled – otherwise you will get a hint of avocado when you taste it
- You can adjust the amount of banana, honey/maple syrup and cocoa powder depending on how chocolatey and sweet you like it. Taste it after the first batch and add more if needed.
- If you don’t like banana, you can substitute 2-3 Medjool Dates instead.
Nutrition
Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g
Instead of cinnamon, you could put a pinch of cayenne for a little kick! 🙂 Great recipe. Thanks!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing Ashley!
Looks delicious! I could so eat a huge bowl of that chocolate pudding right now.
Haha thanks Spencer! Enjoy!
I really enjoyed this recipe. I have had another version that did not have banana, but also had organic apricots and mejool dates. Both are really tasty. I found the other version more chocolately, but I am enjoying this one too!
Thanks for the recipe!
Chloe
Thanks so much for sharing Chloe! I’m so glad you liked this recipe!
Mark Bittman has a Mexican chocolate tofu pudding that is a passable substitute for those who can’t have bananas.
https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/mark-bittman/mexican-chocolate-tofu-pudding.html I don’t like it as well as the Healthy Raw Chocolate Pudding. 😉
Oh good to know, thanks for sharing April!
is there any substitute for the banana?
Sorry I can’t think of a good substitute! The banana is pretty important for both sweetness and texture (it helps make the pudding thick!)
I tried making the recipe, but it turned out too runny and not as much like pudding. I followed the recipe (without the almond butter), any suggestions for making it thicker?
Hmmm that’s strange. The almond butter does help it bind together but it shouldn’t have been super runny without it. Maybe try using less almond milk next time (e.g. just add a splash of it at a time until the pudding has the consistency you like)? Let me know if that works and how it turns out if you make it again!
Hi
Can I substitute normal milk for almond milk? My sister is allergic to almonds
Hi Manisha! I think that should work just fine. I’ve never tried it with regular milk but I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work. Let me know how it turns out!
i cannot stop eating this, so good! i used chocolate almond milk instead of regular so it’s extra chocolaty and added a couple scoops of coconut yogurt. i give it 5 stars!
Yaaaay!! So happy to hear that Rebbi! 🙂
Hi, this looks amazing! Once made can these servings be frozen? Or how long would you say they can be stored in the fridge? x
Thank you! I’m not sure if this would freeze that well — my instinct is that it wouldn’t — but if you end up freezing it and it does defrost well let me know! I’d store this for about 3-5 days in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. The key is that you don’t want the avocado to get oxidized. Hope that helps!
Is the recipe affected by how ripe the avocados are? Growing up in the midwest, I don’t have a lot of experience w/avocados, so I often find they are too ripe or not ripe enough when cut open. Found your blog b/c of your gourmet black bean taco recipe–I’ll be trying that one this week!
Hi April! I don’t think the recipe will be too affected – but you should make sure the avocados are somewhat ripe so that they blend into the recipe well (if they are too under-ripe it may not taste as silky/smooth). You’ll have to let me know how you like this recipe and the black bean tacos too! 🙂 Happy cooking!
I made this Anjali, and it was great! I did add two teaspoons of icing sugar, as it wasn’t quite sweet enough for me. My husband (who is a picky eater but not the good kind) didn’t like it, but the rest of my tasters loved it. I wonder about omitting the cinnamon though, as I think it may interfere with the chocolatey taste? Thanks for the recipe, and by the way, your photos are fantastic! Are you the photographer?
Hi Alison! I’m so glad you liked it! And totally fair that it wasn’t sweet enough for you – I’m glad you added in a bit of extra sugar. And I’m glad that most of your tasters loved it! This is definitely one of the more “alternative” recipes for super picky eaters, so it’s not too surprising that your husband didn’t like it. 🙂 Good point about the cinnamon – I’ll have to try omitting that next time to see how it is! And thank you so much for your kind words about my photos – yes, I am the photographer 🙂
This is great, I loved it. I hate banana, so I substituted applesauce (my homemade) for it. It was still creamy! I also added chunks of dark chocolate.
I love seeing healthy blogs, since I focus on health. This is even good for diabetics. Great job on keeping it healthy!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked this! And I love the substitution of applesauce for banana – that sounds great! Thanks Christina!
One thing is sure that is so healthy and recipe must be so sweet and delicious to eat. I will surely try out this weekend because it’s so easy to make but must be splendid in taste.
Thanks Kelly! Enjoy!
Oh yum! This looks amazing!! I wanted to let you know your blog is on my featured links for tonight’s health and fitness post. It’s scheduled to post at 7:30 🙂
Aw thank you so much Martha!! I can’t wait to see the post! 🙂
OMG I love this recipe!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Awww thanks Rachel! 🙂
I came to the directions part and i was like wow! something which looks that delicious can be made in like just one step! I am sooo seriously making it! 🙂
Haha yay!! Yes – this is SUPER easy to make – pretty much one of the easiest dessert recipes I’ve come across. Enjoy!!
Looks amazing! I’ll be trying out this soon…..
Thanks Ella! I’m sure you will love it!
I love chocolate pudding…and like you’re husband remember those tiny little jello pudding cups! Oh they were so good! I will definitely be trying this recipe out!
Thanks Maria! I can’t wait to hear how you like this recipe!
I’ve made a version of this before…so good! Will have to try adding almond butter next time.
I know right?? I remember being skeptical the first time I heard it but it really is delicious 🙂 Let me know how you like the almond butter addition if you try it!
Hi there! Any substitute for avocado?
Hi! Unfortunately no :/ Avocado really is the base of this recipe – it’s what allows the recipe to be non-dairy but still have an amazing, thick, creamy consistency. You can use a little less avocado if the flavor doesn’t work for you – but if you add all of the other ingredients and chill this recipe, you really won’t taste it at all!