This chocolate avocado pudding is ready in 5 minutes, has a naturally creamy texture, and only requires 5 simple ingredients. The rich texture and flavor of this hassle-free avocado recipe will make it your go-to pudding recipe for all occasions!
Table of Contents
why mika loves this chocolate pudding recipe
Pudding has always been my late-night snack obsession for my sweet tooth. Last time I was at my parents, I scrounged up a box of pudding to make and enjoy while playing card games. But, then I had to wait “2 hours” which um, that’s not “Instant” Mr. Pudding box (just FYI). So here’s why my avocado pudding is better than boxed!
- Allergen-friendly: This vegan avocado chocolate pudding is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it and satisfy those chocolate cravings!
- No set-up time: Unlike store-bought puddings or traditional puddings, this creamy chocolate avocado pudding doesn’t make you wait. As soon as it’s blended, it will have the luscious, fluffy texture pudding is known for.
- So many uses: This chocolate pudding is so fluffy and airy that while you can eat it as plain pudding, you can also use it as an avocado chocolate mousse with cake, to fill a pie, or as a dip.
Happy eating!
ingredients and substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See recipe card for quantities.
- Avocado: Just make sure to use ripe avocados!
- Canned Coconut Milk: It must be canned, full-fat coconut milk (usually found near the other Asian ingredients)!! If you don’t have that, you can use heavy whipping cream but regular milk will NOT work.
- Cocoa Powder: I just use regular unsweetened cocoa powder but raw cacao powder can be used, too. Hot cocoa mix can be used, but leave out the maple syrup if using cocoa powder since it already has added sugar.
- Maple Syrup: Honey, agave syrup, or another liquid natural sweetener can be used, too. Some folks use ripe bananas to help sweeten the pudding but I haven't tested this.
- Salt: Helps to enhance the other flavors!
Ways to use this pudding: Eat it topped with fresh berries, more coconut whip, and chocolate chips or chocolate shavings, use it to fill an Oreo pudding pie, or to layer with chocolate cake in a single-serve dessert.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
recipe testing notes
Throughout our testing of this avocado chocolate pudding, we learned some key things that worked and didn't work. Here are the key takeaways!
- Sugar to cocoa ratio: Typically, you use the same amount of cocoa powder as you do sweetener so I started testing this recipe that way. But, then I realized that due to the slightly bitter and earthy flavor of avocados, this pudding needed more to neutralize those flavors.
- Avocado must be ripe and at the bottom: If the avocado is not ripe enough then it is harder to blend. No matter how ripe, though, it is super helpful to put the avocado in first because blenders tend to bounce the fruit around rather than blend it. By putting it at the bottom, the weight of the other ingredients helps to keep it pushed down during blending.
how to make this pudding (with photos & video!)
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full vegan pudding recipe!
Step one: add it all to the blender and be sure to use only the coconut cream from the top of the can.
Step two: blend until creamy, fluffy, and delicious!
helpful tips
This is a pretty simple dessert recipe, but to make sure it goes off without a hitch, here are some expert tips!
Avocado not ripe yet? Do this!
It’s crucial that your avocado is ripe for this pudding to have the right texture. To speed up ripening, place the avocado in a brown paper bag or cardboard box on the counter. A hard avocado should ripen by the next day with this method.
Chill the coconut can
Coconut cream solidifies when cold and separates from the water. By chilling the can before using, the solid coconut cream will stick to the top making it easier to scoop out when you open it.
common questions
Yes, she has an avocado pudding that has been all over social media, but it’s been noted as being more smoothie-like and less pudding-like according to News 24.
No, this pudding is to not taste the avocado. And, I have a funny story about this - I actually attempted to make an avocado pudding while in college based on a recipe I found and it tasted awful and just like avocado. So, I’m happy to report that this pudding really does not taste like avocado and event though I love avocado, in this situation its the best thing that it just tastes like creamy chocolate pudding.
Ok, if your avocado is over-ripe and slightly brown, it will have an avocado taste. This is because the oxidation enhances the bitterness. If this is the case after a taste test, add 1 tablespoon more of cocoa powder and maple syrup until your taste buds are happy.
Yup! A food processor or blender will both work great for this creamy avocado pudding!
If your pudding seems too thick, you can thin it out by adding 1 tablespoon of milk until you reach the desired texture. This can be soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, whole milk, or any other milk.
recipe variations
- Chocolate Avocado Date Pudding: For another sweet version, try using 6 dates in place of maple syrup. This not only adds sweetness but also a nice textural component. And if using dates, you can freeze it and turn it into chocolate avocado ice cream since dates don't crystalize when they freeze!
- Mocha Avocado Pudding: Try adding 1 teaspoon of instant coffee and a splash of vanilla extract to amp up the chocolate flavor and add another dimension.
- Protein Chocolate Pudding: To make this variation, swap the coconut milk for greek yogurt, add in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
storage tips
Fridge: You’ll probably eat this in one sitting, but if not, it will keep in an airtight container for 3 days in the fridge.
more avocado recipes
Recipe
5-Minute Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding Recipe
Equipment
- 1 blender or food processor
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cream from the top of a can of coconut milk (full fat)
- 1 avocado (ripe, peeled)
- 3 tablespoon cocoa powder (or cacao powder, see notes for using hot chocolate powder)
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup (or agave or honey)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping Ideas
- chocolate chips, vegan whipped cream, strawberries, or nuts
Before you begin!
If you make this recipe, please take a minute to leave a review. I love to hear how it went!
Instructions
- Add everything to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Then enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Additional notes and substitution information can be found in the post above.
Drop a note!