Chocolate Avocado Pudding

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This chocolate avocado pudding is one of my all-time favorite healthy desserts. It’s a creamy and decadent blend of avocados, cacao powder, coconut milk, and a splash of vanilla. Enjoy it as a simple, silky smooth pudding, or top it with sea salt and chopped hazelnuts for some added crunch!

Chocolate avocado pudding in a glass cup.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

Why This Chocolate Avocado Pudding Is My Favorite

I fell in love with this chocolate avocado pudding when I first had it in Bali, Indonesia several years ago. It was luxuriously rich and oh, so yum, but also made from simple, good-for-you ingredients. So I just had to replicate it at home! And if you’re wondering if it tastes like avocado, the answer is no! The cacao powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract mask the flavor — so all you taste is chocolate heaven goodness. But if you need extra convincing, here’s a few more reasons to love this healthy dessert: 

  • It’s rich in antioxidants and healthy fats: Raw cacao powder is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, while avocados are a great source of healthy fats. For more information on cacao, read the next section below.
  • It checks all dietary needs: Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, this dessert fits the bill for any dietary sensitivity, just like my chocolate chia pudding!
Ingredients for chocolate avocado pudding.

Chocolate Avocado Pudding Ingredients

  • Avocados: I recommend chilling your avocados in the fridge overnight, so you can enjoy this dessert cold right away. But if your avocados aren’t chilled, just place the finished pudding in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.
  • Coconut Milk: Make sure to use full-fat coconut milk for extra creaminess and an extra thick pudding.
  • Raw Cacao Powder: I typically buy raw cacao powder for all my chocolate recipes. Made from cold-pressed unroasted cacao beans, the process helps retain all the living enzymes packed with nutrients and antioxidants. But, you can certainly swap in regular cocoa powder as well! 
  • Maple Syrup and Vanilla Extract: For a sweetener, I prefer using maple syrup, but you could also use honey or about six pitted dates (just make sure to blend the mixture well). 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Blending chocolate avocado pudding.

How To Make Chocolate Avocado Pudding

  • Blend away. Just add everything to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy — that’s it! Pro tip: It’s best to use a food processor for the perfect pudding-like texture. This mix of ingredients would be too thick for a blender.
  • Serve or store away. You can serve this straight out of the food processor or store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Pudding Topping Ideas

  • Add fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. 
  • Add other chopped nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or cashews. 
  • Dollop my homemade coconut whipped cream
  • Stir in a bit of homemade Nutella for a delicious hazelnut variation.
Blending chocolate avocado pudding in a food processor.

Common Questions

What can you do if you think it tastes too much like avocado?

Simply add more cacao powder or an extra ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to help mask the flavor.

How do you thicken this pudding?

Add 2 tablespoons of hardened coconut cream, a sprinkle of chia seeds (or ground flax seeds), or half of a ripe banana. 

How do you thin down this pudding?

Add a splash of your favorite non-dairy milk such as cashew milk, almond milk, or oat milk.

Chocolate avocado pudding with hazelnuts.

More Easy Chocolate Desserts

If you make this chocolate avocado pudding recipe, I’d love to know how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.

Glass cups of chocolate avocado pudding.

Chocolate Avocado Pudding (vegan, dairy-free)

4.98 from 69 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

A creamy, decadent and delicious chocolate avocado pudding that's topped with hazelnuts and sea salt. It's naturally dairy-free, vegan and paleo friendly. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Video

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

Optional Toppings

  •  hazelnuts, roughly chopped
  •  sea salt

Instructions 

  • Prep ingredients. Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh into a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients into the food processor.
    Chocolate avocado pudding in food processor.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Test and see if you'd like to add any additional sweetener.
    Blended chocolate avocado pudding.
  • Scoop into bowls. Divide the chocolate avocado pudding between four serving bowls.
    Cups of chocolate avocado pudding.
  • Garnish and serve. Add your favorite toppings such as chopped hazelnuts and flaked sea salt.
    A cup of chocolate avocado pudding.

Lisa’s Tips

  • For garnishing this recipe I prefer pyramid sea salt flakes as they’re larger and will stand out on top of the desert.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 899mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Avocado Chocolate Pudding, Chocolate Avocado Pudding, Chocolate Pudding
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

This recipe was originally posted December 2015 but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.98 from 69 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




223 Comments

  1. So easy to make and delicious. I was looking for a cacao powder recipe and found this. I’ve made it 4 or 5 times now. I don’t love sweet and limit my sugar intake. I like the taste of very dark chocolate, so it was easy to cut back on the sugar and it still tastes amazing and creamy.5 stars

  2. I made this for my husband and I for dessert last night and it was delicious. I topped it with coconut whipped cream from Trader Joes and some chopped hazelnuts. Thanks for another great recipe!5 stars

  3. This is an amazing recipe and the kids love it. It tastes even better 1 day after in the fridge, as it’s more set.5 stars

  4. I made the Chocolate Avocado Pudding twice – once with the Maple syrup and once with the dates. Both were fabulous. I am wondering how much Allulose Sweetener would I use in this recipe as an alternative?5 stars

    1. You can always find the serving amount in the recipe card below. But, there are 4 servings :)

  5. Thanks for this recipe! I was able to make this using my Immersion Hand Blender. Instead of Coconut Milk I used Heavy Cream. It was delicious.5 stars

  6. Delicious! Thank you for the lovely recipe! May I ask, can this chocolate avocado pudding be made the day before serving?

  7. This was such a delicious and creamy dessert pudding without the guilt! I love that your recipes are healthier versions of the most favorite desserts and meals!5 stars

  8. I was a little skeptical at first due to the avocado, but now I make this every time I have a ripe avocado! This pudding is so rich and velvety; it just coats your tongue. This is incredibly delicious and healthy, and substitutions are easy as well. I’ve made this using whole milk and almond milk and both still taste great!5 stars

  9. This is the best chocolate mousse ever! Better than any dairy mousse I’ve ever had! Husband is usually not a fan of mousse and had three servings! Haha thank you for all your recipes! 5 stars

  10. I made this pudding and absolutely loved it. Could not taste the avocado at all, just so creamy.
    I had some left over and put it into a seal proof container and it kept great in the fridge,
    This is a keeper.

    Making you seven layer dip for Super Bowl tomorrow.
    Also since buying your book and cutting out wheat and following a lot of your recipes
    my eczema has clear up. THANK YOU SO MUCH.5 stars

  11. Absolutely delicious! My husband and I loved it ! Will definitely be making this yummy pudding again. Thank you very much for helping with my chocolate fix!5 stars

  12. This is absolutely delicious! Fantastic that something so yummy is also so good for you. I will be making this very often.

  13. Desperate for a chocolate pudding fix, I made this. I really thought you would be able to taste the avocado but I was completely wrong.  This pudding is not only creamy, but has just the right amount of sweetness and chocolate.  I would not change a thing.  I doubled it.  It’s AMAZING!  Thank you so much for this absolutely delicious pudding recipe.  I so appreciate you! ❤️5 stars

  14. So delicious! I also added 1 large Tbs peanut butter and some frozen raspberries to the mix. Tastes like chocolate icecream!5 stars

  15. this is a great recipe, love the smoothness. I’m having trouble finding a raw cacao powder that doesn’t have a strong taste or makes the pudding a bit bitter. do you have any suggestions or could inform which brand you have found that works in this and other chocolate recipes that call for cacao powder. thank you. 5 stars

  16. So good. My maple syrup had Cinnamon in it and added a great taste! Love mine with rasberries and Cream cheese pancakes.!!5 stars

  17. I would like to replace the maple syrup with erythriotol. How much sweetener should I use? Thanks

    1. This recipe is best with coconut milk as it’s super creamy. But, you could try another creamy milk such as oat milk.

  18. I’m going to try this this week. A few quick questions: 1) Can melted Coconut cream replace the coconut milk? I’m still confused about the differences. 2) You say to put it in a blender but the video looks like it’s a food processor. ?

    Thanks so much for answers. I know you must be inundated.
    dsl

  19. Absolutely lovely. This definitely suffice my sweet cravings + good breakfast!
    I do adjust maple syrup to 1/4 cup to slightly reduce sweetness but do noticed that I would taste avocados more (which doesn’t bother me but jst fyi!). Thank you!!5 stars

  20. I made this yesterday and will definitely be making it again. I kind of like avocado’s but not enough to eat more than about a 1/4 of one raw before the texture starts to bother me. I’m one of those weird people that don’t eat certain foods just based on texture :) I am trying to eat healthier so I figured this was a good way to try to get the great benefits of an avocado without feeling like I am eating one. It is sooo good! I read several comments that it is too chocolatey so I only did 1/4 cup of cacao powder and it is plenty for me. And I really like the little bit of sea salt on the top too! I made my 17 year old son taste it (without telling him what was in it) and then he asked for a bowl for his school lunch the next day – BONUS!!5 stars

  21. So, so grateful for this recipe! I was given the task of raising my blood potassium. A serving of this pudding is one of the easiest ways I found to enjoyably get more potassium in! I needed to get my potassium above 4.0, and eating this nightly (amongst a combination of other high potassium foods), I was able to raise my potassium from 3.7 to 4.5. I am now sending all of the people I know dealing with the same medical issue to this page! Thank you so much for providing a delicious and easy potassium-rich recipe to help! <35 stars

  22. Love this recipe! The flavor is amazing! I’ve been using it to help get my potassium values up for my bloodwork. :) It has been fun to “have to” eat such a delicious treat.

    Have you by chance played around with trying to get any protein in it?5 stars

    1. Yes, that sounds about right. It can fluctuate based on the size of your avocados, but the servings are on the smaller size as it’s so rich. :)

  23. I have been putting off making this recipe because of the avocado.  I love avocados but could not imagine it in a chocolate pudding.  I finally decided to make it since I needed to use my last avocado.  Can I tell you, IT WAS AMAZING! Never tasted the avocado and very light and creamy.  Delicious.  I can’t wait to buy more avocados.5 stars

    1. Hi Rene – Glad you finally got around to making this recipe! Now you have a special chocolate treat up your sleeve :)

  24. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this pudding, its so good. I do add a bit more milk than is in the recipe as I like it a bit runnier but honestly this is such a treat after a long day and its great with fruit, nuts or on its own. Love it!5 stars

  25. I was looking for a healthy version of a chocolate pudding. This is it!. I always have a lot of avocados in my fridge and this is one of the best ways of eating them. When i am craving something sweet and cold this is perfect!.5 stars

  26. This tasted SO GOOD.  I made it exactly per the recipe so I didn’t need anymore maple syrup. Mine did NOT look as dark as yours, however.  I had raw cacao nibs that I ground myself, as that was the only difference.  It was quite tasty.5 stars

    1. Cacao nibs contain cacao butter and powder so that might make it a bit lighter. I should try that tho, I have tons of cacao nibs to use up! 

  27. Love this recipe thankyou Lisa! It’s so quick & easy to remember but most of all I love that it actually fills me up & I am satisfied after just the one serve. Blessings xxx5 stars

  28. Enjoying your meal prep ideas. I really want to put them to work. Could you send me your PDF’s of your seasonal meal preps? Thank you.

  29. Outstanding!! I used half the amount of maple syrup and added just a bit more after tasting it. So creamy and delicious. No need for any other recipe after this!5 stars

  30. Wonderful! How long does this usually last in the frig? Would it be best to eat immediately or wait a day?

  31. Hi Lisa!
    I love this! Thank you for the video.  One question:  will it make a difference if I leave out the vanilla?  I’m going to try it that way but wanted to know if I should substitute something else.  Gluten free vanilla extract isn’t completely gluten free so I shouldn’t use it.  Any ideas would be appreciated!  Thank you!

    1. Hi Tracy – glad you love the recipe! You can leave the vanilla out if you’d like, but most vanilla extracts should be gluten-free. Double check the ingredients, but I know my Simply Organic one is gluten-free. :)

    2. Start using pure vanilla powder, the black kind. Scraped vanilla beans but you don’t have to do the scraping! It’s so good, the flavor is a million times better than vanilla extract! I use it every day. 
      Also you don’t need as much as extract so it’ll last for a long time :) 

  32. So thankful to have found your recipes! We recently found out our daughter has food sensitivities and has to avoid dairy, gluten and many other things. So will be converting our whole house!(fun) I am excited we will all be getting a little healthier and I’m sure many of the things she has to avoid her younger sibling probably should as well. We have loved all we have tried already!!

    1. So glad you’ve found Downshiftology as well! Can’t wait to hear which recipes your family loves :)

  33. Lisa you did it again!!! This recipe is just amazing! 

    My boyfriend told me this is a must for our next dinner party 🥰 5 stars

  34. I used cocoa powder. This recipe is outstanding….better than regular chocolate pudding. So creamy!5 stars