With simple ingredients, zero cooking, and a method that takes about 2 minutes total, this Chocolate Avocado Pudding is a yummy dessert to share with the kids. It’s also low in added sugars yet super creamy and so delicious!
Making pudding with a base of avocado has become a thing in recent years and while I was initially skeptical, I’m here to tell you that this treat is GOOD. The avocado adds richness and a super creamy texture—and combined with cocoa powder and a little sweetener, it’s a no-cook pudding that’s incredibly easy to blend up.
Making pudding with a base of avocado has become a thing in recent years and while I was initially skeptical, I’m here to tell you that this treat is GOOD. The avocado adds richness and a super creamy texture—and combined with cocoa powder and a little sweetener, it’s a no-cook pudding that’s incredibly easy to blend up.
It’s great plain or with fruit like fresh raspberries and is delicious chilled. And yes, it has healthy fats from the avocado, but we love it mostly because it’s fast and yummy. Plus, since it’s sweetened with just a little maple syrup, it’s a perfect chocolate pudding recipe to share with the kids.
You can also freeze it into Fudge Pops or just freeze the mixture into little bites by adding it to an ice cube tray or silicone mold.
(You may also like my Vegan Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Muffins, and Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
There are a few variations among other recipes online and I’ve tried this Chocolate Avocado Pudding a few ways and feel like I’ve landed on the mix of ingredients that’s easiest and that tastes the best—because you actually don’t want to taste the avocado (and sometimes you can, in my experience trying out other recipes). You’ll need:
- Ripe avocado: Ripe avocado will make the creamiest pudding. You can also use frozen avocado, just let it thaw mostly first so that it blends easily in the blender.
- Plain whole milk Greek yogurt: This type of yogurt helps to ensure that the pudding is super creamy. You can use a Greek-style nondairy yogurt if needed, too, to make this dairy-free. Or coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk. (I wouldn’t use nondairy milk like almond milk or oat milk in place of the yogurt as it won’t be as creamy.)
- Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder to add chocolate flavor and typically buy Hershey’s Special Dark. Honestly, you can use any that you like the flavor of—the recipe is fairly flexible (though some cocoa powders are more bitter than others). You can also use cacao powder.
- Maple syrup: I like to add a little maple syrup to balance out the flavor of the avocado and the cocoa powder. If you want to make this without any added sugars, you can use ½ of a very ripe banana instead.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adding vanilla extract helps to ensure that the mixture tastes like pudding.
- Optional: You can also add a ripe banana, more maple syrup, and/or a little powdered sugar if needed for a sweeter flavor.
TIP: You can use honey if you prefer, but always avoid honey for babies under 1. Agave also works.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this Chocolate Avocado Pudding recipe. Scroll down to see the full information!
- Add the ingredients to a blender
- Blend it smooth. (You can also use a food processor.)
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed. Note that this mellows slightly in flavor after it sits in the fridge, so you can make this a little ahead for the best results.
- Serve.
TIP: If you use a blender regularly, I highly suggest getting yourself a blender spatula. It’s thin and easy to get into the base of the blender to get all of the good stuff out!
Best Tips for Success
- Use a ripe avocado that’s soft, yet not brown on the inside.
- Taste the pudding before you serve it and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can add more maple syrup, a little powdered sugar, or even blend in a very ripe banana.
- Use unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s Special Dark.
- Top with sprinkles if you’d like.
- Start with a small portion since it’s rich and the kids may not want a ton (or maybe they will, but if you start with a smaller portion, you may get some too!)
- This is best on the day you make it, though you can store it in the fridge for 24 hours in an airtight container. If any liquid separates out, simply stir it up.
- Note that the flavor mellows out a little after it sits in the fridge so you can make it a little ahead if desired.
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I’d love to hear if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Easy Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 medium avocado, pit and peel discarded (about ½ cup avocado flesh)
- 1/2 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Use a ripe avocado that’s soft, yet not brown on the inside.
- Taste the pudding before you serve it and adjust the sweetness if needed.
- Use unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s Special Dark.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons smooth almond butter (or sunflower seed butter) for extra creaminess.
- Top with sprinkles if you’d like.
- Start with a small portion since it’s rich and the kids may not want a ton (or maybe they will, but if you start with a smaller portion, you may get some too!).
Nutrition
This post was first published February 2020.
So delicious! I used chobani vanilla yogurt and added a banana for volume, so no added sweeteners were necessary! Simply delicious! Thanks for this great recipe!
Super good. I used on less tablespoon maple syrup just to see. Was extra tart, of course, but my three year old *loved* it. Thanks, Amy, for another great recipe!
Will this taste alright with unsweetened whole milk greek yogurt? Is there any assumption that we are using something sweetened or vanilla flavored?
That is what I use here, so go right ahead.
Have you ever tried substituting maple syrup with honey?
Feel free to do that, it’s similar. Honey can have a stronger flavor but it’s usually a good thing!
This was quick and easy to whip up! A fun alternative to store bought with extra nutritional boost. My toddler wanted it as *ice cream* and I was like brilliant! We will try it!
Loved this recipe for myself and picky toddler! How long does it stay fresh in fridge for?
It’s best within about 3 days.
I normally adore YTF recipes and have several staples that I use constantly and tell other moms about, but I was sooooo disappointed with this recipe. I actually bought an avocado specifically to make this pudding because I was so excited to try it! Not sure if I went wrong somewhere but despite extra syrup, the pudding turned out with a very sour flavor and tasted strongly of avocado (which is great in something like guacamole, just not a dessert). Not my fave, but maybe my toddler will enjoy it more than I did!
Oh no! What kind of yogurt did you use? Sometimes it mellows a little in the fridge so try that in the meantime.
I used whole milk Greek yogurt! Maybe my yogurt brand was a little more sour than other ones? It mellowed a little bit in the fridge but not much. I will say my toddler loved it though so that’s a win at least!!
That’s good and yes, that’s possible with the yogurt!
Any reason not to give this to an 8 month old? Seems very lightly sweet to me and no ingredients they can’t have. It was a big hit with my 2 year old!
Some people wait to offer foods with cocoa powder in them for a bit since it does contain small amounts of caffeine. I usually fall in the camp that a small amount is not going to be enough to worry about, but that would be the main thing to consider.
This was amazingly delicious and healthy! Thank you!
Mine tasted very sour and I’m not sure why. The texture was amazing and it looked good but so sour and kind of bitter. Could it be the Greek yogurt I used? I used whole milk like the recipe says. I also used cacao powder instead of coco which may be why it taste a little bitter?
It’s possible it was a combination of those two things. Maybe see how it is after sitting in the fridge? Sometimes that mellows a little.
I’m wondering if you have tried freezing this pudding as a popsicle?? I have seen your mousse popsicles but have a handful of avocados I need to use and thought I could stock up in the freezer for my 3y/o…🤔
Yes! Its delish frozen
Delicious (especially with strawberries) and very rich. Having made it twice, I preferred with the following adjustments: halve the maple syrup (1 TBSP) and add a splash of milk to make it less thick/easier to keep things going in my blender.
Hi! What I want to use frozen avocado? What ratio would you recommend?
I would use the same amount, 1/2 cup. Let it thaw a little first to make sure it blends easily.
Tasted really bitter. Ended up adding a little sugar to try to sweeten it enough to be edible. I read some of the comments below and agree a banana would probably help a lot.
It’s possible the bitterness varies according to the specific brand of cocoa powder, but feel free to add a banana if you prefer.
Didn’t quite taste right even though I followed the recipe so I added half a banana and …. Whoa. Just that addition made it the best thing ever! Highly recommend it. Put in the fridge for the kids for later.
Delicious. I used a Dutch cocoa powder that made is a more adult chocolate flavour. I also used half heavy cream and half yogurt. SO GOOD.
We’re bacccccck! I always feel like the true test of a recipe is if your kids ask for it again! We made this for Valentine’s Day and today I said something about needing to use the avocados for something and 6yo asked about making pudding. It’s super rich/decadent and tastes like a “fancy treat” vs pudding cup flavor. Even my husband who is “still learning to like” avocados said it tastes like pudding not “chocolate avocado”
SUPER rich taste and so filling! My kids were a little hesitant at first, but happily tried some. And I loved it too!
The pudding was so good and delicious! Can’t wait to make it again.
My 4 year old tried it and my 1 year old loves it!
Thank you so much for this recipe.
Can I do this by hand like mash the avocados?? With no blender?? Please let me know. I love your recipes for my kids! Thank you
You can, it’s just a little hard to get it super smooth when using a fork.
Lovely recipe..my daughter liked it but I don’t know I felt it was a little bitter I used the unsweetened herseys chocolate powder not sure if I am the only one …
Me too! I think it was the yogurt I used because I could tell it WOULD taste yummy but I need to try a different yogurt. Was going through the comments to see if anyone had a recommendation.
YUM. So easy and everyone likes it!
This is our absolute favourite avo chocolate pudding! It’s our go to recipe. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and just the right amount of sweetness. The taste is fantastic – the avocado blends seamlessly. It’s toddler approved too (and I love she’s getting a dose of healthy fats from the avocado)!
We love your recipes especially this avocado pudding one!! Thank you for sharing all these great recipes. You literally have made my life so much easier.
I just made this for my toddler and I and we both LOVED it! I love that it’s not super sweet, but just the right amount of sweetness. It’s a perfect snack and I like that the avocado and Greek yogurt provide a boost of nutrition. I added a few chocolate chips to it, and some shredded coconut and walnuts to mine too! Though the toppings are endless. I’ll definitely be making it a lot this summer!!!
Very delicious and was family approved by me, the husband and my two small kids. We used it for a birthday instead of cake. It hit the spot. I knew it was good when everyone was actually quiet and eating it. Thank you! Oh and couldn’t taste the avocado.
I made this for myself tonight…. so good! I’m not normally an avocado fan, but you can’t taste it at all in this. My kids are only 3.5 and 1 right now, but I look forward to making this for them as they get more into preschool/school age. 🙂
Love this recipe! My 2 year old devours it and then I have an excuse to eat chocolate and tell myself I’m really eating a vegetable! It’s really great if you stir raspberries into it!
This was super easy to make, and so delicious! My two-year-old son never had pudding before, and it was so wonderful to be able to offer him a healthy version of chocolate pudding, and to see him enjoy it so much! My husband is a fan too and already asked me to make more.
I love this! I’m almost seven months pregnant and tested it out on myself initially—I’m ashamed to admit I’ve made it several times since the first go and have yet to share it with my family. XD I’m using the I’m pregnant excuse for as long as possible… 😉 But I WILL share someday. 🙂 Thanks for posting!
Can you freeze it?
You can freeze it into popsicles! If you thaw it completely, it may have some liquid that comes off so stir it well.
Love your recipes. Can you please link the rxact same rainbow sprinkles that are shown in the picture?
They’re called Rainbow Nonpareils and are usually in all grocery stores!
Can I give it to 16 month old?
Sure!
The video shows using almond butter, but it’s not in the recipe. Is it part of this, and if so, how much should I use?
Thanks! I LOVEEEEEEE your recipes for my twin 2 year olds! 🙂
It’s listed as an optional addition in the Notes—you can add 1-2 tablespoons if you’d like. Enjoy and I’m so glad!
Our family does not like avocado. How can I make this without it. Plus I think the avocado could make it bitter
You could try leaving it out and using twice as much of the almond butter. The texture may not be the same though.
Can you use honey instead of syrup?
Yes!
How do you think this would do without dairy – using dairy free yogurt or some sort? Worth it?
Diary-free yogurt should work exactly the same. The thicker the better, and if you can pick one with a flavor you like, that will help too. (Siggis makes some nice plant-based ones.)
Mine was also bitter unfortunately. I read the other comments beforehand so decreased to 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (hershey’s) and I increased to 3 tbsp maple syrup. It still came out bitter. I wonder if decreasing the amount of whole greek yogurt would help.
I’m honestly not sure what’s causing it. I made it over the weekend (with SACO) and it wasn’t bitter. I guess it’s possible the flavor of the specific yogurt could contribute? It’s frustrating to not be able to pinpoint it!
Yep mine too! Looked so lovely too! Maybe a sweetened yoghurt?
Ours was rich. I wouldn’t say bitter. I think rich covers the intensity of the cocoa. My son and husband licked their spoons as we sat and chatted. Both said they were done but kept licking tiny bites. I think I will try and adjust to a lower cocoa amount next time but now that we know I think that our expectations will be set as well. My son ate his accompanies by a peanut butter spoon which also gave his pallet a break between bites.
Thanks for the feedback!
I made this but it was very bitter. Was it my cocoa powder?
It’s possible. Did you try adjusting the sweetener a little?
I also tried this and it was very bitter.
Since the flavor of cocoa powder can vary, you’ll need to adjust the sweetener accordingly. I hope that helps!
Can you substitute cacao powder?
Yes, that should be just fine