Dairy-Free Vanilla Pudding Recipe

Name: Dairy-Free Vanilla Pudding
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2/3 cup white sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (divided); 4 large egg yolks; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Chill: 2 hrs

Total: 2 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
267	Calories
7g	Fat
42g	Carbs
8g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	267
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g	10%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 232mg	77%
Sodium 208mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate 42g	15%
Dietary Fiber 0g	2%
Total Sugars 34g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 44mg	3%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 100mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Pudding is one of those easy, comforting desserts that can be prepared any time of the week and enjoyed as an after-school sweet snack or as a lunch or dinner dessert. If you or your family members must avoid dairy due to an allergy, sensitivity, or dietary restrictions, this recipe for dairy-free vanilla pudding is a good alternative to store-bought pudding cups or mixes.

This recipe calls for almond milk, but you can use another non-dairy milk alternative such as coconut milk, soy milk, or rice milk if you prefer. To produce the richness you expect in a pudding, egg yolks are included, which means this pudding is not vegan.

Keep in mind you need to plan ahead since homemade pudding requires a couple of hours to set in the refrigerator before serving. Feel free to dress up the dessert with fruit, dairy-free chocolate chips, vegan whipped cream, or any spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg) that you like.

2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, divided
4 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar and salt.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
In a small dish, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the almond milk, mixing until dissolved.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Add the cornstarch mixture, remaining almond milk, and egg yolks to the saucepan, whisking until combined.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Cook the pudding over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles just begin to form on the surface.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Whisking constantly, turn down the heat to low and cook for about 1 minute more.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Pour the pudding through a fine sieve into a heatproof dish.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Stir in the vanilla extract.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming while the pudding cools and thickens. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Serve and enjoy.

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

Recipe Variations

Fresh fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and bananas, can be used as a topper, or you can layer them in a dessert glass with the vanilla pudding.
Add crushed nuts or crumble some graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or granola on top for a bit of texture and crunch. Be sure to check any additions to ensure they are also dairy free.
Sprinkle the top with spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
Use the vanilla pudding as a pie filling.

Tips

Unsweetened versions of non-dairy milk alternatives are best, but if you use a sweetened non-dairy milk, be sure to adjust the sugar in the recipe.
If you prefer not to use cornstarch, you can substitute it with the same amount of arrowroot or tapioca starch. Combine the thickener with the sugar and salt instead of the almond milk.