Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Pudding

By
Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams is a restaurant professional and workshop instructor with a specialty in dairy-free cooking and baking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/27/22
Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Pudding

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
155 Calories
4g Fat
30g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 155
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 27mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 48mg 1%
*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 a favorite dessert of kids and adults, but a vegan version can be tough to find at the grocery store. Luckily, it's easy to make at home with simple ingredients. Instead of eggs, cornstarch thickens the mixture and almond milk stands in for the dairy. The result is a luscious, creamy, chocolatey pudding that's dairy-free, egg-free, and healthier than your average dessert.

Allow time for the pudding to chill and set-up in the fridge before serving. If you don't like skin on your pudding, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. For a real treat, serve with a dollop of vegan whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons cold water

  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons organic sugar

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 2 cups unsweetened plain almond milk

  • 1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Pudding ingredients

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a small cup or bowl, combine the cornstarch with the cold water, mixing to dissolve. Set aside.

    combine the cornstarch with the cold water in a bowl

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.

    In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Over medium-low heat, gradually add the almond milk, about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring constantly until smooth.

    add almond milk to the cocoa powder mixture in the saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Cook until a thin film develops on top of the liquid and steam rises from the surface, but do not let the mixture boil.

    cook the almond milk and cocoa mixture in the saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Remove the pan from heat and add the chocolate chips, swirling the pan to keep the chips from resting on the bottom of the pan and burning. Allow the pan to sit off of the heat for about 3 minutes, then stir the mixture with a wooden spoon to incorporate the melted chocolate.

    add chocolate chips to the cocoa mixture in the saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. Mix in the cornstarch mixture and vanilla until well incorporated and return the pan to the stove over medium-low heat.

    add cornstarch and vanilla to the chocolate mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  8. Stirring constantly, cook until the mixture is thick but just slightly thinner than desired (the pudding will thicken as it cools).

    stir the vegan pudding in the saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  9. Transfer the pudding into individual heatproof dishes. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

    Transfer the pudding into individual heatproof dishes, and cover with plastic wrap

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  10. Once puddings have cooled slightly, place them in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours before enjoying.

    Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Pudding

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

How to Store

  • This vegan chocolate pudding has a short shelf life at just 2 or 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • While store-bought pudding can keep for up to 4 weeks, the air-tight container it comes in and the preservatives added to it allow for a longer shelf life. This homemade version has no preservatives so it's important to make just enough to eat within 2 to 3 days.
  • If your pudding has become liquidy or otherwise not uniform, it may be an indication that the pudding is starting to go bad.