Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding Without Cornstarch | Healthy Recipe

This dairy-free chocolate pudding is what dreams are made of! It's a delicious and easy recipe made with healthy ingredients. (and no- no avocado or banana here!)

Chocolate pudding was one of my absolute favorite school snacks as a child. I remember very occasionally getting a little pudding cup in my lunch, and oh, I savored every. Single. Bite.

Fast forward to me wanting to eat healthier, but still wanting to eat delicious pudding occasionally. What to do...

I found out someone had successfully made delicious chocolate pudding out of sweet potatoes.

The first time I tried it, my world changed.

This is exactly the kind of dessert I want around!

Full of amazing rich chocolate flavor, but also full of ingredients that are actually beneficial to me!

It's a win-win. And it's a really easy dessert to make.

A win-win-win!

Step aside, nasty pudding mix! This is the king of homemade pudding recipes.

Enjoy, friends. And remember this homemade chocolate pudding recipe when you go to make a chocolate cake because this also makes the best frosting!!

You can also combine this pudding and that cake to make delicious chocolate cake pops!

What is Chocolate Pudding Made of?

There are so many different ways to make chocolate pudding, but traditionally it's made with lots of egg yolks, whole milk or heavy cream and refined sugar. This easy chocolate pudding recipe is quite different. These are the 8 wholesome and simple ingredients you'll need:

• Sweet potato - The star of this pudding, although you'd never know it! Adds natural sweetness, structure and lots of good vitamins to this dessert.
• Maple syrup - For a little added sweetness.
• Cocoa - One of the most essential ingredients. Can't make a chocolate pudding without cocoa!
• Almond Butter - Adds creaminess.
• Olive oil - We need good fat for our bodies to absorb some of the nutrients in the sweet potatoes.
• Vanilla - Some more depth of flavor.
• Sea salt - Helps bring out the flavors in all the other ingredients!
• Water - To thin out the pudding to your desired consistency. It is quite thick if no liquid is added.

Is Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding Healthy?

Most pudding recipes are loaded with refined sugars, dairy (if you can handle it, great! Some of us can't) and cornstarch (a thickener). Since corn is a GMO food, I avoid it when I can, so I love that this pudding doesn't use it.

The main ingredient in this pudding is sweet potato, which is absolutely loaded with nutrients, the major ones being beta carotene (converts to Vitamin A in your body- sweet potatoes contain something like 7 times your daily value needed), Vitamin C and manganese. They also contain a large number of antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and help to prevent so many diseases!

The remaining ingredients are all-natural and many have health benefits. I used the least amount of maple syrup possible to achieve just enough sweetness. It's natural, but still sugar, so we want to use as little as possible!

Is Chocolate Pudding Vegan?

None of the ingredients in this creamy chocolate pudding are animal products, so it is compatible with a vegan diet.

Variations of Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

• Substitute softened coconut oil for the olive oil
• Use honey instead maple syrup. I don't recommend using granulated sweeteners like coconut sugar, white sugar or brown sugar because the pudding will end up grainy.
• Substitute any type of nut or seed butter for the almond butter. It will change the flavor. I noticed it the most when I used peanut butter, but it was still delicious! Just more like a chocolate peanut butter pudding.
• Use any kind of milk in place of the water. Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk are some examples.
• Add a little bit more cocoa if you like it extra dark!
• Make pretty designs on the top of the pudding with the back of a spoon! Something so simple can make a huge difference in presentation. It's always fun to try to fancy things up, even a little.

Ways to Use Chocolate Pudding

• Eat it by itself! You won't be disappointed.
• Top with coconut whipped cream, berries, dark chocolate shavings or chunks, coconut flakes, granola, chopped nuts... there are many possiblities!
• Use it to frost a chocolate cake. I'm not kidding. It makes an amazing frosting! Use as is or leave out the water for an even thicker frosting. This recipe is enough to frost a 1-layer cake, so double it if you are making a 2-layer cake.
• Spread it into your favorite pie crust (prebaked or no bake) and serve as a chocolate pie!
• Fill your popsicle molds for a cool chocolatey treat!
• Make a layered pudding parfait with pudding, whipped cream, ice cream, berries and other favorite toppings.

Tools You May Need

Food processor

Medium saucepan, double boiler or vegetable steamer

How to Make Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

• 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potato (approximately 2 small sweet potatoes)
• 3 tablespoon maple syrup
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoon filtered water (or more, to desired consistency)

Instructions:

Steam or boil diced sweet potatoes over medium-high heat until soft, about 15 minutes. Make sure they're soft enough to easily smash, or you'll end up with lumpy pudding!

Strain the sweet potatoes and add them to a food processor along with all remaining ingredients. Blend until very smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl.

If this pudding is too thick for your liking, blend in some more water (or milk) 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Wait about 30 minutes until the pudding cools to room temperature before covering and storing.

How to Store Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

Transfer to an airtight container or individual serving dishes / ramekins then cover with plastic wrap. If you want to make them look pretty, use the back of a metal spoon to swirl a design into the surface of the pudding. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

MORE GUILT-FREE DESSERTS

• DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE ←Frost the cake with this chocolate pudding. It's amazing!
• CREAMY LEMON BARS
• DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUTS
• CHOCOLATE CAKE POPS
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER EGGS

MORE DAIRY-FREE RECIPES

• DAIRY-FREE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS WITH SPROUTED WHEAT
• GARLIC OLIVE OIL MASHED POTATOES
• SPROUTED WHEAT CRACKERS
• DAIRY-FREE HOT CHOCOLATE
• GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN BARS