This simple chocolate avocado chia pudding is easy, delicious and naturally vegan and gluten-free. Includes chia seeds, avocado, raw cacao powder, maple syrup and plant-based milk. It makes for a yummy and versatile healthy breakfast, snack or dessert you can make ahead!
Avocado, chia seeds and cacao powder make for a surprising match, but it works like a charm in this avocado chia pudding.
Chia seeds help thicken the consistency of the mixture to a pudding-like texture (it replaces the eggs!) in such a healthy way while the naturally high-fat avocado whip the pudding to an unbelievably creamy and silky feel.
I have a chocolate avocado pudding and a plain chia seed pudding recipe on the blog, but combining both into one recipe made for an even better result than expected. Chia seeds + avocado work synergically to make for the most velvety pudding you will ever have!
It is thick yet light like a cloud, filling and satisfying and so flavorful, you won't believe it is made out of wholesome plant-based ingredients only. Plus, it is an amazing dark chocolate flavor!
Want to try more vegan chia seed pudding recipes? Check out this blended chia chocolate pudding, chia and flaxseed pudding and this kiwi chia pudding!
I hope you like it as much as we did and let me know if you tried it! ❤️
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❤️ Why you should try this recipe
- Easy recipe that's done quickly
- No cook pudding recipe, making it a perfect dessert for the summer
- Suitable for meal prep for a quick snack during a busy week
- Perfect sweet treat for both kids and adults
- Great texture that's very smooth and rich, and packed with a dark chocolate flavor
- Made with healthy ingredients and rich in fiber, plant-based protein, omega-3 healthy fatty acids and antioxidants.
- So healthy you can enjoy it for breakfast, but indulgent enough that it makes for a great dessert
- Fits so many diets: naturally vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy free, nut-free and gluten-free
🗒 Ingredients notes (+ substitutions)
- Avocado: look for a ripe and non-bruised avocado. If too hard to the touch, the texture of the pudding will not be as rich. Also, dark spots tend to be bitter, so to be avoided. You will need a medium-large size avocado for this recipe. If you only have the super small ones, then you might want to use 2 of them.
- Chia seeds: you can use both white chia seeds or black chia seeds.
- Raw cacao powder: to flavor the pudding with a dark chocolate taste. Cocoa powder works too!
- Maple syrup: sweetener of choice for this pudding recipe. It adds such a delicious caramel-like flavor and it deepens the overall taste.
- Plant-based milk: I used oat milk from Oatly, although any kind of plant milk will work, such as almond milk, soy milk and cashew milk.
- Pure vanilla extract + cinnamon: enhances the sweetness of the pudding and pairs well with the chocolate.
⭐️ Full list of ingredients (+ quantities) down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations
- Ultra creamy: you can use coconut milk to make this pudding even more decadent. It would also add a mild coconut-y flavor that would work well with the chocolate.
- Flavoring ingredients: I used a combination of cinnamon and vanilla, but feel free to try chai spice mix, lemon zest, almond extract or even some matcha powder.
- Coffee: you can add a shot of espresso without altering the consistency too much. This would deepen the chocolate flavor even more.
- Protein-packed: this pudding is already high in plant-based protein, thanks to the chia seeds, but you can add some protein powder or a spoonful of your favorite nut butter for an extra boost.
🍽 How to make chocolate avocado chia pudding recipe
Step 1: To a blender, add the oat milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, raw cacao powder, cinnamon, avocado and a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Blend on high until it turns into a super creamy texture. Take 1-2 breaks to scrape the sides and bottom.
Step 3: Transfer to an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (a couple of hours is better) before enjoying. You can also transfer in individual containers if you prefer.
Step 4: Serve garnished with whipped cream, nuts, chocolate chips or fresh fruit.
⭐️ Detailed recipe (+ video) down below in the recipe card!
💡 Helpful tips
- If you like the chia pudding's classic consistency with its tapioca-like or gelatinous texture, then you can blend everything except for the chia and toss in the seeds once blended.
- Once the pudding is done resting, you can adjust the consistency by adding more milk or more chia seeds. Just make sure to give some time for the seeds to swell and absorb the liquid.
- The mixture will actually be thick enough to enjoy right away, thanks to the creamy avocado, although I highly recommend letting it rest first for the best result.
- You don't need a high speed blender to make this recipe, although it makes for an ultra-smooth pudding texture.
🍴 Serving suggestions
This pudding is so delicious you will want to dig into the bowl straight from the fridge! But, you can also have some fun and serve it with a few yummy extras. Try to add some crunchy components to add more texture and contrast.
✅ Favorite toppings to try
- Vegan whipped cream
- Granola (we love this vanilla almond granola and this turmeric granola)
- Chopped nuts or slivered almonds or pumpkin seeds
- Fresh berries, such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries
- Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
- Mini chocolate chips or shaved dark chocolate or cacao nibs
If you have some leftovers, you can also use it to top oatmeal bowls, layer with overnight oats, use it as a dip for fresh fruit (like apple slices) or scoop with peanut butter cookies.
❗️Storage tips
Avocado generally turns brown and feels less fresh quickly after being in contact with the ambient air. But in this case, since it is blended with other ingredients, especially cacao powder, its flavor and freshness are preserved easier and for longer.
You can keep this pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. The pudding keeps better apart from any topping ingredients.
❓ FAQs
If you have a food processor or hand-held blender, then they would work too. Just keep blending a little longer until smooth. You could also make it without a blender or food processor, although you would have to mash the avocado really smooth to make sure there are no chunks anymore (a super-ripe avocado would be better in that case).
Yes, you can. In that case, add some lime or lemon juice to slow down the browning process of the avocado and to brighten up the flavor, and try to enjoy the pudding the same day.
Yes, it is! Avocado is particularly rich in omega-3 healthy fats, chia seeds are packed with plant-based protein, omega-3 and fiber and cacao powder is loaded with antioxidants to find free radicals. Plus, this recipe is free from preservatives and is low in added sugar.
🌱 More vegan & nutritious pudding recipes to try
I hope you like this vegan avocado chia pudding recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!
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📖 Recipe
Avocado Chia Seed Pudding (Easy Vegan Recipe)
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder - or cocoa powder
- 1½ cup plant-based milk - I used oat milk
- 1 medium size avocado - pitted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon - optional
Instructions
- To a blender, add the milk, chia seeds, cacao powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, maple syrup, salt and avocado. Blend on high until creamy and smooth.
- Transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before enjoying. You can also divide it into 3-4 individual containers.
- When serving, garnish with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, granola, etc. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Storage: keep the pudding in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
Amazing, we all loved it so much. That's the only way my toddler will eat avocado! Thanks!
So glad you all loved it, I appreciate the feedback! 😊