This Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding is made with better-for-you ingredients like banana, maple syrup, and yogurt, and the texture is spot-on. It can easily be made dairy free, and only requires 15 minutes of prep time!
Originally published: November 2014 // Updated: October 2019
You’re going to LOVE this pumpkin pudding, even if you’re not a “pudding person”. Miguel claims he’s not, but he 100% devoured this pudding so I’m thinking maybe he is?
I like pudding for a few reasons, one of them being that it’s easy whip up, and since you store it in the refrigerator, you can eat some every night after dinner. …unless you end up eating it all in one sitting, which is more than ok.
This pudding recipe uses nontraditional pudding ingredients, but the texture is exactly the way pudding should be. Read below for tips on how to make it perfectly each and every time!
WHY YOU NEED THIS PUMPKIN PUDDING
- It’s made with better-for-you ingredients like banana, maple syrup and yogurt
- It combines the two BEST flavors into one pudding recipe
- The texture is spot-on!
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PUDDING
This pudding recipe is a little bit different than traditional pudding (i.e. it’s healthier), so let me walk you through how to make it.
First, you’ll make the pumpkin layer by whisking ALL of the pumpkin ingredients–pumpkin, milk, yogurt, syrup, and spices–together before transferring them to glasses or jars.
The chocolate layer begins with a mashed banana, then it’s combined with cocoa, milk, syrup, yogurt, and cinnamon. While this may seem good enough, you can (and should!) take it a step further by melting chocolate and coconut oil together, then adding the melted chocolate to the bowl with the banana and mixing everything together really well.
Tip: You can melt the chocolate and coconut oil together on the stove or in the microwave. If you go the stovetop method, be sure to stir frequently so the chocolate doesn’t burn. If you go the microwave route, use a microwave-safe bowl.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
Almond milk: Technically, any milk works in this recipe. If you want to keep the pudding dairy free, be sure to use dairy free milk. But, regular dairy milk does work if that’s your preference.
Dairy free yogurt: Forager is my favorite brand of plant-based yogurt, but for this recipe, we want to use yogurt with a thicker consistency. So, I like Kite Hill or So Delicious (make sure to get plain-flavored yogurt). If you’re ok eating dairy, regular Greek yogurt works well too.
OTHER HEALTHY DESSERT RECIPES
Skinny Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding
Ingredients
for the pumpkin:
- 2/3 cup pumpkin
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp dairy-free plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp all spice
- Pinch of nutmeg
for the chocolate:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp dairy-free plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips I used Enjoy Life
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- cool whip for topping
Instructions
- Place all of the pumpkin ingredients (pumpkin, milk, yogurt, syrup, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg) together in a bowl; mix with an electric mixer until everything is smoothie; distribute evenly in two cups/bowls.
- In a separate bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork, and then add milk, yogurt, syrup, cacao, cinnamon; mix with an electric mixer.
- In a microwave safe dish, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave until melted; add melted chocolate to the bowl with the banana and mix with the mixer until everything is smooth.
- Slowly pour the chocolate lower overtop of the pumpkin layer.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours (or overnight).
- Top with cool whip and enjoy!
Notes
Q: Did you start eating/drinking pumpkin too early this year? Have you ever tried TruWhip? <<that’s the whipped cream I used for these
I did kind of OD on pumpkin last month! It culminated in me eyeing up all the carved halloween pumpkins, thinking of recipes to make with them… and realising I might have a pumpkin problem 😉
This looks so good – I love the pumpkin chocolate combo (and no, it never gets old) and am very tempted to make this for breakfast…
This post seriously makes me miss you. I don’t know why haha. Anyway, this looks AMAZE and I really might have to make tonight!! xo
Okay first of all these photos are gorgeous! And seriously my mouth is just watering looking at these…
But I totally feel you about the whole “starting pumpkin early”…I did the exact same thing and now I am sort of just over it all and it’s not even thanksgiving lol
I’m thinking this chocolate pudding may bring me back to my senses though. Pinning!
YES. Thanks girl!! We can both hop back on the pumpkin train if it’s pumpkin chocolate pudding 😉
Oh girl.. I die! YUM!
I’m not even close to being over pumpkin, and this pudding looks soooooo fantastic! I love how healthy it is! It’s totally one of those desserts that I’d be all, “you’re welcome, Julia…you’re welcome for all that nutrition.” UGH soooo good!
Hhaha that’s exactly what it is! You’re doing yourself a favor by eating it.
I am no where near over pumpkin! My obsession is still going strong. 🙂 This looks perfect!! I definitely need to add this to my must-make dessert list.
Thank you! It’s purrrrdy delish, if I do say so myself 🙂
Drooling over here. I think I bought a can of tru whip once & it didn’t work? Like nothing came out…
Maybe truwhip is different in Canada…. it comes in a container here haha hmmmmm
So you might just bring me out of pumpkin retirement with this one. Oh-ma-gard it looks amazing 😀
chocolate and pumpkin will always be one of my favourite combos. And too early into pumpkin? Impossible.
Looks so yummy! Pumpkin is available year round where I live, so it never goes out of style=)
Yum!!!! Never tired of pumpkin or chocolate!! Now I want a frozen pudding popsicle!
Haha I saw the “4 hour” prep time before I read through the recipe and I thought, “heck no!” then realized that obviously, it has to chill in the fridge, so that makes sense now. I’m definitely not over pumpkin yet, but I didn’t really have much pumpkin stuff until recently. The leaves only changed down here in the past two weeks!
Oh yeah hahha if it actually took 4 hours to cook that would be ridiccccculous.
Heck yes, pumpkin lasts until Thanksgiving and this looks like a winner!
All I can say is YUM! So good! I want this now 😉
Erin this is a gorgeous and decadent dessert!
Soooo-I eat pumpkin year round – soooo I am NEVER over it! And pumpkin with chocolate – ooh BEST EVA!!!! Loving the sound of this pudding – and it’s dairy free!!!
This looks SO good and I love the photos!
Thank you!
Mmm, I have to try this. I was drooling over it on Instagram the other day!
DO IT. I’m making it again after I’m done replying to comments 🙂
i think my pumpkin obsession has just begun, so bring it! haha
This sounds delicious Erin! I am not sure if I am over pumpkin….maybe, but I will never be over chocolate so I am saved 😛 Great idea for a dessert!