Chocolate pudding is always a favorite with kids. This gluten free dairy free chocolate pudding is a great vegan snack. Add some berries or fruit and it's a fairly healthy treat!
This version is a vegan chocolate pudding recipe and only has a few ingredients. Plus it is sweetened with natural maple syrup. It's a quick way to satisfy a chocolate craving with items you have in your pantry.
Note: This post has been updated since originally posted in 2013.

Serve the pudding in cute little dessert glasses for a fun party idea! Or put in a pre-cooked pie crust to make a chocolate pie. Try serving with these fudgy dairy free and gluten free brownies. Or if you're looking for another pudding idea try an eggless coffee pudding.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients. You probably have these in your pantry already. Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below.
coconut milk: Use canned, full fat canned coconut milk. This non-dairy milk can be substituted by other dairy free milks like cashew milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc. but the texture will be changed and you may need to add some tapioca starch, arrowroot or cornstarch to help thicken the pudding.
cocoa powder: Use your favorite cocoa powder, not cacao.
maple syrup: Use real maple syrup. This is used as a thickener and a sweetener. This makes rich pudding, add more syrup for more sweetness.
sea salt
vanilla extract
Variations
Try some of these variations to make the gluten-free chocolate pudding to your liking.
Chocolate Topping: Consider adding dairy free chocolate chips or chocolate shavings to the top of your finished dairy-free chocolate pudding recipe.
Avocado or Tofu: Add a blended avocado or tofu to the saucepan when cooking for added protein and thickness.
Whipped Topping: Add a whipped coconut cream of other dairy-free whipped topping to the top of your finished pudding. Sprinkle with sprinkles on top for fun.
Instructions
Full instructions are below in the recipe card. You can scroll down to the recipe card and print the recipe if you prefer.
Prepare: Gather your ingredients. Measure your salt, vanilla, syrup and cocoa powder.
Cook: Add the coconut milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and salt to a medium saucepan or dutch oven. Stir together. Turn the heat to medium and whisk continually to bring the mixture to a boil. Once the pudding begins to boil, reduce heat so the mixture simmers.
Continue to whisk frequently for 15-20 minutes, until the pudding begins to thicken.
Serve: Remove from heat. Pour into small bowls. Cover the top of the pudding with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate in the refrigerator until the pudding is cool.
Most chocolate puddings are gluten free but sometimes thickeners that contain gluten are added to the pudding. Be sure to read any packaging to make sure it's gluten free.
Yes, this dairy free pudding does have a coconut flavor. If you don't like the flavor of coconut try a tofu based pudding or other dairy free milk base.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces can of full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
- â…› teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ingredients.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer. Whisk frequently for 15-20 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Remove from the heat. Pour into serving bowls and cover and refrigerate until it is cold.
- Serve.
Heather says
Yum.
Also, the light in your dining room is incredible 🙂
Emily says
Beautiful! I love how you made this from simple ingredients... Thanks for being part of my Crafty Christmas series!! Emily
Delia says
This is so awesome! Definitely trying it. And such beautiful photography Andrea!!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Thanks for having me, Emily!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy says
Thank you, Delia!
Michelle says
When do you add in the vanilla? We're looking forward to this!