Paleo Chocolate Pudding

Hey, paleo people: do you miss JELL-O style chocolate pudding? This homemade dairy-free chocolate pudding is made with just six ingredients and your whole family will love it!

Two clear bowls filled with paleo chocolate pudding made with coconut milk and gelatin. The dairy-free chocolate pudding is topped with a dollop of whipped coconut cream and shaved dark chocolate.

Shortly after I created my Matcha Pudding recipe, my younger son, Ollie—who does not like matcha nearly as much as his mama—asked if I could make him a chocolate version. He specifically requested a pudding that was similar to the boxed stuff I used to make for him. And one more thing: “It can’t taste too healthy, mom.” Challenge accepted!

Dairy-free JELL-O chocolate pudding

I totally understand where Ollie is coming from. One of my favorite childhood desserts was JELL-O chocolate pudding—a creamy treat that I, a mere middle schooler, could make myself. But long after I became a mom, I started actually paying attention to the ingredients printed on those cardboard cartons, and what I saw made me stop buying this treat. It wasn’t until Ollie made his request that I decided to recreate this dessert. Thankfully, I found that I can make a version with paleo-friendly ingredients stocked in my pantry and have it taste good enough to win my picky son’s approval.

A collage of the cooking steps to make dairy-free chocolate pudding, a healthy homemade version. of Jell-O pudding.

Extra cocoa = Not Coconutty

One of the things Ollie complains about when I make coconut milk-based paleo desserts is that they all taste too much like coconuts. I’ve tested this recipe with almond and cashew milk, but I truly love the creaminess from canned coconut milk (I use the 365 Everyday Value brand full fat canned organic coconut milk) so I needed a way to make the coconut less noticeable.

The solution? Boost the amount of cocoa powder! When I increased the amount of cocoa powder to ⅓ cup, Ollie didn’t even notice the coconut milk when he wolfed it down—he just thought it was nice and chocolatey. You can use natural cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this recipe—you can’t go wrong with either one!

Whip for creaminess!

As with my gelatin-thickened matcha pudding, you need to use a hand mixer to whip up the chilled chocolate pudding. The key to the ultra-creamy texture is to whip it with a hand mixer or whisk—and to continue whipping until the gelatinous chunks transform into a smooth and creamy chocolate pudding. Remember: if you refrigerate the whipped pudding to eat later, you’ll have to whip it again to achieve the same soft texture.

Time to make homemade dairy-free JELL-O style chocolate pudding!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 can (13.5 ounces) full fat coconut milk, divided
2 teaspoons gelatin
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup honey
⅛ teaspoon Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Whipped coconut cream (optional)
Shaved dark chocolate (optional)

Equipment:

All of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets are listed here.

Method:

Shake the can of coconut milk well, and pour a ¼ cup of it into a measuring cup. Add the gelatin and whisk it into the coconut milk until well incorporated. Set the mixture aside.

Adding gelatin to a measuring cup filled with coconut milk and then whisking it.

Next, heat the remaining coconut milk, cocoa powder, honey, and salt over medium heat, stirring frequently, until these ingredients are well mixed.

A blue sauce pan is filled with the ingredients to make paleo chocolate pudding: coconut milk, cocoa powder, honey, salt, and vanilla.

Cook the chocolatey mixture until bubbles appear on the edges of the saucepan. Turn off the heat.

Closeup of the dairy-free chocolate pudding in a blue sauce pan after it has simmered and taken off the heat.

Add the reserved gelatin/coconut milk mixture and vanilla extract to the pan. Stir well.

Adding bloomed gelatin and vanilla to the paleo chocolate pudding in the saucepan and whisking it together.

Chill the mixture for 30 minutes uncovered and then covered for an additional 1½ hours or until solid. (Pro tip: You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days before serving.)

Transferring the paleo chocolate pudding to a clear bowl and putting it in the refrigerator to chill.

With a hand mixer or whisk, beat the pudding until it’s nice and fluffy and transforms from a stiff JELL-O-like texture to a thick and smooth pudding.

A hand mixer is transforming the paleo chocolate pudding from a chunky gel into a smooth and creamy pudding.
Divide the pudding into four bowls or cups.

Someone spooning dairy-free paleo chocolate pudding into a glass container.

Spoon on a dollop of whipped coconut cream if desired. You can also shave some dark chocolate on top to make it extra!

Looking for more paleo chocolate dessert recipes? Check out these favorites:

Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!

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