Satisfy your sweet tooth with this nutrient-dense, dairy-free chocolate pudding. Weird ingredients aside, trust me – you’ll love this chocolate chia pudding recipe!
What in the World is Aquafaba?
Chia seeds are a familiar thickener in dairy-free puddings and smoothies. Avocado also makes its appearance in a number of desserts, including cookies and puddings. But maybe when you read the headline, you thought, “What on earth is aquafaba?”
Aquafaba literally means “bean water.” It is the water used to cook beans or the water from a can of beans. It contains lots of nutrients from the beans themselves. Any type of bean can be used, but garbanzos are the most common because they have a light color and flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the dish with bean-taste.
The term aquafaba is also used to describe the most common dairy-free dessert made from said bean-water: dairy-free whipped cream.
It was a failed attempt at just such a cream that lead to this recipe. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’ve made many a successful aquafaba. I’ve got a jar of the tasty whip in my freezer as we speak. But yesterday, my bean water just wouldn’t whip.
Since I had already added the powdered sugar, I was determined not to waste the failed concoction. So today, I threw it in with a few dairy-free chocolate pudding staples, and this awesome new recipe came on out.
These Ingredients Are Weird – What Does It Taste Like?
So, I’ll be honest. If you tell your dairy-consuming friends and family that you’ve made chocolate pudding and then you serve them this, they’ll probably look at you like you’ve become an alien with two heads. But if you’re already familiar with dairy-free alternatives, you’ve just found your new best friend.
This is seriously my favorite among the dairy-free puddings I’ve made. It’s extremely nutrient dense due to the chia seeds, avocado, and unsweetened cocoa powder (substitute raw cacao powder for an even bigger boost). The chia gel and avocado make it oh-so-creamy, and the chia seeds themselves offer a satisfying crunch (be warned – you’ll need to floss afterward. Chia are notorious for getting stuck between your pearly whites). There’s also a gentle earthiness that pairs well with the intense chocolatey sweetness.
How Much Chia Seed Should I Use?
Canned beans may vary in the amount of liquid present. I had over a cup of liquid, but you may have less. If your aquafaba is less than 1 cup, go with 1/3 cup chia seeds. If it is over 1 cup, increase chia seeds to 1/2 cup.
So, here we go…
Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe
This is an indulgent treat for those needing a vegan or dairy-free diet.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hrs 5 min
Ingredients
Liquid from two cans of chickpeas
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 avocados, mashed
1/3 to 1/2 cup chia seeds
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Using a hand mixer, blend for 2 to 3 minutes, starting on the lowest setting and slowly increasing the speed. Pause blending and wipe down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Transfer to a covered bowl and chill for at least 2 hours. This allows the chia seeds time to absorb moisture and expand.
- Enjoy!
One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.