• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eating With Food Allergies
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition
  • Substitutes
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition
  • Substitutes
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Allergy Friendly Dessert Recipes

Easy Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding {Dairy and Gluten Free}

Published: Aug 21, 2022 · Updated: Aug 21, 2022 by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Need an easy dairy free dessert? Make this oat milk chocolate pudding! It’s vegan and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, and gluten but surprisingly decadent. You only need 6 ingredients to make it - and you probably already have most of them in your pantry!

oat milk chocolate pudding in a single serving jar

Remember those milk chocolate pudding cups you had in your lunchbox?

Unfortunately, there is usually dairy in pudding so, if you're following a dairy free or vegan diet, those pudding cups are off limits.

But, I have good news! Making dairy free chocolate pudding with oat milk is surprisingly simple and the end result is creamy and delicious. Or, as my 15-year-old says, “It’s fire, Mom.” I guess that’s how the kids say it’s pretty darn good.

So, if you’re dairy free, don’t fret! I see some “fire” oat milk chocolate pudding in your future!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • FAQs
  • Variations and serving suggestions
  • Other dairy free dessert recipes
  • Storage
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Related recipes
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients

One of the things I love about this recipe is that it’s really simple to make and you only need a handful of ingredients.

ingredients needed to make chocolate oat milk pudding
  • Oat milk - most oat milk varieties are gluten free and are fortified with vitamin D and calcium. You can verify this by looking at the ingredients and nutrition facts.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Corn starch
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract - baking vanilla also works well.
  • Dairy free margarine - I like Earth Balance Buttery Spread.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Equipment

You don't need a lot of fancy equipment for this oat milk chocolate pudding recipe! Here are the essentials:

equipment needed to make chocolate oat milk pudding
  • A saucepan - I use the small 1.5-quart saucepan from this Cuisinart stainless steel set which I absolutely love.
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • A whisk
  • Bowls - one to mix the dry ingredients and one to put the pudding in to cool.
  • Plastic wrap

Instructions

The process for making this oat milk chocolate pudding is very quick and easy!

Steps 1 through 4 for making chocolate oat milk pudding
  • Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, corn starch, and salt.
  • Step 2: Pour the oat milk into a medium saucepan and turn the burner to medium heat.
  • Step 3: Using a whisk, stir in the dry ingredients until they have been fully incorporated and there are no lumps.
  • Step 4: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring regularly.
Steps 5 through 8 for making oat milk chocolate pudding
  • Step 5: When the mixture starts to thicken and boil, cook and stir for one more minute, stirring constantly.
  • Step 6: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and the margarine. 
  • Step 7: Pour it into a glass bowl and allow it to cool for a few minutes at room temperature. 
  • Step 8: Cover it with a piece of plastic wrap, pressing it down into the bowl so it is touching the pudding surface. This prevents a film from forming on the pudding. This is an optional step. If you don't mind a little film, skip this step.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. You'll want the pudding to be completely chilled.

Tip: For faster cooling, pour the pudding into single-portion containers. I like to use half-pint-sized mason jars.

Chocolate oat milk pudding in half-pint jars

FAQs

Is this healthy chocolate pudding?

Like cow's milk, fortified oat milk provides calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients can be more difficult to get for those with a dairy allergy, especially kids. So, having a serving of pudding can be a really tasty way to get those nutrients!

Pudding is a dessert food which means it is sweet and, therefore, higher in sugar than other foods like a piece of fruit. If you want to reduce the amount of added sugars, start by looking at the oat milk you use.

In my research, I found that the oat milk brands on the market range from 0 grams of added sugar (Planet Oat unsweetened, Califia Zero Sugar, Chobani Zero Sugar) to 7 grams (Silk, Oatly, Chobani) to 12 grams (Good & Gather from Target). 

I tested this recipe with Silk and Good & Gather oat milk which have 7-12 grams added sugars. I used what I felt was the minimum amount of added sugar to still make it taste good (and had input from my teenage boys, too!)

If you'd like to cut the sugar even further, you can start with zero sugar oat milk and add additional granulated sugar if needed.

Can you make pudding with other dairy free milk?

Yes, you can! While I have only tested this recipe with soy and oat milk, really any dairy-free milk substitute should work. I prefer oat milk because it has a nice, creamy texture.

Variations and serving suggestions

Sweeten to your taste

As mentioned above, depending on the type of oat milk you use, the sweetness of the pudding can vary a bit.

I recommend tasting the pudding after the vanilla and margarine are added. If you like it a little sweeter, you can add an additional tablespoon of sugar and stir well so it completely dissolves.

Top with dairy free whipped topping 

Coconut milk-based whipped topping is a great dairy free option. I love that I can find this at Aldi and Trader Joes - two stores I go to often! So Delicious also makes coconut milk based whipped topping.

A small jar with oat milk chocolate pudding topped with dairy free whipped cream

Top with bananas

I love the combination of bananas with pudding! Try layering bananas and pudding one after the other to create a pudding parfait. So good!

Oat milk chocolate pudding in a dessert dish topped with bananas

Make it Rocky Road

The combination of smooth, crunchy, and chewy textures makes rocky road one of my favorite ice cream flavors. Naturally, I thought it would be a good idea to put a rocky road spin on this pudding and I was right!

For this variation, layer pudding with mini marshmallows, and sunflower seeds (or nuts if you can have them). Yum!

oat milk chocolate pudding in a dessert dish topped with marshmallows and sunflower seeds
When your son eats the mini marshmallows that you bought to make your rocky road pudding, you improvise. Feel free to cut up large marshmallows as I did here!

Make power pudding

When I interned at a long-term care facility, I learned about "power pudding". It's pudding made with extra powdered milk to increase the protein and calorie content. This was great for residents who needed more nutrition with fewer bites. 

As a mom to a kiddo with multiple food allergies, I have looked for creative ways to do the same for my growing boy. We might not be able to add powdered cow’s milk, we can add protein powder to give this pudding a nutrition boost. 

When you're choosing a protein powder, one of the most important factors is flavor and texture. After all, you don't want to ruin the pudding with a chalky-tasting protein powder!

I tend to go for unsweetened protein powders because they take on the taste of whatever they are added to making them less noticeable.

Need help choosing a protein powder? Read my guide to allergy friendly protein powders to find the right one!

For best results, add the protein powder with the other dry ingredients at the beginning of the pudding-making process. Otherwise, you can stir it in before serving.

Other dairy free dessert recipes

Eating a dairy free diet means there are a lot of desserts that are off-limits. Luckily, there are plenty of dairy free substitutes that allow us to make dairy free desserts that are still delicious!

When you're craving a frozen dessert, try my dairy free ice cream and strawberry sorbet recipes. They're both refreshing and delicious!

Need a dessert for a dinner party? You'll love this dairy free chocolate fondue because it's as easy to make as it is fun to eat!

And cupcakes are always a great dessert for any occasion! Check out my recipes for gluten and dairy free vanilla cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes topped with this dairy free buttercream frosting.

Storage

I love storing this pudding in half-pint jars with screw-top lids. This way, they're ready to grab for the lunch boxes or quick snacks.

oat milk chocolate pudding in covered half-pint jars stacked

I also love these plastic deli containers that hold 4 ounces - just like those Snack Pack pudding cups!

You can store this pudding in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

📖 Recipe

oat milk chocolate pudding in a single serving jar

Easy Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding {Dairy Free}

Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
This easy oat milk chocolate pudding is dairy free, vegan, and free of other common allergens like wheat/gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
5 from 4 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Chilling time 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 5 half cup servings
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • small mixing bowl
  • 1.5 quart saucepan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • 3 cup glass bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ½ tablespoons corn starch
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ⅔ cups oat milk
  • 2 teaspoons dairy free margarine such as Earth Balance
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract of baking vanilla

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the corn starch, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Add teh oat milk to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Using a whisk, gradually stir in the dry ingredients until they are all incorporated and there are no lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture boils. Cook for an additional minute stirring constantly; remove from the heat. Add the margarine and vanilla and stir until the mixture is smooth.
  • Transfer the pudding to a glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and press it to the surface of the pudding to prevent a film from forming on top of the pudding. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow it to cool completely and set.

Notes

Nutrition facts calculated using Good & Gather, less sweet oat milk.
For faster chilling, transfer the cooked pudding to individually-sized containers such as a half-pint jar or another 4-ounce container.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 165mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gCalcium: 66mg
Keyword dairy free, egg free, fish free, gluten free, peanut free, sesame free, shellfish free, soy free, tree nut free, wheat free
Tried this recipe?Please share how it was!

Related recipes

  • Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
  • Dairy-Free Chocolate Fondue
  • Allergy Free Ice Cream (Top 8 Free!)
  • Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcakes {Allergy Friendly}
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Latest posts by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD (see all)
  • Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes - October 30, 2022
  • Gluten Free Tomato Soup {Dairy Free} - October 1, 2022
  • Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free} - September 17, 2022

More Allergy Friendly Dessert Recipes

  • Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free}
  • Chocolate Gluten Free Cupcakes {Dairy and Egg Free!}
  • Vegan Royal Icing
  • Eggless Coffee Cake {Gluten Free + Allergy Friendly}

About Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD

Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. JJ says

    October 14, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    How long do you think this would keep in the fridge? Was hoping to make Saturday then use in the kids' lunches for the week.

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      October 15, 2022 at 6:16 am

      It will keep up to a week so you should be fine making it on the weekend and using it for the week's lunches! Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Becki says

    August 23, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    This is so simple to make - the kids loved it!!5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels says

      August 25, 2022 at 6:30 am

      Thanks for your feedback, Becki! I'm glad it was a hit with your family!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Kristi! I'm a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom with a mission to help you eat well with food allergies!

More about me →

Latest posts

  • Vegan Twice Baked Potatoes
  • Gluten Free Tomato Soup {Dairy Free}
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins {Egg and Dairy Free!}
  • Nut Free Protein Bars

Fall favorites

  • Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
  • Allergy Friendly Pumpkin Bars
  • Gluten and Dairy Free Apple Crisp
  • Wheat Free Pumpkin Muffins

Popular

  • Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
  • Nut Free Chocolate Spread
  • Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}
  • Allergy Free Protein Powder

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Kristi
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Disclosure
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Get in Touch

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Eating With Food Allergies

Cookies aren't just for eating
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT