Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Cups | These decadent dessert cups are a dairy-free combination of silky chocolate avocado pudding and cherry chia pudding. Layered together like a parfait, the chia pudding and chocolate pudding combine to make a delightful treat fitting for breakfast or dessert.
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This luscious cherry chocolate chia pudding is a luscious but wholesome breakfast or dessert made with simple ingredients. Top with coconut whip for a special dessert like Valentine's Day desert.
I tested this chocolate chia seed pudding recipe every so often for a year.
The goal? Create a fairly nutritious pudding using dairy-free milk.
I have diary-sensitive people in my life and love testing alternative recipes. I wanted this recipe to highlight the decadent vibes of dark chocolate pudding without tasting like I had cut corners.
So throughout my testing, what did I find out?
Dairy-free milk
I tried coconut cream and coconut milk and they were too overwhelmingly 'coconut-y' when what I really wanted was for the chocolate to shine through on its own. Cherries and chocolate are the star ingredients and I wanted to keep it that way.
Chocolate
Melted chocolate turned the whole thing grainy upon refrigeration. Using a combination of cocoa powder and maple syrup was the real winner resulting in a sweet chocolatey flavor.
Texture
Banana lightens up the texture of the vegan pudding part of the recipe. I've tried the banana “ice cream” idea but found the airy texture not right for ice cream, but I thought in combination with the avocado, that airiness would help. Yes, you can taste the banana a little bit but I don't think the flavor is overwhelming.
Using avocado alone with cocoa powder can be a little bit dense, and that's not what I wanted here.
The result of my testing is an easy recipe, that is smooth and chocolatey with a decadent feel.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- cherries: I use frozen sweet cherries for this recipe. Let them thaw on the counter or gently defrost them in the microwave. You can also use fresh cherries instead.
- avocado + banana: this makes the creamy base for the pudding
- cocoa powder: you can use regular or dark cocoa powder. I used regular cocoa powder in these photos but I prefer dark cocoa with this recipe.
- pure maple syrup: to sweeten
- oat milk: Creamy oat milk is great for chia pudding. Try unsweetened almond milk instead.
- chia seeds: chia seeds absorb the liquid and plump up, making a tapioca-like pudding.
Substitutions
- oat milk: you can use any non-dairy milk of your choice. The only one I don't recommend is canned coconut milk because the flavor will take over. The carton-style coconut milk or coconut almond blend should be fine.
Always sift cocoa powder to prevent clumps.
Instructions
Prep Tips
Make the Chocolate Pudding
- Blend the avocado and banana in a food processor until silky smooth.
- Add the cocoa powder and maple syrup. Blend.
Make the Cherry Chia Pudding
- Add chia seeds, almond milk, chopped cherries, and vanilla extract to a storage container.
- Stir to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir again. This helps prevent clumping.
- Add a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours so the chia seeds can soak up the liquid.
Make the Parfait
- Add chocolate pudding to the bottom of the serving dishes.
- Top with chia pudding.
Garnish with more chopped cherries and shaved dark chocolate or cacao nibs.
Tips for making these pudding parfaits
- Chia pudding: Use the ratio of ¼ cup chia seeds to 1 cup of liquid to make any type of chia pudding. Add your favorite flavors and stir!
- The chia pudding needs to sit in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours. Make sure to stir once after 5 minutes of combining to avoid clumping. Stir again after 30 minutes or so to help the chia seeds blend and absorb liquid evenly.
- Sift cocoa powder to prevent lumps.
What to serve with pudding parfaits
Full a more filling breakfast add a slice of toast alongside your pudding parfait. Try avocado toast, cottage cheese toast, or mushrooms on toast.
Storage
Store the parfaits or both puddings separately in the fridge for about 5 days.
FAQs
To make chia pudding use combine ¼ cup of chia seeds with 1 cup of liquid. Let sit in the fridge for 2 hours to allow the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and plump up. Add flavors such as chocolate or fresh fruit.
Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Parfaits
Ingredients
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- 2 avocados
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Cherry Chia Pudding Layer
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup oat milk or milk of your choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sweet cherries chopped
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons sweet cherries chopped
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
Instructions
Make the chia pudding
- Add the chia seeds, almond milk, chopped cherries, and vanilla extract to a storage container. Mix. Let sit for 5 minutes and then mix again. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Make the chocolate pudding
- In a food processor, blend the avocados and banana until completely smooth. Sift in the dark cocoa powder and add maple syrup. Blend.
- Taste for sweetness, and then spoon the pudding into serving dishes. Refrigerate until the chia pudding is ready.
To serve the parfait
- Top the chocolate pudding with chia pudding and garnish with extra cherries and some cacao nibs or shaved dark chocolate.
Equipment
- Ninja Food Processor or similar
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
This post was originally posted on February 12, 2018.
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A photo from the original blog post.
Jordan says
Chocolate covered cherries are one of my favorite treats. This is like a healthy version! I can't wait to try it for breakfast.
Amanda says
Dark chocolate and chia must be so good together! Love recipes like these that are indulgent, but healthy too. Those cherries are the perfect finishing touch!
Kiki Johnson says
Oh, I have seen this recipe earlier today on Pinterest and fell in love with it instantly! I looks so pretty and I love the combination of chocolate and cherries! A real treat.
Lori Rice says
Such a beautiful pudding! I'm always looking for new ways to use chia, too!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
NOM! I love chocolate and cherries together. I love that this recipe is so healthy. I can't wait to try it!
Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry says
The first time I saw Chia pudding cups was in the cooler section of a Starbucks. I had to try it, and I fell in love. Then, a friend kept telling me about a chocolate pudding she had made from avocados and green coconut. I never tried the recipe, but I was interested. Now, I find this recipe. It contains the best of both worlds. It's like a cup full of chocolate covered cherries, but this is healthy. YUM!!
Elena says
What a great idea for a healthy dessert! Pinning for later!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Cherries are my absolute favorite fruit! I love all the ingredients that you have in these cute chocolate cherry chia pudding cups! I also love that you used avocado. I wouldn't have thought to do that! I bake with avocados but putting them in a pudding? Stellar! I can't wait to make your luscious pudding!
TaraTeaspoon says
What a great healthy dessert ! It's the perfect thing to serve at party because it has something for the healthy people and the people with a sweet tooth, it's a win win situation !
Jan says
That looks really yummy 😉 I’d love for you to share over at Let’s Party! https://themarkandjanshow.com/2018/02/13/lets-party-8/ … we look forward to seeing you there!
Jenni LeBaron says
I love that you use avocados in this to add some great fats! Plus, avocado always makes pudding so nice and creamy.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
We love all the ingredients you use except we haven't tried chia yet. I know, we are slow to get on that bandwagon. Your pudding looks delicious and it would make a great for you dessert. We'll be going to the store tomorrow. I'll put chia seeds on my list.
Stacey says
I love enjoying chocolate and cherries together... I'm going to be making this soon!
Amy Nash says
You cannot go wrong with cherries and chocolate! This chia pudding sounds wonderful and I would love this for an afternoon pick me up!