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This vegan vanilla pudding is out-of-this-world creamy, smooth, and full of delicious flavors! Just like traditional pudding, this non-dairy vanilla pudding recipe is quick and easy and made with basic ingredients.
In the mood for a creamy vanilla pudding cup, but want it to be vegan and dairy-free? These days, this vegan dessert is the only thing I want to make! Rich in real vanilla flavors, this delicious vanilla pudding is suitable for any occasion and tastes indulgent, especially when served with fresh berries on top.
While you can find vegan pudding mix at the grocery store, our vegan version is way tastier than instant pudding mixes and healthier for you too! Made without any dairy or artificial ingredients, this vegan vanilla pudding recipe comes together for a super easy dessert that the whole family will love. You won't believe how fast you can make this recipe - it only needs 5 minutes of prep time!
This irresistible, low-carb, dairy-free pudding recipe is creamy and suitable for all ages. Enjoy this pudding by itself or dress it up into a elegant dessert like banana pudding lasagna. There are tons of ways to customize this vegan pudding to fit your tastes!
👩🏽🍳 Why You'll Love This Vegan Pudding Recipe
- Plant-Based: If you're looking for a healthy vanilla pudding that is totally plant-based, then this almond milk dessert recipe is for you! This recipe is gluten-free, making it a wonderful choice for any occasion where you want an allergen-friendly dessert option.
- Versatile: The vanilla extract in this pudding adds flavor but also blends well with many other foods. Use the pudding for layered desserts, trifles, build your own dessert bars, or in place of instant pudding in other recipes.
- Low-Sugar: This dessert is great for kids or whenever you want a lower-sugar treat that tastes amazing. It will totally satisfy their sweet tooth!
- Minimal Ingredients: I love that this healthy vegan pudding recipe uses all simple ingredients that you can keep on hand, making it ideal for when you want a quick dessert without going to the grocery store.
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🥘 Ingredients
This healthy vegan pudding recipe is made with ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store or online. The full instructions and nutrition information are listed in the recipe card below.
- Almond Milk: You can either use store-bought almond milk or make your own.
- Cornstarch: This is what makes this vegan gluten free pudding thick!
- Sugar: Vegan white granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: The key ingredient for a classic pudding taste, this extract gives this pudding its comforting flavor. A high-quality or homemade extract will offer the most flavor.
- Salt: A little bit of salt in this homemade pudding with almond milk brings out the sweetness and creates a balanced combination of flavors.
- Coconut Oil: This ingredient gives the pudding a velvety smooth consistency and additional richness. It is optional but encouraged.
- Turmeric: Gives this almond milk vanilla pudding recipe a little extra color, but is optional.
🍲 Ingredient Substitutions
- Non-Dairy Milk: Any dairy free milk or plant milk will work in this recipe. Try making oat milk vegan pudding, or use cashew milk, or soy milk. You can also use full fat coconut milk for a super indulgent, rich, thick pudding.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Use the same amount of vanilla paste in place of the extract.
- Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot Powder: Instead of cornstarch, you can use tapioca starch or arrowroot as the thickening agent in this recipe.
- Sugar: Substitute any liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or agave. You can also use coconut, organic cane sugar, or date sugar. For sugar-free vanilla pudding, use monk fruit extract instead of sugar.
🔪 How To Make Vegan Vanilla Pudding
Here's how to make this plant-based pudding recipe.
Mix Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk the cold milk together with the rest of the ingredients except for the vanilla extract.
Thicken And Add Vanilla: Bring the pudding to a low boil over medium heat. Whisk occasionally to prevent the pudding from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the pudding starts to bubble, cook for one to two minutes. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until combined.
Put In Bowls: Pour this homemade vanilla pudding into individual bowls or ramekins and allow it to cool. Alternatively, you can put the entire pudding in one container if you plan to store and serve it later.
Chill: Place the gelatin free pudding in the refrigerator for at least an hour to thicken.
Serve: Serve alone or with your favorite toppings - I love to add fresh raspberries on top of the pudding before serving!
- Use Turmeric to Add Color: Since this is a vegan pudding, the color will be ashen. Use a pinch of turmeric to achieve a golden look.
- Smooth with Coconut Oil: The oil doesn't affect the flavor and is technically not needed, but if you want that thick, creamy pudding texture, I would recommend including the coconut oil.
- Use Individual Bowls: For quicker cooling and easy serving, transfer the pudding to individually sized bowls, ramekins, or stemless wine glasses. For enjoying later, put the pudding in individual glass containers with lids or small mason jars.
- Cool Pudding Before Refrigerating: Allow this lactose free vanilla pudding to cool at room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.
- Vegan Chocolate Pudding Recipe: For a healthy chocolate version of this easy recipe, add vegan chocolate such as cacao or cocoa powder, and add vegan chocolate chips on top!
- Chia Seeds: To make chia pudding, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds into the pudding and stir to combine right before you transfer it to a container to chill.
- Berry Pudding Cups: Layer almond milk pudding with fresh fruit such as strawberries, fresh blueberries, or blackberries.
- Banana Nut Pudding: Serve with banana slices and a drizzle of peanut butter or cashew butter for a southern vegan banana pudding. Add some vegan whipped cream or pastry cream on top to make it taste just like a banana cream pie!
- Birthday Cake Pudding: Stir in ½ teaspoon almond extract along with the vanilla extract and top with rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips.
Serve almond milk vanilla pudding with fresh strawberries, coconut cream, Nilla wafers, or cookies. I love using this homemade pudding to layer in with other no-bake pudding recipes.
Kids will enjoy dipping animal crackers or vegan graham crackers in this gluten free vanilla pudding with almond milk. This non dairy pudding recipe is also great for a build-your-own dessert bar. Put the finished pudding in deep bowls or stemless wine glasses to allow room for guests to layer their favorite toppings.
This recipe is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. To make this recipe into a vegan sugar free pudding, use monk fruit extract in place of sugar.
- To Store In The Fridge: Leftovers of this eggless vanilla pudding keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Transfer cooled pudding to a freezer-safe container, place plastic wrap over the top, and seal with a lid. Freeze for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that freezing the pudding may change its texture.
❓Recipe FAQs
Is pudding vegan?
This easy dairy-free vanilla pudding recipe is vegan, but many pre-packaged instant or cook-and-serve puddings are not vegan because they contain gelatin. Refer to the ingredients on the label of any store-bought pudding, as not all instant puddings are vegan and vegetarian.
What is vegan pudding made of?
Vegan pudding is made with almond milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and cornstarch for a thick, creamy, and tasty dessert. Cornstarch thickens the pudding as it cooks for just the right texture and consistency for vegan pudding ready to be enjoyed alone or used for banana pudding, trifles, or layered desserts with pudding.
