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This recipe for Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding is ready in just 5 minutes and requires no pudding mix, no sweetener and no cooking. It tastes so rich, creamy and decadent that you won’t guess it’s low calorie, low carb and healthy.
If you are craving something sweet but don’t want to eat sugar, this recipe is for you. Similar to my viral sugar-free brownies, sugar-free muffins, and sugar-free cheesecake, this indulgent pudding gets its natural sweetness from fruit. It means you won’t need any artificial sweetener either, just a handful of wholesome ingredients.
Chocolate pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that bring me back to childhood. Back then, my grandma would treat me with her delicious chocolate pudding. It was a must after lunch. But growing up, I soon started eating healthy with no added sugars. As part of my philosophy, I also try to eat minimally processed foods with no preservatives or artificial nasties.
Welcome to homemade sugar-free chocolate pudding. It’s made with 3 ingredients, no pudding mix like Jello or Snack Pack, no gelatins, no gums and, most importantly, zero sugar added.
Why you will love this recipe
- Healthy and sugar-free – Finally a recipe without artificial sweeteners! My sugar-free pudding contains just apple, cocoa powder and Greek yogurt. This makes it high protein, low carb, low fat and low calorie. Due to the low glycemic index (36) of apples, it’s perfect for diabetics too!
- Quick and easy – Made with just 3 ingredients in 5 minutes, it requires no cooking and no baking. This makes it perfect as a last-resort dessert for when you’re hosting a meal but you’re in a rush. Plus, you can also prepare it ahead of time.
- Rich and decadent – Have a spoonful and you won’t notice the absence of sugar. It tastes chocolatey, creamy and indulgent like the original.
- Customizable – I like it simple, topped with Greek yogurt or whipped cottage cheese and shaved dark chocolate. But you can easily customize it with vanilla extract, protein powder, espresso powder, and fruity toppings.
Ingredients in sugar-free pudding
This sugar free chocolate pudding recipe is made with 3 ingredients—no pudding mix, no gelatin, no artificial sweeteners like erythritol and no gum. Here are more details along with replacement options, precise quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Apple – For a sweet flavor, I recommend a sweet apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala. Be sure to core and dice it into chunks to ensure easier blending (no need to remove the peel). As an alternative, you can replace apples with a large banana or one persimmon.
- Greek yogurt – I recommend full fat Greek yogurt, plain and unsweetened. Nonfat Greek yogurt won’t make the pudding as rich and creamy. If you follow a dairy-free or vegan diet, swap it for nondairy alternatives such as firm coconut yogurt or Greek-style soy yogurt. Canned coconut cream works too.
- Cocoa powder – To keep the pudding sugar-free, use unsweetened cocoa powder. Dutch cocoa powder or baking cacao will also work, but watch out for added sugars.
The fruit already provides plenty of natural sweetness, but if you want to enhance the flavor even further, I recommend adding some maple syrup. One to two tablespoons should be enough. Other great mix-ins are a dash of vanilla extract, a hint of espresso powder, and a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavors.
How to make sugar-free chocolate pudding (with no pudding mix)
Here are step-by-step directions along with pictures, so you can easily cook along at home. You can find the printable recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
- Prepare apple. Wash, core and cut the apple into chunks, you can leave the skin on.
- Combine ingredients. Add to a blender chunks of apple, Greek yogurt and unsweetened cocoa powder. For a sweeter pudding and more flavor, add maple syrup, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Blend. Blend on high until smooth and free of lumps.
- Refrigerate. Transfer the mixture to two ramekins or dessert glasses and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve. Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and shaved chocolate on top, if desired.
Dietary adaptations
- Dairy-free and vegan – Swap Greek yogurt for plant based alternatives such as dairy-free Skyr, firm coconut yogurt, or coconut cream. Ensure the yogurt used has a thick consistency similar to Greek yogurt, or the pudding won’t be as creamy.
- High protein – You can either replace cocoa powder with a scoop (30 g) of chocolate protein powder, or you can add protein powder on top of the cocoa. When using flavored protein powder, try to avoid added sugars and artificial sweeteners (if possible). If you are into protein (like me), I also recommend my easy protein pudding recipe.
- Low fat – Swap full fat Greek yogurt for fat free options and use defatted cocoa powder. Keep in mind that a sugar-free and fat-free chocolate pudding won’t be as rich and creamy.
- Keto – While apples make this naturally sweet, they contain some carbs and so they’re not ideal for keto. As a lower carb option, use avocado or pumpkin puree instead, and sweeten with stevia or monk fruit. Or try my avocado chocolate mousse!
Recipe tips
- Use a sweet apple – As this recipe has no sugar and no sweetener, choosing naturally sweet apples will boost flavors. My recommendations are Fuji, Honeycrisps and Gala.
- Swap the fruit – If you are not a fan of apple, swap it for a very large banana (try my banana mousse), a large persimmon, or a sweet pear. I haven’t tested this recipe with unsweetened applesauce, but it might work.
- Use full fat Greek yogurt – Full fat or minimum 5% Greek yogurt provides a richer taste and texture, similar to heavy creams (but without all the fats). Fat free yogurt will not create the same result.
- Add natural sweetness – To achieve a sweet taste without sugar or syrups, I recommend adding a dash of vanilla extract, a hint of coffee powder and a pinch of salt. Dates are another alternative to sugar, and they can be blended in with all other ingredients.
- Let chill before serving – After blending, transfer the sugar-free pudding to ramekins or dessert glasses and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. As it sets, the texture gets creamier and the flavors more pronounced.
- Serve with toppings – For more natural sweetness, top with fresh raspberries or blueberries, sliced strawberries, whipped cottage cheese or more Greek yogurt. For crunchiness, try it with cocoa nibs or shaves of dark chocolate, and chopped walnuts or pecans.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of this sugarless pudding has 127 calories, with 6.2 g of protein, 14.7 g of carbs, and only 4.5 g of fat. Please note that these are approximations, and precise nutritional values may vary based on apple weight, fat percentage of the yogurt used and optional ingredients you may add.
Make it ahead and store your pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days—the texture actually gets creamier as it sits. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month in sealed ramekins or jars; just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Although low in carbs, this pudding is not keto. Apples contain natural sugars and carbs that don’t fit a strict low-carb plan. For a keto-friendly twist, try using avocado or pumpkin puree and sweeten it with stevia or monk fruit.
You’ll need a medium apple of about 6 oz (170 g). I weighted mine with a kitchen scale, and it was precisely 5.8 oz (165 g) before removing the core.
More desserts with no sugar
- Sugar free brownies
- Sugar-free cake
- Sugar-free banana bread
- Banana mousse
- Sugar-free cheesecake
- Sugar-free muffins
- 3 ingredient brownies with banana
- Banana oatmeal cookies
Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding
Equipment
- blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, 6 oz (170 g)
- ⅓ cup (80 g) full fat Greek yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt
- ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder, unsweetened
Optional Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, optional for sweeter pudding
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅙ tsp salt, to balance sweetness
Instructions
- Wash, core and cut the apple into chunks, you can leave the skin on.
- Add to a blender chunks of apple, Greek yogurt and unsweetened cocoa powder. For a sweeter pudding and more flavor, add maple syrup, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Blend on high until smooth and free of lumps.
- Transfer the mixture to two ramekins or dessert glasses and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve with a dollop of full fat Greek yogurt and shaved chocolate on top, if desired.
Notes
- Keep pudding in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 1 month. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Swap apple with one large banana or a large persimmon.
- Use dairy-free yogurt or coconut cream for a vegan version.
- Make it dairy-free with plant-based yogurt.
- For extra protein, add chocolate protein powder.
These are rich and delicious! And taste like such a treat. I added chocolate protein power and the vanilla and salt and would definitely recommend!
Mine were a little too runny so added a table spoon of chia seeds to thicken them up.
Hey Alex,
thanks a lot for your feedback. I’m so glad you enjoyed my sugar-free pudding recipe 😉
I’m sorry to hear that the texture was slightly too runny — I’ll try making the pudding again with other types of apple, to see if this time I also get it slightly runny. This way I can adjust the recipe as necessary.
Thanks a lot one again for your feedback!
Best,
Matteo