The Best Examples of Vegan Pudding and Mousse Recipes

Tasty Examples of Vegan Pudding and Mousse Recipes to Try First

Let’s start with what you really want: specific, real-world desserts you can picture on your table tonight. Some of the best examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes rely on just a handful of plant-based staples—coconut milk, silken tofu, avocados, and nut milks—plus good cocoa or fruit.

Here are several standout styles you’ll see again and again in vegan kitchens:

• Ultra-creamy chocolate avocado mousse you can whip up in a blender.
• Classic stovetop vegan chocolate pudding made with cornstarch.
• Light vanilla bean coconut mousse that feels fancy but is secretly easy.
• Chia seed “overnight” puddings layered with fruit and granola.
• Silken tofu mousse that tastes like chocolate cheesecake filling.
• Baked rice pudding made with oat or soy milk for old-school comfort.
• Pumpkin pie pudding with warm spices and coconut cream.
• Lemon or berry cashew mousse that’s tart, bright, and perfect for summer.

Each example of a vegan pudding or mousse below builds on these ideas, so once you’ve tried a couple, you’ll start to improvise without even thinking about it.

Classic Examples of Vegan Chocolate Pudding

If you only try one dessert from this list, make it chocolate pudding. It’s familiar, it’s forgiving, and it showcases how easy dairy-free can be.

Stovetop Vegan Chocolate Pudding (Cornstarch-Based)

This is the vegan version of the boxed mix many of us grew up with, but with better flavor and cleaner ingredients.

You whisk cocoa powder, sugar, a pinch of salt, and cornstarch together, then slowly add a plant milk—oat and soy give the creamiest results. Heat gently while whisking until it thickens and starts to bubble. Off the heat, you stir in vanilla and a bit of vegan butter or coconut oil for extra richness.

Why it works: Cornstarch is the thickener here. When heated with liquid, the starch granules swell and create that smooth, spoonable texture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has long referenced starches like cornstarch as classic thickeners in custards and sauces, and vegan pudding leans on the same science.

This style is one of the best examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes for beginners because you can flavor it any way you like: espresso powder for mocha, orange zest for a chocolate–orange twist, or a spoonful of peanut butter for a Reese’s-inspired bowl.

Silken Tofu Chocolate Pudding

Silken tofu pudding is what I bring to dinner parties when I want a fast dessert that still feels impressive.

You blend silken tofu, melted dark chocolate (check the label to make sure it’s dairy-free), maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until completely smooth. Chill for at least an hour. The tofu gives body and protein, while the chocolate firms up in the fridge.

Tofu is made from soybeans, a legume that’s naturally high in plant protein and contains minerals like iron and calcium, as noted by the National Institutes of Health. When you use it in desserts, you’re sneaking in some nutrition along with the chocolate.

This is a great example of vegan pudding that doubles as a higher-protein treat, especially if you’re trying to keep desserts a little more balanced.

Light and Airy: Examples of Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Mousse is usually built on eggs and heavy cream, but you can absolutely get that airy, cloudlike texture with plants.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

This is the poster child for modern plant-based desserts and one of the most shared examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes online.

Ripe avocados, cocoa powder, maple syrup or dates, vanilla, and a splash of plant milk go into a blender or food processor. In under a minute, you have a thick, glossy mousse. Chill it and top with berries or shaved chocolate.

Avocados bring heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, are associated with supporting cardiovascular health when used in place of saturated fats. In dessert form, that means you get silky texture without heavy cream.

Coconut Whip Chocolate Mousse

If you love the idea of whipped cream, this one’s for you.

You chill full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream overnight, scoop out the solid part, and whip it with sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Fold in melted dark chocolate and a pinch of salt. The result is rich, airy, and closer to a traditional French-style mousse.

This example of vegan mousse is perfect for layering in glasses with crushed cookies or berries. It’s also easy to flavor with peppermint extract around the holidays or a spoonful of peanut butter for a candy-bar vibe.

Everyday Examples of Vegan Chia and Rice Puddings

Not every dessert needs to be fancy. Some of the best examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes are the ones you can eat for breakfast or a snack and not feel like you’ve gone off the rails.

Chia Seed Pudding Jars

Chia pudding is everywhere for a reason: it’s almost impossible to mess up.

You stir chia seeds into your favorite plant milk with a sweetener and a bit of vanilla. After a few hours in the fridge, the seeds swell and form a thick, tapioca-like pudding. From there, you can layer with fruit, nut butter, granola, or even a small scoop of that chocolate mousse from earlier.

Chia seeds are often highlighted for their fiber and omega-3 content. The National Institutes of Health notes that plant sources like chia provide alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fat. That doesn’t make chia pudding a health supplement, but it’s a nice bonus when your dessert also brings some nutrients.

Flavor ideas:

• Cocoa powder and banana slices for a chocolate-banana jar.
• Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a pumpkin pie version.
• Matcha powder and coconut flakes for a green tea twist.

Baked Vegan Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is comfort in a bowl, and it’s surprisingly easy to make dairy-free.

You combine cooked rice, plant milk (oat milk is especially creamy), sugar, vanilla, and spices like cinnamon in a baking dish. Bake until thick and bubbly, then let it set slightly as it cools. Raisins or chopped dates are optional but very welcome.

This is a nostalgic example of vegan pudding that works well for family gatherings, especially when you need something warm and cozy. Leftovers are excellent cold for breakfast with fresh fruit.

Fruit-Forward Examples of Vegan Mousse

Not in a chocolate mood? Fruit-based mousses are lighter and feel a bit more refreshing, especially in warmer weather.

Lemon Cashew Mousse

Cashews are the secret weapon in many vegan desserts because they blend into a naturally creamy base.

You soak raw cashews in water until soft, then blend them with lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, a pinch of turmeric for color, and a bit of plant milk. For a firmer set, you can add a small amount of melted coconut oil or cocoa butter.

The result is bright, tangy, and rich—somewhere between lemon curd and cheesecake filling. This is one of the best examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes to serve in tiny glasses after a heavy meal.

Berry Coconut Mousse

For this one, you blend chilled coconut cream with fresh or frozen berries, sugar, vanilla, and a squeeze of lemon. Whip until fluffy and chill.

Because berries vary in water content, you may need to adjust the amount of coconut cream to keep it thick. Top with extra berries or a sprinkle of granola for texture.

This example of vegan mousse is especially handy in summer when berries are abundant and you want something cold and light that still feels special.

How to Build Your Own Vegan Pudding and Mousse Recipes

Once you’ve tried a few of these examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes, you’ll notice the same patterns repeating. That’s your cue to start experimenting.

Here’s the basic idea in plain language:

• You choose a creamy base: coconut milk, cashews, silken tofu, avocado, or a starch-thickened plant milk.
• You add flavor: cocoa powder, melted chocolate, fruit, spices, coffee, nut butter, or extracts.
• You add sweetness: sugar, maple syrup, agave, dates, or another sweetener.
• You decide on texture: thicker and sliceable, or soft and spoonable.

A few practical tips:

• Blend longer than you think. Grainy pudding is usually just under-blended ingredients.
• Chill thoroughly. Many vegan puddings and mousses firm up significantly after a few hours in the fridge.
• Taste as you go. Plant milks and cocoa powders vary, so use your tongue as your guide.

If you’re watching added sugars or fats, resources like Mayo Clinic and CDC offer helpful overviews on balanced eating. You can use that information to decide whether you want your dessert to be more decadent, more nutrient-dense, or somewhere in the middle.

Trendy 2024–2025 Vegan Pudding and Mousse Ideas

Plant-based desserts keep evolving, and new examples include some fun, very social-media-friendly twists:

Protein-Boosted Chocolate Mousse

People are adding unflavored or chocolate vegan protein powder to silken tofu or avocado mousse to turn dessert into a post-workout snack. If you go this route, blend well and increase liquid slightly to avoid chalkiness.

Matcha and Pistachio Mousse Cups

Green-on-green is having a moment. Matcha powder for flavor and color, coconut cream for richness, and ground pistachios for crunch make a very photogenic example of vegan mousse that also happens to taste fantastic.

Layered Dessert Jars

Think parfaits: chocolate pudding, peanut butter mousse, and crushed cookies in repeating layers. These layered jars are some of the best examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes for entertaining because you can prep them ahead and customize each jar.

FAQ: Real-World Questions About Vegan Pudding and Mousse

What are some easy examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes for beginners?

Start with stovetop chocolate pudding using cornstarch and plant milk, chia seed pudding jars, and chocolate avocado mousse. These are very forgiving, use affordable ingredients, and don’t need special equipment beyond a whisk and a blender.

Can vegan pudding and mousse be healthy?

They can absolutely be lighter or more nutrient-dense than traditional versions, especially when you lean on bases like chia seeds, tofu, avocado, or cashews and keep added sugars moderate. For general guidance on sugar and fat intake, sites like Mayo Clinic and CDC offer up-to-date information.

What is an example of a high-protein vegan mousse?

Silken tofu chocolate mousse is a great example of a higher-protein vegan dessert. You blend silken tofu with melted dark chocolate, sweetener, and vanilla. Adding a scoop of vegan protein powder can raise the protein content even more, though you may need extra liquid for smooth texture.

Do I need special thickeners like agar or gelatin substitutes?

Not usually. Most examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes use ingredients that naturally thicken when chilled or cooked—cornstarch, chia seeds, blended cashews, tofu, avocado, or coconut cream. Agar or other gelling agents are more common in firm, sliceable desserts like vegan panna cotta.

How long do vegan puddings and mousses last in the fridge?

In general, plan on 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Anything with fresh fruit on top is best eaten within 2 days for the best texture. If a pudding smells off, separates badly, or grows mold, it’s time to toss it.

If you use these examples of vegan pudding and mousse recipes as a starting point, you’ll quickly build your own rotation of go-to desserts—some decadent, some lighter, all dairy-free and satisfying.