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With this easy 3-ingredient snack, you can give the kids a healthy Chocolate Pudding that will have them licking the spoon then asking for more. You don’t have to tell them it’s actually chocolate yogurt. But they can enjoy one of their favorite treats with no box mixes, no added sugar, and no turning on the stove or oven!
Chocolate Yogurt – Healthy Chocolate Pudding without Avocado!
I know how it is. The kids want dessert but you prefer to give them a healthy snack at night. I mean, we don’t want them bouncing off the walls on a sugar high at bedtime on a school night.
Or maybe you are like me and want nothing more than to end your day with something cool and creamy. But as much as you love a scoop or three of Graham Central Station Ice Cream, you know that doing that every night is probably not the best idea.
That’s where my favorite “snack hack” comes in! It’s really just chocolate yogurt that is naturally sweetened with bananas. But it is smooth and chocolaty, just like a healthy chocolate pudding!
If your banana is overripe, gnarly, and therefore super sweet, you don’t even have to add any sugar. There’s no need to cook anything. And no worries about keeping those box mixes on hand. I know that I rarely buy them, but I always have the ingredients I need for this little treat that’s packed with fruit and protein, plus… chocolate!
Ingredients
Yes, you only need three basic ingredients to make this easy chocolate yogurt recipe.
- Banana – make sure it is overripe. The more ripe the banana, the sweeter it will be, so you are less likely to need to add anythign else to sweeten it.
- Greek yogurt – use plain if you want to skip any added sugar, or vanilla to sweeten it up. Low fat or nonfat will keep the calories lower, and whole milk yogurt will give you a richer pudding.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Pudding
There are also only three steps between you and your chocolaty treat. Of course, you do have the option to customize the yogurt. Keep reading for ideas.
Mash. Using a hand food chopper, mini food processor or blender, or just a fork, mash or puree the banana with the cocoa powder.
Stir. Add the yogurt and any optional sweeteners or mix-ins and stir until smooth.
Serve. Divide between two bowls and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be served right away, but it will firm up a bit if you refrigerate for at least an hour. Add your favorite toppings, if desired.
Chocolate Yogurt Additions
You can sweeten, flavor, or top your chocolate yogurt to satisfy your taste buds. You can keep it simple or make it feel like an indulgence (albeit a healthier one) depending on what you choose.
- Sweeteners – if your banana isn’t sweet enough, you can add a bit of sugar, honey, maple syrup, or sweetener like Swerve.
- Flavorings – mix in peanut butter or peanut butter powder, a few drops of vanilla extract, or even some Mexican chocolate spice mix.
- Toppings – dress it up or make it feel a little more indulgent with a few mini chocolate chips, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of granola.
Storage
This chocolate yogurt can be kept tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Feel free to double or triple it to keep in containers or jars to enjoy for the next several days. You may need to give it a stir before you eat it, though.
What you’ll need
Hand Food Chopper: I like to use one of these when I am making this recipe. It gets the banana nice and smooth, but doesn’t require me to take out a bunch of equipment or plug anything in.
Mini Food Processor: You can also use one of these to make quick work of it, especially if you want to double the batch.
Mini Spatulas: I keep a bunch of these on hand because I’m always scraping yogurt out of containers or trying to get peanut butter out of the bottom of the jar.
Half Pint Jars: These are perfect for storing individual servings or chocolate yogurt in the fridge.
Chocolate Yogurt – Healthy Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 large very ripe banana
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or vanilla for a sweeter option
- optional sweeteners – sugar, honey, maple syrup
- optional mix-ins – 1 Tablespoons peanut butter or peanut butter powder, a few drops of vanilla extract
- optional toppings – mini chocolate chips, whipped cream, granola
Instructions
- Using a hand food chopper, mini food processor or blender, or just a fork, mash or puree the banana with the cocoa powder.
- Add the yogurt and any optional sweeteners or mix-ins and stir until smooth.
- Divide between two bowls and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be served right away, but it will firm up a bit if you refrigerate for at least an hour. Add your favorite toppings, if desired.
Notes
Did you make this?
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Categories:
More healthy snacks
- 3-Ingredient Banana Snacks
- Cheesecake Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Banana Nutella Frozen Yogurt Pops
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Banana Balls
Enjoy!
Too bitter. My bananas were as ripe as possible. I added a little honey as was suggested in the comments, but I didn’t want to add too much because I was looking for a healthy snack. My toddler still wouldn’t eat it. I might eat it later if I’m desperate.
Sorry you didn’t like it. Honestly, I’m guessing you didn’t let your bananas get super ripe. They should be at the point of having brown spots and getting slightly soft – then the banana will be super sweet on its own. Oftentimes grocery store bananas will start to look yellow, but the stems are still greenish, and they might then not be ripe enough. Or perhaps your brand of Greek yogurt is a bit more bitter? I make this for my kids all the time, at least once a week, and we don’t even add the extra honey and yet we all love it and find it quite sweet.
I just made this & I have it firming up in the fridge. It’s going to be a perfect after school snack for my son. 🙂
I think I’m going to attempt to make a dairy free version for my other son using his almond milk yogurt. It’ll definitely be thinner, but I still think he’ll enjoy it. I can put it in a reusable squeeze pack to eliminate any messes.
Great recipe!! I love having a large arsenal of things to do with those brown bananas (especially if it doesn’t involve turning on the oven!).
This sounds great! It’s summer school holiday time here and 2 boys and a baby are a lot to deal with in the heat…and definitely no naps despite my begging!!
I knew my big boy (now 6) was getting big when he chose his friends over me at the park for the first time. Broke my heart just a bit ????
Awww, I’m sure you are still his #1!
Okay, Brianne … I am totally and completely intrigued by this chocolate pudding! Can it really be that easy???
I can’t wait to try out this recipe this weekend … thanks!
It is!
That looks really good. I haven’t had pudding in ages, but I am definitely pinning this recipe.
Thank you!
Not just for kids, Brianne! I’ve got a bunch of very ripe bananas and am not in the mood for banana bread etc., but do need healthy snack food for myself! On my way to make this now so I can have it for dessert tonight. Thanks for the idea.
Oh great!
My banana must not have been very sweet, as I had to add sweetener. It was bitter at first–and I don’t like things that are too sweet.
Yes, it will depend on the sweetness of your banana. Every now and again if mine isn’t super ripe I’ll add a bit of honey.
How Crazy Easy is this?! I am so pumped to make this soon!
Wow, you nailed it on the head with this recipe! I can’t wait to try it for my boys. And I laughed as I was reading through your post! I am SO OVER all of the things you said in here! I hate sippy cups and all the little plastic bowls & plates that I have drawers of, lol! Love this recipe Brianne!
Thanks Jen! Like I said, I love them being little, just don’t love the stuff that goes with it!
omigosh yeah that doesn’t sound fun–I relate though, I only ever sleep in a dark, quiet, bed.
This pudding is BRILLIANT-it looks yummy and like a treat but it’s so easy and healthy!
Sometimes I just have to vent 🙂 I really love them, just not all the paraphenalia and habits!
I’ve had blended banana and cocoa powder, but never thought to put it in yogurt! You’re a genius!!
It adds a little more creaminess!
I am going to have to try it. Out of curiosity, Brianne, have you ever made your own yogurt before… dairy or non-dairy kind? It’s something I’ve seen a lot of posts of lately and it’s getting me curious enough to try it. Thanks!
No I haven’t but I’ve wanted to try!
What a fantastic idea and you’d never know it is not old school pudding by the look! Love the cheery photos too.
Gotta brighten up these cold winter days! Thanks Toni!
I love this! Forget the kids, I want this for me! 😉
Ha, me too!
No kids here but I appreciate your dilemma and your easy fix on this quick snack!
I am loving your transparency about parenting. It made me smile 🙂 The toddler stage is a tough one– I always say I can do all nighters with a baby but I will skip the toddler years! You will be amazed as your little one blossoms though.
And the pudding–so easy! It makes the perfect after-school snack (cuz I am in that parenting stage at the moment!)
I love so much about the toddler stage, but there are some things I can totally do without! But it’s also so adorable!
My kids are the SAME exact way. They never fall asleep anywhere but their beds or in the car. When we’re out shopping I always see all these babies passed out on their parents or in their strollers. I have no idea what that would be like lol
I know! How do they do it?!