Chocolate pudding, with no added sugar! This easy no-bake dessert recipe is also one of my best gluten-free no-bake dessert recipes.
Still trying to keep those New Year’s Resolutions or stick to your healthy lifestyle? Kids want dessert, but you prefer to give them something healthy? Then keep on track, ditch the mix, forget the sugar, and don’t heat the stove or oven. Just whip up my Chocolate Pudding “Snack Hack”.
So I get the whole “they’re only young once”, “cherish every moment”, “they grow up too fast” stuff. I really do. I love my kids, and I’m not eager for them to be too cool to hug and kiss mom or going off to college or *gasp* getting married or anything like that. Honestly, I’m not even ready for regular homework and wanting to pick out their own clothes. I love the innocence and imagination of childhood. As heavy as he is getting, I love that the little one wants me to carry him up and down the stairs, even though he is perfectly capable of doing it himself. I love that the big one wants to cuddle up in the rocking chair to say prayers with the little one and me, and then go off to read a book and tell imaginative stores with daddy at bedtime. I secretly love that they can’t read the menu at restaurants yet – yes, of course the grilled cheese comes only with broccoli and not french fries, and nope, no chicken fingers on the menu, and I think that you and your brother can share the big salmon entree.
But let’s keep it real – there are some things that I am sooooo over.
First, sippy cups. The straws and valves and caps and connectors, all of which get gunked up and have to be cleaned, but aren’t really effective in keeping the liquid inside the actual cup, as intended. My kids, even the 21 month old, can drink out of a regular cup, but they both insist on carrying drinks around the house. Yes, I know, I could enforce the “only drink at the kitchen table” rule, but then they just don’t drink because playing is much more fun, which leads to a whole other set of issues.
And really, any and all forms of plastic cups and plate and forks and spoons and bowls. I have drawers and cabinets that just explode with them because they never seem to stack well and stay organized. But if we don’t use them, well, that’s another thing I am over – signaling the end of a meal by dropping a plate, hurling a spoon, or spitting milk. Luckily the big one doesn’t do that anymore.
Speaking of lack of verbal skills, or the refusal to use them. Sure, the little guy isn’t even two, and he tries, he really does. But sometimes the big one, who has exceptional verbal ability, just can’t be bothered to use it. I literally spent all day Saturday trying to decipher random grunts, groans, whines and cries.
High chairs, booster seats, and the like. Because if there is a crevice anywhere on it, food will get in it. Same with bibs.
Also the need to nap. The big one thinks he doesn’t need to nap, and sometimes he doesn’t. But sometimes he NEEDS to nap, but he still doesn’t think he needs to so he flat out refuses and if he doesn’t, then watch out. The little one knows he needs his nap and is happy to take it… if we are at home and he is alone in his dark, quiet room. Everyone says, “Oh just go about your day, and if they’re tired, they’ll just fall asleep in the stroller or lay down on the couch with a blanket.” They’ve never met my kids. This has never happened. Ever. Ever ever ever. The last time one of my kids slept in a stroller, they were about four months old. The big one has fallen asleep on the couch once in his life. So we have to plan around naps or know that we will be dealing with an overtired mess at some point in the day. I’d rather both kids just be able to function like human beings from about 7:30am to 7:30pm on a semi-regular basis.
What I am not over is that my boys don’t think I am trying to fake them out with this no-bake, gluten-free chocolate pudding.
It’s my Chocolate Pudding “Snack Hack”. No box mixes here, no sugar, and no need to cook anything. Just whip together a few ingredients, and you can even make a “funky monkey” version by throwing in a little peanut butter. Serve it right away, or let it thicken up a bit in the fridge. The key is overripe, gnarly, and therefore super sweet bananas. I have all of these ingredients on hand about 99% of the time, versus chocolate pudding mix, which I really don’t buy. And yes, there are easy cook and serve homemade pudding recipes, and most of those take only simple pantry ingredients, but when you’ve got two kids hanging on your legs yelling “snaaaaacccck” (yeah, I’m pretty much over that too), you don’t want to be whisking and boiling and chilling, now do you?
Plus, you know, fruit and protein. Totally makes it health food!
I hope you and your kids love bowl of creamy, chocolaty goodness as much as we do!
Are there any kiddie things that you are over or that you were ready to be done with when your kids were small?
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Chocolate Pudding Snack Hack
A healthy, easy treat that's no cook, no box mixes, and no added sugar!
Ingredients
- one very ripe banana
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- optional 1 Tablespoon peanut butter or other nut butter of choice
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a mini food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can mash up the banana with a fork, and stir everything together, but the pudding won't be quite as 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.
Enjoy!
Here are a few more quick and easy sweet treats…
 |  |  |
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Green Smoothie
- Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Ball
- Glazed Mexican Chocolate Popcorn
Plus some from my friends…
- Cranberry Pomegranate Energy Balls from The NY Melrose Family
- Two Ingredient Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Fruit Fondue from Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
- Salted Chocolate Frozen Banana Bites from Gimme Some Oven
Want to see lots more yummy food from me and my friends, and cute pictures of my kids?
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small percentage from any purchases you may make if you click on them. These companies have not contacted me. I use the stuff because I love it.
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
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog recently posted…Celebrate the Year of the Skinny Nutâ¢
I know! How do they do it?!
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!)
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Tortellini and Kale Soup: Raiding the Pantry Staples
I love so much about the toddler stage, but there are some things I can totally do without! But it’s also so adorable!
No kids here but I appreciate your dilemma and your easy fix on this quick snack!
Melissa Falk recently posted…“Feeding Off The Rails Series” : Kuma’s Too – Lakeview, Chicago
I love this! Forget the kids, I want this for me! 😉
Lauren Kelly Nutrition recently posted…Comment on Healthy Breakfast Bowl by lauren.kelly
Ha, me too!
What a fantastic idea and you’d never know it is not old school pudding by the look! Love the cheery photos too.
Toni | BoulderLocavore recently posted…Thai Chicken Thigh Basil-Quinoa Bowls
Gotta brighten up these cold winter days! Thanks Toni!
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!
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!
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!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy recently posted…One Pot Garlic Butter Chicken, Green Beans & Potatoes
Thanks Jen! Like I said, I love them being little, just don’t love the stuff that goes with it!
How Crazy Easy is this?! I am so pumped to make this soon!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen recently posted…Pecan Pie Muffins
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.
That looks really good. I haven’t had pudding in ages, but I am definitely pinning this recipe.
Rebecca recently posted…Finding Free eBooks
Thank you!
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!
Kimberly recently posted…Dark Cherry-Cranberry Compote for #FoodieExtravaganza
It is!
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!