This Paleo Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding is the BEST way to sneak veggies into kids or adults. Just deep chocolate flavor and a silky-smooth texture, this nut-free, dairy-free chocolate pudding recipe is also free of thickeners and has a low-carb/keto option, too! Perfect for a quick snack, dessert, or to pack in a lunchbox.

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I think I’ve reached a new level of insanity.

Or, genius.

Once you make it through — or if you make it through — this post, you can decide if I’m insane or a genius, ok? 😉

I come up with random recipe ideas all the time. Most of them exit my brain just as quickly as they enter.

But, when I randomly told my husband, “I wonder if I could blend up cauliflower with cacao powder and make a pudding out of it…”, and his reply was simply, “Ok.”, I knew I had to go for it.

“After all,” I reasoned, “if it sucks, it’s not like I’ll have wasted much. Frozen cauliflower is cheap.”

So, we drug out the Instant Pot to start this recipe. We ended up with something truly genius and insanely delicious. 

I’m a BIG fan of adding as many vegetables into my family’s diet as possible. Even if that means sneaking them in.

Truthfully, I sneak them in just as much for myself as for my kids. I’m a recovering picky eater and some textures are still difficult for me.

I’ve learned to appreciate some veggies for what they are, and others, I’ve learned to appreciate for how versatile they are and that they hide easily! And cauliflower is, by far, my favorite vegetable to sneak into things!

It has such a neutral flavor, so it can be added to sweet and savory foods with little to no detection. 😉 I have linked to all my recipes with hidden cauliflower at the bottom of the post!

Taste & Texture of Paleo Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding

If you’re worried about there being a hint of cauliflower flavor in this chocolate pudding, I don’t blame you. I was worried, too.

I literally can’t think of a flavor combination worse than sulphur-y cauliflower and bitter chocolate.

There is no hint of cauliflower AT ALL. I’ve tested it on my family, which includes two skeptical teenagers, and our 5-year-old friend Alma. Even Alma (who really dislikes cauliflower) loved it and couldn’t believe I managed to make cauliflower taste like the richest, most indulgently creamy chocolate pudding!

The texture? Utterly and completely silky-smooth. 

This pudding is actually smoother than my other chocolate pudding recipe — these No-Jello Chocolate Pudding Cups. How funny that I now have two chocolate pudding recipes on the blog, and neither of them are “traditional”!

Truly, it’s a beautiful texture. So satisfying to take your time licking it off your spoon! 

How To Make This Amazing Paleo Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding

This thickener-free, nut-free, dairy-free cauliflower chocolate pudding started out as my Instant Pot Cauliflower “Cream”. I make this cream regularly as a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream.

It works so well for adding a creamy texture and thickness to soups, like this Instant Pot Spinach-Artichoke Meatball Soup, and sauces like this Dairy-Free Jalapeno Cream Sauce! If you’re needing a nourishing, real food way to replace dairy in some of your recipes, check out my Cauliflower “Cream” + 5 genius ways to use it!

Cauliflower and water go in the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for two minutes, and then get added to a blender. A high-speed blender, such as a Blend-Tec (what I have), really works best, but you can use a regular blender or even a food processor if that’s what you have.

To the cauliflower, add rich fermented raw cacao powder, some fat (I used MCT oil — more below), maple syrup, a bit of vanilla stevia (or vanilla extract), and salt.

Blend on medium-high speed for 50 to 100 seconds. On a Blend-Tec, I did two cycles at Speed 5.

The Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding will still be hot when it’s finished. If you have fond memories of eating warm chocolate pudding like I do, then dig right in!

However, if you’d prefer, divide the pudding into small bowls or jars and refrigerate until cool. 

Next, I’ll answer some questions like:

• how to cook the cauliflower without an Instant Pot?
• how to adapt this recipe for keto/low-carb/Trim Healthy Mama?
• alternative fats if you don’t have or can’t have MCT oil?
• why no thickeners?

How to cook the cauliflower if you don’t have an Instant Pot:

No Instant Pot? No problem!

I mean, I highly, highly recommend investing in an Instant Pot ASAP. You will not regret it.

If you don’t have one, however, you can use a steamer basket on the stove top. Alternatively, put an inch or two of water into a large pot and set a stainless steel colander inside it. Add the cauliflower to the colander and cover with a lid. Steam for about 12 minutes or until tender.

Because this recipe calls for 1/2 a cup of water, you can add the water to the blender before you blend.

Keto/Low-Carb/Trim Healthy Mama:S Option

Maple syrup is the only ingredient that keeps this Paleo Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding from being suitable for keto, low-carb, and Trim Healthy Mama lifestyles.

If you’re accustomed to stevia-only desserts, feel free to omit the syrup and use liquid vanilla stevia to taste.

If you’re not yet accustomed to stevia-sweetened desserts, use the stevia called for in the recipe (10 to 15 drops) and then use Lakanto Maple Syrup in place of the maple syrup.

Cauliflower is an amazing low-carb food, MCT oil is a keto/THM staple, and of course, raw cacao powder is suitable, too!

I intentionally went with a liquid sweetener for this pudding to ensure a perfectly silky-smooth texture.

If you choose to use a granulated sweetener — like coconut sugar for paleo or Dietz Sweet for low-carb/keto/THM — I cannot guarantee that your results will be the same. Let me know if you try it in the comments!

Don’t have or can’t have MCT oil?

Simply use another fat! A neutral-flavored fat, obviously, is preferable. And of course, make sure it’s a nourishing fat.

If you don’t have MCT oil, but tolerate coconuts, some melted or softened expeller pressed coconut oil would work. 

Unsalted butter or ghee work, if you can have dairy.

Finally, avocado oil is another great, nourishing fat.

It is necessary to use fat in this recipe because it contributes to that smooth texture of the pudding while providing the fats necessary to absorb all the fat-soluble vitamins present in this nourishing chocolate pudding!

If you can have MCT oil… <– I recommend this brand. Use my coupon code ALLTHETHINGS to save 10%!

Why no thickeners?

Because it’s not necessary. 🙂

Seriously, the first time I tested this recipe, I added a couple of teaspoons of gelatin, thinking it would need help “setting”. Perhaps like you, I assumed that cauliflower chocolate pudding would be runny.

When I tested it again, leaving the gelatin out, the pudding was chilled and still a nice consistency. It’s not as thick as a Jello pudding cup, but it’s just right for us! 

Arrowroot, tapioca, etc. add a lot of unnecessary starch and carbs. Make the recipe as-written, and I really think you’ll agree: no thickeners needed!

Now, are you ready for the sneakiest, most insane, most genius chocolate pudding with hidden veggies???

4.53 from 23 votes

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Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding (paleo, no thickeners, keto option)

This Paleo Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding is the BEST way to sneak veggies into kids or adults. Just deep chocolate flavor and a silky-smooth texture, this nut-free, dairy-free chocolate pudding recipe is also free of thickeners and has a low-carb/keto option, too! Perfect for a quick snack, dessert, or to pack in a lunchbox.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 4 minutes

Total Time 6 minutes

Servings 3 servings

Ingredients

• 16ounces cauliflower floretsfresh or frozen
• 1/2cupwater
• 5tablespoonsraw cacao powder
• 3 to 5tablespoonsmaple syrupor Lakanto maple syrup for keto
• 2tablespoons MCT oilor expeller pressed coconut oil or avocado oil
• 10 to 15dropsliquid vanilla stevia
• 1/2teaspoonvanilla extractomit if using vanilla stevia
• 1/4 to 1/2teaspoonsalt

Instructions

1. Add cauliflower and water to the stainless steel insert of your Instant Pot. Close the lid, seal the vent, press the Manual button, and adjust the time to 2 minutes on high pressure.

2. Alternatively, place the cauliflower and water in a saucepan on the stove and gently simmer until the cauliflower is soft.

3. Transfer the cooked cauliflower + water to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

4. Add the remaining ingredients and continue blending until smooth.

5. Serve warm, or transfer to individual serving cups or bowls and chill.

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More Recipes with Hidden Cauliflower That You’ll Love…

• Best Keto Fudgy Brownies (with a secret!)
• Dairy-Free Instant Pot Queso
• Keto Instant Pot Clam Chowder (dairy-free, potato-free, Whole30)
• Keto Instant Pot Cauli-tatoes (paleo/primal, Whole30)
• Shrimp & Greens Enchiladas with Jalepeno Cream Sauce
• Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder (keto, paleo, GAPS, Whole30)
• Dairy-Free Bacon & Green Chile Mac & “Cheeze”

What’s the sneakiest thing you’ve done to get veggies into your family? Will you be trying this hidden veggie chocolate pudding?