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Instant Pudding with Almond Milk

Instant Pudding with Almond Milk is easy to make, and if you use a dairy free instant pudding, you have a quick dairy free dessert.

Instant Pudding in a glass on a white marble counter

Pudding is a beloved dessert, but it’s not dairy free friendly.

You can make dairy free pudding with almond milk from scratch.

However, instant pudding is an incredibly easy dessert for busy moms, college students, and anyone who doesn’t want to bother.

If you’re dairy free, you may have tried to make instant pudding with dairy free milk and found it to be a bowl of chocolate soup.

This is because you cannot replace milk with a dairy free milk cup for cup when making instant pudding.

However, you may still notice instant pudding made without regular milk sets differently and has a slightly different texture and flavor than regular pudding.

The set will be softer, so if you’re using it as part of a dessert, it is only suitable for desserts that are spoonable like parfaits.

You will not find the same success with pudding pies, eclair cakes, or striped delight.

If you like this recipe, you may also like instant pudding with oat milk and instant pudding with coconut milk.

History of Pudding

Historically, it is a variation on chocolate custard.

Versions called for egg and flour appear in cookbooks from 1903 and 1918.

Then, general Foods introduced chocolate pudding mix in 1934, and in 1936 they made an instant pudding made with milk

Modern chocolate puddings don’t call for eggs and are usually thickened with corn starch.

Instant Pudding Vs. Custard

The key difference between instant pudding and custard is that the pudding uses flour or cornstarch as a thickening agent, whereas custard uses eggs.

Is Instant Pudding Dairy?

Whether an instant pudding contains dairy or not depends on the brand. Look for vegan brands for a safe bet.

Is JELL-O Instant Pudding Dairy Free?

Yes, Jello Instant Pudding is Dairy Free. I do recommend checking the packages regularly to make sure nothing changes, though.

Can you make instant pudding with almond milk?

Yes, you can make instant pudding with almond milk, but not at a 1-to-1 ratio.

Can I make JELL-O Pudding with Almond milk?

Yes, you can make jello pudding with almond milk as long as you use the right ratios.

Will Pudding Set with Almond Milk?

Yes, pudding – both instant and cooked – will set with almond milk as long as you use the right amount of almond milk.

If you use the same amount of almond milk as you do regular milk, it will be too thin and will not set.

Will JELL-O pudding set with almond milk?

Yes, jello pudding will set with almond milk as long as you use the right ratios.

For JELL-O Instant Puddings, use 1 1/2 cup cold almond milk.

For JELL-O Cook & Serve Pudding with refrigerated almond milks, use 1 1/2 cups of almond milk.

For Vanilla, Coconut, Banana and Butterscotch JELL-O Cook & Serve Pudding with shelf-stable almond milk, use 1 3/4 cups of almond milk.

For Chocolate JELL-O Cook & Serve Pudding with shelf-stable almond milk, use 1 1/2 cups of almond milk.

How do I substitute almond milk for instant pudding?

To substitute milk for almond milk in instant pudding, you need to use 3/4 of the amount of milk called for on the package.

So, for instant pudding that calls for 2 cups of milk, 1 1/2 cups of almond milk should be used.

Yield: Serves 4

Instant Pudding with Almond Milk

Instant Pudding in a glass on a white marble counter

Instant Pudding with Almond Milk is easy to make as long as you know the right ratios. If you do, and you use a dairy free instant pudding, you have a quick and easy dairy free dessert.

Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • Package Jell-O Instant Pudding*
  • 1 1/2 cups cold almond milk

Instructions

  1. Pour pudding mix and almond milk into a bowl.
  2. Whisk for 2 minutes until smooth.
  3. Let sit for 5 minutes until it sets.

Notes

*Since Jell-O is dairy free and it is the most common instant pudding brand, I am going according to working with them. However, if you are using another brand, simply use 3/4 less almond milk than the dairy milk listed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 58Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Cindy

Wednesday 16th of August 2023

How much almond milk for the large pkg of Jello cook n serve pudding?

ElissaBeth

Wednesday 6th of December 2023

How much milk is called for on the packaging?

Sara

Wednesday 7th of June 2023

Please explain what you mean 3/4 less of dairy amount. If it calls for 1 cup milk do you put less 3/4 = 1/4 dairy free milk or do you do 3/4 of amount = 3/4 cup dairy free milk. Thanks

ElissaBeth

Wednesday 6th of December 2023

You use 3/4 of the amount of regular milk called for. So, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, you would use 3/4 cup of almond milk. If the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, you would use 1 1/2 cups of almond milk.

Carol Jackson

Saturday 20th of May 2023

Thank so much for the recipe it worked really well with the sugar free version too!

ElissaBeth

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I'm very glad to hear that!

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