• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Watch Learn Eat
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Us
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    Vegan Vanilla Pudding

    Published: Oct 8, 2021 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    pin showing spoonful of pudding held over the rest of the serving with some fresh berries and text title overlay

    This vegan vanilla pudding is an easy-to-make sweet treat that requires just 4 ingredients! Top with some fresh berries for a light and refreshing dairy-free dessert!

    Jump to Recipe
    overhead of serving of pudding topped with berries with spoon in it and another one partially in the background with some extra berries around

    If you've never tried making pudding from scratch, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to do.

    Pudding is one of those desserts that seems the perfect ending to just about any meal.

    It's nice and light but offers just the right amount of sweetness at the same time.

    Homeade pudding is also a favorite among kids and grown-ups alike.

    And since it's served in individual containers, everyone can top it the way they like too...which is a win-win if you've got picky eaters. 😉

    front view of one serving of pudding in a glass container topped with raspberries and blueberries
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this vegan pudding recipe
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • How to make vegan vanilla pudding from scratch
    • Top Tip
    • Storing
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Can I make pudding without milk?
    • Can you use another type of milk?
    • Can I use this dairy-free pudding recipe in other recipes that call for vanilla pudding?
    • More dairy-free sweets
    • More vegan sweets
    • Vegan Vanilla Pudding

    Why you'll love this vegan pudding recipe

    • You only need 4 simple ingredients
    • Uses non-dairy milk, so it's vegan, allergen-friendly, and egg free
    • Lighter than storebought instant vanilla pudding mix
    • Creamy vanilla pudding with the perfect amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth

    Ingredients you'll need

    pudding ingredients with text labels
    • Soy Milk
    • Organic Cane Sugar
    • Non-GMO Cornstarch
    • Vanilla Extract

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make vegan vanilla pudding from scratch

    Add the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the soy milk to a medium saucepan.

    Whisk thoroughly until no lumps remain.

    Gradually add the rest of the soy milk, whisking as you go.

    Add the organic sugar and whisk again to combine.

    cornstarch and soy milk whisked together in a saucepan
    more soy milk added and whisked into the saucepan
    adding cane sugar into the soy milk/cornstarch mixture

    Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.

    Once boiling, let it cook for another 2 minutes, continuing to whisk.

    At this point, the mixture will have thickened up.

    Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.

    Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

    mixture after boiling and thickening in the saucepan
    adding vanilla into the mixture in the saucepan
    pudding mixture in saucepan after settting

    Transfer the thick pudding mixture to individual serving dishes and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

    pudding added to individual glass containers

    Enjoy this vegan dessert as is or with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit or non-dairy whipped cream.

    scooping out a spoonful of pudding in a glass container with berries on top and around it

    Top Tip

    Be sure the homemade vanilla pudding has thickened before removing it from the heat. If it has not thickened after 2 minutes of boiling and whisking, continue to cook for a little longer until it thickens up.

    overhead of three servings of pudding with fruit

    Storing

    The best way to store the pudding is in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for 3-5 days.

    The pudding does not freeze well because of the cornstarch. When cornstarch is frozen and then thawed, the pudding will not have the same, correct consistency.

    three servings of pudding in glass containers topped with berries and a cup of extra berries

    Serving Suggestions

    There are tons of ways to serve and garnish pudding depending on whether you want a simple dessert or something a little more decadent.

    Here are some ideas to garnish your vegan pudding with:

    • a drizzle of almond butter, sunflower butter, peanut butter, or other vegan butter
    • chopped up bananas, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and fresh strawberries
    • a handful of granola or chopped nuts
    • garnish with dairy free chocolate sauce, a homemade thick vanilla sauce, dairy free ganache, etc.
    • vegan whipped topping and a cherry
    • add a dollop of fresh jams or preserves

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Swap out the vanilla extract for a homemade vanilla paste
    • Sub out the cane sugar with other natural sweeteners like maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave syrup, stevia, etc. for a slightly different yet still delicious sweet taste.
    • This is the perfect base to make other pudding flavors from. Try adding lemon extract in place of vanilla extract and a bit of lemon zest for some tasty lemon pudding!
    • Add a little texture to your pudding by using chia seeds
    • You can switch out the cornstarch for arrowroot powder. I haven't tested this recipe this way yet, but I have seen others use it successfully
    • You may also add spices, like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, etc

    Can I make pudding without milk?

    You bet! That's one of the fantastic things about this wonderful recipe is that it's dairy-free and made with soy milk. The important thing to remember when choosing your milk is to choose the unsweetened variety so you don't have to adjust the sweetener that you're using in the recipe.

    Can you use another type of milk?

    You certainly can use a different milk alternative for this easy dessert. I have only tested this recipe using soy milk, as I know it's nice and creamy and generally soy milk heats well, but I imagine using coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, or even cow's milk if not following a vegan diet or need a vegan version of this recipe, will work too.

    Can I use this dairy-free pudding recipe in other recipes that call for vanilla pudding?

    Yes, you can use this dairy free vanilla pudding in other recipes that call for vanilla pudding. This vegan vanilla pudding recipe is fantastic by itself or topped with your favorite fruit, but it takes your other recipes that use vanilla pudding up to a whole new level too!

    More dairy-free sweets

    • Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
    • Vegan Buttercream Frosting
    • Chocolate Nice Cream
    • Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Vegan Reese's
    close-up of serving of pudding in glass container topped with berries with a spoon in it

    More vegan sweets

    • Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
    • Vegan Custard
    • Chocolate Nice Cream
    • Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
    close-up of spoonful of pudding over the rest of the serving in a glass container with berries in it
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Vegan Vanilla Pudding

    This vegan vanilla pudding is an easy-to-make sweet treat that requires just 4 ingredients! Top with some fresh berries for a light and refreshing dairy-free dessert!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
    Keyword gluten free, pudding, vanilla, vegan
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Cooling time 2 hours
    Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
    Servings 3 -4
    Calories 195kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons non-GMO cornstarch
    • 2 cups unsweetened, plain soy milk
    • ⅓ cup organic cane sugar
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Add the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the soy milk to a saucepan. Whisk thoroughly until no lumps remain.
    • Gradually add the rest of the soy milk, whisking as you go.
    • Add the sugar and whisk again to combine.
    • Place the saucepan over a medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
    • Once boiling, let it cook for another 2 minutes, continuing to whisk. The mixture should have thickened up. If it is not thick enough, you can continue cooking for a little longer.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Mix in and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
    • Transfer the mixture to individual serving dishes, cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.
    • Add toppings of your choice such as fresh berries, fruit preserves or non-dairy whipped cream.

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Notes

    This recipe has not been tested with any milk other than soy. 
    The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g

    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and photos are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

    You Might Also Enjoy...

    • A small glass cup filled with halved strawberries topped with dairy-free whipped cream and fresh mint leaves.
      Dairy-free Whipped Cream Recipe (Vegan)
    • A small white bowl filled with my vegan vanilla custard recipe and topped with raspberries, blackberries and fresh mint leaves.
      Easy Vegan Custard Recipe (Pastry Cream)
    • Collage of four vegan Halloween recipes.
      30 Vegan Halloween Recipes
    • Collage of four best no bake and dairy free desserts.
      30 Best No-Bake Dairy-Free Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    close-up of blog author standing in kitchen holding a whisk.

    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

    Learn more about me

    Popular

    • collage of 4 of the recipes from the broccoli cheese soup side dish collection.
      What to Serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup: 25 Best Side Dishes
    • ripe avocados on store shelf.
      How to Buy and Store Avocados So They Last Longer
    • Front view of tofu on a plate.
      How Long Does Tofu Last?
    • close-up overhead of mashed potatoes in white bowl with spoon behind it
      Creamy Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Affiliate Disclosures

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

    This website generates income via ads.

    Copyright © 2023 Watch Learn Eat | Hall Media LLC