Welcome! I am so happy you chose to gather around my table. My name is Mia Swinehart and I am a registered dietitian with a passion for simple healthy recipes, women's hormonal health, and overall wellness!
This is not just any dirt pudding. This is my version: a layered, creamy, chocolaty dream that manages to be both indulgent and secretly nourishing. And yes… there’s a secret ingredient in the pudding base that still surprises me every time I make it.
It’s rich, layered, customizable, and completely dairy-free. Best of all? It’s made with whole ingredients that just happen to come together as dessert perfection.
The Secretly Healthy Chocolate Pudding
Instead of traditional pudding, this base is made with avocados—and trust me, you won’t taste them. They just make it so smooth, creamy, and satisfying. With a blend of cocoa, maple syrup, chia seeds, and a touch of vanilla, this pudding becomes a luscious, fudgy foundation.
I love the contrast of textures and flavors in this dessert: velvety pudding, crunchy chocolate cookie crumbs, fluffy coconut whip, and the sweet creaminess of bananas (or whatever topping your heart desires). It’s basically nostalgia layered up into one dessert.
Chocolate cookies (gluten-free or regular), pulsed into fine crumbs
Chocolate Pudding (Blend until smooth):
3 ripe avocados
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 to 1/2 cup maple syrup (adjust for sweetness)
1/2 cup milk (any kind- I use almond or oat)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Final Layer:
Dairy-free coconut cool whip
2 large bananas, sliced (or swap in candy worms, chocolate chunks, berries)
Extra cookie crumbles, for topping
Instructions
Make the Cookie Crumb Base: Add your chocolate cookies to a food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. Set aside. (Pro tip: Make a little extra for sprinkling at the end.)
Blend the Pudding: In a blender or food processor, combine all pudding ingredients until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Chill the Pudding: Spread the pudding into a pie dish or serving bowl. Pop it in the fridge to chill and thicken (at least 1 hour, if you can wait!).
Assemble Before Serving: Layer the top with sliced bananas, a generous dollop of coconut cool whip, and finish with more cookie crumbles.
Serve & Swoon: Grab a spoon and dig in. You’ll be shocked by how rich and satisfying this is!
Tips & Customizations
Banana Swap: Not a banana fan? Try crushed chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, berries, or classic gummy worms for that retro “dirt pudding” vibe.
Make Ahead: The pudding can be made a day in advance — just wait to add toppings until shortly before serving.
For Kids: Use mini cups for single-serving fun and let kids build their own dirt cups!
This recipe is always a hit. It’s such a fun dessert that’s nourishing while still feeling rich and decadent.
Let me know if you try it — and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram when you do!!
2 large bananas, sliced (or swap for your favorite topping)
Cookie crumbs
Coconut cool whip
Instructions
Add your chocolate cookies to a food processor and pulse into a fine crumb. Set aside.
Make the pudding by blending the ingredients into a smooth pudding in your food processor. Spread into a pie dish and set in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.
Assemble the remaining ingredients (I recommend doing this just before serving but can be done an hour before):
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag @gatherednutrition on INstagram so I can see what you made! Leaving a rating and review on the site is a huge help too!
