Rich Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Here’s my go-to recipe for avocado chocolate mousse, a creamy dessert that combines rich chocolate with ripe avocados for a smooth, dairy-free treat that’s ready in just minutes.

I started making this for my kids when they asked for something chocolate, but I wanted a healthier option. Now they ask for it all the time, and honestly, I don’t mind – it’s that good! Who would’ve thought avocados could make such a tasty dessert?

What Kind of Avocado Should I Use?

Hass avocados are your best bet for this mousse since they have a naturally creamy, buttery texture that blends perfectly smooth. You’ll want to choose avocados that yield slightly when gently pressed – they should feel soft but not mushy. A ripe avocado will typically have a darker, almost black skin color rather than bright green, and if you pop off the small stem at the top, you should see green underneath (if it’s brown, the avocado is overripe). When you cut into your avocado, the flesh should be green without any brown spots, as these can affect both the taste and appearance of your mousse.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy dessert is pretty flexible with substitutions, though some ingredients are key:

• Avocados: These are essential and can’t really be substituted since they create the mousse’s creamy base. Just make sure they’re really ripe – they should yield slightly when pressed.
• Cocoa powder: You can use all regular cocoa or all Dutch-processed instead of mixing them. If using only melted chocolate chips, increase to 1/2 cup total and reduce the milk slightly since chocolate chips add more moisture.
• Milk: Any milk works here – dairy, almond, oat, coconut, or soy. Creamier milk alternatives like coconut or cashew milk will give you a richer result.
• Maple syrup: Feel free to swap this with honey, agave nectar, or your preferred sweetener. If using stevia or monk fruit, start with a small amount and adjust to taste since they’re much sweeter than maple syrup.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works the same way, or you could try other extracts like almond or peppermint for a different flavor twist.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making avocado chocolate mousse is using underripe avocados, which can leave unwanted lumps and a slightly bitter taste – always choose avocados that yield slightly when gently pressed.

Temperature control matters more than you might think: your avocados should be at room temperature before blending, and if using melted chocolate, let it cool slightly to prevent it from seizing when mixed with colder ingredients.

A common mistake is under-blending the mixture – for the smoothest, creamiest texture, blend for at least 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of your blender or food processor several times during the process.

For the best flavor development, resist eating it right away and instead let your mousse chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, which allows the chocolate and avocado flavors to meld together perfectly and helps the mousse set to the right consistency.

What to Serve With Avocado Chocolate Mousse?

This rich and creamy chocolate mousse pairs wonderfully with fresh berries – strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries add a nice pop of brightness and natural sweetness to each spoonful. A dollop of whipped coconut cream or regular whipped cream on top makes it feel extra special, and I love adding some chopped nuts like toasted almonds or hazelnuts for a bit of crunch. If you’re serving this for a dinner party, try placing each portion in a pretty glass and garnishing with mint leaves and a light dusting of cocoa powder for a simple but nice presentation.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This chocolate mousse needs to be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. It’ll stay good for about 2-3 days, though the top layer might darken slightly due to the avocado (this is totally normal!). To prevent this, you can press some plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mousse.

Make Ahead: You can whip up this mousse a few hours before serving – in fact, I think it tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before serving to make sure it’s nice and smooth.

Portion: If you’re making individual servings, divide the mousse into small containers or dessert cups right after making it. Cover each one with plastic wrap or a lid, and they’ll be ready to grab and enjoy whenever you want a chocolate fix!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-700
• Protein: 8-12 g
• Fat: 45-55 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60 g

Ingredients

• Flesh of two ripe avocados (240g)
• 1/4 cup standard cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup either dutch cocoa or melted chocolate chips
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk of your choice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Sweetener to taste (such as 1/4 cup pure maple syrup)

Step 1: Choose Your Chocolate Option

Decide between using chocolate chips for a richer flavor or Dutch cocoa for a lower fat and sugar version.

This choice will set the tone for the taste and nutritional content of your recipe.

Step 2: Prepare Ingredients

Gather your selected chocolate option (either the chocolate chips or Dutch cocoa) and any other ingredients needed for your recipe, such as almond milk, and liquid sweeteners if you’re using them.

If you opt for Dutch cocoa, ensure it’s the Dutch-processed kind for the intended flavor and consistency.

Step 3: Blend Until Smooth

Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.

If you’re not using a liquid sweetener, consider adding a bit more almond milk for a smoother consistency.

Typically, 3 tablespoons of almond milk should suffice, but adjust as necessary to achieve your desired texture.

Step 4: Final Touches

Once blended, taste the mixture to adjust the sweetness or consistency to your preference.

If needed, add more almond milk or sweetener gradually and blend again until you get the perfect result.

Step 5: Serve and Review

Serve your creation as desired.

Once you’ve tasted it, don’t forget to rate the recipe or leave a review.

Your feedback helps others enjoy and perfect the recipe.

Enjoy your delicious creation!