There is a lot to love about this Chocolate Avocado Mousse. It is quick to prepare, deliciously sweet, beautifully creamy and perfect for kids with food allergies (free from dairy, egg, nuts and gluten).
I first published this post on Sep 2014, when my eldest was three and was obsessed with a Julia Donaldson book called "Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose." After reading the book for what felt like the 100th time, we decided that we would make our own chocolate mousse.
At the time, my Pinterest feed was full of mousse made with avocado and so I decided to give it a try. It is a super easy recipe, perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE
What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to make and how quick it comes together. All you need to do is add the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. You can't get much easier than that!
A few tips to make sure your mousse is creamy and deliciously sweet...
- Avocado - Make sure your avocado is really ripe. If it is too hard it won't blend properly. I have made the mistake of using an unripe avocado before and ended up with chocolate flavoured blended banana with little chunks of avocado. Not great!
- Banana - Ripe bananas make the mousse sweeter but do give it a stronger banana flavour.
- Dates - If your dates are too hard they won't blend properly. Make sure to use plump, juicy dates or pop them in some boiling water before blending.
- Cacao Powder - Start with three teaspoons and check the flavour once blended. Add more to suit taste.
WHAT DOES CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE TASTE LIKE?
I don't believe this mousse tastes anything like avocado, the avocado really just provides the creamy texture. I tested it on one of Finn's school friends and when I mentioned there was avocado in it, he looked at me as if I was crazy!
When I asked him to guess what was in it, he said he could taste chocolate and banana. I did, however, use particularly ripe bananas, if you use a less ripe banana, the banana flavour will not be as strong.
Adjusting the strength of the chocolate taste by adding more or less cacao.
IS IT HEALTHY?
Healthy is a vastly overused word these days and everybody's version of healthy is different. Although this dessert contains "healthy" ingredients it is still high in sugar (from the dates and banana). It is a high-calorie dessert and like all desserts, it should be enjoyed in moderation.
I often get e-mails from parents saying that they have been advised to add more healthy fats and calorie-dense foods to their underweight child's diet. I always recommend you follow the advice given to you by your doctor/dietician but adding avocado to a dessert is a great way to add some healthy fats to a sweet treat.
AVOCADO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE FOR BABIES / TODDLERS
I have received a few e-mails asking if this is suitable for babies. Personally, I tried to limit sugar when my kids were babies, they didn't know what they were missing out on so I saw no reason to add it into their diet. It is obviously a personal choice but I wouldn't really consider this a baby food. I did, however, often blend avocado and banana together for my boys, which they loved!
This is a fantastic recipe for making with young kids. It doesn't take long to make so they can probably stay focussed for the whole process. They can help peel the banana, remove the stones from the dates and push the button on the food processor (the best job!).
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Have you tried this recipe? I love receiving your feedback. Please rate and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylittlefoodies
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Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Ingredients
- 1 Banana (ripe)
- 4 Medjool dates (pitted)
- 1 Avocado (ripe)
- 3 teaspoon Cacao powder (add more depending on taste)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and add more cocoa powder to suit taste.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional facts
Fredalaine Harmse
I love this!!!! Can I freeze extra portions
Amy
Thanks, Fredalaine, glad you enjoy the recipe. I have never actually tried freezing this recipe (never have any leftovers!) I think it would be ok, the texture may change a little (it may go a little slimey because of the banana)
Taryn
This recipe is the perfect treat for little ones. I’ve made this lots of times now for my little boy. Made a batch last night and added 5-6 cherries and it worked really well
Amy
Oh, I'm loving the sound of cherry in this. YUM!! Thank you, Taryn 🙂
Anna
Great recipe. My 4 year old daughter would never eat avocado normally but enjoys making this with me and loves eating it! We never have medjool dates so use 5 small/standard ones soaked in boiling water. I think it's best with a very ripe banana otherwise doesn't taste quite sweet enough for me although the kids don't mind at all. Thanks!
Kate
Could I make this the day before and leave overnight in the fridge?
Amy
Hi Kate, it def has a better texture when eaten straight away but I have kept leftovers overnight and my boys were more than happy to eat it up the next day.
Julia
My children are all grown up and not quite contemplating any of their own just yet. I was simply searching for ideas to use up some ripe avocado and bananas when I came across this. I made it this evening....
My husband is out playing what you and I would rightly call football - if we were back in the UK, Amy:). Alas, he will never know what this tasted like, - as I have scoffed the lot; straight out of the processor bowl (insert guilty emoji here).
What more can I say; but thank you very much indeed!
I like the look of your refined sugar free recipes. Please keep them coming:).
Amy
Hi Julia, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm delighted that you enjoyed this mousse and your ripe avos and bananas went to good use ;). Shame your husband didn't get any, maybe next time!!!
Jennifer
Hi
I'm thinking of using this as a frosting for our baby's birthday cake. Do you think it's the right consistency for that? Thanks!
Amy
Hi Jennifer, I'm sorry for the late response. I think this could be a little wet. If trying I'd frost just before serving the cake.
molly
This looks so beautiful and I love the flavors going on. Thanks for sharing!
Kok aan huis
This looks amazing! Thank you for sharing you`re creativity!
Laura
I never would've thought to use avocado like this. My daughter has rejected to eat it since she was a baby (when it was gobbled!) so totally going to try this as she loves chocolate.
Loved the Haloween take on Instagram too.
Amy
Thanks Laura! I hope is goes down with your daughter as well as it does with my boys! Let me know if you try it x
Katy (What Katy Said)
What a fab idea and a great way to bring books to life. I would never think to use avocado this way, will have to give it a go.
Amy
Thanks Katy, hope you like it! x
Everything Mummy
what an awesome way to disguise some fruit as well oh my god you are very quickly becoming my favourite children's food blogger keep them coming!
Amy
Oh thanks Amy, that is lovely to hear! See you tomorrow at #kidscorner!
casey
What a great idea!! My kiddos love avocado and chocolate, so this should be a hit! I'll try it!
Amy
Thanks! I hope it is! Enjoy x
amy
I'm glad your daughter liked it, ripe avocados definitely work the best. I hope it is easier to blend for you next time.
Christine
Genius! Thank you for this recipe. Just made it as a dessert for after dinner tonight for my 19 month old daughter and had a tablespoon or two for myself now. (Only advice to myself for next time is to use avocados that have not been refrigerated, as they were harder to blend to a smooth consistency, and the recipe is probably enough for two toddlers, with some fruit alongside it).