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There's a lot to love about this Avocado and Banana Chocolate Mousse. It's quick to prepare, naturally sweet and beautifully creamy. Plus it's suitable for kids with food allergies, as it's free from dairy, eggs, nuts and gluten.
I first shared this recipe in 2014, inspired by my eldest's love of Julia Donaldson's Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose book. After reading it on repeat, we decided to make our own chocolate mousse at home. At the time, avocado-based mousse was popping up everywhere on Pinterest, so I gave it a try, and it stuck.
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Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make
- Naturally creamy
- Free from dairy, eggs, nuts and gluten
- A family-friendly dessert option
Ingredient Information
- Avocado - ripe avocados are a must for easy blending and creaminess. It gives the mousse its smooth, rich consistency.
- Banana - ripe bananas make the mousse sweeter but can give it a stronger banana flavor.
- Medjool dates - soft and sweet, Medjool dates blend easier and add richness to the mousse. If you're using a dried date variety, soak them in hot water for a few minutes first to soften before blending.
- Cacao Powder or Cocoa Powder - adds the chocolate flavor. Start with the suggested amount and adjust to taste, depending on how chocolatey you like your mousse.
- Vanilla Extract - optional, adds sweetness.
Step by Step Instructions (With Images)
- Add Ingredients: Add the banana, dates, avocado, cacao powder and vanilla to a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Stop to scrape down the sides if needed. Taste and add more cacao/ sweetener to suit your preference, then blend again.
Storage Instructions
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
- The surface may darken slightly over time due to oxidation - this is normal. Stir well before serving.
- This mousse is best enjoyed fresh. Although safe to freeze the texture changes once thawed.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe can be offered to babies after 6 months of age, provided they are developmentally ready for solids. However, there are a few important considerations.
Sugar content: This mousse contains a lot of natural sugars from the dates and bananas. Many parents prefer to limit sweeter foods when babies are young, as they don't yet know what they are missing.
Caffeine: Cacao contains small amounts of caffeine and should be used sparingly for babies.
Alternative baby option: You may prefer to blend avocado and banana together with a pinch of cocoa/cacao and skip the dates.
This information is provided for general guidance only. Always follow your own judgement and seek personalised advice from a health professional.
Healthy can mean different things to different people. While this could be considered a healthy dessert, made with whole food ingredients, it is still relatively high in natural sugars and is calorie dense.
Like most desserts, it is best enjoyed in moderation.
This mousse doesn't have a strong avocado flavor, in fact you wouldn't know it was there. The avocado simply provides a rich, creamy texture, while the flavor comes from the chocolate and banana. Using a ripe banana will give a slightly stronger banana flavor, while a less rip banana results in a more subtle taste.
Sweetness can vary depending on how ripe the fruit is. If you'd like a sweeter mousse, try adding more dates or a small amount of maple syrup or honey (not suitable for under 1s), then blend again and adjust to taste.
More Avocado Recipes
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Avocado Banana Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 1 avocado, ripe
- 1 banana, ripe
- 4 Medjool dates, pitted
- 3 teaspoon cacao powder / cocoa (add more depending on taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and add more cocoa / sweetness to suit taste.
Video
Recipe Notes
- It is important that the avocado is really ripe so that it will blend smooth.
- A ripe banana will produce a sweeter mousse but a stronger banana flavour.
- Dates need to be soft and fresh to blend easily. If your dates are on the dry side, soak in water until soft before blending.
- Want a sweeter mousse? add more dates, a little maple syrup or some honey (not suitable for under 1s)
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).