Healthy Avocado Chocolate Mousse Recipe
This healthy avocado chocolate mousse recipe is quick and easy and has no dairy or artificial sweeteners.
By Marnie Kunz
This healthy avocado chocolate mousse recipe is quick and easy to make and is one of my favorite desserts! I got the recipe from my mom, who is a chocolate lover who makes great desserts. I love a good chocolate snack and this one is actually nutritious too, with avocados as the main ingredient. There are no heavy creams (this is vegan, with no dairy at all) and no artificial sweeteners. If you’re looking for more healthy snack ideas, check out my post on post-workout snack ideas. If you love avocados like me, you can also grab my avocado protein smoothie recipe.
This is a vegan recipe that is good for anyone who has a sweet tooth but is still working on making fitness gains while staying fueled and healthy. Avocados make the recipe rich and filling and offer plenty of nutrition, which is different than most dessert foods. Unlike traditional chocolate mousse, you won’t experience a sugar spike and crash from this dessert and you will actually be getting in healthy fats and antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Avocados
This smoothie is made from avocados, which offer many health benefits. Here are a few of the beneficial nutrients in avocados:
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “good fats as they are heart-healthy. Avocados contain omega-fatty acids, which help fight against heart disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Antioxidants are plentiful in avocados, including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants offer a host of benefits, including improving eye health, protection against harmful UV light, boosting skin health, and protection against age-related macular degeneration.
Potassium in avocados is helpful for workout recovery and preventing muscle cramping. Potassium helps maintain electrolyte and fluid balance, which is important during running and workouts.
Fiber improves digestion, makes you feel more full, helps lower cholesterol levels, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Folate is a brain-boosting nutrient that can reduce depression, and aid in the production of “feel-good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Folate also helps in the regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite.
Vitamin K is found in avocados and improves bone health and helps keep blood pressure lower.
These are just some of the healthy nutrients found in avocados.
Health Benefits of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder also offers health benefits, including:
Anti-inflammatory properties. Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory benefits. Polyphenols can also help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and improve blood flow and blood sugar levels, according to researchers.
Lower blood pressure. Cocoa powder can help combat high blood pressure and improve blood flow, according to several studies.
Improve heart health. Cocoa can boost your heart health and reduce your risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, according to researchers.
Boosts brain function. The polyphenols in cocoa improve blood flow to your brain, helping to boost functioning. According to studies, ingesting cocoa flavanols daily can improve cognitive function.
May improve mood. As us chocolate lovers know, chocolate can make you feel good. There are studies on the mood-boosting effect of consuming dark chocolate, and scientists are continuing to research how chocolate has an uplifting effect on mood.
Related Post: 20 Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Better Health
Easy, Eco-Friendly Recipe
Another benefit of this avocado chocolate mousse recipe is it’s eco-friendly. This recipe is a great way to make use of overly ripe avocados instead of throwing them out. My avocado chocolate mousse recipe includes 4 large avocados and makes 4 servings. So one serving gives you a big boost of nutrients from a whole avocado.
The recipe is beginner-friendly and quick - it only takes about 5 minutes to make. There is no cooking or even refrigeration required before you can eat the chocolate mousse. All you need for equipment is a blender or food processor, and a bowl and fork to mash up the avocados.
If you do not have four large avocados, you can use up to six small avocados. Make sure the avocados are soft and ripe for optimal creaminess in your chocolate mousse. You can place your avocados in a paper bag to speed up the ripening if needed to prepare for the avocado chocolate mousse recipe.
Avocado Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Ingredients
4 large, very ripe avocados
1 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4teaspoon salt
Strawberries for garnish
Directions
Scoop out the avocados and mash them together in a bowl.
Combine avocado, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt in a blender or food processor.
Mix on high until creamy and thoroughly mixed.
Scoop into a bowl and serve.
Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Refrigerate leftovers.
Pick a strawberry or two to garnish each serving of this chocolate mousse. If you can, opt for organic strawberries as strawberries are one of the foods that can hold a lot of pesticides. Check out my article on organic food to learn more about which foods are best to get organic and how to find the best organic options for you.
This is a great snack if you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to eat highly processed snack foods or have a lot of added sugars.
Related Post: What Foods Are Not Processed? Complete Guide
If you’re looking for more easy healthy recipes you can make using just a blender, check out my Protein Smoothie Recipes for the Best Workout Recovery.
Enjoy! I hope you like this avocado chocolate mousse recipe. What are your favorite healthy snacks? Let me know what you think of this recipe. Tag me on Instagram (@Runstreet) to share your healthy eats and get cheered on in your workouts. 😊
Related Posts: Post-Workout Snack Ideas, Blueberry Protein Pancakes Recipe, 15 Benefits of Organic Food, Protein Smoothie Recipes for the Best Workout Recovery, Smoked Salmon Spinach Omelette Recipe
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, a dog lover and Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet.
