Easy Simple Mango Pudding Recipe

Light, creamy, and bursting with tropical flavor, Easy Simple Mango Pudding is the ultimate make-ahead dessert for mango lovers! It comes together in a snap with just a handful of pantry staples and ripe, juicy mangos—no fancy skills or equipment required. If you’re craving something sweet, refreshing, and just a teensy bit luxurious, this is the treat you need.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how this dessert lets each ingredient shine—no mysterious fillers, just pure mango goodness, creamy coconut, a hint of sweetness, and a gentle set. Here’s how each simple component plays an important role in creating the dreamiest Easy Simple Mango Pudding.

• Ripe mangoes (12 oz): Go for fully ripened, sweet, and fragrant mangoes! The juicier and softer, the better—they dictate both flavor and sweetness. Avoid unripe mangoes, which will make your pudding sour and fibrous.
• Coconut milk (0.54 cups, full-fat): Adds rich, creamy texture and a gentle coconut aroma. You can swap in heavy cream, evaporated milk, or even evaporated coconut milk if you like.
• Water (2 tablespoons, cold): Needed for blooming the gelatin or agar agar—it helps the pudding set up perfectly with that delicate, scoopable texture.
• Granulated sugar (1.5 tablespoons): Balances the natural tartness of mango and enhances its orangey color. If your mangoes are ultra-sweet, feel free to scale it back.
• Gelatin (1.5 tablespoons) or agar agar powder (1.5 teaspoons for vegan): This is your setting agent—choose gelatin for a creamy, classic texture, or agar agar for a vegan-friendly pudding that’s just as luscious.
• Evaporated milk (4 tablespoons), for serving: Pour this on top when serving for a beautiful, creamy finish. Or swap in extra coconut milk for a dairy-free experience.

Variations

The joy of Easy Simple Mango Pudding is how effortlessly you can customize it to suit your cravings—or whatever you have on hand. Have fun swapping ingredients, playing with fruit, or adding flair to make it uniquely yours!

• Dairy-Free/Vegan: Use agar agar instead of gelatin and coconut milk both in the pudding and for serving for a fully plant-based treat (no one will even guess!).
• Other Fruits: Blend in a handful of strawberries or passion fruit with the mango for a colorful twist and extra layers of flavor.
• Extra Creamy: Replace part of the coconut milk with heavy cream (or use all heavy cream) for an even richer, silkier pudding.
• Delicate Spices: Add a pinch of ground cardamom or a few threads of saffron to the mix for a more aromatic, exotic dessert.

How to Make Easy Simple Mango Pudding

Step 1: Puree the Mangos

Peel, pit, and dice your mangoes, then toss the juicy pieces into a blender or food processor. Blitz for at least 60 seconds until you have a gloriously smooth, glowing orange puree—pause and scrape down the sides if needed, as you want no chunky bits or fibers. For ultra-smooth pudding, run the puree through a sieve, discarding any pesky threads.

Step 2: Bloom the Gelatin (or Agar Agar)

In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the gelatin (or agar agar powder for vegan) over cold water. Stir gently for 30–45 seconds until it thickens and looks gel-like—don’t worry if it seems a little odd or has a faint smell! That’s normal, and it vanishes in the finished pudding.

Step 3: Combine and Whisk

Add the granulated sugar, coconut milk, and luscious mango puree to your bloomed gelatin or agar mixture. Whisk until smooth and no streaks remain. You want everything fully combined for the silkiest, creamiest pudding texture.

Step 4: Gently Heat and Dissolve

Transfer the mango mixture to a small pot. Warm over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the gelatin or agar is totally dissolved (about 4–5 minutes). The mixture should be creamy and smooth, never bubbling—avoid boiling, or the texture can suffer. (If using agar agar, you do need to bring it to a boil to activate, then remove from heat right away.)

Step 5: Pour, Chill, and Set

When perfectly smooth, pour the pudding mixture into individual serving bowls or a greased silicone mold. Peek for air bubbles and pop any with a toothpick or spoon, then smooth the surface. If you like, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, until beautifully set and jiggly. Serve chilled, topped with a splash of evaporated or coconut milk for extra luxury!

How to Serve Easy Simple Mango Pudding

Garnishes

To really make your Easy Simple Mango Pudding pop, crown each serving with a generous swirl of evaporated milk or coconut milk, a scattering of diced fresh mango, and if you’re feeling a little fancy, a sprinkle of toasted coconut or slivered pistachios for crunch. Even a sprig of mint or a twist of lime zest looks irresistible and adds a delicate fragrance.

Side Dishes

This pudding is a stellar standalone dessert but pairs wonderfully with other light bites for a summer spread. Try it alongside mango sticky rice, coconut-infused panna cotta, or a bowl of mixed fruit salad. Finish a spicy meal with this pudding and folks will rave about your culinary skills!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, pour the pudding mixture into individual clear glasses, stemmed jars, or even hollowed-out mango shells for a playful touch. For parties, set the pudding in a large trifle dish and layer with diced mango or tropical jelly cubes. Let your imagination (and your love of mango) lead the way!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Cover your Easy Simple Mango Pudding tightly and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days. It holds its shape beautifully, and the flavors continue to meld and deepen.

Freezing

While you can technically freeze mango pudding, I don’t really recommend it—the texture becomes icy and loses that luxurious, creamy feel. If you must freeze, store individual portions in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the fridge to limit texture changes.

Reheating

This is one of those glorious desserts that’s best enjoyed cold! No reheating required—just chill, serve, and savor. If you’d like to loosen the pudding slightly before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you adore mangoes and crave a dessert that’s as easy as it is dazzling, you absolutely must try Easy Simple Mango Pudding. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to all summer long—simple, refreshing, and impossible not to love. Grab those mangoes, share with friends, and let your taste buds do a happy dance!

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