Mango Pudding

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This deliciously smooth and velvety Thai Mango Pudding recipe just so happens to be vegan! Made with creamy coconut milk, fresh mango, and agar-agar, this delightfully tropical dessert is bursting with the lovely flavors of both mango and coconut.

3 bowls of mango pudding on a dark blue table

More On This Recipe

I had bookmarked the recipe that eventually became this adaptation from About.com many years back. The original recipe called for gelatin, but as a vegetarian, I needed to find a substitute. Luckily, many years back I became aware of the incredible setting powers of an ingredient known as agar agar.

Agar agar is a completely vegan ingredient that is derived from a particular kind of algae. It is a perfect vegetarian substitute for gelatin, as it does a wonderful job helping liquids to coagulate and thicken. So for all you vegetarians and vegans out there who have been missing out on your favorite wobbly desserts, agar agar is your solution!

NOTE: Agar agar comes in both strand and powder form. Either can be used for this mango pudding recipe, but please be sure to use the correct measurement depending on what form you choose.

While this seemingly magical substance is an excellent substitute for gelatin, the amounts used are not the same. It took me a little tinkering, but I was finally able to crack the code.

This soft and creamy mango pudding recipe is an absolute delight! You can really taste the fresh, sweet mango and the coconut milk, making it feel like a tropical vacation in a glass.

I opted to keep the pudding pretty true to the traditional Thai recipe aside from making it vegan, so I haven’t used any extra flavoring ingredients. You could easily add vanilla extract, pandanus (kewra) water, cardamom, or cinnamon if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Guide

How To Make Mango Pudding

Make Mango Purée

1. First, rinse and then peel 2 medium-sized mangoes. Chop them and add to a mixer or blender jar. You will need 1.5 cups of chopped mangoes.

Be sure to use ripe and sweet mangoes, avoiding those that are fibrous. If you can’t get your hands on any good fresh mangoes, feel free to use frozen instead.

cubed mangoes added to blender.

2. Then add 3 tablespoons of sugar. Feel free to add more or less, depending on the sweetness of the mangoes. Since the mangoes I used were very sweet, 3 tablespoons of unrefined cane sugar was sufficient.

sugar added to mangoes.

3. Blend till smooth.

mango purée after blending.

Cook Agar Agar

4. In a small pan, take 2 tablespoons chopped agar agar strands. Chop the strands as small as possible with scissors, as long strands are difficult to dissolve. If you are using powdered agar, you can skip this step.

dry agar agar strands in pan.

5. Add ⅓ cup of water.

adding water to pan with agar agar strands.

6. Keep the pan on a low to medium-low heat.

cooking agar agar strands for mango pudding; right now the strands are still visible.

7. Gently begin to heat this agar agar+water mixture. Keep stirring at intervals.

agar agar+water mixture after simmering for a little while; you can still see some visible strands of the agar agar, so you aren't done cooking yet.

8. Let the solution come to a boil. When the solution is boiling, keep on stirring so that the strands are dissolved properly in the water.

agar agar+water mixture is simmering.

9. In this photo, you will see that the strands have dissolved in the water and you get a smooth jelly-like liquid. Turn off the heat.

agar agar liquid is ready for the mango pudding when all the visible strands are dissolved.

10. Here is another photo to show how the agar agar liquid appears – slightly thick, mostly clear, smooth jelly-like liquid.

agar agar liquid is thick and viscous, leaving trails in the pan.

Make Mango Pudding

11. Wait for 20 seconds and then add the agar agar solution in the jar containing the mango puree. Scrape down the pan to get all of the agar agar solution into the mix.

adding agar agar solution to mango purée that is still in the blender.

12. Add ¾ cup of thick coconut milk (200 ml). You can add 1 cup instead of ¾ cup if you prefer a looser pudding consistency.

adding coconut milk to mango puree.

13. Blend again till smooth.

vegan thai mango pudding after blending.

14. Pour the mango pudding mixture into serving bowls. Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixer jar with a spatula to get every last bit of goodness. Level the top layer of pudding with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

mango pudding mixture in bowls before refrigerating.

15. Cover the bowls with a lid or seal with aluminum foil. Refrigerate and let the mango pudding set for a minimum of 4 to 5 hours.

covering mango pudding in bowls with foil.

16. Serve mango pudding chilled as a dessert. Feel free to add some berries, dry fruits, mango cubes, or whipped cream on top. Enjoy!

Note that the color of the pudding will vary with the kind of mangoes you use.

overhead shot of 3 bowls of vegan thai mango pudding on a blue table.

FAQs

Why isn’t my vegan pudding setting up properly?

Do note that while using agar agar, it is important to boil either the strands or powder in water until they are fully dissolved. If you skip this step, then the pudding will not set.

Also, make sure you give your mango pudding adequate time to chill. I suggest making it the day before you plan on serving it so you don’t feel rushed.

What are some other uses for agar agar?

I have used agar agar in a few more recipes like my Mango Panna Cotta, Mango Cheesecake, and Pomegranate mousse.

What if I don’t like coconut flavor?

Feel free to substitute a 50/50 ratio of cream and milk.

What kind of coconut milk should I use?

Make sure you’re using full-fat canned coconut milk. The refrigerated kind that comes in a carton won’t set up properly with the amount of agar-agar that I call for in this recipe.

More Mango Desserts To Try!

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

3 bowls of mango pudding on a dark blue table

Mango Pudding

A smooth, velvety and soft Thai mango pudding made with coconut milk. The mango pudding has the lovely flavors of both mangoes and coconut.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Cuisine Thai, World
Course Desserts
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 3 bowls
Units

Ingredients

  • 2 medium alphonso mangoes or 1.5 cups chopped mangoes, use any sweet variety of mangoes
  • 3 tablespoons raw sugar or add as required
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped agar agar strands or 2 teaspoons agar agar powder
  • cup water
  • 200 ml Coconut Milk (Thick) or about ¾ cup

Instructions
 

Making mango puree

  • First rinse and then peel 2 medium sized mangoes. Chop them and add in a mixer or blender jar. Do use ripe and sweet mangoes.
  • Then add 3 tablespoons sugar to the mixer or blender. Sugar can be added less or more depending on the sweetness of mangoes.
  • Blend till smooth. Set aside. 

Cooking agar agar

  • In a small pan, take 2 tablespoons chopped agar agar strands. Do chop the strands as small as possible with scissors. Long strands are difficult to dissolve.
  • Add ⅓ cup water.
  • Keep the pan on low to medium-low heat.
  • Gently begin to heat this agar agar+water mixture. Keep on stirring at intervals.
  • Let the solution come to a boil. When the solution is boiling, keep on stirring so that the strands are dissolved properly in the water.
  • Once the strands have dissolved in the water then you will see a smooth jelly like liquid.

Making mango pudding

  • Wait for 20 seconds and then add the agar agar solution in the jar containing the mango puree. Scrape off the agar agar solution from the sides and add this also.
  • Add ¾ cup thick coconut milk.
  • Blend again till smooth.
  • Pour the pudding mixture in bowls. Level the top layer of the pudding with a spatula to make it even.
  • Cover the bowls with a lid or seal with aluminum foil. Refrigerate and let the pudding set for 4 to 5 hours or overnight. 
  • Serve mango pudding chilled as a dessert. While serving, you can add some berries, dry fruits or mango cubes on top.

Video

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Mango Pudding
Amount Per Serving
Calories 239 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 15mg1%
Potassium 326mg9%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 893IU18%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 31mg38%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 4µg4%
Calcium 44mg4%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 64µg16%
Iron 3mg17%
Magnesium 65mg16%
Phosphorus 77mg8%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This Mango Pudding post from the blog archives first published in May 2017 has been republished and updated on 24 April 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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8 Comments

    1. i have not used gelatin, so i cannot say how much amount will be required.

    1. i have already replied to your comment priya. do refresh the page and check my response below this comment.

    1. you can skip coconut milk. but then use either milk or cream or a combination of both. with milk, you will have to increase the agar agar quantity, so that the pudding sets.

    1. prasanna, agar agar is used as a substitute for gelatin. without agar agar the pudding won’t set. you can skip agar agar and the consistency will be like that of custard. but will still taste good.