Does Chocolate Pudding Have Gelatin in It? A Guide for Consumers

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 95% of Jell-O branded chocolate pudding mixes do not contain gelatin, relying instead on cornstarch for thickening. Understanding whether your chocolate pudding has gelatin in it depends heavily on the specific product, including whether it's a mix, a ready-to-eat cup, or homemade.

Quick Summary

The presence of gelatin in chocolate pudding is not universal; it hinges on the product's formulation. Commercial instant mixes typically use modified cornstarch, while some ready-to-eat cups and specific recipes may contain gelatin or other thickeners, impacting their suitability for dietary restrictions.

Key Points

Instant Mixes: Most major brands of instant chocolate pudding mix use modified cornstarch for thickening, not gelatin.
Ready-to-Eat Cups: Some pre-made chocolate puddings, such as Hershey's cups, contain gelatin, while others do not.
Gelatin is Animal-Derived: Gelatin is a protein from animal collagen, meaning products containing it are not suitable for vegan or vegetarian diets.
Thickener Affects Texture: Puddings thickened with starch are creamy, while those with gelatin are more jiggly.
Read the Ingredients: The most reliable way to know if chocolate pudding has gelatin is to read the ingredient list on the specific product's label.
Vegan Options Exist: Vegan chocolate puddings often use plant-based thickeners like agar-agar, carrageenan, or cornstarch.

The Core Difference: Pudding vs. Gelatin

Many consumers use the terms "pudding" and "gelatin dessert" interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct products, particularly in North America. The primary difference lies in the gelling agent used, which dictates the final texture and dietary suitability.

Traditional American-style pudding is a creamy, custard-like dessert thickened with starches, such as cornstarch or flour, or eggs. It has a smooth, rich consistency. A true gelatin dessert, on the other hand, is made with gelatin derived from animal collagen, giving it a jiggly, wobbly, and translucent appearance. When it comes to chocolate pudding, the lines can blur, with some manufacturers or recipes opting for one thickener over the other, or even a combination, to achieve a specific texture.

Instant and Cook & Serve Mixes

For many of the most popular brands, particularly those in the Jell-O family, chocolate pudding mixes are typically gelatin-free. The ingredients show a reliance on corn-derived thickeners:

Instant Pudding Mixes: These rely on modified cornstarch and phosphates to create a rapid-setting, creamy dessert without needing heat. The modified starch is pre-treated to thicken cold milk almost instantly. Therefore, most instant chocolate pudding mixes are vegan-friendly, though labels should always be checked for other non-vegan ingredients.
Cook & Serve Pudding Mixes: These older-style mixes contain regular cornstarch and require heating the mixture to a boil to activate the thickening process. Some formulations also include carrageenan, a seaweed-derived gelling agent, which is also vegan.

Ready-to-Eat Pudding Cups

The most variability in ingredients occurs with pre-made, ready-to-eat pudding cups. This is where consumers, particularly those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, must be most vigilant.

Brands Containing Gelatin: Some ready-to-eat brands do include gelatin in their formula to achieve a particular texture or for cost-effectiveness. The Hershey's brand chocolate pudding cups, for example, list gelatin as an ingredient.
Brands That Are Gelatin-Free: Other manufacturers, such as Snack Pack, produce chocolate pudding cups that are typically gelatin-free, relying instead on modified starches and other thickeners. The ingredients can vary by flavor and market, making it essential to read the nutrition label on each individual package.

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Making pudding from scratch gives you complete control over the ingredients. Traditional homemade chocolate pudding recipes typically rely on cornstarch and eggs for thickening, with no gelatin required. For those who prefer a vegan alternative, plant-based thickeners can be used effectively.

The Gelatin Ingredient: What to Look For

Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, and flavorless protein derived from animal collagen, sourced primarily from the bones, skin, and connective tissues of cattle and pigs. For this reason, products containing gelatin are not suitable for vegans or most vegetarians. When checking a label, be on the lookout for the specific term "gelatin" in the ingredients list.

Common Ingredients and Thickeners in Puddings

Cornstarch/Modified Cornstarch: Starch-based thickener, generally vegan.
Gelatin: Animal-derived protein, non-vegan.
Carrageenan: Seaweed-derived gelling agent, vegan.
Agar-Agar: Seaweed-derived thickener, a common vegan alternative.
Pectin: Plant-based gelling agent, often from fruit peels, vegan.

Vegan and Vegetarian Alternatives

For those seeking a chocolate pudding free from animal products, several commercially available vegan options exist. These products substitute animal-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives. Alternatively, making your own at home offers the most reliable control.

Common vegan and vegetarian thickeners for homemade chocolate pudding include:

Cornstarch: An excellent, readily available thickener for a traditional creamy texture.
Agar-Agar: A seaweed-based thickener that creates a firmer, more gelatinous set than cornstarch.
Chia Seeds: When soaked in liquid, these seeds form a natural gel, creating a wholesome and easy pudding.

Pudding Thickeners: A Comparison

To simplify your shopping, here is a quick guide comparing the properties of different pudding types.


Feature	Instant Pudding Mix	Cook & Serve Pudding Mix	Ready-to-Eat Cup	Homemade (Starch-Based)
Primary Thickener	Modified Cornstarch, Phosphates	Cornstarch, Carrageenan	Varies (Modified Starch or Gelatin)	Cornstarch, Eggs (optional)
Texture	Creamy and smooth	Creamy and smooth, often richer	Creamy, but can be slightly jiggly if gelatin is present	Creamy, customizable consistency
Vegan Status	Usually vegan-friendly; check for other ingredients	Usually vegan-friendly; check for other ingredients	Varies by brand; must read label	Fully vegan if plant-based milk and thickeners are used
Preparation	Whisk with cold milk; sets quickly	Cook on stovetop with milk; needs chilling	Ready-to-eat	Cooked on stovetop; requires chilling

Conclusion: Always Check the Label

While most powdered chocolate pudding mixes found in grocery stores are gelatin-free, the situation is different for many ready-to-eat pudding cups. The inclusion of gelatin is not universal but depends on the manufacturer's formulation. For those with dietary concerns, the safest approach is to always check the ingredients list on the packaging, especially for refrigerated pudding cups. For the most certainty and control, making homemade chocolate pudding from scratch using plant-based thickeners like cornstarch or agar-agar is the most reliable option.

For more information on the broader history of this dessert, see the Wikipedia entry on Pudding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jell-O brand instant chocolate pudding mixes do not list gelatin as an ingredient, typically relying on modified cornstarch. However, ready-to-eat cups or other Jell-O products should be individually checked, as some non-pudding items do contain gelatin.

Most instant and cook-and-serve chocolate pudding mixes use cornstarch or modified cornstarch as their primary thickener, activated by either cold or hot liquid, respectively.

The only certain way to know is to read the ingredients list on the package. Some brands, like Hershey's pudding cups, explicitly list gelatin, while others do not.

Gelatin creates a firmer, jiggly texture similar to Jell-O. Starch-thickened puddings are typically creamy, soft, and dense, like a traditional custard.

Yes, many brands offer vegan chocolate pudding, often using plant-based milk alternatives and thickeners like agar-agar, carrageenan, or modified starches. Always check the label to confirm.

You can use vegan alternatives like agar-agar powder, cornstarch, or pectin to thicken homemade pudding. The best substitute depends on the desired texture.

Some companies use gelatin to achieve a specific texture profile that is slightly different from a starch-based pudding, or for cost considerations. However, gelatin is more common in fruit-flavored gelled desserts than in creamy puddings.