Easy Chocolate Pie with Instant Pudding Recipe

Sometimes, when you want to eat chocolatey and creamy, but without waiting for hours in the kitchen, you can make this easy chocolate pie with instant pudding.

It is smooth, chocolatey, and creamy. More importantly, you won’t have to wait for a long time, as you don’t need to bake it. As you need to use instant pudding.

In this post, I’m giving you the exact recipe that I made at home a few days ago. It’s easy and fully customizable.

You can make it dairy-free, make it fancy with different crusts, or top it with various types of toppings. I’ll give you all in this post. So read it till the end.

 

What Makes This Instant Pudding Chocolate Pie So Good?

First of all, you have to use instant pudding, which will make the process very quick.

You won’t have to cook or bake anything. You just whisk, chill, serve, and eat. It’s too simple.

Secondly, I really like its velvety, thick, and indulgent texture, which you’ll like too. And that too without spending too much time.

I personally like it because it’s minimum effort and maximum reward.

And lastly, it is highly customizable.

You can change its crust, toppings, and flavors, like as using peanut butter, espresso, or changing layers in the pudding jar.

There are too many things you can do with it for different twists. 

So, this easy pudding pie will be good if you make it in the future. You can customize it for a different flavor or texture every time you make it.

Also read: Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding with Almond Milk Recipe

Ingredients to Make Easy Chocolate Pie with Instant Pudding

You will need very simple ingredients to make this easy chocolate pie with instant pudding. And most probably, they might already be in your kitchen.

For the Filling:

• 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz each): For this easy chocolate pie, I specifically like Jell-O Instant Chocolate Pudding because it’s smooth, sets fast, and tastes great too. Besides this, you can use any brand, but make sure it’s instant, not cook-and-serve.
• 2 ¾ cups of cold milk: I prefer whole milk for a creamy, thick texture, but 2% or even almond milk works great too. Just know, plant-based milk will make it softer in texture unless you reduce the amount..
• 1 ½ cups whipped topping: For this, I recommend you use Cool Whip as it will blend perfectly and make the texture super fluffy. Also, you can use homemade whipped cream or coconut whipped cream if you want a dairy-free version.

For the Crust:

• 1 pre-made chocolate cookie crust: You can use an Oreo pie crust (Keebler is great), or make one by yourself using crushed Oreos + butter (I’ll explain how below).

Optional Add-ins and Toppings:

• ½ tsp vanilla extract for extra warmth and depth
• Chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, or cocoa powder for topping
• Whipped cream, fresh berries, peanut butter drizzle, or you can use caramel sauce.

 

How to Make Chocolate Cookie Pie Crust (Optional DIY)

If you don’t want to use the store-bought crust and want to make your own, here’s how you can do it:

• 24 Oreo cookies (don’t remove the filling)
• 5 tbsp melted butter

You have to crush Oreos in a food processor until they become like fine crumbs. And then mix it in the melted butter, it should start looking like wet sand, not too soggy.

Then press this mixture into a 9-inch pie plate, firmly, or it can also be a different plate. I will just give you an average, which is mostly available at home.

After that, you have to chill it for 30 minutes, or you can also bake, if you wish, at 350°F for 10 minutes. 

The baking is good if you want it to be a little crispy, but you can chill it, because it’s very easy and mess-free.

Also read: No-Bake Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Pie

Here is my way to make an easy chocolate pie with instant pudding. It’s a fun part, no mess, and no stress:

Step 1: Mix the Pudding and Milk

You wanna take a large bowl, whisk together both packets of instant chocolate pudding with cold milk. 

Use a hand whisk or electric mixer if you want it smoother. I recommend you whisk it for about 2 minutes or until it thickens slightly.

After that, let it sit for 5 minutes to finish setting.

Step 2: Fold in Whipped Topping

Now take your whipped topping (Cool Whip or whatever you’re using, like the homemade) and fold it into the pudding. 

Don’t whisk it yet, just fold slowly using a spatula, it will help you keep the fluffiness.

This step is important to make your easy chocolate pie light, airy, but still creamy and dense. 

Step 3: Pour into the Crust

Now you want to take your chocolate crust (store-bought or homemade), and pour the pudding-whipped topping mixture in. 

Smooth the top with the back of a spoon or spatula.

It will start to look like something you want to eat immediately, but wait…

Step 4: Chill Until Set

Place your pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible (I personally like overnight).

The longer you chill it, the better the texture you will get. Plus, it will set perfectly and cut clean when it’s fully chilled.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, you can top it with:

• A dollop of whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings (you’ve to simply run a peeler over a chocolate bar)
• Fresh raspberries, strawberries, or any other fruits
• A drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce
• Crushed nuts or mini chocolate chips

Not in this easy pie recipe, but in many, I have used all of the above, but every time depends on my mood.

Also read: Homemade Chocolate Pudding without Cornstarch or Flour Recipe

Easy Chocolate Pie with Instant Pudding Variations

This chocolate pie recipe is a base. And, you can go crazy with variations and flavor twists. Here are a few options that I recommend you try:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie

You have to add ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter to the pudding mixture before folding in the whipped topping.

Also, add a little crushed peanuts on top. It will taste like a Reese’s pie.

Mocha Chocolate Pie

Add 1 tsp of instant espresso powder into the pudding when mixing. 

It will deepen the chocolate flavor and give you a subtle coffee kick. 

It’s really good for coffee lovers like me.

Mint Chocolate Pie

You have to add a drop of peppermint extract (just a drop — it’s strong), and top with crushed mint chocolates or Andes mints.

It will taste like chocolate mint ice cream.

Vegan Chocolate Pie

You can use almond milk or coconut milk (slightly less than regular milk for a thicker texture), and dairy-free whipped topping like So Delicious CocoWhip, and use vegan chocolate crust. 

They will turn out great.

 

Serving Suggestions: What to Eat or Drink with It

Although you won’t need anything to serve, work with the pie to enjoy it because it’s already good. 

But if you want a full dessert or a snack experience, you can make a combo. Here are a few options that I recommend.

Cold Brew or Iced Coffee

Since the pie is already rich, a strong iced coffee or espresso will balance it perfectly. 

You sip, you bite, and you melt — literally, it will be an amazing experience.

Salted Pretzels or Crackers

If you’re a salty + sweet person, this is the combo you will love. One bite of pie, one pretzel. 

Perfect combo.

Fresh Berries

Serve a few strawberries or raspberries on the side. 

The tartness will cut the richness and add some freshness too.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Yes, pie + ice cream is always a hit. 

Especially when you add some warm fudge or caramel drizzle.

It will become a whole other level.

 

Nutrition Info (Per Slice – Approximate)

Here’s a quick breakdown based on regular ingredients I mention in this Easy Chocolate Pie with Instant Pudding guide, and also ingredients that are available in most kitchens:

• Calories: 300–350
• Fat: 15–18g
• Sugar: 25–30g
• Protein: 4–6g
• Carbs: 35–40g

You can make your easy pie more light, here is how:

• You should use light whipped topping
• Use low-fat or almond milk
• Consider reducing the added sugar
• Skip the whipped cream topping

By making some changes, your easy chocolate pie will still taste amazing, but a little lighter.

 

Conclusion

This easy chocolate pie with instant pudding is quick, budget-friendly, super creamy, and doesn’t require any complicated cooking process. 

You can make it for a last-minute gathering, as a weekday dessert, or just when you want to have a cold chocolate treat after dinner.

Plus, the best part is you can play with it however you want, you can change the crust, filling, toppings, flavors, everything. 

And still, it will turn out like a store-bought pie. 

So now, grab the pudding mix hiding and some more ingredients from the pantry, and make this creamy chocolate pie today. It’s really worth making.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some questions and their answers about this easy chocolate pie with instant pudding:

Can I use cook-and-serve pudding instead of instant pudding?

Nope, I don’t recommend that, as it won’t work the same. This recipe is only for instant pudding because it will set without needing heat. 

If you use cook-and-serve, you will need to heat it on a stovetop, and that will change the texture completely. So, you should stick with instant pudding for this easy pie version.

How long does chocolate pudding pie last in the fridge?

It will be good to eat for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if you just keep it covered. 

But I recommend you eat it within 2 days because that’s when it tastes the freshest, especially if you’ve added whipped cream or toppings.

Can I freeze this chocolate pie for later?

Yes, you can freeze it, but you want to make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. 

Plus, you should freeze your pie without the toppings, and when you’re ready to serve, keep it in the fridge for a few hours. 

The texture might become a little soft, but still, it will be delicious and creamy.