For many foodservice operators and their guests, pudding is an easy, reliable, comfort dessert, often relegated to a kids’ menu or the buffet line at a family-focused casual concept. Pudding doesn’t have a flashy reputation, and you might be hard-pressed to find it highlighted on Instagram or TikTok. Still, you just might see #morepuddingplease start to trend on social media in the near future, as chefs begin to leverage its advantages with next-level menu applications sure to surprise and delight.

This isn’t mere wishful thinking. The puddings market is expected to increase 4.6 percent between 2024 and 2030, according to a forecast from USD Analytics released in March 2024. While drivers include consumer demand for nostalgia and comfort food, growth is also expected to be influenced by innovation and versatility. Analysts expect greater consumer interest in plant-based formulations, unique flavors, premium ingredients and artisanal production methods. But these findings also signify an audience primed for imaginative LTOs that put pudding in a much-deserved spotlight.

Pudding checks several boxes that appeal to the savvy foodservice chef. It’s inexpensive. It’s virtually effortless for staff to work with, and it produces consistent results. It taps the nostalgia factor, but its creamy, dreamy bite offers guests a sense of coveted indulgence. It stands alone but is a versatile ingredient partner.

Chef Greg Gable, Corporate Chef, AFP advanced food products llc, encourages his colleagues to harness nostalgia as a source of inspiration, rather than a lens that antiquates pudding. The crucial strategy involves capitalizing on its versatility and moving past traditional methods to ignite fresh enthusiasm for this underrated ingredient. “Experimenting with different types of pudding, such as savory variations like corn pudding or incorporating flavored varieties like chocolate or butterscotch into sauces or dips can showcase its versatility,” he says.

For this elegant Lemon Ice Box Pie, Real Fresh^® Lemon Pudding is combined with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, poured into pie crusts and refrigerated overnight.

PURE AND SIMPLE

An upgrade of your menu offerings can be as simple as incorporating a complementary fruit purée into a pudding base and topping with a bit of streusel for a refreshing breakfast or dessert. Similarly, you can develop a craveable salty-sweet loaded late-night snack dip by adding multiple mix-ins (such as granola, crushed pretzels, cookie pieces and the like) to pudding and pairing it with toast points, crackers or fruit.

Chef Gable demonstrates the depth of opportunity here, suggesting more than a dozen other pudding-centric menu inspirations that deliver maximum impact with merely two or three ingredients added to the different flavors in AFP’s Real Fresh® pudding line, including vanilla, butterscotch, banana, tapioca, lemon, rice and, of course, chocolate.

Vanilla Pudding

• The sweet and slightly tart flavor of fresh berries complements the creamy richness of vanilla pudding.
• For an indulgent adult dessert, a splash of rum or bourbon added to vanilla pudding produces flavor depth and complexity.

Butterscotch Pudding

• Combine sweet butterscotch pudding and salty caramel sauce for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
• Add toasted pecans or walnuts to give the pudding some textural crunch, richness and enhanced caramel notes.

Banana Pudding

• The creamy texture and nutty flavor of peanut butter pair beautifully with the natural sweetness of banana pudding. The result is reminiscent of a classic peanut butter-and-banana sandwich.
• Add layers of graham cracker crumbs for textural interest plus a hint of cinnamon to evoke the flavors of banana cream pie.

Tapioca Pudding

• Adding toasted coconut flakes can provide a tropical experience.
• Use the robust sweetness of mango or pineapple to complement the subtle sweetness of tapioca pudding and deliver some tropical flair.

Lemon Pudding

• The bright, citrusy flavor of lemon pudding is a perfect pair with the herbal notes of fresh mint, creating a refreshing, vibrant dessert.
• Crumbled shortbread cookies add a buttery taste and texture with just a hint of sweetness to evoke a classic lemon tart.

Rice Pudding

• Infusing rice pudding with cardamom and topping it with chopped pistachios will add exotic flavors and a delightful crunch.
• Simmering dried fruits in rice pudding will produce a natural sweetness and a chewy texture.

Chocolate Pudding

• Spike your chocolate pudding with a touch of chile powder or cayenne pepper to add a subtle, spicy kick.
• Incorporating espresso or coffee liqueur into chocolate pudding intensifies its flavor, adding a delightful hint of bitterness—perfect for coffee lovers!

INNOVATE FOR INDULGENCE

Chefs can also look to pudding to inspire showstopping creations that are well positioned to drive demand as must-have LTOs. Take, for example, the Devil’s Food Shake, a consumer-tested concept that AFP calls “newstalgic” (pictured above left). Here, Real Fresh^® Chocolate Fudge Pudding is mixed with chocolate ice cream and topped with chocolate-flavored whipped cream and chocolate nibs. Clearly irresistible to chocoholics, the decadent treat also taps into well-established interest in recreating childhood memories, as well as for one-of-a-kind flavor experiences. Pair pudding and ice cream to create other dreamy shake varieties, such as dulce le leche, coffee, cheesecake and banana.

Many of today’s budget-minded consumers seek social engagement in their in-person dining experiences, and you can entice their patronage with unique shareables, such as a Dessert Pizza. Simply use a pudding flavor as the base “sauce” on a cookie crust and top with complementary ingredients. Pictured above right is a Chocolate-Caramel Cheesecake Pizza featuring a cinnamon-sugar pizza dough topped with Real Fresh^® Chocolate Pudding and fried cheesecake bites, with drizzles of caramel and chocolate syrups.

The previously mentioned loaded dip concept is another opportunity to leverage interest in unique shareables. Simply apply your imagination, says Chef Gable. “Create a Spiced Chocolate-Orange dip using chocolate pudding infused with orange zest and cinnamon as the base and mix in chopped dark chocolate chunks, candied orange peel and a pinch of cayenne. Dip with graham crackers or churros.”

From left to right: Vanilla Latte Parfait Shooters, Mexican Chocolate Parfait Shooters, Mini Tiramisu Parfait.

Miniature elevated parfaits offer a prime opportunity to highlight pudding’s modern menu potential. With their layered flavors, parfaits allow chefs to craft signature dishes featuring today’s top trends. Presenting them as a flight of mini “shooters” adds sophistication and creates a memorable shared experience for the entire table.

WHAT’S NEXT?

With consumers seeking more unique flavor experiences, AFP is exploring innovative ways to elevate the pudding experience, according to Chef Gable. “For example, matcha-flavored pudding brings a unique, earthy flavor and a vibrant green color to dishes. It could be used in desserts like matcha tiramisu or for topping brunch favorites like pancakes and waffles.” He also points to the delicate floral flavor of lavender, which can be used in both sweet and savory applications. “It could inspire a lavender-infused rice pudding or a mix of lavender pudding and cheesecake for a lavender-honey pot du crème. Lavender-infused whipped potatoes could be an intriguing savory application.”

Shelf-stable, ready-to-use Real Fresh^® pudding from AFP is a perfect partner to inspire creative menu moves. “Whether a standalone dessert, incorporated into more complex dishes or used as a base, pudding provides chefs with creative flexibility to create signature items that stand out from the competition,” says Gable.

Click here to discover more creative ways to put pudding to work on your menu.