Looking for a healthy alternative to sugary pudding and yogurt? Chia seed pudding is a versatile and tasty option you'll want to try! Read on for some delicious recipes and variations on this classic treat.
I was introduced to chia seed pudding when I traveled to Colombia, and I've never been the same since. Chia seed pudding is much healthier than regular pudding and tastes great with fresh fruit! This is the perfect snack if you're craving a creamy, versatile, and customizable treat. The best part: chia pudding has so many more nutrients than traditional pudding, and it's gluten-free (and dairy-free if you use plant-based milk!)
Chia seeds provide a ton of nutrients for relatively few calories. These include fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, manganese, phosphorous, and magnesium. And they make fun, wacky plants, too-- shoutout to FamilyApp's Bob Ross chia pet.
It's the perfect grab-and-go snack or breakfast you can meal-prep the night before! The variations and additions are endless. All you need is 3/4 cup milk, 3 tbsp chia seeds, and any liquid sweetener of your choice for the pudding base. Dairy-free, plant-based milk like coconut milk, almond milk, or cashew milk work best, but you can also use dairy milk if you prefer it to be nut-free. Make sure it's full-fat milk for the best flavor and consistency.
You can add any sweetener you'd like, whether that's maple syrup, dates, agave nectar, or stevia. You can even try it unsweetened if you'd like! With the three basic ingredients, this meal or snack is easily grain-free!
If you don't like chia seeds' tapioca-like texture, you can still achieve a gel-like consistency by using ground chia seeds. This also makes it more likely that your body will process the chia seed's beneficial nutrients and fiber!
How do you prepare it? Mix up your ingredients and leave them in a mason jar overnight for a silky-smooth pudding-like consistency, but at the very least, it will need 2-4 hours to set.
While chia seed pudding is extremely simple to make, it may take some trial-and-error to find the right consistency. Here are a few tips:
Vanilla Chia Pudding: Add a dash of vanilla extract to your chia seed pudding to get a rich, vanilla flavor. Fresh fruit, nuts, and granola are great in this recipe to make a grab-n-go breakfast on busy mornings.
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding: You can add cocoa powder or semi-sweet chocolate chips to make your chocolate chia pudding. This pairs especially well with mix-ins like coconut flakes, almonds, and granola. Whether you like chocolate in the morning or are looking for an indulgent but not-too-sweet chocolatey afternoon snack, this is perfect! I'm waving goodbye to those sugary cups of pre-made chocolate pudding and making this my new go-to.
Peanut Butter Chia Pudding: Peanut butter gives a great protein boost to keep you full throughout the day and adds a sweet and nutty flavor and creaminess to your pudding. Try it drizzled on top, or mix it into your pudding!
Vanilla Greek Yogurt Chia Pudding: Adding Greek yogurt to your chia seed pudding can add some beneficial probiotics and make it extra creamy!
Strawberry-Coconut
Place 16 oz of fresh strawberries 1-1/2 cups of coconut milk, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp vanilla, and 3/4 tsp grated lime zest in a blender and blend until smooth. Place 1/2 cup of chia seeds in a large bowl, pour the strawberry mixture on top, and whisk thoroughly. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then whisk again. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours up to three days. Stir before serving. Spoon into individual bowls or cups and garnish with coconut flakes, lime zest, strawberries, slivered nuts, cocoa nibs, or fresh mint.
Chocolate Chip Banana
I'm dubbing this recipe "Chocolate Chia Chimp Food." Blend 2 tbsp of almond butter, 3/4 of a banana, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1 packet of stevia, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Then, mix in 1/3 cup of chia seeds. Place in the fridge for 4 hours, then top with sliced bananas and cocoa nibs (or chocolate chips).
Pumpkin Chia Pudding
You don't even need to wait until fall to try out this pumpkin-perfect chia seed pudding recipe. Mix 1/4 cup of chia seeds, 1/2 cup of coconut milk, 1/2 cup of almond milk, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl until completely combined. Place in a covered container and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Top with whipped coconut cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Açai
Açai is one of the superfoods we can't get enough of. Buy it in powdered form for some additional antioxidants to your fruity chia seed pudding. Mix 1/4 cup of chia seeds, 3/4 cup of almond milk, 2 tsp açai powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp maple syrup. Place in the fridge for 2-4 hours until thickened. Then, spoon the first later into the bottom of a mason jar. Next, in a blender, blend 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 frozen banana, and 1/2 cup of almond milk. Carefully pour your cup on top of the chia pudding.
This is the perfect chia seed pudding base for all your favorite add-ins!
PREP TIME
2 hrs
COOK TIME
a few seconds
TOTAL TIME
2 hrs
COURSE
Breakfast
CUISINE
American
SERVINGS
1 serving
CALORIES
135.0 kcal
1/2
cup
coconut milk
2
tbsp
chia seeds
1
tsp
maple syrup
1/2
tsp
vanilla extract
Add the chia seeds and milk, syrup, and vanilla to a bowl or jar and stir.
Let sit for 10 minutes, then stir again once the seeds have started to gel.
Cover the container and place in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
Stir the chia pudding before serving and add your favorite mix-ins and flavors!
Calcium:
300.0 mg
Calories:
135.0 kcal
Carbohydrates:
10.0 g
Fat:
9.0 g
Fiber:
8.0 g
Potassium:
100.0 mg
Protein:
4.0 g
Serving Amount:
1
Serving Unit:
serving
Sodium:
150.0 mg
Sugar:
5.0 g
Have you ever tried chia seed pudding? Share your favorite recipes with the people you love on FamilyApp! Get your chia on!