This healthy chia seed pudding recipe offers three different flavor variations for a healthy, make-ahead breakfast option perfect for busy mornings!
What is Chia Seed Pudding?
Chia pudding is a breakfast or snack that combines chia seeds and liquid to create a thick, pudding-like consistency. There are endless flavor variations, but the base always remains the same.
Full of healthy fats and fiber, it’s a versatile recipe that has become popular over the last several years, and I can’t get enough!
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Healthy Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients and Notes
I use the same chia pudding base and mix and match different add-ins to create different flavors. Here’s what you need:
Chia Pudding Base
- Chia seeds - This is the base of the chia pudding. The Better Body Foods brand is my favorite.
- Milk - I use plain almond milk, but any dairy or non-dairy milk will work.
- Vanilla extract - Used to add a touch of vanilla flavor to the pudding.
- Maple syrup - Sweetens the mixture without the need for refined sugar. Honey will also work.
- Sea salt - Just a pinch helps enhance the rest of the ingredients.
Almond Butter & Jelly
- Almond butter - I recommend using creamy almond butter, but crunchy will also work.
- Strawberries - Use fresh, pureed strawberries for a jam-like consistency.
Banana Cinnamon
- Cinnamon - Add as little or as much as you like.
- Banana - Use ripe bananas that are still a little firm.
Double Chocolate
- Cocoa powder - Creates a rich chocolate taste.
- Chocolate chips - Use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. I prefer to use mini chocolate chips over full-sized varieties so you get little pockets of chocolatey goodness in every bite. This Enjoy Life brand is my go-to.
- Strawberries - These are optional but highly recommended for a chocolate-covered strawberry-inspired taste.
How to Make the Best Chia Seed Pudding
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step One: Create the base. Combine the chia seeds, milk, vanilla, maple syrup, and sea salt in a large bowl. Wait one to two minutes, and stir again.
Step Two: Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and transfer it to the fridge for at least an hour or ideally up to overnight.
Step Three: Assemble. Add your toppings of choice (see recipe card below for complete details), and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use fresh chia seeds to ensure they absorb the liquid well, becoming nice and thick.
- Make sure to stir well, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined and breaking up any clumps.
- Adjust the consistency, adding more liquid as needed if your chia pudding is too thick for your liking. Or, add more chia seeds if the mixture is too thin.
- Blend the mixture for a smooth, more classic pudding-like taste.
FAQs
Stored in an airtight container, this recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week. I like to portion it into individual servings for grab-and-go options as I head out the door!
If you’re using one of the flavor variations, you can serve this healthy chia pudding as is, or add even more toppings like extra nut butter, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or whipped cream!
This easy chia pudding recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and full of fiber and nutrients, making it a healthy recipe in my book! Of course, be sure to consult your doctor with any specific questions or concerns.
For more make-ahead breakfast recipes, check out my:
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Recipe
Best Chia Seed Pudding
Equipment
- 2 Glass Jars
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup chia seeds
- 2 ½ cup milk of choice - I used plain almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
For almond butter & jelly
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- ¼ cup strawberries - pureed
For banana cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 banana - sliced into coins
For double chocolate
- ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon chocolate chips - melted
- Handful of strawberries - sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the chia seeds, milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and sea salt. Gently wish to combine all the ingredients. Wait about 1 - 2 minutes and then stir again to make sure no chia seeds are up against the wall of the bowl.⅔ cup chia seeds, 2 ½ cup milk of choice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoon maple syrup, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight. The longer you leave the pudding in the fridge, the thicker the pudding consistency.
- Right before you’re ready to assemble, prepare any toppings and mix-ins.
- For almond butter & jelly - puree the strawberries until smooth.
- For banana cinnamon - slice up the banana.
- For double chocolate - melt the chocolate chips and slice the strawberries.
To assemble
- For almond butter & jelly - add the almond butter to the bottom of a jar and around the sides. Full up the jar with the chia seed pudding about ¾ of the way full. Pour the pureed strawberries on top and enjoy!1 tablespoon almond butter, ¼ cup strawberries
- For banana cinnamon - transfer 1 cup of the chia seed pudding to a separate bowl and stir in the cinnamon. Then add half of the banana slices to the bottom of a jar and pour the cinnamon chia seed pudding over top. Add the remaining banana slices on top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!½ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 banana
- For double chocolate - transfer 1 cup of the chia seed pudding to a separate bowl and stir in the cocoa powder. Then add half of the melted chocolate to the bottom of a jar and around the sides and pour the chocolate chia seed pudding over top. Drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over top followed by a few strawberry slices and enjoy!½ tablespoon cocoa powder, 2 tablespoon chocolate chips, Handful of strawberries
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