Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (2024)

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My favorite chia seed pudding recipe with just the right ratio and ingredients for ultra creamy texture – for dessert, breakfast, or a make ahead snack!

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (1)

Hello January.

Hello post-holiday back to normal life time. Still chilly but less everywhere cheery time. Still having fun with food but less frosting and sprinkles time. Still need snacks but make it snappy time.

A.k.a. chia pudding time.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (2)

Happy new year/month/week all at once, friends.

I will not be giving up a single thing this month. There will be baking and sugar and probably more gingerbread because that still sounds yummy and this cake deserves a round two. There will of course be fruit-sweetened recipes, but I do those year round. There will be healthier treats and chocolate too. Hell I may even eat extra ice cream to make up for all the neglected pints the rest of the internet is giving up.

Tastebuds don’t understand it’s suddenly a new year so cookies = over and veggies = on deck. Bodies don’t work like that, at least not mine and not happily. I don’t regret a single cookie I ate last month and I won’t regret a single cookie I eat this month (because yes there will be cookies!). I don’t feel the need to balance out the holidays with with nothing but green smoothies and zoodles now. I crave a continuous balance of both. You know what makes a nourishing, colorful, whole foods dinner taste the best? A 4pm cookie snack beforehand so my sweet tooth is content and ready for real food.

Yeah yeah, I know – balanceis the mostcliche and overused word of January. But it’s true. I for one don’t want to be ravenous for ALL THE THINGS by January 29th, so I’ll take my sugar and non-whole foods all month long please.

I didn’t know that was going to turn into a mini rant. But sometimes when it feels like we are swimming upstream it helps to shout extra loud, even if only for our own conviction.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (3)

On to this seedy stuff though.

After a five days of minimal computer time last week, I was out of my recipe flow. I had a lot of ideas, but none of them were jumping and shoutingPICK ME! from the list.

So I ditched the list, consulted the fridge, and realized that I have been making chia pudding non-stop for weeks now in JUMBO batches without sharing my (dare I say) perfect recipe/ratio. I’ve made more than a dozen batches by now, so thoroughly tested is an understatement here.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (4)

My problem with 75% of chia pudding recipes out there is texture – since when doespudding meansoup? Chia pudding should stay on the spoon in a bite-shaped blob. Toppings should not sink in. A straw should feel very inappropriate.

This recipe has THE texture – thick and creamy and layers in jars like a dream. Because of two things:

  1. A 4:1 ratio of liquid to chia seeds. So 1 cup liquid to 1/4 cup chia seeds, which is a tiny bit higher than most.
  2. A mix of canned coconut milk and almond milk (or any milk in a carton). Coconut milk solidifies when chilled, so a mix of both makes it thick but not too thick. Just the perfect pudding texture.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (5)

Sweetening. The coconut milk is naturally sweet, so you don’t need much. I use 2 tablespoons of maple syrup per batch, and one batch easily makes 3 servings. You could also blend in a couple of medjool dates, or use honey or agave instead. I’ve even made the vanilla version with no sweetener before, and with fruit on top it’s still very yum.

Optional protein. I typically make mine with 2-4 scoops of collagen peptides added in (which makes it extra frothy!) Skip if vegan, or add a couple of scoops of vegan protein powder instead. Protein powder does make the pudding thicker so consider adding an extra 1/4 cup milk.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (6)

Flavors. Maybe I do make chocolate chia pudding approximately every single time. Maybe I don’t. But you can mix it up with all kinds of additions – cinnamon spiced, maca boosted, peanut butter instead of protein powder, apple juice instead of milk, berries blended in…

My three personal favorites are vanilla, matcha, and chocolate. Vanilla because it goes with all the toppings, matcha because I’m obsessed, and chocolate because chocolate. Oh, and when I say chocolate I mean SALTED chocolate. Add a generous pinch of salt to your next batch of chocolate chia pudding and you’ll see why it’s the one I make again and again.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (7)

Make multiple servings at the same time. Check.

Store in matching glass jars. Check.

Take photo for instagram. Check.

Feel like my life is more organized even though really it’s just my snack life and I still have a two foot tall pile of empty boxes in my living room to recycle, my closet is vomiting a confusing mix of winter and summer clothes, and yesterday I found a spoon in my freezer I didn’t even know was missing. Not gonna lie, kinda check.

This is as close to #mealprep as I’ll probably every be.

Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (8)

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Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (9)

Favorite Chia Pudding

★★★★★4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Natalie
  • Yield: 3 servings 1x
  • Category: snack
  • Method: no bake
  • Cuisine: american
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Description

My favorite chia seed pudding recipe with just the right ratio and ingredients for ultra creamy texture – for dessert, breakfast, or a make ahead snack!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup (240g) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 cup (220g) almond milk (*)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (**)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional: 2 scoops vegan protein powder (or collagen peptides (not vegan)***)
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • For vanilla: 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For chocolate 2 tbsp cacao powder ((a little extra salt doesn’t hurt!))
  • For matcha: 1 tsp matcha powder

Instructions

  1. In a blender combine the coconut milk, almond milk, maple syrup, salt, and optional protein powder/collagen. Blend until combined.
  2. Add the vanilla, cacao, or matcha powder. Blend to combine.
  3. Add the chia seeds and pulse them in. Pulse briefly every 1-2 minutes until the pudding starts to thicken and the seeds remain evenly distributed as opposed to settling to the bottom. 3-4 pulses is usually enough.
  4. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
  5. Serve with toppings of choice and enjoy!

Notes

*You can use any kind of non-dairy milk in a carton, but I do not recommend using all canned coconut milk or it will be too thick. **You can sub any liquid sweetener or even 2-3medjool dates. ***THIS is the collagen I used. And THIS is the vegan protein powder I used. If you use the protein powder, it will be thicker so consider adding an extra 1/4 cup milk.

Keywords: snack, meal prep, vegan, dairy-free, chia, dessert, breakfast

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Favorite Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways!) | Feasting on Fruit (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to eat chia pudding every morning? ›

Limited research in animals and humans has found that taking chia seeds daily can lead to greater weight loss and bone mineral content ( 14 , 24 ). That said, eating too many can cause some side effects, so start with a small dose, like 1 oz (28 g) daily, and make sure to drink plenty of water.

What does chia pudding do to your gut? ›

Chia seeds are a good source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and support healthy digestion. The omega-3 fatty acids and caffeic acid in chia seeds may reduce inflammation in the gut. This can alleviate symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

What not to mix with chia seeds? ›

Omega-3 fatty acids: Chia seeds contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. It is known that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is advised to avoid taking chia seeds with foods or supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

How long does chia pudding last in fridge? ›

Chia pudding is an awesome meal prep option because it will stay good in the fridge for 5-7 days. For meal prep, just place the pudding in airtight jars or meal prep containers and store in the fridge.

Do chia seeds reduce belly fat? ›

Both Chia seeds and Ginger have been shown in some studies to help suppress appetite. Feeling fuller for longer may lead to reduced calorie intake, which can contribute to weight loss, including fat loss in the belly area.

What happens if we drink chia seeds daily on empty stomach? ›

“Drinking chia seed water in the morning can give a boost to your digestion and improve bowel movement,” she writes, calling it “great for your protein intake, heart health, bone health, blood sugar control, digestion, weight loss, and inflammation.” It should be noted that these claims are not substantiated by ...

What happens to your body when you eat chia seeds everyday? ›

Chia seeds contain quercetin, an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of developing several health conditions, including heart disease. The seeds are also high in fiber, which can help to lower high blood pressure and, in turn, reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Chia seeds are high in fiber.

Are chia seeds good for your colon? ›

Seeds are a healthy snack food that helps care for your colon while also keeping you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. For example, one teaspoon of chia seeds is equal to 10 grams of fiber. Beans and lentils, also known as legumes, have tons of fiber and can reduce your risk of colon cancer.

Is it normal to see chia seeds in my poop? ›

Yes, it's entirely normal to have bits of undigested food in the stool.

What is the best combination with chia seeds? ›

Simply combine chia seeds with your choice of milk (dairy or plant-based), add a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight. The result is a creamy, nutrient-dense pudding that can be topped with fruits, nuts, or spices for added flavor and health benefits.

Can I put chia seeds in yogurt? ›

For raw chia seeds, you can soak chia seeds with warm water first and then use them or sprinkle a spoonful of chia seeds directly into yogurt, wait 15-20 minutes for the chia seeds to bloom and then use. Can be used with many other fruits such as watermelon, strawberry, mango, ... to make the dish more attractive.

What is the benefits of chia seeds for females? ›

They help in regulating the female hormones and make it easier for women to get pregnant. Chia seeds are also good sources of zinc, iron, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. All these have benefits for female fertility in the following ways: Producing healthy eggs and red blood cells.

How often should you eat chia pudding? ›

In terms of how much chia to eat each day, it's smart to stick to the 2-tablespoon serving size. You'll probably want to break this up throughout the day, adding a teaspoon or two to your smoothie, another teaspoon in your mid-morning yogurt, and the rest in recipes like chia pudding.

How do you tell if chia seeds have gone bad? ›

Signs that Chia Seeds Have Gone Bad
  1. Foul Smell. One of the most noticeable signs that chia seeds have gone bad is a rancid or musty smell. ...
  2. Change in Color. Another visual indicator that chia seeds have expired is a change in color. ...
  3. Unpleasant Taste. Taste is often the final test to determine if chia seeds have gone bad.
Feb 26, 2024

Why didn't my chia seeds turn into pudding? ›

For the best chia seed pudding, you want to let it sit overnight. Why didn't my chia seed pudding thicken? It's possible that you didn't stir the mixture enough. It's important to stir, wait and then stir a couple of times until there are no clumps of chia seeds before you store it in the fridge.

What time of day is best to eat chia pudding? ›

You can consume chia seeds at any time of day, but they are especially beneficial in the morning, before a workout, or as a snack. Chia seed pudding: Soak chia seeds in water or milk for a few hours or overnight. Then, add your favorite flavors, such as fruit, nuts, or honey.

How many days a week can I eat chia seeds? ›

Chia seeds are nutrient-dense and can be consumed daily as part of a balanced diet. However, moderation is key. A typical recommended serving is around 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. Benefits of chia seeds include being a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals.

When should I eat chia pudding for weight loss? ›

Consuming chia seeds in the morning, especially on an empty stomach, is believed to provide optimal weight loss results. Since they boost metabolism and aid digestion it is better to have them before you start your day.

References

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