Chia Seed Pudding takes minutes to make, is super healthy and so versatile it can be served for breakfast, as a snack, or even dessert. It’s filled with healthy fats, fiber and protein but tastes like a special treat. You can find jars of Chia Seed Pudding in my fridge at all times!
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Our family has been sprinkling chia seeds on yogurt and cereal for quite some time, but it wasn’t until one of my girlfriends told me (years ago now) about her kids’ love of her pudding that I decided to try using them in a different way. Our life was changed! Now this overnight Chia Seed Pudding recipe is one of our go-to breakfasts and will be yours too! It’s the perfect recipe to help you take on the day feeling fully satiated and energized.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chia Pudding Recipe
- Healthy and Filling: Chia seeds are known for their high level of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidant properties. They’re a great source of protein to keep you feeling full longer too!
- Easy to Make: This recipe for chia seed pudding requires minimal ingredients and even less effort. All you need is chia seeds, a liquid (such as milk or plant based alternatives) and a sweetener. Whip up a batch of Chia Pudding in minutes and let the rest happen in the fridge overnight.
- Customizable and Versatile: You can add your favorite toppings to your pudding to make it your own. Plus, chia pudding is so versatile you can serve it for breakfast or a snack, but it’s decadent enough to be a special dessert too!
- Perfect For Meal Prep: Chia Seed Pudding will last in your refrigerator for up to 5 days making it a great breakfast to meal prep for the whole week!
Chia Pudding Recipe Ingredients
- Chia Seeds: Both black or white chia seeds will work in this recipe. Experiment with different brands and see which you like the best!
- Milk of Choice: Cow’s milk or any plant based milk will work to make creamy chia seed pudding.
- Honey: Add just a touch of sweetness. Feel free to substitute maple syrup if you prefer!
- Vanilla Extract: This adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall taste of the pudding.
How to Make Chia Pudding
Step 1: Place the chia seeds and milk in medium bowl and stir to combine. Alternatively you can add the ingredients to 1 large mason jar or divide evenly between 4 smaller mason jars with lids and shake to combine. For best results stir or shake covered jars after 5 minutes to prevent seeds from clumping.
Step 2: Add the honey and vanilla and stir or shake again.
Step 3: Refrigerate 2 hours, stirring or shaking the jar once halfway through.
Step 4: Add toppings of choice and serve chilled or at room temperature.
The Best Liquid to Chia Seed Ratio for Chia Pudding
I think the perfect ratio for pudding is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds for every 1/2 cup of milk. If you want a thinner pudding you can add more milk, but this is the ratio I start with. You can make individual servings in mason jars by adding this ratio of milk to chia seeds along with a tablespoon of sweetener and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Shake to combine, refrigerator for 4 hours and shake again halfway through.
Chia Seed Pudding Topping Ideas
One of the best parts of chia seed pudding is getting to add your favorite toppings. The possibilities are limitless. Just make sure you add the toppings after serving. Here are some of my favorite:
- Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, slices of banana or any of your favorite fruit can be added on top of your pudding. My kids have always loved passion fruit on top of theirs!
- Add a Crunch: Nuts like pistachios and slivered almonds or even unsweetened shredded coconut and bee pollen are great additions to pudding. You could also add your favorite granola on top for some crunch!
- More Sweetness: Especially when I’m serving pudding for dessert I add some extra sweetness with chocolate chips, cacao nibs or an extra drizzle of honey on top. You could also add cocoa powder and follow this recipe for Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding!
How to Store Chia Seed Pudding
Store chia seed pudding in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving and feel free to add more milk if you need to loosen it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
It will take at least 2-4 hours for your pudding to thicken, but you’ll get the best results letting it sit overnight.
Any kind of milk will work to make chia pudding. My husband (after lots of experimenting) claims oat milk makes the creamiest chia pudding with almond milk being a close second. I personally like using full fat cow’s milk for this recipe, but it works well with any milk you prefer!
When mixed with liquid, chia seeds expand and take on a different texture, like gelatin. I would describe the texture of chia pudding as a thick, tapioca-like pudding.
Yes! If you prefer an utterly smooth texture (like the consistency of a chocolate pudding or mousse), or have a little one who does, just blend your ingredients until smooth in the blender before pouring into jars and refrigerating.
Is Chia Seed Pudding Healthy?
Chia Seed Pudding is considered a healthy snack because chia seeds are high in fiber, high in protein and contain healthy fats like omega-3s. Not to mention 2 tablespoons of chia seeds have only 130 calories.
- Fiber is good for gut health and helps control blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Protein helps you feel full longer to keep you satisfied between meals and helps build lean muscle mass.
- Omega-3s are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are great for heart health and brain function.
More Recipes with Chia Seeds
Chia Seed Pudding couldn’t be easier to make and is the ultimate healthy breakfast to start your day off right. Or snack on it to keep you satisfied between meals! Kids and adults alike love it. If you make this recipe and love it, leave a rating and review below!
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Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
Ingredients for 4 Servings of Chia Pudding:
- 2 cups milk of choice (almond, oat, rice, soy or cow’s milk)
- 1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or agave
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
Ingredients for 1 Serving of Chia Pudding:
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup or agave
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Place the chia seeds and milk in medium bowl and stir to combine. Alternatively you can add the ingredients to 1 large mason jar or divide evenly between 4 smaller mason jars with lids and shake to combine. For best results stir or shake covered jars after 5 minutes to prevent seeds from clumping.
- Add the honey and vanilla and stir or shake again.
- Refrigerate 2 hours, stirring or shaking the jar once halfway through.
- Add toppings of choice and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Whole milk has about 150 calories per cup, and honey has about 80 calories per tablespoon, vanilla extract you do not need to worry about, and chia seeds have about 110 per ounce which may seem like a lot but they are packed with omega 3s and other great nutrients
Can’t wait to have this for breakfast tomorrow it sounds delicious! I’m counting calories though so does anyone know how many calories this recipe is?
Yummy! I think I’ll mix some of this up right now! Can you put peaches in before you refrigerate or after?
Have you used milled chia seeds for this recipe?
[…] bread with sliced meat of choice, cheddar cheese and greens Snack: Chia seed pudding with fruit (Great recipe here!) Dinner: Salmon Cakes over amaranth & a green […]
Hello, they way I made my pudding is I substituted the milk and sweetener with pure coconut milk and added a hint of cinnamon. It came out just wonderful. .
[…] prep time–and the payoff is huge, both taste-wise and nutritionally. I found this recipe on Weelicious, and we make a vegan version as […]
Just made this recipe and I have to say I really enjoyed it! We tried almond milk and added a dash of cinnamon for twist on rice pudding! yummy! Thanks for this!
I made this last night and it’s AWESOME! Mine set just fine with maple syrup. Whole family loved it, 13-month old included. I sprinkled some cinnamon on it too. I want to try it with coconut or coconut/almond milk next…. It completely reminds me f tapioca, which I LOVE! Will try with some vanilla creme stevia for myself when I make it again.
I add a tablespoon of Cocoa or Cacao powder and it makes a delicious chocolate pudding!
Made this over the weekend delicious, althought my son wasnt so into it. Wondering if you have a recipe for a chocolate chia pudding?
Thanks:)
Thank you for the delicious recipe. It came out great! Next time I will do less honey since I don’t prefer it as sweet.
Happy you liked it!
[…] Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding by Weelicious […]
I just made this with plain almond milk, lemon extract and vanilla liquid stevia and it is amazing! Mine set in 30 mins and I noticed settling within 5 so I stirred every 5 mins for the first 20 and the texture is lovely. 🙂
Well it’s basically milk and chia seeds, so why not have it for breakfast?! 🙂
Not sure if the calories are too high but would this and some sliced berries be ok for breakfast or should this be a dessert item only?
I do not have that information yet, but am working to provide nutritional information on all my recipes!