9 Healthy Chia Pudding Recipes

 

Chia pudding is a healthy, naturally gluten-free and delicious alternative to traditional pudding. It is made with chia seeds, a superfood high in fiber and complete protein, and is low in net carbs.

There are many different recipes for chia pudding. You can add fruit, nuts, or spices to chia pudding to change the flavor. Or add whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or berry sauce for extra deliciousness.

Why is chia seed so healthy?

chia seeds on a spoon

 

There are many reasons why chia is considered a healthy food. For one, it is a good source of fiber. Chia seeds contain soluble and insoluble fibers, which can help keep the digestive system healthy. Soluble fiber can also help to lower cholesterol levels.

Chia seeds are also a good source of complete protein. This means they have all the essential amino acids the body needs. This makes chia seeds a valuable source of protein for vegetarians and those who follow a plant-based diet.

Chia seeds are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are beneficial for heart health and cognitive function. In addition, these tiny seeds also contain calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. 

Overall, chia seeds are a nutrient-rich food that can offer many health benefits. For these reasons, chia seeds make an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Check out our complete list of Gluten-Free Recipes Made With Chia Seeds.

Where does chia seed come from?

Chia seeds are native to Central America and have been used for centuries by the people of those countries. The word “chia” comes from the Nahuatl word for “strength.” 

Chia seeds were an important part of the Aztec and Mayan diets and were even used as a currency. The most common chia seeds are brown/black, known as black chia seeds. However, you can also find white seeds.

There are many ways to incorporate chia seeds into your diet. One way is to make chia pudding. Chia pudding is very easy to make and can be made with various flavors. 

Today we are sharing 9 of our best chia pudding recipes. They make a healthy breakfast, an energizing snack or a delicious dessert.

The best part is that you’ll get all the benefits of chia seeds while satisfying your sweet tooth!

best toppings for chia pudding

You can use many different toppings for chia pudding. Some of the best toppings include fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds.

Fresh fruit is a great way to add sweetness and flavor to chia pudding. It can also add some extra nutrients. Some of the best fruits to use as toppings for chia pudding include bananas, kiwi, berries, pineapple and mangoes.

Nuts and seeds are another great way to add flavor and texture to chia pudding. They can also provide extra protein and healthy fats. 

Some of the best nuts and seeds to use as toppings for chia pudding include almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.

These are just a few different toppings you can use on chia pudding. Experiment and find the combination that you like best!

the ratio of liquid to chia seed for pudding

To make a pudding, you must use the correct liquid ratio to chia seed. For every 1/4 cup of chia seeds, you need 1 cup of liquid. This can be any milk, such as almond or coconut milk. 

Once you have the correct liquid ratio to chia seed, you need to add some flavourings to the pudding. You can use fruit, honey, spices, or anything else you enjoy.

After adding your desired flavorings, stir everything together and let the pudding sit, so the seeds absorb the liquid. 

Once the pudding has thickened, it’s ready to eat! 

How long do you soak chia seeds to make pudding?

To make chia pudding, you must soak chia seeds in a liquid for at least 30 minutes. This allows the seeds to absorb the liquid and expand.

Once the seeds have absorbed the liquid, they will form a gel-like substance. You can then add your desired toppings and enjoy your healthy chia pudding.

Soaking chia seeds is simple. Just add them to a bowl or jar with your chosen liquid. I like to use almond or coconut milk. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes or longer if you have time. 

The longer you let the mixture sit, the more gel-like the chia pudding will be. I prefer to soak them overnight. This will give the pudding an extra creamy texture.

Once the chia pudding has reached your desired consistency, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

 

our 9 best healthy chia pudding recipes

 

Vegan Mocha Chia Pudding

mocha chia pudding in 4 glasses topped with berries

 

Ingredients:

MOCHA CHIA

1 cup hot organic coffee

2 Tbsp. Pure cocoa powder

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups almond or coconut milk

2/3 cup black chia seeds

MOCHA CREAM

1 Tbsp. Pure cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. Pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp. Pure vanilla extract

1 cup whipped unsweetened coconut cream

Instructions:

For the chia layer, whisk hot coffee, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla using a glass bowl. Add cold milk and chia seeds and stir to combine. Cover and chill overnight.

For the cream layer, whisk cocoa powder with maple syrup. Stir in coconut cream

To assemble, layer four glasses with chia pudding, cream and fruit.

 

Matcha Avocado Chia Pudding

matcha avocado chia pudding in a cup with cream

 

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado

1 1/2 cup dairy-free milk such as coconut, hemp or almond

2 Tbsp. Fresh lemon juice

4 Tbsp. Chia seeds

2 tsp. Matcha powder

1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract

Pure maple syrup or honey to taste

Instructions:

Using a high-speed blender, blend avocado, milk, lemon juice, matcha, and vanilla until smooth

Pour mixture over chia seeds and add sweetener

Stir to combine, cover and refrigerate

After 15 minutes, stir and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight

 

Cinnamon Chia Pudding with Cherry Compote

creamy dessert with cherry compote

 

Ingredients:

2 cups coconut milk

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. white chia seeds

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup or honey

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. maca powder (optional)

½ tsp. GF ground cinnamon

CHERRY COMPOTE

1 lb. pitted fresh or frozen cherries

1 Tbsp. sweetener of choice

Zest of 1 lemon

TOPPINGS

2 bananas, sliced

2 Tbsp. hemp seeds

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, chia seeds, 2 tablespoons of sweetener vanilla, maca powder and cinnamon. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

CHERRY COMPOTE

In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sweetener and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Cool and refrigerate

To serve, divide chia pudding into 4 jars, and top with sliced bananas, hemp seeds and cherry compote.

 

Coconut Chia Pudding with Raspberry Sauce

coconut pudding with raspberry sauce in a glass

 

Ingredients:

2 cups coconut milk (preferably not canned)

1/3 cup chia seeds (if you like the pudding thick, add 1 more tablespoon)

2 Tbsp. honey

2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tsp. maca powder (optional)

RASPBERRY SAUCE

8 oz. fresh organic raspberries

2 Tbsp. honey

Toppings: bananas, kiwi, coconut flakes

Instructions:

Place coconut milk, chia seeds, honey, coconut flakes and maca powder in a glass bowl and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. 

RASPBERRY SAUCE

Place raspberries in a small saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of honey, cover and cook for 3 minutes over medium-low heat. Remove from the heat and slightly mash with a fork. Chill and set aside

Assemble; Divide chia pudding among 4 serving glasses. Top with sliced bananas, raspberry sauce, and kiwi and sprinkle with coconut flakes

 

Vanilla Chia Pudding With Apple Compote

vanilla chia pudding with apple compote

 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups GF vanilla coconut milk (not canned) (if you don’t have vanilla coconut milk, use plain coconut milk and add 1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract and 2 Tbsp. of pure maple syrup)

½ cup black chia seeds

FOR THE COMPOTE

1 large apple, cored, peeled and thinly sliced

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1/3 cup water

1 tsp. tapioca starch

½ tsp. GF ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Using a glass bowl, combine chia seeds with coconut milk, cover and refrigerate overnight

FOR THE COMPOTE

Using a small saucepan, whisk together water, tapioca starch and cinnamon. Stir in apples, lemon juice and maple syrup

While stirring, cook the apples over medium heat until they start to soften, about 3 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Transfer to a glass bowl and refrigerate

To serve, divide the pudding into serving bowls and top with apple compote. You can add other toppings such as walnuts, pecans, almonds or pomegranate seeds

 

Vanilla Chia Pudding With Blueberries

vanilla chia pudding with blueberries

 

Ingredients:

2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (not canned)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 ½ tsp. GF ground cinnamon

¼ cup pure maple syrup

½ cup black chia seeds

2 cups organic fresh or frozen blueberries

Instructions:

In a glass bowl, combine coconut milk, vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup and chia seeds. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes

Stir in blueberries and refrigerate overnight

 

Immune Boosting Papaya Chia Breakfast Pudding

gluten-free healthy breakfast pudding

 

Ingredients:

2 cups coconut milk or almond milk

1/3 cup white chia seeds

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup or honey

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. maca powder (optional)

Large papaya, deseeded and peeled

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp. minced fresh ginger

¼ tsp. GF ground cinnamon

2 cups dairy-free yogurt

2 Tbsp. hemp seeds (optional)

Instructions:

Place coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla and maca powder in a glass bowl and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Cut the papaya into large chunks and place them into a food processor or blender. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, ginger and cinnamon. Process until chunky

Divide equally into 4 serving glasses as follows, ½ papaya sauce, chia pudding, hemp seeds, the remainder of papaya sauce and yogurt. Top with chunks of papaya if you wish

 

Gluten-Free Lemon Creamy Chia Pudding

pudding topped with fruit in a glass

 

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk or milk of your choice

1 medium size ripe avocado

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup pure maple syrup or liquid honey

1 Tbsp. melted coconut oil

1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract

¼ tsp. Sea salt

½ cup GF white chia seeds

Topping choices; fresh fruit, lemon zest, seeds and nuts, coconut whipped cream

Instructions:

Add milk, peeled and pitted avocado, lemon juice, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

Pour mixture into a medium-sized bowl and whisk in chia seeds. Cover and chill for one hour

After an hour, stir the pudding to redistribute the chia seeds evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight

Serve with desired toppings

NOTE: if the pudding seems too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency

 

Pineapple Date Chia Pudding

chia pudding with pineapple, dates in a cup and topped with walnuts and berries

 

Ingredients: 

2 cups cashew or almond milk

5 Tbsp. GF chia seeds

½ cup roughly chopped fresh pineapple

6 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped

1 tsp. maca powder

Toppings: yogurt, pineapple, berries, seeds and nuts

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients except the toppings. Stir and chill overnight

To serve, divide chia pudding into serving cups and top with desired toppings

 

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