Chocolate Chia Pudding is a delicious combination of chia, chocolate, almonds, coconut and almond milk and does double duty as both breakfast and dessert! It’s super easy to make! You just throw all the ingredients together in a jar and refrigerate it overnight. And like magic, your breakfast is waiting for you. This delicious recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Chocolate Chia Pudding
I’ve been eating chia pudding in the afternoon lately. It is very easy to make. I throw a bunch of ingredients in a jar on Monday and I have snacks for the week ready. It pairs beautifully with summer fruits like berries and cherries.
What are chia seeds?
Cha-cha-chia! I’m sure we’re all familiar with that jingle that seems to play on TV during the holidays on a constant loop. I grew up thinking that all you needed to turn a terra-cotta lamb into a plant was chia. Little did I know then that I was actually sprouting little nutritional powerhouses.
Chia seeds are small black and white seedsSpanish sage, a flowering plant in the mint family found in central and southern Mexico. They can also come from stakeholdersSalvia columbiaPlant that is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Chia pudding
Chia seeds become gelatins when mixed with liquid. That gel can be used as an egg replacer, but it can also be the base of a delicious pudding. Because it is so nutritious, it has become a popular breakfast food. Since it is a pudding, it also makes for a healthy dessert option.
Because of the combination of almonds and shredded coconut, this pudding made me sing another jingle from my childhood: “Sometimes you feel like nuts, sometimes you don’t.” That’s why I nicknamed this recipe “Badam Jai.”
what do you want
- Chia seeds
- Non-dairy milk
- Raw cocoa powder
- Crushed almonds
- Shredded coconut
- Agave nectar or maple syrup
- Almond extract
See recipe card for exact amounts.
How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make. You just throw all the ingredients together in a jar or a bowl with a lid, shake it well and put it in the fridge. It takes about two hours for the seeds to gel. If the seeds are stuck together, use a fork to break them up.
How to Customize Your Chia Pudding
It’s easy to customize this recipe to your liking!
- If you don’t like chocolate – gasp! I don’t understand how anyone can not like chocolate! – You can omit the cacao and use a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- You can add fresh fruit to your pudding. Cherries pair really well with chocolate.
- If you have a nut allergy, you can use nut-free nondairy milk and use sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of nuts.
- You can make a delicious dessert by topping your pudding with cashew cream and cacao nibs.
Cacao vs Cocoa
Cacao is made from cold-pressed raw cacao beans. It is said to have many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and reducing insulin resistance. It’s a mood booster, and who couldn’t use a little jolt of happiness?
Cacao powder can be pricey, although I’ve found it reasonably priced at Trader Joe’s. You can buy it relatively inexpensively in bulk on Amazon. If you can’t find it, dairy-free cocoa powder can be used instead, but keep in mind that cocoa powder is roasted at high temperatures and doesn’t have the same health benefits as cocoa.
Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
They may be small, but chia seeds are definitely powerful when it comes to nutritional benefits. They are loaded with fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and calcium, among other things. Some of their health benefits include:
- Heart health – Due to its combination of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3s, chia seeds can help lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and lower blood pressure.
- Bone health – Chia seeds are rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein, which are known to protect bones. In fact, they contain more calcium than dairy products.
- Blood sugar stability – The fiber content of chia seeds can help lower blood sugar, which can benefit people with type-2 diabetes.
- Reduces inflammation – Since chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, they can reduce inflammation in the body.
How long does chia pudding last?
Because this recipe can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, it’s a great make-ahead meal. It will last about 5 days in the fridge.
Chocolate Chia Pudding
material
- 1 the cup unsweetened almond milk Or your favorite nondairy milk
- ¼ the cup Chia seeds
- 2 table spoon Raw cocoa powder
- 2 table spoon chopped nuts
- 2 table spoon cut off unsweetened coconut
- 2 table spoon Maple syrup or agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon Almond extract
instructions
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Mix all ingredients together in a bowl or mason jar. Refrigerate covered for at least two hours before serving.
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Other recipes made with chia you may enjoy:
- Blueberry and Cream Chia Pudding
- Overnight Oats with Mixed Berries and Chia
- Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Parfaits
More chocolate recipes you might enjoy include:
- Cherry Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Chocolate hummus
- Avocado Chocolate Mousse
- Chocolate Almond Date Truffles
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