this chocolate chia seed pudding The recipe combines two of my favorite things, coffee and chocolate, to create a healthy breakfast that tastes like a decadent dessert.. All you need are a few simple ingredients like chia seeds, cocoa powder, coffee and maple syrup to make it at home. – perfect for chocolate lovers!
Originally published: January 2016; Updated January 2023
Chia pudding is not a new recipe for my blog, but I have yet to create a chocolate version using two of my all-time favorite foods: coffee and chocolate! It’s easy to see why chia pudding has become so popular. You can whip up this Chia Chocolate Pudding recipe the night before you want it for breakfast in minutes.
Plus, chia seeds (yes, chia pet ones!) are a good source of fiber, Omega-3 fats, and protein, so chia pudding is a great way to get a ton of nutrition additional! Make a big batch and you can have a healthy breakfast ready for several days in a row.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A simple yet delicious chia pudding perfect for satisfying that chocolate craving you may have serves for breakfast, a healthy snack or a healthy dessert!
- Just 6 ingredients and a bowl. Waiting for it to assert itself is the hardest part. This easy recipe is also a great option for meal prep as you can double/triple the batch and have a tasty breakfast option ready for several days.
- This recipe is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, free of nutsi egg free
Ingredients you will need
- Chia seeds: the key ingredient in this pudding! Chia seeds are like little sponges and can absorb up to 3 times their weight in liquid to create that pudding-like texture.
- Dairy-free milk: I prefer to use unsweetened soy milk for my pudding as it is high in protein. However, you can use any plant-based milk, such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
- Sugar-free cocoa powder: adds rich chocolate flavor to this chia pudding.
- Coffee: enhances the richness of the chocolate flavor. If you don’t like coffee, you can use more milk.
- Maple Syrup: I like to use pure maple syrup to sweeten this pudding. However, you can also use agave if you prefer. Granulated sugar or brown sugar will also work.
- Sea salt: add just a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors of this chia pudding.
Step by step
Step 1: Combine cocoa powder and hot coffee in a large bowl. Stir well with a mixer until no lumps of cocoa powder remain.
Second step: Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk to remove any lumps. Transfer to an airtight container or small jars and refrigerate until thickened. (Stir occasionally during the first 5-10 minutes of cooling, as the chia may clump together a bit.)
Expert advice
- Flour cocoa powder: mixing hot coffee and cocoa powder to “bloom” the cocoa gives this chocolate chia pudding a richer cocoa flavor. Some of the flavor compounds in cocoa are enhanced by adding heat, so it’s worth mixing the coffee and cocoa together before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- Cooldown Time: While it’s easiest to refrigerate the chia pudding overnight, I find that it usually sets within a couple of hours of chilling (about 2 hours).
- For a smooth texture: Don’t like the lumpy, tapioca texture of chia pudding? Simply add your chia pudding to a blender before chilling and puree until it reaches a silky smooth texture. This recipe is best combined in a single serving smoothie cup. For best results, double or triple the recipe is you want to blend in a high powered blender.
Is chia pudding healthy?
Chia seeds are a great source of plant-based omega 3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid). Although current research indicates that the long-chain forms of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have a positive effect on heart disease, the ALA form may also have some benefits. The body is able to convert ALA to the other forms, but more research is needed to know if the amount converted from one to the other is sufficient to provide positive benefits for heart disease.
Chia seeds are also a good source of protein (2 tablespoons have 6 grams of protein) and fiber (2 tablespoons have 10 grams of fiber!), mostly soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is very good at absorbing water, so it forms a thick gel in the intestines to help soften stools, but it also binds cholesterol so it is less absorbed.
For more information on the health benefits of chia seeds, check out my other post Flax Seeds vs Chia Seeds: Which is Healthier?
How to serve chocolate pudding with chia
This healthy chocolate chia seed pudding only needs 5 ingredients and the ingredients you choose to add are totally up to you. Here are some of my favorite ingredients:
- Fruit: top with fresh fruit such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries or banana. You can also use thawed frozen fruit as a topping.
- Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips: lean into the chocolate flavor by adding chocolate shavings or even chocolate chips on top.
- Cocoa beans: if it’s for breakfast and you don’t want to add chocolate shavings, you can also add a little cocoa for flavor and a little crunch.
- Granola: add some crunch to your chia pudding by topping it with some granola. this Homemade vegan granola or this chocolate granola they would be good options!
- Nuts or seeds: add chopped nuts for some texture as well as healthy fats. Try chopped peanuts, pistachios, pecans, walnuts or pumpkin seeds.
- Nut butter: Creamy nut butters are a delicious addition to this chia pudding! I love some melted peanut butter or even a chocolate almond butter like Justin’s.
- Cookies: for an indulgent dessert, add some crumbled sandwich cookies on top of this pudding. (Oreos are accidentally vegan!)
- Vegan whipped cream: add a dollop of vegan whipped cream to serve this chia pudding dessert.
Frequently asked questions about recipes
Chia seeds have very little flavor on their own, so chia pudding made with just chia seeds and milk won’t taste very good. Add flavor with other ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, peanut butter, fruit, etc.
Although it will be thicker when chilled overnight, chia pudding usually starts to thicken nicely within 1-2 hours of chilling. (So you can mix it up in the morning and have it as an afternoon snack the same day!)
If your chia pudding is too thin, just add a teaspoon or two of chia seeds. Mix them together and let them cool for another 1-2 hours so they have time to thicken.
Looking for healthier breakfast recipes? Here are some of my favorites!
Did you like this recipe? Be sure to leave a ⭐️ rating and tag #dietitiandebbie on Instagram!
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding combines two of my favorite things, coffee and chocolate, to create a healthy breakfast that tastes like a decadent dessert.
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notes
- Cooldown Time: While it’s easiest to refrigerate the chia pudding overnight, I find that it usually sets within a couple of hours of chilling (about 2 hours).
- For a smooth texture: Don’t like the lumpy texture of chia pudding? Simply add your chia pudding to a blender before chilling and puree until smooth. This recipe is best combined in a single serving smoothie cup. For best results, double or triple the recipe you want to mix in your smoothie jar.
- Top tips: fresh fruit, granola, chopped nuts, nut butter, cocoa nibs, chocolate chips, coconut chips, crumbled cookies, vegan cream.
nutrition
Service: 1to serve | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated fats: 6g | Monounsaturated fats: 1g | Trans fats: 0.03g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 359UI | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 4mg