Chocolate Chia Pudding

This Chocolate chia seed pudding is made with coconut milk and cocoa powder and is perfect for a healthy and filling breakfast or snack. Deliciously sweet but good for you, and so easy to make ahead of time! Vegan and gluten-free.

Ditch store-bought pudding. Make this Chocolate Chia Pudding, with chia seeds that expand 9 times in your stomach to help you feel fuller longer. Talk about feel good food for dieting! I make the regular 3-ingredient Chia Pudding on the regular! But sometimes, I love adding cocoa powder to turn this healthy snack into a dessert. It’s rich, decadent and chocolatey, so it always hits the spot!

What are the health benefits of chia seeds

Chia seeds are a superfood because they are loaded with nutrients and have scientifically proven health benefits. Here are the key benefits:

• Loaded with antioxidants, which is an essential part of any healthy diet.
• Good source of high quality protein (more than most plant-based foods) to help you feel satiated.
• High in good fats, like omega 3 fatty acids, more than even salmon!
• Made largely of fiber. In fact, almost all the carbs in chia seeds are fiber. If you’re on a low-carb diet, I think you can pretty much ignore the 12 grabs of carbs in an ounce of chia seeds. That’s because 11 of those 12 grams are fiber!

Tips for making chocolate chia pudding

• Adjust the ratios to suit your preferences. I like to have a thicker chia seed pudding so I opt for 1:4 chia seeds to milk ratio. In this case though, I added slightly more chia seeds to make it even thicker. If you prefer a thinner version, feel free to use only 1/4 cup of chia seeds instead of 1/3 cup.
• Stir multiple times. It’s not enough to just stir the chocolate chia pudding once and then set in the fridge. I recommend to stir it, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then stir it again, making sure there are no clumps. And then it’s ready to set in the fridge.
• Use a blender to blend the mixture for a smoother consistency. This is especially true if you’re not a fan of the tapioca-like texture of chia seed pudding. It’s not necessary, but it will create a more creamy texture.
• Freeze any leftover chia pudding. Did you know you can freeze chia pudding and thaw it for a few hours or overnight in the fridge? Just make sure to freeze it in individual servings and use a freezer-safe ziplock bag or glass mason jar.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does chia pudding keep?

Chia pudding is a perfect option for meal prep and make ahead breakfasts. Make a big batch and it will last for up to 7 days in the fridge, although it is best within 5 days of mixing.

What can I use in place of coconut milk in a chia seed pudding?

Chia seeds don’t have any flavor, but they take on the flavor of the liquid they are soaked in. I opted for coconut milk in this recipe as it works so well with the cocoa powder. If you would like a lighter snack, you can use water instead, or replace it with dairy, soy or almond milk for a different flavor.

Is chia pudding good for weight loss?

Eating chia pudding for breakfast is a great way to maintain or lose weight. It helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and is high in protein. Chia seeds are an amazing source of fiber, so it will help to keep you full for longer, meaning that those mid morning snacks aren’t quite so tempting!

It’s no secret that the chia seeds have been in the foodie spotlight for a while now, so I’m all about chia seed recipes. This chocolate chia pudding recipe is going to be a great partner for you if you’re dieting or trying to pick smart snacks. It’s so versatile that this basic pudding recipe can be altered to fit your most eclectic pudding desires, whatever those may be!

It’s vegan, gluten-free and filling. And it’s as simple as simple gets with only 5 ingredients and a time to prep of only a couple minutes. Make up a bunch of individual puddings in small wide mouth mason jars, pop ’em in the fridge and have snacks for the kids for the next week!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup coconut milk carton refrigerated kind
• 1/3 cup chia seeds

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