I love chia seeds. As mini powerhouses packing lots of protein, calcium, antioxidants and omega-3, not only are one of my favorite things to add to overnight oats, but I really love using them to create a delicious chia seed pudding. Chia seeds have this amazing ability to thicken and “gel up”, making them the perfect ingredient for creating a wonderfully creamy tapioca-like textured pudding. Plus, chai seed pudding is an easy and tasty way to get more of these little seeds benefits.
It takes minutes to make and has enough protein and nutrients to be a fast breakfast idea or a nourishing and heavenly tasting dessert.
The beauty of chai pudding is that there are literally dozens of ways to create a version you love. You can choose a fruity, chocolaty, savory or sweet flavor, adjust the texture by grinding up the chia seeds (or add crunch with cacao nibs!), make it more…or less sweet, transform the color with your favorite fruit and practically change any other part of the recipe. It’s almost impossible to mess up.
Ideas for chia seed pudding variations:
Sweeteners:
If you don’t want to add the maple syrup as a sweetener, you can leave it out and enjoy the natural flavor of the pudding, OR if you like it sweet, then just add honey or whatever natural sweetener you keep on hand OR simply blend with dates or banana.
Mix up the Flavor:
I prefer a basic vanilla chia seed pudding or simply chia seeds mixed with puréed fruit and some nut/seed milk. Unsweetened almond or an almond-coconut milk blend or my usual choice, but any of your favorite nut milks will do. Coconut water and juice are great too. Mango with unsweetened almond milk is an absolutely delicious combination. You’ll find the recipe here.
Toppings:
Pretty much any toppings will do. I like to use lightly toasted coconut flakes, seasonal fruit, and something with a bit of crunch. Try some of these:
- Homemade Granola
- Fresh fruit
- Coconut flakes
- Pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Nuts (e.g. pistachios, toasted flaked almonds)
- Seeds (e.g. hemp, sunflower)
The first recipe is for a basic chia seed pudding with the addition of puréed raspberries. Feel free to leave out the fruit and enjoy it in all its purity. You can even swap in any milk that suits your fancy.
Basic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding with Raspberry
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup unsweetened rice-coconut or coconut milk (250 ml)
4 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla powder
pinch cinnamon powder
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (optional)
1 cup raspberries, frozen or fresh, puréed (115 g)
TOPPINGS:
blueberries
passionfruit
unsweetened flaked coconut, lightly toasted
METHOD:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients together until smooth.Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving. Portion into bowls and serve with desired toppings.
TIP: I prefer to pour the mixture into portable glass jars the night before for a fast on-the-go breakfast the next day.
Delectable Chocolate Chia Seed Superfood Pudding
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (250 ml)
4 tablespoons chia seeds
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3-4 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla powder
TOPPINGS:
raw cacao nibs
banana slices
almond slices, lightly toasted
fresh mint leaves
METHOD:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients together until smooth.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving. Portion into bowls and serve with desired toppings.
Blood Orange Chia Seed Pudding
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
1 x 70 g container Greek yogurt
1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (125 ml)
4 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla powder
1-2 teaspoons honey
TOPPINGS:
2 blood oranges, peeled and sliced
unsweetened flaked coconut, lightly toasted
METHOD:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients together until smooth.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving. Portion into bowls and serve with desired toppings.
TIP: I prefer to make this the night before and pour the mixture into portable glass jars for a fast on-the-go breakfast the next day.
If you are looking for even more new ways of incorporating chia power into your daily eating routine, then try adding chia seeds to overnight oats, sprinkle some in your next smoothie or try another one of my tasty chia pudding recipes for a protein powered breakfast or a sweet and healthy dessert.
