Vanilla Chia Pudding

Chia Pudding Recipe

This chia pudding recipe is so easy and simple! It takes 2 minutes to prep and then “cooks” itself overnight in the fridge. You can make a few at a time. I like to make 5 for Monday till Friday.

Then in the morning grab a jar, top with your favorite toppings like nuts, berries, fruit or coconut flakes. And you are good to go! Literally out of the door with your chia seed pudding in hand.

It’s genius!

What Is Chia Pudding?

Chia pudding is a mix of chia seeds with liquid, usually any kind of milk. Chia seeds are tiny black seeds that expand up to 9 times their original size. Once you let mixed ingredients sit overnight, they form “pudding”. Overnight chia pudding has similar consistency to rice pudding, hence the name.

Is Chia Seed Pudding Healthy?

Chia seeds are high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. Chia contains more antioxidants than any other whole food, even blueberries. It is also low sugar and low calorie.

How Long Does It Last?

Healthy chia seed pudding stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. It will not go bad after 5 days, just will not be as fresh.

Chia Pudding Ratio:

The most important part for best chia pudding is the ratio of chia seeds : liquid. Most people like chia pudding neither soupy nor so thick that it’s dry. We all want “normal” pudding. I find the best ratio is 3/4 cup milk : 3 tbsp chia seeds.

It does matter what kind of milk to use. Most popular is almond milk, sweetened or unsweetened. You can use any other plant-based milk from a carton like rice, coconut, soy, hemp etc. You can also use sweetened milk, just add less sweetener. As long as milk has watery consistency.

chia pudding ratio

How to Make Vanilla Chia Pudding

In any glass container, add milk, maple syrup, vanilla and chia seeds in this particular order. Do not change it up or else… Kidding but don’t.
Stir well with a spoon or fork, let sit for 1 minute and stir again. This will prevent lumps. Then refrigerate overnight.
When ready to eat stir and top with favorite toppings: nuts, berries, fruit, coconut flakes etc. I have to say if you like toppings, use bigger Mason jars.

Tips for Best Overnight Chia Pudding:

It is important to add liquids first and then chia seeds for easy mixing.
Both maple syrup and honey work. I prefer maple syrup because unlike thick honey it dissolves better in cold milk. But honey works too as you can tell from my video (Costco run was overdue).
Another good whisk after 1 minute of soaking chia seeds prevents lumps. I personally do not like to dirty a blender for a chia pudding recipe.
If your vanilla chia pudding is lumpy in the morning, stir well with a fork. It happens.
If pudding is too thick in the morning, add a little bit of milk and stir. Common sense.:)
Make warm chia pudding by heating it up in a microwave or on a stove with a splash of milk.
I do not like the taste of canned coconut milk after a few days in the fridge. It tastes “soapy”. Therefore, carton plant-based milk is the best IMHO.

chia seed pudding

Toppings Ideas:

Sky is the limit. I like to add fresh or frozen fruit and berries. Who am I kidding?! It’s frozen fruit 95% of time because money. Nuts. Toasted are even better although they lose a bit of their nutritional value. And coconut flakes. Again toasted are yum but I think we are getting very fancy. Working mom here…

More Chia Pudding Recipes

Chocolate chia pudding – eating chocolate for breakfast has never been this healthy.
Coconut mango chia pudding – one time I’m willing to use coconut milk in a pudding because “pina colada”. Viva, Mexico!
Banana chia pudding – classic combo that never fails.
Lemon blueberry chia pudding – a match made in heaven, right?!

Watch Olena Make Chia Pudding:

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