This easy chia pudding recipe is made with just 3 ingredients, can be made plant-based, and is full of fiber, protein, and omega-3’s!
After a winter of oatmeal, I’m back on the chia pudding train with this easy chia pudding recipe.
I love chia pudding because it’s SO easy to make, has no added sugar, and I can make three mason jars on Sunday as part of my meal prep and have breakfast through Wednesday! Then, each morning, I just scoop one jar into a bowl and top with whatever I’m in the mood for that day – no meal monotony here.
How to Make Chia Pudding
The best thing about chia pudding is how EASY it is to make. The second best thing is how endless the topping possibilities are. To make chia pudding, all you have to do is dump the ingredients in a mason jar or other airtight container, stir or shake it, and let it thicken for at least an hour.
Here are the only two things you need to remember:
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to 1/4 cup liquid
- Mix and let it sit for at least an hour
That’s it! Now you can enjoy it with your favorite seasonal toppings. Since I don’t add sugar or sweetener to my chia pudding recipe, I prefer to add flavor and sweetness with toppings like fresh fruit, gluten-free granola, nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut shavings, bee pollen…the list goes on.
Health Benefits of Chia
I don’t love the term superfood, but if there was one food I would call a superfood it’s chia seeds. Chia seeds are tiny black or white seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica. The Aztecs and Mayans regularly consumed chia seeds because of their ability to provide sustained energy – “chia” actually means “strength” in Mayan.
Now that we have the nutrition science to understand foods, we know that chia seeds provide sustained energy thanks to their high fiber content, their omega-3’s, and the plant protein they pack. One tablespoon of dry chia seeds provides over 3 grams of fiber, almost 4 grams of unsaturated fat, and 2 grams of protein. This powerful combination of nutrients not only keeps you full for longer, but it keeps you regular – if you know what I mean 😉
I like to make a big batch of chia pudding at the beginning of the week and eat it for breakfasts or snacks, topped with whatever combination of flavors I’m in the mood for depending on the season. How do you top your chia pudding?
Now that your pantry is likely stocked with chia seeds, try some of these easy recipes with chia seeds:
- Almond Butter Breakfast Bars
- Baked Sweet PotaTOASTS with Cranberry Chia Jam
- Banana Walnut Oatmeal Muffins
- Gingerbread Protein Balls with Collagen Coconut Frosting
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add all ingredients to a 12oz mason jar with a lid and shake well.
- Store in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight, until it achieves a pudding-like consistency.
- Scoop into a bowl and enjoy with your favorite toppings.