Ultimate Chia Seed Pudding

This is the base Chia Seed Pudding recipe that you can use to create all kinds of chia puddings using your favorite fruits, nuts, yogurts, seeds, and spices. Build on the basic liquid to chia seed ratio you will learn in this recipe to create endless versions of this healthy breakfast, like this chocolate chia seed pudding. And learn all about why chia seeds are the new superfood.

Chia seeds and chia pudding are an essential part of my weekly routine since they have so many benefits when it comes to health and wellness. These nutritional powerhouses are packed with fiber, protein, Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium. This makes them great for reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, regulating blood sugar, and keeping you full and satisfied. All that in one tiny little seed. 

These amazing little seeds turn into a creamy and healthy pudding that takes on the flavor of whatever they are mixed with. When you mix the chia seeds with liquid, they absorb that liquid at a pretty astonishing rate and turn gel-like. At the same time, they also take on the flavor of the liquid. This creates a consistency similar to tapioca pudding but with way more nutritional benefits. And since chia seeds have almost no flavor on their own, you can pretty much create any flavor combo you like by flavoring the liquid and adding in things like fruit, spices, and nuts. 

What is the right ratio of liquid to chia seeds for chia pudding?

To create a creamy and thick pudding, you want to use a ratio of 3 to 1. For a one person serving, that means using 3 tablespoons of chia seeds and about 1 cup of liquid. For two servings, you would double that to have 6 tablespoons of chia seeds and 2 cups of liquid. For the liquid component, using milk will result in the creamiest pudding. You can use almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, or dairy milk. If you are using canned coconut milk, opt for the light milk or cut it with almond milk since it is already very thick. You can use black or white chia seeds and both work with the same ratio. 

How long can I store chia seed pudding in the fridge?

Chia seed pudding lasts in the fridge for about 5 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. If you are adding fruit and other mix-ins, you may want to wait to add them until it is time to serve so they stay fresh and don't get mushy.  This is especially true for citrus since the acidity of the citrus can change the way the chia seeds absorb the liquid. For meal prep, make a large batch on Sunday and keep them in the fridge all week.

How long do chia seeds need to soak in milk?

Ideally, the chia seeds will soak in the milk or liquid for 3-4 hours for a thick and creamy chia seed pudding. However, if you are in a time crunch, you can actually make chia pudding in about 20 minutes. Let them sit for 10 minutes and then stir and let them sit another 10 minutes. Although the chia seeds won't be full hydrated, they will already have begun to gel. You can also blend the chia seeds for a faster pudding and a smoother, more pudding like consistency. To blrnd chia seed pudding, just place everything in a blender and blend until nice and smooth.

Is Chia Seeding Pudding low carb? Keto? Vegan? Paleo?

You can make chia seed pudding low carb, keto, vegan, and paleo as long as you choose the right liquid and sweetener. For low carb and keto, make sure to use a low carb milk like unsweetened almond milk paired with no-calorie sweeteners like Stevia or Splenda. For a paleo chia pudding, use honey instead of maple syrup. For a vegan chia pudding, use plant-based milk and either maple syrup or liquid sugar for your sweetener.

Using yogurt in chia seed pudding

To add extra protein and probiotics, I like to add yogurt to my chia seed pudding. Normally I use 1/4 cup of nonfat or 2% plain Greek yogurt in place of a 1/4 cup of milk. You can also use flavored yogurt to infuse flavor into the pudding. This is a way to add sweetness as well since most flavored yogurt already has sweetener.

Fifteen Flavor Ideas for Chia Seed Pudding

1. Mango Coconut: Blend together 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk with 1/2 of mango. Use that for the liquid portion of the pudding and then add some chopped mango and shredded coconut.
2. Mexican Chocolate: Add two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of chili powder to the liquid. Make sure to stir it very well so the cocoa powder fully dissolves in the liquid and taste to adjust the sweetness as needed.
3. Chocolate Banana: To add natural sweetness to the chia seed pudding, add one mashed banana to the liquid. Then add two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and stir well until fully mixed.
4. Apple and Almond Butter: Top the chia seed pudding with chopped apples and melted almond butter. Add some cinnamon to the chia seed pudding while you are preparing it.
5. Creamsicle: Add 1 tsp of orange zest to the liquid and use extra vanilla extract.
6. Strawberry: Blend together 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Use this as the liquid to make the chia seed pudding and top with fresh strawberries.
7. Blueberry Lemon: Add 1 tsp of lemon zest to the liquid when making the chia pudding. Top with fresh blueberries.
8. Peanut Butter and Jelly: Top the chia seed pudding with sliced grapes, sliced strawberries, and melted peanut butter.
9. Pumpkin Pie: Add 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree and 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the chia seed pudding base. Top with crumbled graham crackers.
10. Chocolate Strawberry:  Top the chia seed pudding with sliced strawberries and melted chocolate chips or chocolate syrup.
11. Banana Split: Add a mashed banana to the chia seed pudding base. Then top the prepared chia seed pudding with sliced strawberries, chocolate syrup, and crushed peanuts.
12. Vanilla Cinnamon: Use double the amount of vanilla extract in the chia seed pudding base as well as 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. 
13. Pecan Pie: Instead of vanilla extract, use almond extract. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the chia seed base. Top the finished pecan pie chia pudding with chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup.
14. Yogurt: Replace 1/4 cup of milk with a 1/4 cup of your favorite yogurt.
15. Protein Packed: Add your favorite protein powder to the mix as well. I like adding collagen protein to my chia seed pudding to add protein and collagen at the same time.

Explore more Chia Seed Pudding recipes

Vanilla Cinnamon

Blueberry and Peanut Butter

Banana Almond Butter

Chocolate Cherry

Yogurt Chia Seed Pudding

Pumpkin Pie