Strawberries and Cream Chia Seed Pudding

This healthy Strawberries and Cream Chia Seed Pudding is the perfect way to use summer strawberries. This superfood breakfast made with chia seeds, fresh strawberries, and almond milk will keep you full all morning and is great for meal prep. It's a great spin on this classic chia seed pudding and can be made as a chocolate chia pudding as well.

This strawberry chia seed pudding was inspired by one of my favorite childhood memories. Growing up we would find wild strawberries every so often growing next to our house and you would have thought we'd won the lottery with how excited we got. They were always stunningly sweet and we were lucky if a few made it inside before we gobbled them all up. But if we could show a little restraint, which we normally couldn't, we would be rewarded with delicious strawberries and fresh whipped cream. It was always a treat and is still my absolute favorite way to eat fresh berries.

This past weekend I scooped up some strawberries at the farmer's market but after a busy few days, I noticed they were about to go bad and remembered my favorite strawberries and cream. Inspired by that, I decided to make a batch of strawberry and cream chia seed pudding using fresh strawberries, creamy almond milk, and vanilla extract. First I created a simple homemade strawberry milk and then just soaked the chia seeds in that overnight. In the morning I added a dollop of thick and creamy Greek yogurt on top as well as some fresh sliced berries and bananas. Delicious, healthy, and easy.

How to Make a Creamy Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding?

If you prefer a creamy pudding and don't like the consistency of chia seeds, there is an easy solution. Just toss everything in the blender after refrigerating it. The chia seeds will have time to gel up in the fridge and once blended, they take on a smooth and creamy texture, similar to a traditional pudding. 

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

Chia pudding is great for meal prep and make-ahead breakfasts and snacks. After making it, you can keep it in the fridge for up to five days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container and add any extra toppings right before serving so they don't get mushy. Please note that the chia seeds will continue to plump up each day in the fridge so the pudding may get thicker the longer it is in the fridge. If it becomes too thick, just stir in some extra milk.

How else can I use chia seeds?

• Popsicles: I make this recipe all the time and during summer months I will freeze some of it into strawberry chia pudding pops. Normally for the popsicles, I add a little extra almond milk and some diced fresh strawberries. Make sure to taste it before freezing to ensure it is sweet enough. These are delicious dipped in chocolate as well.
• Smoothies: This recipe makes an excellent smoothie as well. To make it the right consistency so you can drink it, you will need some extra milk. I also like to throw in a banana to make it even more creamy.
• Chia drinks: Chia drinks are becoming more and more popular. To make this into a chia drink, double the amount of liquid you use. You can keep it creamy and use almond milk or substitute in coconut water for a more refreshing option.

What are the health benefits of chia seed pudding?

Chia seeds are called a superfood for a reason and have lots of health benefits. To start, chia seeds contain a high amount of fiber, with 5 grams per tablespoon. That means in an average size chia seed pudding, you are getting 10 grams of fiber. This is 40% of the recommended daily total in just one meal or snack. Additionally, chia seeds contain Omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorus, antioxidants, fiber, and calcium. Omega 3 fatty acids are especially important and can help lower bad cholesterol making them great for heart health. Finally, they also pack in lots of protein for their size, with about 5 grams for a two tablespoon serving.