Chia Pudding Recipes

Healthy chia pudding recipes for the whole family! Learn how to make chia pudding and then whip up these healthy, paleo, busy mom-approved chia pudding recipes for chaotic days.

Much of the time, people assume that working from home gives you the luxury to do laundry and meal prep all day. This makes my eye twitch slightly every time I receive the comment.

The truth is, I’m compulsive in nature. Which means that when it’s work time it’s WORK time. There’s no side plan, no tinkering, no extra time. I am only kid-free so many hours and those hours need to be productive and not anything to do with household stuff.

This means that just like every other busy mama I need healthy, on-the-go snacks to keep myself and my family nourished and fueled!

And chia pudding is the answer to either the breakfast or the snack questions.

 

The Benefits Of Chia Pudding

• Increase your fiber intake this helping out your gut
• Help combat diabetes by slowing down digestion
• Improve brain health through their omega three’s
• Improves bones and teeth by containing a hefty dose of calcium
• Help keep you full due to the blend of amino acids

 

All in just two tablespoons.

Yup, chia seeds are a powerful thing. They’re actually one of the foods I recommend most toddlers have in their diets. And chia pudding recipes are a tasty option ?

 

How To Make Chia Pudding

The basic chia pudding recipe is:

• 3 tablespoons of chia seeds
• ½ cups almond milk

Whisk it together, let it sit and you’re good to go! Buuutttt….

Now, this is where chia pudding recipes get a bit funky. I’ve been making chia pudding recipes with almond milk for years now and there’s been a lot of eff ups.

The two biggest issues being:

• The chia pudding doesn’t get thick
• The chia pudding is congealed and hard at the bottom and the top is liquid

It took me a long time to figure out how to fix chia pudding recipes but it finally clicked when I made my chocolate chia pudding recipe and it never failed.

And the reason it was always successful was that I blended the chia seeds. This made it so they never congealed at the bottom.

And what I’ve learned from that accidental win is that chia pudding recipes need to be double stirred.

Most chia pudding recipes call for the ingredients, mixing it all up and voila! Throw it in the fridge and grab and g in the morning.

But it never worked for me. It always ended up half congealed and half liquid.

 

How Long Does It Have To Sit?

Chia pudding needs a minimum of four hours in the fridge to set and even that is speedy, six is best.

Not only does this allow time for the chia seeds to absorb the liquid but also to chill. Chia pudding recipes aren’t overly tasty warm.

 

The Trick To Making It Perfect Every Time

So, what is the solution?

Since chia seeds absorb liquid within five minutes you need to stir them again. Whisk together the ingredients, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then re-whisk (or shake if it’s in a jar).

This is the secret to making chia pudding recipes with almond milk (or any plant-based milk).

Let the chia pudding absorb slightly and then re-stir. It makes the chia pudding consistency perfect every time.

As for the issue of the pudding having too much liquid, you just need to add more chia seeds?

 

When To Use Chia Pudding

Chia seeds themselves can be used a lot of ways, in smoothies, as an egg replacement, in oatmeal. But chia pudding will always be the most kid-approved one.

Use your chia pudding recipes for:

• A grab and go breakfast
• A speedy snack
• Fuel for the kids

Chia pudding is one of my busy morning staples to make life a little less chaotic. If it’s ready to go in the fridge it’s one less thing for moms to worry about.

I also love sending nut-free chia pudding to school with my little.

But Aren’t Chia Seeds Expensive?

They most definitely are! One bag of chia seeds is about $14 and has 12 ounces in it. This is roughly twenty-four tablespoons.

So, one bag makes 8-9 servings worth of chia pudding recipes.

So again, is it pricy? A bit. But it doesn’t mean you need to eat chia pudding every day! There are also ways you can stretch the recipes:

• Add more fruit
• Whisk it together into a yogurt pudding parfait

There’s no rule saying that chia seeds are the be all end all of existence. Do what you can and enjoy them when you make them!

 

Four Chia Pudding Recipes To Whip Up Now

To be honest, I rarely measure anything anymore. Instead, I estimate, guess, and make it all up. Most of the time my chia pudding turns out but every so often it’s a super-fun mess.

And since I’m Dutch I refuse to waste the chia seeds and eat it anyways. So, my advice? Follow the recipes?

Remember, all the recipes begin with a basic formula of 3tbs of chia seeds with ½ cup plant-based milk.

 

Berry Coconut

A crazy creamy chia pudding recipe with berries and coconut milk- definitely one of my favorites when I want something a bit more indulgent.

• 2 tablespoons coconut cream
• 1 tbs unsweetened, shredded coconut
• 1 tbs maple syrup
• ½ cup frozen berries

Add all ingredients except the berries into the chia pudding while you’re making it. Whisk it up. Let it sit for ten minutes, whisk again and top it with the berries before you place it in the fridge.

 

Energizing Matcha

Need a pick me up? Matcha is one of my favorite “superfoods”. Matcha green tea is loaded with antioxidants and can act as a metabolism booster.

And the Matcha from Four Sigmatics is even better. This Matcha powder is mixed with lions mane which a mega source of energy and focus. It’s actually one of my staples as an entrepreneur.

• ½ teaspoon Four Sigmatic Matcha Powder
• 1 tbs raw honey
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon coconut cream
• 1 tablespoon walnuts

Aside from the walnuts, mix all ingredients into the chia seeds and almond milk. Let sit for ten minutes and mix again. Top with walnuts and place in the fridge overnight.

Chocolate Banana 

A classic recipe that no kid will turn down- well, this mama will never turn down chocolate either! It’s simple, delicious and perfect to curb a chocolate craving.

This recipe uses cacao powder (not cocoa) which not only gives it a chocolate flavor but also boost of nutrients. Check out the benefits of cacao powder and start making everything chocolate.

• 1 tablespoon cacao powder
• 1 banana, cut in half
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Mash half the banana and mix it with the cacao powder and the syrup into the chia seeds and almond milk. Let sit for ten minutes and whisk again. Slice the rest of the banana on top and place it in the fridge.

 

Berry Almond

A refreshing recipe loaded with berries. Berries always give me an extra boost midday because they’re just so uplifting. This one is a favorite of mine around that 2 pm sulk.

• 5 tablespoons almond butter
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ cup berries or frozen berries

Mix the almond butter and syrup in with the chia seeds. Let sit for ten minutes and whisk thoroughly again. Top with berries and place in the fridge

 

Don’t forget to pin these tasty chia pudding recipes for busy days!

Chia pudding is a busy mom staple. It’s tasty, simple to whip up and a win with kids. Plus, it's nourishing and loaded with fuel for those days when you need ANYTHING to keep you going.