A creamy blend of coconut, lemon, and protein to give you a morning boost! This lemon protein chia seed pudding is an easy way to up your daily protein intake and enjoy what you eat.
A great meal prep recipe, this protein chia pudding can be made as indulgent or healthy as you like! Whip up a batch for the next day and gain a burst of energy when you need it.
This high-protein chia seed pudding is a wicked way to gain a burst of energy first thing in the morning or throughout the day!
Made with protein-packed chia seeds and fresh lemon juice, this high-protein snack is a delicious way to stay full.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love this protein chia seed pudding because it’s:
- Easy to make
- A great meal prep recipe
- High in protein
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
Thanks to the protein in chia seeds and the collagen powder, this make-ahead breakfast is packed with a punch!
Ingredients You’ll Need
A wicked high-protein snack, this protein chia pudding comes together quickly too! And the best part? No protein powder is needed!
Chia seeds: these little powerhouses are one of the three foods I think every kid should have in their diet. They’re that good! And a little goes a long way. Make sure to grab whole seeds though and not ground.
Dairy-free milk: we use homemade hemp milk but any almond milk or dairy alternative will work (learn more about dairy-free swaps). Oat milk chia pudding can be especially creamy!
Maple syrup: a hint of maple syrup for sweetness! Grab the real stuff and enjoy the smoky flavor.
Fresh lemon juice & zest: you want to use fresh as this is what gives the protein chia seed pudding its intense flavor. Lemon is a wonderful pick-me-up!
Collagen powder: one of the cleanest sources of protein! Learn about the differences between collagen powder and protein powder when it comes to high-protein snacks.
Shredded coconut: opt for unsweetened coconut if possible.
Coconut milk: adding extra coconut milk to the high-protein chia pudding is optional, but it makes it SO much more indulgent!
Learn How To Make Protein Chia Seed Pudding
- Whisk together the chia seeds, coconut, and collagen powder.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Let it sit for five minutes and then mix again.
- Portion it into a jar and let it chill for four hours or more.
- Top the protein chia pudding with your favorites and enjoy!
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
You can either mix the ingredients in a bowl and then portion them into a jar, or you can add the ingredients into a jar and shake it to combine them.
Don’t skip the step about waiting five minutes and re-stirring the protein chia pudding. This is what helps make sure it doesn’t clump at the bottom (learn more about how to make perfect chia pudding).
If you’re using coconut cream to make this chia seed pudding more indulgent, you can add it right on top of the jar before refrigerating.
Crucial Products
In addition to the protein in chia seeds, collagen powder is the secret ingredient to make this a high-protein snack!
Collagen is best known for improving your hair, skin, and nails, but it’s so much more than that. It’s actually the beneficial part of bone broth (don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like broth).
Learn more about the differences between collagen and bone broth.
I grab my collagen powder from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised cows.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
The Best Toppings
The protein chia pudding recipe is amazing all on its own. However, you can make it more indulgent by topping it with a few favorites!
- Fresh berries
- Nut butter
- Crunchy granola
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Protein Chia Pudding
Protein chia pudding will last roughly three days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.
Protein powder absorbs very differently than collagen powder and the two are not interchangeable. Since vegan protein powder absorbs more liquid than collagen powder it would alter the texture of the recipe.
It’s not common but like anything else, chia seeds can go bad. If you want to extend the life of your chia seeds, store them in a sealed jar in the fridge. Stored like that, chia seeds should last at least a year unless liquid gets into the jar as you use it. You’ll know your chia seeds have gone bad if they start to clump together. Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Any non-dairy milk will work in chia pudding it may just alter the texture a bit. Chia pudding with oat milk will be creamier than a recipe with almond milk. However, the nut milk one will have a healthier fat profile. Use what you have on hand,
Other High-Protein Recipes
- Chocolate banana chia pudding
- Maple pecan oatmeal
- Flourless protein brownies
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Cookies and cream protein shake
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
High Protein Chia Seed Pudding
Equipment
- 1 Mason jar
Ingredients
- 3 tbs Chia seeds
- ¼ cup Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbs Unsweetened coconut
- 3 tbs Almond milk
- 2 tbs Collagen powder
- 1 tbs Maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon Lemon zest
- 1.5 tbs Coconut cream optional
Instructions
- Whisk together the chia seeds, coconut, and collagen powder.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Let it sit for five minutes and then mix again.
- Portion it into a jar, add in the coconut cream on top if using and let it chill for four hours or more.
- Top the protein chia pudding with your favorites and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can either mix the ingredients in a bowl and then portion them into a jar, or you can add the ingredients into a jar and shake it to combine.
- Don’t skip the step about waiting five minutes and re-stirring the chia seed pudding. This is what helps make sure it doesn’t clump at the bottom!
- If you’re using coconut cream to make this chia seed pudding more indulgent, you can add it right on top of the jar before refrigerating. This is optional but it makes the high protein chia pudding SO much more indulgent!
- If using the coconut milk, you can also split this into two mini snack-size portions (topping with 1.5 tbs of coconut milk in each).
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Jere Cassidy
I love your recipes for some healthier foods and your tips are also helpful. I am switching over from protein powder to collagen powder, thanks to your info.
fitasamamabear
That's amazing you're making the switch, and thanks so much for the support!
Sonia
This chia seed pudding is not only delicious, but the use of lemon zest adds a punch of aroma making it uplifting and energizing too.
fitasamamabear
Right?! Lemon just perks you up so nicely!
Emily
Perfect! and the coconut cream was a MUST... delish
fitasamamabear
Haha coconut cream makes it so nicely indulgent!
Heidi Bruaw
This was amazingly delicious and just the recipe I needed to jump start my low carb journey!
fitasamamabear
Ohh so excited for you!
Jess Selensky
So delicious and refreshing!
Jan
The flavours of this chia pudding really hits the spot! I just love lemon and coconut. Thank you!
Tianna
Great recipe for the morning make ahead and grab and go thanks for the post
Cynthia
I love this for the extra boost of collagen! Such a healthy dessert when you just want a little "something"!
fitasamamabear
Thank you! Collagen works in EVERYTHING lol
Stacey Crawford
I love a creamy, zesty, sweet lemon treat! This is so simple and healthy too.
fitasamamabear
Lemon is just so refreshing! I love it too!