This Strawberry Chia Pudding is easy to make with creamy layers of chia pudding, fresh strawberries and whipped coconut cream. It’s the perfect healthy breakfast or snack with just 4 ingredients and requires no cooking. Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, paleo-friendly with low carb, keto or Whole30 options.
PIN HERE for later and follow my boards for more healthy recipes.
Easy Strawberry Chia Pudding Recipe
Looking for a simple snack or dessert recipe that is healthy and delicious? This Strawberry Chia Pudding is the perfect dairy free, vegan and low carb dessert to keep in your fridge. My family loves making this pudding parfait all year round but especially once the weather warms it and it’s too hot to turn on the oven. It’s a fruity grab-and-go treat that’s perfect for making ahead of time.
Why we love this easy breakfast
- The pudding comes together with just 4 ingredients and one bowl.
- There’s no cooking or baking involved – All it requires is just a good chilling in the fridge for a couple hours and then it becomes ultra creamy and irresistible.
- Easy to customize: We love layering our pudding with fresh fruit, grain-free granola or toasted coconut.
- This chia pudding recipe is also gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, paleo with low carb and keto sweetener options. Leave out the sweetener for Whole30
What is Chia?
Chia seeds are a type of small seed that’s packed with nutrients and antioxidants. These low-calorie seeds are commonly used in yogurts, puddings and drinks. They’re a great source of fiber, protein, calcium and more. Chia seeds will give you long-lasting energy and boost your overall health.
Is Chia Pudding Good For You?
In addition to the health benefits of the chia seeds, this recipe is full of fresh fruit. It contains healthy fats and plenty of essential nutrients. You can also top it with your choice of healthy ingredients like grain-free granola or toasted nuts. This pudding recipe is one of our go-to healthy snacks, and my kids love it too.
Ingredients you need
- Coconut Milk – we like to use this full-fat coconut milk from Trader Joe’s without any additional fillers but you can also use unsweetened almond milk (we love Malk Organics), cashew milk or any non-dairy milk you like.
- Chia Seeds – be sure to buy the black chia seeds for this recipe
- Pure Maple Syrup – you could also use any other liquid sweetener of your choice. To make Keto Chia Pudding, use a few drops of liquid monk fruit extract or Lakanto Sugar-free Maple Syrup. And you simply leave out the sweetener for Whole30
- Vanilla Extract and Ground Cinnamon – optional but highly recommended to add flavor and make this Paleo Chia Pudding delicious
- Strawberries: We love using fresh strawberries once they are in season but frozen strawberries or any mixed berries will work here too.
Toppings of Choice
- Grain-Free Paleo Granola: If preferred, you can use toasted coconut chips, chopped nuts, hemps seeds or another healthy topping.
- Whipped coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt. We like Kite-Hill.
How to Make Strawberry Chia Pudding
- Combine Pudding Ingredients: To a medium bowl, add the milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Use a fork or a whisk to combine.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 2-3 hours, or until the pudding has thickened.
- Assemble & Serve: When you’re ready to serve, assemble the parfaits in jars, starting with a layer of chia pudding, chopped strawberries and another layer of chia pudding.
- Serve with choice of toppings: Garnish with some whipped coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt and / or grain-free granola, coconut chips, chopped nuts, and more fresh strawberries slices.
Tips for the Best Chia Pudding
- Stir Well: Stir the pudding mixture well before refrigerating it to break up any large clumps of chia seeds.
- Check Consistency: If the pudding doesn’t reach your desired thickness, add some more chia seeds to the mixture and put it back in the fridge. This will help it thicken to the perfect pudding texture.
- Use a high-quality milk: Be sure to use a creamy high-quality plant-based milk with no additional fillers. We love using Trader Joe’s full-fat coconut milk or Unsweetened Almond Milk or Cashew Milk from Malk Organics)
- Change it Up: Try making this treat with different jams, berries and toppings for a variety of flavor combinations.
Topping Ideas
There’s no limit to the toppings you can add to this healthy snack. Here are some of my favorite healthy add-in ideas:
- Nut Butter: Try topping this snack with a scoop of peanut butter or almond butter.
- Bananas: Sliced bananas taste amazing on top of these parfaits too.
- Honey: If you don’t need this dish to be vegan, top your pudding with a drizzle of honey.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Garnish your pudding cups with some juicy pomegranate seeds for an extra pop of flavor.
How to Store Strawberry Chia Pudding
Your pudding will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week if you keep it stored in an airtight container. You can pre-assemble your parfaits in mason jars or store leftover pudding by itself.
More chia pudding recipes and recipes with chia seeds you might like:
This Strawberry Chia Pudding is easy to make with creamy layers of chia pudding, fresh strawberries and whipped coconut cream. It's the perfect healthy breakfast or snack with just 4 ingredients and requires no cooking. Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo-friendly with low carb and keto sweetener options.
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or any creamy non-dairy milk - we like Malk Organics
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup , may sub with liquid sweetener of your choice. Use liquid monk fruit extract or Lakanto SF maple syrup for low carb / keto. Or leave out the sweetener for Whole30
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh strawberries , cut into slices or chunks (frozen thawed strawberries will work too), plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup whipped coconut cream or non-dairy yogurt (we like Kite-Hill)
- paleo granola , toasted coconut chips or finely chopped walnuts or pecans
In a medium bowl, combine milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Use a fork or a whisk to combine.
Cover the bowl, place it in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, or until thickened.
When you're ready to serve, assemble in jars starting with a layer of chia pudding, chopped strawberries and another layer of chia pudding.
Garnish with some whipped coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt and / or grain-free granola, coconut chips, chopped nuts, and more fresh strawberries slices.
Recipe Video
How to store:
In the fridge: Store any leftover chia pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can pre-assemble your parfaits in mason jars or store leftover pudding by itself.
In the freezer: You can also store your chia pudding in single portions in a freezer for up to 3 months.
How to thaw: Thaw in the fridge, overnight or until soft and no longer frozen, about 6 hours.
Leave a Comment