This Chia Pudding is creamy, refreshing and makes a healthy breakfast or snack that requires no cooking or baking and will keep your kitchen cool all summer. It’s easy to make with layers of jam, chia seeds, fresh fruit and your favorite toppings. Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo-friendly with low carb and keto sweetener options.
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Easy Chia Pudding Recipe
Looking for a simple snack or dessert recipe that is healthy and decadent? This creamy Chia Pudding is the perfect dairy free, vegan and low carb dessert to keep in your fridge. My kids love having this pudding parfait all year round but especially during the summer when 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 healthy snack
- The pudding comes together with just 5 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
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.
Recipe Ingredients
- Almond Milk – we like to use unsweetened almond milk but feel free to use 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.
- Vanilla Extract and Ground Cinnamon – optional but highly recommended to add flavor and make this Paleo Chia Pudding delicious
- Blueberry Jam: Homemade or use your favorite store-brand. You could also use a raspberry jam or compote, if desired.
- Mixed Berries: Add your favorite fresh berries to this treat.
Optional 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 Chia Pudding
Be sure to read the step-by-step instructions and watch the video to see how easy this recipe is to make.
- 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: When you’re ready to serve, assemble the parfaits in jars, starting with some blueberry jam. Add layers of chia pudding, fresh berries, and repeat.
- Serve with choice of toppings: Garnish with fresh fruit and / or grain-free granola, coconut chips, chopped nuts, whipped coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt or other toppings of choice, if desired.
Tips for the Best Chia Seed 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.
- 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 Chia Seed Pudding
In the fridge: Store any leftover chia seed 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 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.
More chia pudding recipes and recipes with chia seeds you might like:
Samoa Chia Seed Pudding Parfait
This creamy and refreshing Chia Pudding is a healthy breakfast or snack that requires no cooking or baking and will keep your kitchen cool all summer. It's easy to make with layers of jam, chia pudding, fresh fruit and your favorite toppings. Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo-friendly with low carb and keto sweetener options.
- 2 cups non-dairy milk
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 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
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup homemade blueberry or raspberry jam or compote
- 1/2 cup fresh mixed berries
- paleo granola , toasted coconut chips, hemp seeds or chopped nuts
- dairy-free yogurt or whipped coconut cream
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 ready to serve, layer in jars starting with some jam, chia pudding, fresh berries and repeat.
Garnish with fresh fruit and / or grain-free granola, coconut chips, chopped nuts, whipped coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt or other toppings of choice, if desired.
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.
Did you try this recipe?
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