Easy Chia Pudding
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Last updated on Jun 28, 2024
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This chia seed pudding recipe is the perfect breakfast or snack to meal prep for the week. It’s creamy, satisfying and loaded with protein and fiber.
If you haven’t tried chia seed pudding before, now is the time! It’s the perfect healthy breakfast or snack to meal prep for the week and it’s super easy to make.
There are a ton of chia seed recipes out there (and I have dozens posted here on EBF), but if you’re new to chia seeds, chia pudding is an awesome place to start because you’ll get a real sense of their absorption power, the gel-like texture chia seeds create and their ability to help keep you full.
Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients
To make chia seed pudding, you really only need two simple ingredients: chia seeds and milk, but there are some easy additions that will take the flavor up a notch.
- chia seeds – you can’t make chia pudding without chia seeds. Feel free to use white or black chia seeds, whichever variety you have on hand.
- milk – I like using non-dairy options like almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk, but any type of milk will work.
- maple syrup – I’m a big fan of adding a touch of sweetness with maple syrup, but honey is another great option. If you need a sugar-free option, just skip the sweeteners all together or use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit.
- vanilla – this is optional, but I like adding a little vanilla for extra flavor.
How to Make Chia Pudding (2 Steps)
- The process of making chia pudding is so easy! The first step is to stir together your chia seeds and milk in a mason jar or bowl. I usually do 3-4 Tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of liquid.
- Once the mixture is well combined, let it sit for 5 minutes, give it another stir/shake to break up any clumps of chia seeds, cover and put the mixture in the fridge to “set” for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Watch How to Make Chia Pudding
Chia Seed to Liquid Ratio for Chia Pudding
I’ve found the perfect chia pudding consistency is 3 or 4 Tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of milk. I usually start with 3 Tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of milk, but if you want a thicker pudding I recommend using 4 Tablespoons to 1 cup of milk.
The type of milk is up to you and will vary based on preference and dietary restrictions. I love using non-dairy milks like almond milk, oat milk and coconut milk. Unsweetened almond milk is the lowest in calories and sugar so if you want a simple, low calorie, low sugar chia pudding this is the best option to choose.
Full-fat canned coconut milk is great if you’re looking to increase the thickness and make a really filling breakfast, snack or dessert out of the chia pudding. It’s also a great option if you follow a low carb or keto diet.
How to Store and Meal Prep
Chia pudding is an awesome meal prep option because it will stay good in the fridge for 5-7 days. For meal prep, just place the pudding in airtight jars or meal prep containers and store in the fridge.
Chia Seed Pudding Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble getting your chia pudding to set up or turn out correctly there could be a couple things going wrong. Here are a couple tips that might help!
- Make sure you’re using chia seeds and not some other type of seed! There are white and black chia seeds and both work for chia pudding, but no other seeds will work. Also, check that your chia seeds aren’t old and maybe try switching brands. I’ve heard complaints from several people that the Trader Joe’s chia seeds don’t absorb as much liquid as other brands. If you’re having trouble with chia seeds from Trader Joe’s, try buying another brand.
- Make sure you give your chia pudding a good stir about 5-10 minutes after you initially mix it together. This breaks up any clumps of seeds and helps ensure the mixture will set. If you don’t do this, sometimes all the chia seeds will clump at the bottom and you’ll be left with lots of liquid on top instead of a well combined, creamy pudding.
- If your chia pudding isn’t thick enough, just add more chia seeds to the mixture and let it sit a bit longer. You can also use a thicker milk. Full-fat canned coconut milk creates an ultra thick and creamy chia pudding.
- If you hate the texture of chia pudding, try blending it in a high powered blender like a Vitamix. Once blended, the mixture will be smooth and creamy like a regular pudding instead of a bit seedy like tapioca pudding.
Chia seeds have no flavor so the pudding will taste like whatever liquid and sweetener you’re using. If you want the pudding to have a bit of sweetness you can add sweet spices like cinnamon and cardamom, vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice.
The texture is similar to a thick, creamy tapioca pudding. If you’re looking for a smooth pudding texture you can blend the mixture in a high powdered blender until smooth. I do this for my chocolate chia mousse and my pumpkin pie chia mousse recipes.
The chia seeds start to absorb the liquid pretty quickly, but you do need to give the pudding a bit of time to build the gel-like consistency. I recommend 1-2 hours or overnight.
Everything You Need to Make Easy Chia Pudding
Mini Tulip Jelly Jar with Glass Lids, 6 Count (Pack of 1)
Buy Now →
Navitas Organics Chia Seeds (8oz)
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Spring Chef Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons Set of 7
Buy Now →More Chia Pudding Recipes
- Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Strawberry Chia Pudding
- Pumpkin Chia Pudding
- Blueberry Chia Pudding
- Vanilla Chia Pudding
- Banana Chia Pudding
More Recipes with Chia Seeds
Love chia seeds? Be sure to check out all of my chia pudding recipes, as well as all of the chia seed recipes here on EBF.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Easy Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup, honey or sweetener of choice*
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Toppings of choice: fresh berries or other fruit, granola, nut butter, etc
Instructions
- In a bowl or mason jar, stir together chia seeds, milk, maple syrup and vanilla, if using. If you’re using a mason jar, you can put the lid on and shake the mixture to combine everything.
- Once the chia pudding mixture is well combined, let it sit for 5 minutes, give it another stir/shake to break up any clumps of chia seeds, cover and put the mixture in the fridge to “set" for 1-2 hours or overnight. The chia pudding should be nice and thick, not liquidy. If it's not thick enough, just add more chia seeds (about 1 Tablespoon), stir and refrigerate for another 30 minutes or so.
- Chia pudding can be stored for up to 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
- Milk options: I like using almond milk, but whatever milk you have on hand will work. Dairy milk, almond milk or cashew milk will make a light, creamy chia pudding. Canned coconut milk will make for a rich and thick pudding.
- Low sugar: For a low-sugar version you can skip the sweetener or use a sugar substitute like monk fruit or stevia.
- Nutrition: Nutrition facts calculated with unsweetened almond milk and no toppings
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I personally thought this was way too many chia seeds for just one cup of milk (I used 3.5tblsp), and that’s coming from someone that wanted a thicker pudding. The texture just seems off, so next time I’ll probably use 2 tablespoons instead.
Hi, Savannah! Thanks for trying this recipe!. Let me know how it turns out for you with fewer chia seeds!
I think the calorie intake is a lot higher than 120 calories. 1 tablespoon of chai seeds is around 70 calories. If one jar has 4 tablespoons in then before adding anything else that’s around 280 calories per jar. I love chai pudding but once all the extras are added in can become quite calorific so less chai and maybe add some Greek yoghurt to add thickness when ready to eat and less almond milk.
Hi Carol! The recipe does serve 2, but you’re correct the nutrition facts were a little off. The recipe originally suggested 3-4 Tablespoons of chia seeds so the nutrition facts were calculated based on that. I’ve updated them! Thanks for catching that! I do like your idea for adding Greek yogurt to help thicken the chia pudding without additional chia seeds. It also adds protein, which is awesome. That said some people use chia pudding as a dairy-free option or as a replacement for yogurt.
I make this pudding with unsweetened pea milk in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup with lid then chill overnight. Easy to spoon desired amount into bowl and top with frozen dragonfruit, goji berries and acai powder. So filling and tasty!
Pumped to hear you enjoyed these chia pudding, Anne! I love how you are making your. Sounds delish. Thanks for the review!
This is similar to my formula for chia pudding, except I give a good shake of vanilla powder instead of vanilla extract. I also wanted to make a comment about the almond milk: raising almonds requires a lot of water, but more than that, it’s very hard on bee populations. Almond milk seems to be the first non-dairy milk people mention, and I think folks should avoid mentioning almond milk when they can because some folks will follow almond milk recommendations if it’s mentioned. I have no problem with dairy and have consumed nut milks – are we “allowed” to call them milk? – with little prejudice, Please don’t feel picked on, it’s just an observation and this post inspired me to elaborate on it. Keep up the good work!
Agreed about almond milk! Dairy milk does not agree with me so I use oat milk instead. I’m trying Oatly’s full fat version in this recipe for tomorrow’s breakfast. Thank you for noting this about almond milk.
How did the version with oat milk turn out?!
This is a Godsend for those have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and want to watch their food calcium intake rather than supplements. Than you!
Woo!! That makes me so happy to hear, Judy. Thanks for coming back to leave a review and star rating. It means the world to me.
Love this easy ingredients Chia Pudding recipe , will love to make this one. Thanks for sharing this one .
thanks for sharing this Easy 4-Ingredient Chia Pudding, this one seems so amazing and easy to try this one . Love this one .
What size mason jars??? 6 oz???
These are 8 oz mason jars!
Thanks for sharing these easy ingredients and instructions for chia pudding, will surely gonna try this.
I use 2% milk to I change the measurement or to I follow what the recipe tells me on the quantity of the milk. I tried different kind of almond milk and I don’ like the taste.
You can use 2% milk as a direct substitute, using the same amount the recipe calls for!
My husband and I love this recipe for a yummy and nutritious on the go breakfast!
So glad this recipe is a hit, Dayana!! Thanks for the review.