Easy Chia Pudding

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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.

Three glass cups of chia pudding on a cutting board, topped with fresh berries.

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.

Ingredients measured out to make chia seed pudding: maple syrup, chia seeds, almond milk and vanilla.

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.
Photo of milk being poured into a bowl of chia seeds. Another photo of the stirred milk and chia seeds.

How to Make Chia Pudding (2 Steps)

  1. 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.
  2. 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

Three glass cups with chia pudding on a cutting board.

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.

Three glass cups of chia pudding topped with fresh berries.

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
Two glass cups with chia pudding on a table topped with yogurt and fresh berries.
What Does Chia Pudding Taste Like?

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.

What is the Texture of Chia Seed Pudding?

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.

How Long Does it Take to Thicken?

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.

Three glass cups of chia pudding topped with fresh berries.

More Chia Pudding Recipes

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.

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4.43 from 606 votes

Easy Chia Seed Pudding

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.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Soak Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients  

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.
    A large bowl with milk and chia seeds.
  • 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 seed pudding in a large bowl.
  • 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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

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4.43 from 606 votes (463 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




446 Comments

    1. So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Lori. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  1. 5 stars
    I made it! It was awesome 👌 super easy I did use non-dairy milk(almond coconut unsweetened milk)and it’s so silky. It was great for breakfast in the Texas heat mornings. Thank you

    1. WOO! I am so happy that you are enjoying this recipe, Noemi! The almond coconut unsweetened milk sounds amazing. Thank you for your review & star rating, I so appreciate it!

    1. You can make chia pudding with ground chia seeds. I have this chocolate chia pudding recipe, which is blended and basically like using ground chia seeds. Let me know if you end up trying it and how it turns out for you.

  2. 5 stars
    I made for the 1st time this chia pudding last night! Another 5 star recipe! I’m a pudding girl, so this is perfect. Thank you Brittany.

    1. Oh yay! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Gabrielle. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  3. 5 stars
    This was my first time having chia pudding and I’m now hooked. Thanks to your super simple recipe, I was encouraged to give it a go. I have made it many times since them. Usually use cashew milk as I have that on hand more often than almond milk but still delish, tried it a couple time with almond extract instead of vanilla and just as good. Great easy dessert to have when you want something sweet and healthy. Thank you so much for this recipe and so many others I have found on your site. This is my go to website for inspiration when I want healthy recipes that taste delicious and are easy to make!

    1. Ah yay! I am SO happy that you have been enjoying the chia seed pudding, Gina. We have several different variations of chia pudding recipes on the blog. They are all so good! I am so happy that you are here, that you for coming back and leaving your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

    2. Works fantastically as popsicles! And they don’t drip much either as the pudding consistency holds them together.

      My toddler loves them.

      1. Yay! I am so happy that this recipe is a hit, Sarah! Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate you being here!

  4. 5 stars
    Absolutely fantastic!!! So simple, so delicious, what a great dessert for a family party, many no dairy, so this works beautifully, many can’t have a great deal of sugar, so this fits all and it really is like pudding!!! Thank you so much

    1. Woo! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for your review + start rating, I really appreciate it!

    1. So glad this one worked out for you, Maddy! Thank you for coming back to leave a star rating and review, I so appreciate it!

    1. Hi Debbie, glad that chocolate almond milk worked for you! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment. I appreciate it!