This easy chia seed pudding recipe makes a wonderful and healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert. It’s also a great option for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. This overnight chia seed pudding is naturally sweetened, super customizable, and only needs 3 simple ingredients!
Is Chia Seed Pudding Good For You?
There are many health benefits associated with chia seeds, and chia seed pudding is a great way to reap all these benefits!
Chia seeds are packed with nutrients – calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to name a few – and are high in antioxidants. According to some studies, chia seeds are also a wonderful way to lose weight, reduce blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and even lower your risk of heart disease.
As a bonus, chia seeds are also high in soluble fiber, which is what helps them expand and will keep you fuller for longer while aiding digestion.
How to Make Easy Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is always a good idea! It’s healthy, delicious, and is pretty much foolproof so you really can’t go wrong with this recipe.
To make your own chia seed pudding, just follow these basic steps:
- Combine 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with ½ cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of honey. Stir.
- Once the mixture has thickened (after 15-20 minutes), stir again.
- Keep in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Just two tablespoons of chia seeds for ½ cup of milk may not seem like a lot, but the chia seeds will absorb the liquid and expand over time to make your sweet and jiggly pudding. Like magic!
For presentation purposes, you can choose to make this in your favorite mason jar, mug, or bowl. Or, you can transfer it when ready.
Make Vegan Chia Seed Pudding with Plant Milk
It’s just as easy to make vegan chia seed pudding with just a couple of tweaks.
First, swap the milk with your plant milk of choice. This could be almond milk, coconut milk, or anything else. Just remember that you may need to adjust the amount of chia seeds or liquid based on the kind of plant milk you use. If it’s looking too thin, simply add more chia seeds. And if it feels too thick, add more milk!
Chia Seed Pudding Ideas
What I love about this basic chia seed pudding recipe is that there are so many ways to make it your own! Like I’ve mentioned in the vegan version of this recipe, you can use any kind of milk or sweetener you like. But you can also mix in almost any toppings you can think of – fruits, chocolates, spices, anything! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Add chopped strawberries, banana, and peanut butter for a healthy breakfast treat
- Add chai spice mix and vanilla extract to make vanilla chai chia pudding
- Use coconut milk and chocolate chips for a creamy, dreamy chia pudding with a tropical twist
Fun Fact:
Why do chia seeds expand?
They are full of soluble fiber that helps them absorb liquids.