This is the best chia pudding recipe for beginners. It is simple, creamy, and perfect for make ahead breakfast or a light dessert. This recipe is naturally vegan and dairy free.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:0 min
Total Time:8 hours
Yield:1 serving 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:No Bake
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup milk (dairy, almond, or oat work well)
1 tablespoon maple syrup or sweetener of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Combine the chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt in a jar or container with a lid.
Stir the mixture well for about 30 seconds to prevent the seeds from clumping at the bottom.
Let the mixture sit on the counter for 5 minutes, then stir again thoroughly. This second stir is key for a creamy texture.
Seal the container and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
When ready to eat, check the consistency. If it is too thick, stir in a splash more milk until you reach your desired creamy texture.
Serve cold with your favorite toppings.
Notes
For a high protein chia pudding, stir in 1 scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder, or substitute 1/4 cup of the milk with Greek yogurt before chilling.
To make chocolate chia pudding, add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder with the dry ingredients.
For a low carb chia pudding, use unsweetened almond milk and a zero-calorie sweetener like monk fruit or stevia instead of maple syrup.
This recipe is excellent for meal prep breakfast ideas; it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
If you want a smoother texture, you can blend the final mixture briefly in a blender before serving.