6 Ways to Make Healthy Chia Pudding - Simply Quinoa (2024)

How to make healthy chia pudding in 6 amazing flavors! We've got banana bread, chocolate, chai spiced, strawberry shortcake, vanilla coconut, and lemon raspberry. And each of these chia seed pudding recipes are great for breakfast, but also can be enjoyed as a balanced, high protein snack.

Whenever I'm in a breakfast rut, I turn to chia pudding.

Granted, I love my easy green smoothie bowls, but chia pudding is one of those things that are crazy simple to make but also can be jazzed up a million different ways.

Why You'll Love These Chia Pudding Recipes

• Meal prep friendly. Chia pudding can be made the night before and stored in the fridge, so it's the perfect grab and go breakfast. Plus, you can double most recipes so you have a few batches ready for you!
• Keeps you satisfied all day. Chia pudding is high in protein, full of omega-3s, and packed with fiber, so it's a great way to start any day.
• Easy to Make. The best part about chia pudding is that it only takes a few minutes to prep, 10-15 minutes of rest time, and then you have a delicious breakfast ready for you!
• Customizable. As you’ll see in just a second, chia pudding is totally customizable meaning you can really make any type of flavor you’d like! As long as you’re using the base recipe outlined below, you can make a different flavor each and every time!
• And here's the best part: it's SUPER healthy. Chia pudding is high in protein, full of omega-3s, packed with fiber and helps keep you full and satisfied all day long. It's also meal-prep friendly which makes it all that much better for busy moms and professionals.

So today I'm going to talk all about how to make chia pudding, give you some tips and tricks for making it taste amazing and I'm even showing you 6 of my favorite healthy chia pudding recipes.

Think of this post as your Chia Seed Pudding 101 Masterclass!

All you need to make chia pudding is:

• chia seeds
• a liquid (usually non-dairy milk)

From there you can honestly do whatever you want. Add sweetness, add spices, add fruit, add vegetables (!?) and more.

The Different Types of Chia Seeds

When most people think about chia seeds, they think of those little tiny black seeds. But did you know there are actually multiple types of chia seeds?

The two main types of chia seeds are black and white. They both have the same nutritional value, they're just different colors! The benefit of changing the colors up is basically just how the chia puddings look. You'll see what I mean when you see our flavors!

The white chia seeds can actually be hard to find, so I definitely recommend picking some up online!

Want to learn even more? Check out: Are Chia Seeds Good For You?

How to Make Chia Pudding (Base Formula)

Here's the formula for creating perfect chia pudding every time! This base recipe yields one serving, but as I mentioned earlier, this recipe can easily be doubled if you're making chia pudding for several days.

Ingredients needed:

• 3 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 3/4 cup milk of choice

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Leave on the counter at room temperature to thicken, about 15 minutes.
2. Once thick, stir together again and add a splash of extra milk if needed.
3. Stir in your favorite toppings/flavors and enjoy!

How to Make Chia Pudding Taste Good

Chia pudding on its own is fairly plain in the flavor department. But that's what makes it fun! Because you can really have some fun with the flavors.

I'm going to be sharing 6 specific chia pudding flavors, but before we get to that I also wanted to share some ways you can add your own flavors to your chia puddings.

Topping Ideas and Mix-Ins

• Nut butter: whether used as a topping, as a layer or stirred into the mix. I like raw almond butter, raw cashew butter and also peanut butter (duh)
• Chocolate: you can never go wrong with chocolate, but if you're looking for something different stir some raw cacao powder into your chia – it's going to make it taste like dessert!
• Fruit: fruit is another way to totally change up the flavors of your chia pudding, while also adding sweetness and more nutrients. I like berries, banana, apples, pears, peaches, you name it!
• Coconut: if you're a coconut lover like me, this is a great way to jazz up the flavor of your pudding – whether you use coconut milk in the base, shredded or flaked coconut on top, or even coconut butter as a drizzle.
• Jams & spreads: if you don't have access to fresh fruit, or you want to avoid browning or tons of added sweeteners, pick up a no added sugar 100% fruit spread. There are tons of flavors to choose from too!
• Spices: have some fun here – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, cardamom, etc. are all amazing ways to add a punch of flavor!

And you could also swap out the type of milk you're using to change up the flavors!

How to Meal Prep Chia Pudding

Chia pudding usually lasts about 5 days in fridge. It kind of depends on which fruit you're adding, so keep that in mind as well. Berries will last longer than bananas (I usually say bananas will only last 2 days, max!).

I like to use these tulip jelly weck jars to meal prep my chia pudding! They're super portable so you can take them with you to work or school, easy to clean, and c'mon – who doesn't love a cute mason jar?!

Want More Flavor Variations?

Before we dive into all the delicious flavors I'm sharing down below, I thought it might be helpful to give you my base. This is the chia pudding that is kind of mild in flavor and can be used with all sorts of different flavor combos! Keep scrolling past the recipe card to get 6 more delicious ways to make chia pudding.

6 Ways to Make Chia Pudding

I've made chia pudding at least 100 times. I love it and love coming up with new flavor combinations. But since there are literally a million different ways to make it, I want to give you my favorites.

Here are the flavors we're working with today:

• Banana Bread
• Lemon Raspberry
• Coconut Vanilla Cashew
• Chai Latte
• Dark Chocolate
• Strawberry Cheesecake

Chia pudding makes an awesome meal prep option, so I recommend making a few flavors on a Sunday to enjoy all week long. If you do actually assemble/mix the flavors ahead, I recommend starting your week with the ones that contain fruit (banana first!) as those will get mushy the longer they sit.

Ready to learn how to make chia pudding? Let's do this!

1. Banana Bread

My first go-to flavor is banana bread. It's only 5 ingredients, tastes so good and is naturally sweet. What I love about using banana is that because it's so sweet, you don't need to add extra sugar. The only thing about this one is it doesn't keep as well – so eat it the same day or next!

Ingredients you need for your Banana Bread Chia Pudding:

• 1 whole banana, halved
• 3 tablespoons black chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• Chopped walnuts to garnish

Mash half of the banana in a small bowl. Add the chia, cinnamon and almond milk and stir to combine. Allow the chia to sit for 10 – 15 minutes, or overnight. When ready to eat, add half the chia pudding into your jar. Layer on some slices of the remaining banana, then the rest of the chia pudding, the rest of the banana and some chopped walnuts.

2. Lemon Raspberry

I love the combo of lemon and fresh berries. Lemon brightens everything up and berries are sweet, but still low on the glycemic index which makes the whole meal a little healthier. This chia pudding is zingy, fresh and delicious!

Ingredients you need for your Lemon Raspberry Chia Pudding

• 3 tablespoons white chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2/3 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup fresh raspberries + more to garnish

Add the chia seeds, syrup and most of the lemon zest into a bowl. Stir to combine and then let the bowl sit for 10 – 15 minutes to thicken up. When ready to serve, add half the raspberries to the bottom of your jar and mash them into a “jam” consistency. Give the chia pudding a quick stir then add it on top of the raspberries. Finish with a few more raspberries and the rest of the lemon zest.

3. Vanilla Coconut Cashew

I'm a biiiiig coconut lover and this chia pudding recipe is one of my favorites on the list. It's made with creamy coconut milk which gives it a little natural sweetness, but we also stir in some vanilla to give it a pop of flavor. Finished off with some cashew butter and coconut flakes and it tastes like incredible!

Ingredients you need for your Vanilla Coconut Cashew:

• 3 tablespoons black chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup canned coconut milk (full-fat or lite)
• 1 tablespoon cashew butter
• Shredded coconut to garnish

Whisk together the chia seeds, syrup, extract and milk in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 – 15 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Give it a stir before serving then add the chia pudding into a jar (or keep it in the bowl). Top with the cashew butter and coconut flakes.

4. Chai Latte

I've always loved the chai lattes from Starbucks, but they're just too much sugar for me these days. So I created a chia pudding inspired by that drink! It tastes like a chai latte, but is packed with protein and not much sugar. It's also caffeine-free so it can be enjoyed as an afternoon treat as well.

Ingredients you need for your Chai Latte Chia Pudding:

• 3 tablespoons black chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon each: nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cardamom
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• Chopped pecans and a cinnamon stick to garnish

Whisk together the chia seeds, sugar, spices, and milk in a bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 – 15 minutes until it has thickened. Give it a stir before serving then add the chia pudding into a jar (or keep it in the bowl). Top with the almond butter, pecans, and a cinnamon stick if desired.

5. Dark Chocolate

I had to throw something chocolatey in here because I just love chocolate for breakfast! This combination has a base of creamy chocolate pudding (thanks to cacao and almond milk) and then is topped with coconut yogurt, hazelnuts, and mini chocolate chips. It's just divine!

Ingredients you need for your Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding:

• 3 tablespoons black chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• Coconut yogurt, chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips to garnish

Whisk together the chia seeds, raw cacao powder, maple syrup, and almond milk in a bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 – 15 minutes until it has thickened. Give it a stir before serving then add the chia pudding into a jar (or keep it in the bowl). Top it with coconut yogurt, nuts and some chocolate chips if desired!

6. Strawberry Cheesecake

This might just be my favorite ones on the list! There's a creamy coconut-infused base and then a layer of strawberry jam and finished with some chopped fruit and almonds on top. Each layer is infused with sweet strawberries and a creaminess that reminds me of cheesecake. It's fabulous!

Ingredients you need for your Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Pudding:

• 3 tablespoons white chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
• Fresh strawberries & almonds to garnish

Whisk together the chia seeds, vanilla, and milks in a bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 – 15 minutes until it has thickened. Give it a stir before serving then add half of the chia pudding into a jar (or keep it in the bowl). Top with the jam and spread it into an even layer and then add the rest of the chia pudding on top. Finish with the fresh strawberries and almonds.

What's Your Favorite Chia Pudding Flavor?

Since the possibilities are truly endless with chia pudding, we'd love to hear from YOU! What are your favorite ways to make chia pudding? We'd love for you to leave your flavor combinations below!