I’m a little late to the chia seed pudding game. As a dietitian, you would think I’d be all over the latest and greatest food trends. But I’m a sceptic. And so I like to wait and see if a food trend is really going to make it for the long-haul or be gone in a week. It seems chia seeds have made their mark on foodies everywhere and will be hanging around for quite some time….and honestly, if you’re making chocolate chia seed pudding, I see no reason for chia seeds to move out of the spotlight anytime soon. They definitely have a permanent home in my pantry.
I think I fell in love with chia seeds the first time I used them. I like to mix them into yogurt and kefir and am totally fascinated by how they “gel” up. As I have started using chia seeds more, I’ve gotten creative. I like to experiment with different flavor combos and add them to anything from smoothies to kefir to almond milk to kombucha to yogurt. My favorites, by far, are yogurt and kefir but chia seeds are very versatile – another reason I think they’ll be a lasting food trend. And I feel like I’m eating dessert for breakfast when I have chia seed pudding, especially when it’s chocolate chia seed pudding. And, seriously, who doesn’t want to have dessert for breakfast!
This pudding is amazing! Healthy too! No added sugars, low carb, healthy fats, high fiber, probiotics from the yogurt and kefir, antioxidants from the cacao powder – it’s perfect. You can make this chia seed pudding like overnight oats and eat it for breakfast, if you’re good at planning…. I am not, haha, so I typically make it in the morning, and let the chia seed pudding sit for five to ten minutes while I finish getting ready for work. Allowing the pudding to rest lets the chia seeds absorb moisture and take on that “gel-like” consistency, thickening whatever you mix them with into a pudding.
You really can eat this for dessert as well. Kris and I devoured these chocolate chia seed puddings for dessert the other night. I often make chocolate chia seed pudding when I’m craving dessert but don’t have anything sweet in the house. I also make these for dessert because I do try to keep my daily sugar intake as low as possible. Chocolate chia seed pudding can be a healthy, enjoyable treat and easily fits into a well-balanced eating plan. This recipe is not overly sweet as I did not add any sugar, just fresh berries and real vanilla extract to flavor.
Hope you enjoy this chocolate chia seed pudding as much as we do! Let me know your favorite way to use chia seeds! Do you make chia seed pudding too?
- 1 cup full fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup plain kefir or milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp real vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mixed nuts chopped
- Raspberries and walnuts for toppings any berries and nuts will work
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Stir together Greek yogurt and kefir.
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Mix in chia seeds, stirring well
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Add cacao powder and vanilla, stir to incorporate
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Add nuts
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Refrigerate for at least 5 minutes or overnight
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Enjoy!
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