This creamy chia seed pudding is an easy, nutritious breakfast made with a few simple ingredients. Prepare it the night before for a convenient grab-and-go meal, then customize it with fruit, nuts, granola, or your favorite toppings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours or overnight
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, optional for extra creaminess
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Small pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
- Sliced banana
- Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pistachios
- Granola
- Shredded coconut
- Peanut or almond butter
- Ground cinnamon
- Extra chia seeds
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a medium mixing bowl or glass jar.
- Add the Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the chia seeds and whisk thoroughly for approximately one minute, making sure they are evenly distributed.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 5–10 minutes. Stir it again to break apart any clumps and prevent the seeds from settling at the bottom.
- Cover the bowl or jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Stir the pudding after chilling. It should have a thick, creamy consistency.
- If the pudding is too thick, mix in one or two tablespoons of milk. If it is too thin, add another teaspoon of chia seeds and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Divide the pudding between two clear serving glasses or small bowls.
- Add your preferred fruit, nuts, granola, coconut, or nut butter and serve cold.
Tips
- Stir the mixture twice before chilling to prevent chia-seed clumps.
- Use full-fat milk or creamy oat milk for a richer consistency.
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess, protein, and a light tangy flavor.
- Use a wide-mouth jar so the pudding is easier to stir and serve.
- Taste the mixture before refrigerating and adjust the sweetness if needed.
- Wait until serving time to add granola so it remains crunchy.
- For an extra-smooth texture, blend the finished pudding briefly in a blender.
- Chia seeds absorb liquid gradually, so allow enough chilling time.
Flavor Variations
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Add one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and an additional teaspoon of maple syrup.