A Chocolate Chia Pudding is so creamy, delicious and easy to make and it tastes far more indulgent than it actually is. Packed full of protein it's a super simple healthy dessert, with no baking involved and you can even add some other flavours like orange or ginger. It's also vegan and gluten free. Just 130 calories and only 5 ingredients.
This is a healthy chocolate dessert with no banana or avocado in it. It isn't made with a tonne of butter or cream and instead we have used almond milk and chia seeds to give it that pudding texture. If you haven't tried a chia pudding before, then prepare for your mind to be blown.
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Why should you try it?
- A protein packed healthy dessert
- Just 136 calories a portion
- Vegan and gluten free
- Kids love it
- Easy to make different flavours
Step by step
One: Put the chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Two: Add the almond milk and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours (overnight is best).
Three: Pour into a blender and blend until smooth (optional).
Is it easy to make?
This is about s simple as chocolate pudding is going to get. You just mix the chia seeds with almond milk (although you can use any milk), cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla and leave them to soak for a few hours - although preferably overnight.
It's so easy to make that you probably have all the ingredients already in your kitchen. So what are you waiting for? Go make it! It's easy enough for kids to help make it too.
Is it healthy?
Yes! It's a healthy and nutrient dessert, that is much healthier than most of chocolate desserts. Using chia seeds not only gives it a delicious texture, but it adds lots of protein to it too. Chia seeds are also a great source of healthy fats, antioxidants and fibre.
Chia a seed that actually comes from the mint family, although it doesn't taste like mint, and has a kind of nutty taste. The great thing about them is that although they look like tiny seeds, when you add liquid to them and leave them for a few hours, they get much, much bigger, making them the perfect ingredient for a healthy dessert.
This dessert is so healthy, that we often eat it for breakfast. Chocolate pudding for breakfast - how amazing does that sound?!
Making it really smooth
Chia pudding has a different texture to a regular chocolate pudding and if you have had tapioca before then it is similar to that. If you want a smoother pudding, which kids usually prefer, then blitz it in food processor or blender first. This will make it even creamier.
What milk to use?
We used a homemade almond milk, however any dairy or dairy-free milk will work. Cashew or oat milk will make it really creamy, whilst still keeping it vegan and coconut milk will make it even thicker and add a delicious coconut flavour to it. If using coconut milk then we usually thin it down with some other milk too, so it isn't too thick.
Different flavours
We have gone with a classic chocolate flavour here, but there is so much that you can do with this pudding. A drop of peppermint extract or orange extract
How to serve
Chocolate and berries are such a classic combination, so we like to scatter a few raspberries or strawberries on top, but cherries work well too.
You could also add desiccated coconut, chopped nuts, some chocolate chips/shavings or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Anything that you would add to ice cream will work on this chocolate chia pudding too.
FAQs
This pudding will last for about 4-5 days in the fridge. We like to make a batch and keep it in the fridge for desserts, breakfasts and snacks through the week.
You can freeze chia pudding, and then defrost it overnight in the fridge. Just make sure that you freeze it in individual portions.
Extra tips
- Make sure your chia seeds haven't been sat in your cupboard for too long. If they have then they won't gel together to make a pudding. If you can't see this happening after about 20 minutes, then you will need to buy some new chia seeds and start again.
- This pudding will keep in the fridge for about 4-5 days.
- Make different flavour pudding by adding peppermint or orange extract.
- You can use any dairy or dairy free milk, however coconut milk will make it much thicker.
- If you don't like the texture, whizz it up in a food processor or blender to make it smoother.
- You can swap the maple syrup for honey or another liquid sweetener.
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Recipe card
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 480 ml almond milk
- 80 g chia seeds
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional, but it does make it nice and sweet)
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and put in the fridge for at least 5 hours (overnight is better).
- Pour the mixture in to a blender and blend until smooth. You can skip this step if you like, but I like the smoother pudding.
Notes
- Make sure your chia seeds haven't been sat in your cupboard for too long. If they have then they won't gel together to make a pudding. If you can't see this happening after about 20 minutes, then you will need to buy some new chia seeds and start again.
- This pudding will keep in the fridge for about 4-5 days.
- Make different flavour pudding by adding peppermint or orange extract.
- You can use any dairy or dairy free milk, however coconut milk will make it much thicker.
- If you don't like the texture, whizz it up in a food processor or blender to make it smoother.
- You can swap the maple syrup for honey or another liquid sweetener.
Brittany
While I LOVE LOVE LOVE the avocado pudding I've been making, I must try this for a LESS fatty version. Then I will feel better about eating 2-3 servings at once. HAHA.
Dannii
I must admit, I did eat way more than one portion. Ooops.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
This pudding looks so creamy and delicious, Dannii! I love the chia seeds and almond milk in here! This sounds like the perfect healthy and decadent treat!
Dannii
It's a favourite in our house!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Yum! This pudding looks so decadent I can't believe it's under 150 calories! Love the use of chia seeds too, what a great protein booster :)
Dannii
It's so creamy, you would never know it is healthy.
Helen Brickwood
I love chia seed and this recipes looks like an easy way to make a sweet and healthy treat!
I can't wait to give it a try!
Helen
♥
http://www.jumblebug.co.uk
Dannii
I hope you enjoy it!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I really like avocado-containing chocolate desserts but this looks delicious as an alternative. And great for you with the chia seeds!
Dannii
I do too, but sometimes this makes a nice change.
Fi
This looks so easy and sounds delicious. I'll definitely be trying it and saving it for a particularly massive chocolate craving. Thanks for sharing. x
Dannii
Those cravings are happing a lot recently for me, but I am doing well :)
Joanne
I LOVE chia! And hey, if it gets this healthy pudding into my belly then I'm all for it!
Dannii
Healthy pudding is the way forward!
Over a Cuppa
Mmm this looks lovely! I keep seeing chia seeds and they keep asking me to buy them (Cadbury's chocolate buttons usually do this!) but I think of all the things I have read about them your chocolate dessert is going to make them shout louder at me next time I see them!
Dannii
Haha, listen to them next time and give them a try :)
Maria @ runningcupcake
Mmm this looks delicious. I like the idea of blending it, but I would just have it as it as I like the texture.
Ocado had some chia seeds on offer this week so I stocked up- I usually have a spoonful mixed into my porridge each morning.
Dannii
It's a funny texture isn't it - some people love it and some people don't. I personally love it.
Gingi
Ohhhh, I may just make this! Healthy pudding is my weakness!!
Dannii
All pudding is my weakness haha
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness
Looks delicious. I love chia seeds.
Dannii
Me too! I wish I had of discovered them earlier.