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.
Mir
This pudding looks great, Dannii! Perfect for any chocoholic. It'll help those cravings subside!
Dannii
It really does hit the spot!
laura@wholeheartedlyhealthy
I love chia pudding but usually have it for breakfast. I like adding a scoop of chocolate protein powder to it as well, yum!
Dannii
I am liking the idea of chocolate for breakfast!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
You had me at healthy chocolate pudding, Dannii! Love this creative recipe! I wouldn't never thought to use chia seeds as a pudding. Sounds delicious and so healthy. Pinning this one!
Dannii
They are very versatile. Thanks for pinning :)
Anna @AnnaTheApple
Looks really tasty. I love chia seeds. I add a teaspoon to my porridge every morning to help make my porridge the perfect stodgy consistency and squeeze in some extra protein and goodness.
Dannii
It's all about the extra protein!
David @ Spiced
What a genius idea to use chia seeds to make chocolate pudding! I'm totally going to have to make this soon!!
Dannii
I hope you enjoy it :)
Laura
I love the idea of making this pudding, it satisfies my chocolate sweet tooth and incorporates those chia seeds. This is really great. And it's not complicated! Thanks Dannii!!!
Dannii
It's so simple and can be made ahead of time too.
Susie @ SuzLyfe
I've never made chia pudding, but I trust you if you say it is good.
I totally loved those jello snack cups as a kid. The whips ones too...
Dannii
Oooh, make it. It's so good!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
I love Chia Puddings and this looks delicious!!! Pinned! Have a great weekend! :D
Dannii
Thanks for pinning :)
Alison
This looks so tasty, it reminds me of a pudding my mum used to make but that was not quite so healthy
Dannii
It is delicious!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
This sounds lovely Dannii and looks super thick and creamy! A lovely alternative to an avocado chocolate pudding if you hate avocados.
Dannii
Hate avocados? What does this mean? :o haha
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Blending it after! Genius! I haven't wanted to try the chia seed pudding thing because the texture doesn't look appealing to me, but it never occurred to me to blend it so it's smooth like pudding! Definitely trying this Dannii!
Dannii
Blending it solves all of that. I hope you enjoy it :)
julie poepjes
Yes please more healthy desserts
Dannii
Lots more coming up!
Nicole
How long would this keep in the fridge? A week? A few days?
Dannii
I would say a couple of days.
Cara
Thanx for the great recipe, Dannii! I especially appreciate this one as I am in third trimester of my pregnancy, really love chocolate pudding, but also trying to restrict extreme weight gain. I can literally eat a 100g chocolate bar every single day. I am trying to replace some of these unhealthy cravings, so guess I am going to need to stock pile on chia seeds!
Jackie Allum
Awwww sounds amazing. Do you know what the calories would be if I used unsweetened soya milk instead?
Dannii
I am not sure. I work out all the calories using My Fitness Pal. If you add in the ingredients, but swap in soya milk, it will tell you :)
julie
I make chia jam almost every week :) Sounds like a good alternative to my nightly yogurt and I'll be making this!. If you don't like chocolate, use berries or some other fruit :) I love bananas and peanut butter :)
Dannii
I love chia jam. I just love chia seeds in general.
Danielle
Do you use raw cocoa powder or just regular? And I might use raw honey instead of the maple syrup :)
Dannii
Just regular unsweetened. It works well with maple syrup, honey or agave. Or even a date syrup.
Anna H
Defined going to try for me & my girls!! I use chia in my smoothies but am always looking for something else to put them in!! Thanks!!
Dannii
Let me know if they like it. I am always interested to hear if my recipes go down well with kids too.
Mark
Wow! Healthy chocolate pudding!!
My life is complete!!!
:)
Mark
Dannii
It is pretty life changing. Enjoy!
Diane
Looks delicious!
Ive never heard of chia seeds, a quick google offers up the options of whole or milled seed, which would you recommend please?
Dannii
Milled are what I used.