Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding (Creamy, 5 Ingredient Recipe)

Creamy, indulgent, and nutrient-dense – there’s a lot to love about this super simple vanilla chia seed pudding recipe. Keep your fridge stocked for a healthy grab-and-go snack or breakfast. 

If you’re looking to add one food to your diet that is a nutrition multitasker – try chia seeds! These little seeds don’t look like much, but regularly incorporating them in your diet is associated with a variety of health benefits like better cholesterol and lower inflammation.

This vanilla chia seed pudding recipe is my favorite way to eat them. 

When soaked in water, chia seeds hydrate and expand. That’s because they’re rich in a type of fiber called mucilage which gives them that gel-like consistency. We harness that super power and use it to make this chia pudding that is creamy and rich with just the right amount of vanilla. 

This pudding is easy to meal prep in batches for the week so you have a grab-and-go snack or healthy breakfast (or dessert!). I love having this chia pudding with fresh fruit instead of my go-to bowl of yogurt for breakfast.

The other great thing about this recipe is that it is diet and allergen friendly since it’s gluten-free as well as vegan and dairy free when you use a plant-based milk. 

Check out even of Get Healthy U’s healthy breakfast ideas.

Ingredients for Vanilla Chia Pudding

Use these simple and fresh ingredients packed with nutritional value to make this delicious vanilla chia pudding recipe. 

• Milk: use any unsweetened, unflavored milk of your choice (both dairy or non-dairy milks work well). You can also use unsweetened vanilla plant-based milk (I like unsweetened almond milk), but you can try cashew milk, oat milk, or soy milk too. For an extra indulgent pudding, you can also try this recipe with canned coconut milk. 
• Chia Seeds: chia seeds have this superpower that allows them to absorb a ton of water so they plump up and soften, creating a pudding-like texture. (It’s similar to tapioca pudding.) They’re relatively easy to find these days in the baking aisle or bulk bins at most grocery stores. 
• Maple Syrup: I like to use maple syrup to sweeten chia pudding but you can also use honey. (However, I find that maple syrup dissolves better than honey since the mixture is cold.) You can also use a sugar free alternative sweetener like monkfruit or stevia. 
• Vanilla Extract: to make sure the finished pudding has plenty of vanilla flavor, we use about 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract for this recipe. Higher quality vanilla extract will have more flavor so try to keep some on hand for this recipe. You can also use vanilla paste instead of extract for even more vanilla flavor.
• Sea Salt: just a small pinch of sea salt helps enhance the chocolate flavor. 

Variations

Blend it Up: if you want a smooth texture, blend your chia pudding in the blender before chilling. 

Stir in Flavorings: mix jam into your chia pudding after chilling. Stir in your favorite spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. 

Add Fruit: stir frozen fruit into the chia pudding before chilling OR top your prepped chia pudding with fresh fruit (or thawed from frozen). Really any fruit is great: bananas, kiwi, apples, pears, berries, pomegranate, pineapple, mango, and more. Remember, berries are a great anti-inflammatory food!

Add Toppings: add crunchy toppings for extra texture – we like coconut, granola, or nuts. This pudding is also delicious with some nut butter like almond butter or peanut butter. 

How to Make Chia Pudding

This healthy chocolate chia seed pudding is simple to put together in a few steps.

Whisk the Pudding: Add all the pudding ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk well to combine. (Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a mason jar and shake well to combine.) Set aside for 5 minutes then whisk again to prevent big clumps of chia seeds from forming. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. 

Optional Step: if you don’t like the texture of chia pudding, you can puree it in the blender before you chill it for a smooth and creamy consistency. 

Chill: Store the chia pudding in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight until thickened. 

Is Chia Seed Pudding Good For You?

Yes, chia pudding is great for you! Why? For starters, chia seeds are a great source of plant-based omega 3 fatty acids called alpha-linolenic acid (and too many of us aren’t getting enough omega-3s).

These healthy fats play an important role in promoting our overall well-being since they support everything from brain function to heart health and reducing inflammation. 

Just one serving of chia seeds (about 2.5 tablespoons of chia seeds) provides 5 grams of plant-based protein, 10 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of heart healthy fats, and plenty of antioxidants.

If you’re looking to score more fiber, chia pudding is a delicious option since just one serving provides almost half of your daily needs. You can also explore these 25 natural sources of fiber that help with weight loss!

How Long Does Chia Pudding Take to Thicken?

In my experience, the chia pudding is pretty much set after chilling for 2-3 hours in the fridge. It will continue to thicken the longer you leave it, so if you prefer a thicker consistency, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

If your overnight chia pudding gets too thick after chilling, just stir in a splash of milk to thin.

Storage

Chia pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze your chia pudding for up to 3 months.

Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying from frozen.