Chocolate Chia Pudding

Try this Chocolate Chia Pudding for some healthy meal prep this week. It's a decadent no-bake sweet treat packed with nutrition. This chia pudding is easy to whip up in minutes with only 5 simple ingredients - chia seeds, milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, and vanilla.

Why you'll love this recipe

What's not to love about a healthy chocolate dessert suitable for breakfast? This dreamy pudding is an irresistible treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

This sweet treat has a rich chocolate flavor and is subtly sweetened with stevia. It tastes so good; you'd never think it's actually good for you. Packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, and other health benefits, this delicious treat will become your favorite fast.

Plus, this chocolate chia seed pudding is a great meal prep idea. Whip up a batch on a weekend to last you throughout the busy workweek. 

As written, this recipe is gluten-free, keto, and vegan. But it's also quite versatile. Feel free to use your choice of milk. So if you do well with regular cow's milk, go for it. Likewise, you can use maple syrup or raw honey to sweeten the pudding.

That's the great thing about this recipe. It's so flexible and can be tailored to meet your dietary needs. The important thing to remember is to keep the ratio of milk to chia seeds as written in the recipe. Otherwise, you'll end up with clumpy or runny chia seed pudding.

Nutrition 

Chocolate Chia Pudding is amazingly delicious and an excellent gluten-free and dairy-free breakfast or dessert.

Sweetened with stevia extract, it's also low-carb, making it an excellent option for those following a keto diet. And even though technically, Whole30 does not permit desserts, the ingredients in the pudding are paleo and Whole30 compliant. 

This pudding is packed with heart-healthy chia seeds that keep you full until lunch. According to Harvard School of Public Health, chia seeds are loaded with nutrients. They are rich in calcium, phosphorus, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. The soluble fiber in chia seeds may help with weight loss by promoting the feeling of fullness and preventing blood sugar spikes. 

Plus, a serving of this chocolate chia seed pudding clocks in at 7 grams of protein and only 5 grams of net carbs. Who can say no to that?

Ingredients

Chocolate chia pudding has very basic ingredients. 

• Milk - unsweetened almond milk is best, but coconut and cashew milk will also work. Oat milk is another great dairy-free milk but the pudding will no longer be low-carb and keto compliant.
• Cocoa powder - Dutch-processed is best; also known as cacao powder
• Vanilla extract
• Liquid stevia - also known as stevia extract; may use stevia powder
• Chia seeds - regular black chia seeds is best

Step-by-Step Instructions

This chocolate pudding comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients and 3 simple steps. The hardest part is waiting for the pudding to set.

The printable recipe is in the recipe card for your convenience.

Step 1. Combine ingredients

Whisk together all ingredients except chia seeds until well combined.

Step 2. Add chia seeds

Stir in ½ cup chia seeds and mix well. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours but overnight for best results. It might help to mix again after about 30 minutes of chilling to avoid clumps.

Step 3. Transfer to individual containers

Remove from fridge, place in individual containers, and place back in the fridge until ready to eat.  Top as desired.

Helpful tips

Chocolate chia pudding recipe is pretty simple on its own. But consider these helpful tips for best results:

• If you use full-fat coconut milk, the pudding consistency may be thicker than almond milk. If desired, you can thin it down with a few tablespoons of additional coconut milk or water.
• To avoid chia seeds from clumping, stir well after 30 minutes of chilling.
• Chia seed pudding is great for meal prep. Whip up on Sunday to have easy and healthy breakfasts ready throughout the week.
• If the pudding isn't sweet enough, try adding fresh fruit first before adding more sweetener. 
• The ratio for chia seed pudding is typically 1 part chia seeds to 4 parts liquid. You may need to adjust as needed if using coconut milk but this is a good rule of thumb. 
• Try unsweetened vanilla almond milk to amp up the vanilla flavor and make vanilla chia pudding. 

Serving Suggestions

Chocolate chia pudding is packed with nutrition and sustenance that it's great as an easy breakfast. And yet the decadent chocolate makes it an excellent dessert choice. Either way, you can top it with an endless array of healthy superfoods to take it over the top.

Consider these chocolate chia pudding toppings:

• Berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries
• Fresh banana slices
• Coconut flakes
• Cacao nibs
• Chocolate chips (I like Lily's stevia-sweetened chips)
• Nuts like almonds, peanuts, pistachios, and walnuts
• Dried fruit (be sure it doesn't include added sugars)
• Nut butter - adds a great source of healthy fats and protein

Storage Instructions

For the best flavor and texture, store chia seed pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Give them a quick stir when you are ready to serve. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How healthy is chia seed pudding?

Chia pudding has an excellent nutrient profile, in large part due to the health benefits of chia seeds. These tiny seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Furthermore, keto chocolate chia pudding will keep the blood sugar balanced and promote the feeling of satiety, which may help with weight loss.

Do chia seeds need to be refrigerated?

Chia seeds are best stored in the refrigerator to extend their life and prevent rancidity. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 years. 

Why didn't my chia seeds turn into pudding?

One of the reasons the chia seeds may not gel properly can be from using stale seeds. Be sure to use chia seeds that have not expired. Another reason could be the improper chia seed to liquid ratio. Ensure you are following the ingredient measurement per recipe. Lastly, make sure you stir the chia seed pudding thoroughly to mix the milk and chia seeds properly.