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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Chocolate Chia Pudding

    Published: Feb 5, 2019 Modified: Jan 6, 2023 by Karen Kelly This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    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.

    chocolate chia pudding in three jars
    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this recipe
    • Nutrition 
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Helpful tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Chocolate Chia Pudding

    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 with raspberries and a spoon

    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
    whole30 chia pudding with raspberries in three jars

    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
    whole30 chia pudding with cocoa powder in a spoon

    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. 

    Chocolate Chia Pudding

    Try this hearty Chocolate Chia Pudding (Keto) for some healthy meal prep this week.  It's sweet, creamy and loaded with goodness. {keto, gluten free, diary free, whole 30, paleo}
    4.43 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: chocolate chia seed pudding
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 181kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
    • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon stevia extract
    • ½ cup chia seeds

    Instructions

    • Whisk together all ingredients except chia seeds until well combined.
    • Stir in chia seeds and mix well. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight or at least three hours. It might help to mix again after about 30 minutes of chilling to avoid clumps.
    • Remove from fridge, place in individual containers and place back in fridge until ready to eat.  Top as desired.

    Notes

    These can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 341mg | Iron: 3.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @seasonal_cravings or tag #seasonal_cravings and I will repost on my stories.

    About Karen Kelly

    Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find wholesome gluten-free recipes and healthy lifestyle tips.

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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

      February 07, 2019 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      I love chia puddings, the texture is so yum! Look forward to trying your recipe!

      Reply
    2. Dannii

      February 07, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      I love making pudding with chia seeds - it has such a nice texture.

      Reply
    3. Veena Azmanov

      February 07, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Love this Pudding recipe and the amazing toppings to it. Chocolate is always a welcome.

      Reply
    4. Morgan Eisenberg

      February 07, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      Coconut milk sounds perfect in this recipe, can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    5. Edyta

      February 07, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      5 stars
      I love this chocolate chia pudding! So healthy but so easy and delicious!

      Reply
    6. MeemZ

      March 29, 2019 at 2:21 pm

      Can I use honey? And how much?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        March 29, 2019 at 7:47 pm

        Yes, I would add a tsp or so but it's up to your taste preference.

        Reply
    7. Jesse

      June 13, 2019 at 8:19 am

      I tried making this for my first attempt at chia pudding but it turned into a big clump of chia seeds at the bottom and liquid sitting on top 🙁 when I tasted it it was also super bitter, where could I have gone wrong?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        June 16, 2019 at 6:13 pm

        So sorry Jesse. The only thing I can think of is that it should have been mixed more. Maybe you need to go in after about 30 minutes of chilling and stir it well again. As far as the bitter goes, I'm not sure bc the recipe calls for stevia. Maybe you needed to add more. Did you use the liquid stevia because it is concentrated and very sweet. I've haven't had this problem but I made a note in the recipe. Thanks for letting me know and good luck!

        Reply
    8. Kellie

      June 20, 2019 at 7:53 pm

      The nutritional values say 18 carbs. I am assuming this is for the whole recipe and not per serving, correct? Which would make it about six carbs per serving .

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        June 29, 2019 at 5:34 pm

        Hi Kellie, It's per serving and this makes 3 servings.

        Reply
        • Karen Kelly

          June 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

          If you want to lower the carbs you leave out the cocoa and just makes this vanilla flavored.

          Reply
          • Shay

            December 29, 2019 at 12:37 am

            Or use unsweetened coco powder

            Reply
    9. Jenica

      September 22, 2019 at 9:27 pm

      How much is one serving?

      Reply
    10. Penny Jones

      December 05, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      I made mine with dark cocoa and just love it! With a few raspberries on top it's delicious!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        December 06, 2019 at 7:34 pm

        Sounds great, thanks for letting me know.

        Reply

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    Hello!

    I'm Karen Kelly a food and travel writer, health coach and recipe creator. At Seasonal Cravings you will find quick, healthy recipes and the best travel tips!

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