Easy Chia Pudding Recipe

This easy chia pudding recipe is made with just 3 ingredients, can be made plant-based, and is full of fiber, protein, and omega-3’s!

After a winter of oatmeal, I’m back on the chia pudding train with this easy chia pudding recipe. 

I love chia pudding because it’s SO easy to make, has no added sugar, and I can make three mason jars on Sunday as part of my meal prep and have breakfast through Wednesday! Then, each morning, I just scoop one jar into a bowl and top with whatever I’m in the mood for that day – no meal monotony here.

How to Make Chia Pudding

The best thing about chia pudding is how EASY it is to make. The second best thing is how endless the topping possibilities are. To make chia pudding, all you have to do is dump the ingredients in a mason jar or other airtight container, stir or shake it, and let it thicken for at least an hour.

Here are the only two things you need to remember:

• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to 1/4 cup liquid 
• Mix and let it sit for at least an hour

That’s it! Now you can enjoy it with your favorite seasonal toppings. Since I don’t add sugar or sweetener to my chia pudding recipe, I prefer to add flavor and sweetness with toppings like fresh fruit, gluten-free granola, nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut shavings, bee pollen…the list goes on. 

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

I don’t love the term superfood, but if there was one food I would call a superfood it’s chia seeds. Chia seeds are tiny black or white seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica. The Aztecs and Mayans regularly consumed chia seeds because of their ability to provide sustained energy — “chia” actually means “strength” in Mayan.

Now that we have the nutrition science to understand foods, we know that chia seeds provide sustained energy thanks to their high fiber content, omega-3 fats, and plant protein.

One tablespoon of dry chia seeds provides:

• Over 3 grams of fiber

• Almost 4 grams of unsaturated fat

• 2 grams of protein

This powerful combination of nutrients helps keep you full longer and supports healthy digestion.

Chia Pudding Topping Ideas

I like to make a big batch of chia pudding at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for breakfasts or snacks. Then I simply top it with whatever flavors I’m craving that day.

Some of my favorite toppings include:

• Fresh berries

• Gluten-free granola

• Nuts or nut butter

• Pumpkin seeds

• Coconut flakes

• Bee pollen

The combinations are endless depending on the season.

More Easy Recipes with Chia Seeds

Now that your pantry is likely stocked with chia seeds, try some of these easy recipes with chia seeds:

• Almond Butter Breakfast Bars
• Baked Sweet PotaTOASTS with Cranberry Chia Jam
• Banana Walnut Oatmeal Muffins
• Gingerbread Protein Balls with Collagen Coconut Frosting