3-Ingredient Chia Seed Pudding, with a Compote
Chia seeds are a serious superfood. They’re full of fiber, so adding them to foods helps you feel full for longer. They’re great for digestion and can even boost your energy. While you can sneak them into smoothies or juices, chia seeds are also really tasty — not to mention fun — when you use them to make chia seed pudding.
See, when you add chia seeds to a liquid and let them soak in it, the chia seeds absorb the liquid and puff up in size, transforming from a seed-like texture to a gel consistency that’s reminiscent of pudding.
Best of all, this chia seed pudding can be eaten as breakfast, snack or dessert. You have to try it!
3-Ingredient Chia Seed Pudding
This is the classic chia seed pudding, with just three ingredients: a nondairy milk, chia seeds and vanilla extract. Each serving is roughly two tablespoons of chia seeds, a half-cup of nondairy milk (coconut or unsweetened almond milk work best) and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla.
Because of the fiber in chia seeds, this classic version also doubles as a keto chia seed pudding, with only 4 net carbs per serving. It’s also friendly to nearly any kind of diet, including vegan and Paleo.
Beyond the benefits of chia seeds, coconut milk adds great creamy texture, electrolytes and healthy fats. As an alternative, almond milk contains far fewer calories and contains half a day’s recommended intake of vitamin E, a significant amount of vitamin D and a hearty dose of calcium.
Optional Toppings
If you want to dress up this pudding, consider making a strawberry rhubarb compote.
Rhubarb does more than give the pudding a gorgeous color. The vegetable lowers inflammation and eases digestion while adding a tart taste to this chia seed pudding.
Start by mixing the first three ingredients — coconut milk, chia seeds and vanilla — in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
Next, chop up the rhubarb and strawberries, then add to a small pot over medium heat. Cook until the rhubarb is tender.
Add the rhubarb mixture plus maple syrup and water to a blender, and blend until all the ingredients are well combined.
Remove the chia seed pudding from the refrigerator and separate into four glasses, topping with the strawberry rhubarb compote once it has cooled.
Place the glasses in the fridge for about an hour to let them chill and set. Top them with coconut flakes, cacao nibs or both and serve! (This pudding will also last in the fridge for a week.)
This strawberry rhubarb chia seed pudding is easy to take on the go to work — just put in a portable container. It also doubles as a super healthy dessert that the entire family will enjoy.
If you dig the taste of this chia seed pudding, try our chia seed smoothie bowl next!
PrintChia Seed Pudding Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The classic chia seed pudding only requires three ingredients. On top of this pudding, you can add any kind of fruit, or this strawberry rhubarb compote.
Ingredients
Chia Pudding Mixture:
- 3 cups coconut milk (full fat/canned)
- ¾ cup chia seeds
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Compote Mixture (Optional):
- 5–6 rhubarb stalks, chopped
- 1½ cups strawberries
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ⅓ cup water
- top with shredded coconut flakes/cacao nibs
Instructions
- Mix well the first 3 ingredients in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
- For the optional compote, chop up the fruit and add it to a small pot. Cook over medium heat or until rhubarb is tender, about 8 minutes.
- Add mixture, maple syrup and water into a blender and blend until well combined.
- Distribute chia seed pudding evenly into four glasses and top with the compote, once it has cooled. Place in refrigerator and allow to chill for up to 1 hour.
- Serve topped with shredded coconut flakes and/or cacao nibs.
Notes
- If you want to reduce the calories, use reduced fat coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk.
- Rather than a compote, you can also simply add some fresh fruit: blueberries, strawberries, pineapples, cherries, etc.
- Coconut flakes, raw sliced almonds, hemp seeds and cacao nibs all offer good toppings, with or without fruit.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (135g) of pudding only
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 30.5g
- Saturated Fat: 22.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1g
- Fiber: 7.1g
- Protein: 5.7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Comments
Please keep comments under 200 characters.
The article itself did not have the recipe! It only had how to make it, and why each ingredient was good for us. I needed to go to the video to learn what the ingredients were.
Yikes! Sorry about that Mirdza. We just fixed. We will also update this recipe and add a nutrition card to it very soon!
thank you
Nice Article & Great Idea
I prefer dates to sweeten, not maple syrup, so 4 stoned dates.
Another great, simple chia dessert is this: 2 cups almond milk (easy to make your own, or shop bought), 1/2 cup chia seeds, 4 dates and 1 banana. Simply put banana and dates and half the milk into blender and puree until smooth. Add rest of milk, blend again. Pour into pretty bowl and stir in chia seeds. Refridgerate for at least 3 hours, better overnight. Stir from time to time, and add chia seeds it it isn’t thick enough for your liking.
As I no longer have dairy or anything that tastes “creamy”, this dessert is a “creamy tasting” treat. The bananas make the creamy texture, chia seeds thicken it. I sometimes add in turmeric and ginger (powder or whole tuber) to boost the anti-inflammatory benefits, add these right at the start so they blend smoothly. Yum and tastes like milky tapioca pudding, memories of childhood.
Is there a danger of digestive track blockages when consuming chia seeds?
Such a danger can exist if people consume chia seeds without soaking them first. Once they’ve soaked and expanded, they present no blockage risk.
Looking forward in trying your healthy recipes!
Thanks, Mary! I’m excited for you to try them!
I found you online, and as a Nurse I agree with eating better. Some of your recipes sound gorgeous and I have eaten the chia seeds and Greek yogurt and they are very good. I would have saved a lot of time if I had found you first. What attracted me to you is the uses of essential oils. I love the Lavender it helps me relax and distress from everything. I am looking forward in trying the lemon and of course all the others. I want to get grapefruit soon.
Thank you for caring about others.
Kate Holton
Kate, Thank you so much. I love hearing personal stories from people like you that care so much about health and wellness. I hope you continue to find natural remedies that work for you. Blessings to you and yours.
I found you on Jordan Rubin’s TV program.
I like the many helpful videos you have on your web-site.
Now I’ve discovered your recipes, I want your book.
Thank You for all your suggestions and help.
I’m so glad I found you DrAxe your an inspiration. I’m so excited about how my life is going to change with your help thank you xxx
You are a breath of fresh air! I’m so glad I found you online! I love what you do to help others develope healthy & common sense life style!
Sincere blessings to you,
Bonnie Coley.