Disclaimer:
Chia seed pudding used to sketch me out. I’d see pictures it of floating around the internet and it would make me feel weird inside.
Too sketchy. Too far out on the healthy scale, even for me.
I mean, to be fair, I’ve never been a pudding girl, even growing up. It was a texture thing I think. Especially tapioca. Nope. Not happening.
I say this only to set the stage.
Because now I’m obsessed.
A chia pudding queen. Here are some recipe ideas.
For 4 straight weeks now, I haven’t even bothered to clean out my glass mason jar [where my pudding lives]. Not because I’m gross.
But, why would I bother when I just keep filling it up and making another batch?
It’s called efficiency, people.
You know.
For “work”.
And I don’t feel the least bit bad about it.
It really is healthy and tastes like dessert. If you see a downside in that equation, do let me know.
It goes like this: chia seeds are a great source of protein and healthy fat that expand naturally in any liquid. They fill you up but also helps to pull toxins and waste out of your digestive track. And are so tiny that they don’t get slimy and weird. Plus, there is no added sugar. But tastes like there is.
And all you need is a little rich tasting bite, so one batch can last for a while.
I started with a really simple version – coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla.
It’s still my most favorite, even after trying other twists and flavors– adding cocoa powder, shaved chocolate, coconut flakes, berries, mangoes, a splash of coffee, cinnamon, etc. I tried the recipe with almond milk and hemp. With honey instead of maple syrup. But the original is by far my favorite.
Simple is best.
Usually always.
But especially with dessert.
And life.
On that topic, did I mention that it only takes 60 seconds to make and a few hours sitting in the fridge?
My kind of dessert making.
Or overnight breakfast.
[Or both. You’ll see.]
Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
Makes approximately 3 servings
1 (5.5oz) can coconut milk
3 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp organic grade b maple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a glass mason jar. Stir well to combine. Cover with a lid and place in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours. Tastes best after 24 hours! Feel free to adjust the sweetness in your next batch. I prefer even less than called for, but it’s up to you!
Or, give this fun, seasonal twist a whirl…
Pumpkin Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
Makes approximately 6 servings
1 can coconut milk
1 can pureed pumpkin
6 TB chia seeds
2 TB organic grade b maple syrup
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla
Puree coconut milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla together in a blender. Pour into 2 medium glass mason jars and add chia seeds, split equally among the 2 jars. Stir in the seeds well to combine. Cover with a lid and place in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours. Tastes best after 24 hours! Feel free to adjust the sweetness in your next batch. I prefer even less than called for, but it’s up to you!
Love this recipe? You’d love the cookbook then too. And be sure to check out the brand new Food Academy, now open for enrollment, and the seasonal meal plans!
Joyce says
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your wonderful blog! I have been trying out a lot of your recipes and they all have been delicious. (Made the egg+veggie bake this past weekend…DIVINE.)
I was just wondering about your favorite brand of coconut milk. Your vanilla chia seed pudding recipe calls for canned coconut milk…what brand do you usually use? And is there a difference between the canned and the boxed versions? I’m trying to find the cleanest brand out there and would love to hear your recommendations.
Thank you and keep up the good work with these amazing recipe posts! I’m forever a fan of Simply Real Health!
Sarah Adler of Simply Real Health says
Hi Joyce, I use the Thai Kitchen brand– never the lite kind, always the regular. It has the least amount of ingredients of all the brands I’ve seen (especially the carton kind). I hope that helps!
Cari says
I use Natural Value as the Thai Kitchen brand has a cheap filler added to it.
Sarah Adler of Simply Real Health says
Yes Natural Value is awesome if you can find it! Sometimes it’s only speciality stores that carry it 🙂
Sarah says
Hi! Love your site so much!!! Tried this as my first recipe this morning and can barely wait 4 hours to try hehe. How do you get the solid and liquid coconut mixed together? I find that the pudding mixed with all the ingredients is lumpy even when I try to whisk. Good luck on your cookbook!! Sounds like a whirlwind adventure and I’m so excited to get my hands on it! 🙂
Sarah Adler of Simply Real Health says
Yes- tell me what you think. I can’t get enough!
Megan says
I am totally LOVING this Chia Pudding! I have been playing with this idea without a recipe and am thrilled to find your versions. Maybe a little slow here, but my coconut milk in a can came as a 14 oz… you used 5.5 oz. Then, as I look at the pumpkin recipe, it says to use one can coconut milk and one can pumpkin. What are the ounces of each?
Katie Smith says
Do you can the pudding. Does it keep? Ive never canned but I’m starting to get interested.
Kelsey says
Looking forward to making this- it seems a little odd that the first recipe only calls for 3 tsp and the second calls for 6 Tbl? Is that correct?