Description
This easy no-bake chia pudding recipe creates a creamy, nutritious dessert or snack perfect for any time of day. Rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, the chia seeds soak overnight to form a thick, pudding-like texture that is naturally sweetened and flavored to your taste. Layered with fresh fruits and optional toppings like nuts or granola, these pudding jars are convenient to prepare in advance and serve chilled for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chia Pudding Base
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 2 cups milk or dairy alternative (such as almond milk, coconut milk, or regular dairy milk)
- 2-3 tablespoons natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar)
- 1 teaspoon flavoring (optional; vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or other flavorings)
Fruits and Toppings
- 1 cup fresh fruits (berries, bananas, mangoes, or fruit of your choice)
- Optional toppings: nuts, granola, or seeds for added crunch
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients and tools including chia seeds, your preferred milk or dairy alternative, sweetener, flavorings, and desired fruits or toppings.
- Mix Chia and Milk: In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup chia seeds with 2 cups of your chosen milk. Stir thoroughly to ensure chia seeds are evenly dispersed throughout the liquid.
- Add Sweetener: Incorporate 2-3 tablespoons of your chosen sweetener into the mixture. Taste and adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Incorporate Flavoring: Add 1 teaspoon of optional flavorings like vanilla extract or cocoa powder and stir well to blend flavors.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours, preferably overnight, allowing the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and form a gel-like pudding.
- Check Consistency: After chilling, check the pudding’s texture. If it is too thick, stir in a bit more milk to achieve desired consistency.
- Assemble Jars: Layer the chia pudding into jars, alternating with fresh fruit or toppings until jars are filled.
- Finish and Store: Top with nuts or granola for added texture, cover jars, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- This pudding can be made vegan by using a plant-based milk and sweetener like maple syrup.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavorings such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or matcha powder.
- Preparing the pudding the night before saves time and enhances the texture.
- Use airtight jars or containers to keep pudding fresh for up to 3 days.
- If chia pudding becomes too thick after refrigeration, simply stir in more milk before serving.
