Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is an easy make-ahead treat that’s rich, creamy, and chocolatey enough to feel like dessert while being simple enough for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Made with cocoa powder, chia seeds, milk or dairy-free milk, brown sugar, honey, and optional hazelnut-flavored instant coffee, this refrigerator pudding requires no cooking and comes together in just a few minutes.
The magic happens as the chia seeds absorb the liquid and develop their signature gel-like texture. After a few hours in the refrigerator, the mixture thickens into a creamy pudding with a texture somewhere between traditional pudding and tapioca. The key to smooth, evenly thickened chia pudding is stirring the mixture several times during the first 20 minutes. This helps distribute the chia seeds and prevents them from settling together in clumps. After that, simply refrigerate the pudding for at least two hours or overnight.
This easy chocolate chia pudding is also highly customizable. Top it with fresh berries, sliced banana, granola, nut butter, coconut cream, non-dairy yogurt, cacao nibs, or shaved chocolate. The recipe makes one serving, but it can easily be multiplied for meal prep or a make-ahead breakfast. The original recipe notes that it keeps refrigerated for 5–7 days, making it particularly useful when you want breakfast or snacks ready ahead of time.
Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They’re loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain. Check out more Healthy Chia Seed recipes. Some brilliant recipes to incorporate more Chia Seeds into your diets.
Not what you are looking for? Try these other great recipes:
Print
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Is Chocolate Chia Pudding Healthy?
Yes! Chocolate Chia Pudding is a combination of healthy, wholesome ingredients that are dairy-free, refined sugar-free and whips up into a deliciously creamy, almost tapioca like, pudding!
- Total Time: 2:25
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon hazelnut flavor instant coffee powder (optional)
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup milk or dairy free milk
- 2 teaspoons honey, or to taste
Instructions
- Mix cocoa powder, brown sugar, and instant coffee powder together in a bowl; stir until no lumps remain. Fold chia seeds into the mixture. Pour milk into the bowl and stir to incorporate; let the mixture sit a few minutes before stirring again. Repeat resting and stirring a few times over the course of 20 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.
- Drizzle honey over the pudding to serve.
Notes
- Pair it with fresh fruits like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, sliced banana, kiwi, pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, etc.
- For extra protein, add a dollop of your favorite nut butter.
- Add crunchiness with a sprinkle of granola.
- Make a parfait using whipped coconut cream or non-dairy vanilla yogurt.
- Finish it off with additional topping of chocolate such as cacao nibs, mini chocolate chips or shaved chocolate.
- Prep Time: :25
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Refrigerator
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan