Vegan Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding (4 Ingredients!)

This deliciously rich 4 Ingredient Chocolate Chia Pudding is full of fiber, protein and healthy fats to keep you full for hours. It’s a great breakfast to meal prep at the start of the week and tastes amazing topped with bananas and peanut butter!

Have you tried vegan chia seed pudding yet? 

If not, you’re in for a treat. It’s insanely easy to make and has the coolest texture. 

Think tapioca pudding…but with more nutrients!

I remember so clearly when I first discovered chia seeds. A friend of mine was using them to improve her digestion (oh, hello fiber!) and told me she would just soak some in water and enjoy a spoonful of “pudding” every day. 

So easy!

When it comes to vegan chia seed pudding, you can get really creative with the flavors you make.

There is classic vanilla, Mocha Chia Seed Pudding, Golden Milk Chia Seed Pudding, Carrot Cake Chia Seed Pudding and of course this 4 ingredient Chocolate Pudding!

As many of you can probably guess, chocolate is my all-time favorite flavor. What’s not to love about starting your morning with a healthy, chocolatey breakfast? 

What Exactly are Chia Seeds?

If you haven’t used chia seeds as one of your vegan ingredients in your pantry yet, you’re in for a treat.

Chia seeds come from a plant in the mint family called Salvia Hispanica. They were a staple in the ancient Aztec diet and have now gained attention world-wide thanks to their amazing nutritional benefits.

They are super absorbent, allowing them to plump up and become gelatinous when soaked in liquid.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have a lot of health benefits. Some of the benefits they are most known for are that they are high in Omega-3’s, making them a great source of Omega-3’s for people who eat a predominantly plant-based diet.

They also contain a lot of soluble fiber which can help regulate blood sugar and slow down digestion, keeping you fuller for longer.

Plus, a serving of chia seeds, which is just 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons, contains a good source of plant-based protein, calcium, iron and magnesium!

Ingredients: Vegan Chia Seed Pudding

The basic pudding recipe (without the chocolate) really only requires two ingredients:

• Chia seeds (I recommend the Healthworks brand chia seeds)
• Liquid of choice (obviously I prefer vegan, plant-based options)

My friend would simply soak her seeds in water and call it a day.

However, if you want more flavor, I suggest using non-dairy milk such as some homemade almond milk or even a good homemade cashew milk, plus some spices/powders or juice.

Try this vegan pudding recipe with a few different non-dairy milk combinations to see what suits your taste.

How to Make Chia Seed Pudding

While vegan chia seed pudding takes about 5 minutes of hands-on-time, it does need to soak in the fridge for a few hours in order to thicken. 

For one serving of basic chia seed pudding you’ll need about 3 tablespoons of chia seeds and 3/4 cup of liquid.

The process is simple:

• Whisk these two ingredients together in a jar or bowl until there are no clumps of seeds stuck together. You’ll notice for the vegan recipe I share below, I also add cocoa powder and maple syrup;
• Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes before stirring again;
• Cover the container and place it in the fridge to thicken for about 2 hours or overnight. 

Everyone will have different preferences on how thick or thin they like their vegan pudding. I would recommend starting with less liquid and adding more if needed.

If you include any spices or powders (cocoa powder, peanut flour, protein powder, etc.), then you’ll probably need a little more liquid than if you were just making a 2 ingredient recipe. 

Chia Seed Pudding FAQ

Below are some of the most common questions I receive about this particular vegan recipe.

Can You Meal Prep Chia Seed Pudding?

Yes, you can!

This kind of pudding is really easy to double, triple, quadruple etc. You can make enough servings to last 3-4 days in the fridge, or make even more servings to store in the freezer.

I’ll talk more about how to store your vegan pudding below. 

How Do I Store my Chia Seed Pudding?

Great news is you can both freeze and refrigerate this vegan pudding, making it a great food to meal prep at the start of the week or month. 

• In the Fridge: This pudding can be stored in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you plan to meal prep and store it in the fridge for a few days, then I would recommend making just the base of your vegan pudding and then adding toppings right before you plan to enjoy eating it.
• In the Freezer: Chia seed pudding can also be frozen! Just be sure to use a freezer-safe container or jar. It will last for a few weeks in the freezer. To enjoy your frozen pudding, simply remove it from the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.

When it comes to freezing , you can freeze the toppings as well. However, crunchy toppings such as granola, nuts and seeds should be added right before enjoying to maintain their crunch factor.

Can I Create Different Pudding Variations?

Absolutely! I love getting creative with my vegan pudding ingredients.

If you’re uncertain how to do this, think of it like oatmeal. There are so many different ways you can jazz up basic pudding to turn it into something exciting and decadent.

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Banana and peanut butter
• Pecans and maple syrup
• Fresh mango and shredded coconut
• Blueberries and lemon zest
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Strawberries and chocolate hazelnut spread
• Berry compote and coconut whipped cream

Just like different toppings like vanilla or chocolate will help jazz things up, try mixing up the flavor of the chia seed pudding itself. You can use different liquids, spices and powders to come up with a variety of recipes to keep your mornings fun and exciting!

Here are two recipe variations that I’ve developed that you might enjoy:

• Golden Milk Chia Seed Pudding (anti-inflammatory + superfood!)
• Carrot Cake Chia Seed Pudding (beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants!)