4 Ingredient Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

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!

This post is also featured in my Easy Plant Based Breakfast Ideas For 2020 roundup.

Have you tried chia seed pudding yet? 

If not, you’re in for a treat. Chia seed pudding is 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 “chia pudding” every day. 

So easy!

When it comes to 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 Chia Seed Pudding!

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

What are chia seeds?

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.

Chia seeds 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 you’ll need to make chia seed pudding

Chia seed pudding really only requires two ingredients:

• Chia seeds
• Liquid of choice

Like I said, my friend would simply soak her chia seeds in water and call it a day. However, if you want to give your chia seeds more flavor, I suggest using non-dairy milk plus some spices/powders or juice. 

How to make chia seed pudding

While 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. Simply whisk these two ingredients together in a jar or bowl until there are no clumps of chia seeds stuck together. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes before stirring again, coving the container and placing 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 chia seed 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 chia seed pudding. 

Can you meal prep chia seed pudding?

Yes!

Chia seed 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 chia seed pudding below. 

How to store chia seed pudding

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

Fridge: Chia seed pudding can be stored in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you plan to meal prep your chia seed pudding and store it in the fridge for a few days, then I would recommend making just the base of your pudding and then adding toppings right before you plan to enjoy your pudding.

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 chia seed pudding, simply remove it from the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.

When it comes to freezing chia seed pudding, 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.

Fun topping ideas for basic chia seed pudding

If you’re uncertain how to serve your chia seed pudding, think of it like oatmeal. There are so many different ways you can jazz up basic chia seed pudding to turn it into something exciting and decadent. I’ll list out some suggestions below!

• 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 will help jazz up simple chia seed pudding like vanilla or chocolate, 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 chia seed puddings to keep your mornings fun and exciting!

Have fun experimenting! 

Diggin’ chia seed pudding now? You HAVE to try these!

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