Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is a healthy dessert recipe that tastes like decadent chocolate pudding, but is actually made with maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and chia seeds!

This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is a creamy, thick delicious dessert that’s naturally vegan and gluten-free. It’s a go-to around here and for so many reasons!

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

I have been cooking, eating, and baking with chia seeds since I started this website in 2010. They truly are a superfood and for so many reasons. Here are some fun chia seed facts:

• complete protein
• packed with omega 3 fatty acids
• high protein and fiber
• packed with calcium
• helps you poop!

Chia seeds are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and dairy-free. Furthermore, their nutrition profile is pretty stellar too! Check it out:

Did you Know…

And now, my favorite thing about chia seeds! Did you know that when chia seeds soak in liquid, they expand in size and become extremely gelatinous?

The texture is slippery and quite similar to actual pudding. Chia seeds also take on the flavors of whatever you mix them with. Another reason why they make an amazing pudding.

We love using chia seeds in smoothies, overnight oats, and chia seed pudding!

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients

Chia seeds – any kind of chia seeds work. The most common chia seeds you can find are black and white chia seeds. We’ve used both!

Cocoa powder – make sure you use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. You can also use dark cocoa powder or cacao power, but you may need to use more maple syrup to off set the bitterness.

Maple syrup – maple syrup compliments the cocoa powder in so many ways. I love how warm and nutty maple syrup is! Feel free to use honey or agave or any other liquid sweetener.

Unsweetened almond milk – we prefer unsweetened almond milk, but you can really use any kind of milk or liquid that you want.

How to Make Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Step 1: Prep

Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk together until the cocoa powder is completely dissolved. We like to use a bowl with a lid for this recipe, so you can safely store it in the fridge without worrying about your chia pudding spilling.

Step 2: Cover & Set

Cover your chia pudding and place it into the fridge for at least 2 hours. We recommend letting your chia seed pudding sit for at least 12 hours to fully gelatinize.

You will be able to tell a difference between chocolate chia seed pudding that has sat for only 2 hours compared to a batch that has sat for a full 12. The longer it sits, the thicker it will get!

Step 3: Eat!

After 2-12 hours, remove chia seed pudding from the fridge and mix. Option to add a little bit more milk depending on how thick you like it.

Feel free to also add more maple syrup if you want your chocolate chia seed pudding sweeter, as well.

Topping Ideas

Because every chia seed pudding desserts some kind of topping! Here are some of our favs:

• fresh fruit: berries, banana, raspberries, apples
• nuts: almonds, walnuts, peanuts
• nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
• granola
• coconut cream
• Greek yogurt

Not only can you top your chocolate chia seed pudding with any of the above, but you can also mix it right in!

Storage

Store chia seed pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Chia seed pudding is a great dessert or snack to double or triple because it lasts for so long in the fridge!