Chia Seed Pudding

This easy chia seed pudding recipe is a perfect healthy breakfast or snack! It tastes like dessert, but it's filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Chia Seed Pudding

Now that the weather’s warming up, this chia seed pudding recipe has become my go-to breakfast/afternoon snack. It’s cool, creamy, and lightly sweet, with warm depth of flavor from a pinch of cinnamon. Topped off with fresh fruit, homemade granola, and a drizzle of maple syrup, it tastes like dessert, but it’s packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Another reason I love this chia pudding? It’s super easy to make, and it keeps in the fridge for about 5 days. So if you’re a big fan of meal prepping, this recipe is for you. Make a batch of chia seed pudding on the weekend, and portion it into individual jars or containers. You’ll have a quick, healthy breakfast ready for every day of the week!

Almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt

Chia Pudding Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy chia pudding recipe:

  • Chia seeds, of course! I used white chia seeds on the day I took these photos, but black chia seeds will work here too.
  • Almond milk – Or any milk you like! If I don’t have almond milk on hand, I often make this recipe with other non-dairy milks. Light coconut milk and oat milk are both great. Regular milk also works.
  • Maple syrup – I mix some into the chia seed pudding to sweeten it naturally. When I eat, I drizzle more maple syrup on top!
  • And cinnamon – For warm depth of flavor.

Optional, but delicious: Add a pinch of salt to make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Chia seed pudding in a large Mason jar

How to Make Chia Pudding

This chia pudding recipe couldn’t be simpler to make! Here’s how it goes:

  • First, combine the ingredients in lidded Mason jar. If you don’t have a jar, use another small airtight container, or whisk together the ingredients in a bowl.
  • Next, shake! Secure the lid on the top of the jar, and vigorously shake to combine the ingredients.
  • Then, chill. Pop the pudding in the fridge for a few hours.
  • An hour or two later, stir. This step is crucial for breaking up any seed clumps within the pudding. If the chia seeds stay bunched together, they won’t absorb the liquid in the jar, making for a lumpy, crunchy chia seed pudding. No, thanks!
  • Then, chill again. After stirring, cover the jar, and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Your chia seed pudding is ready to eat when it has a creamy, pudding-like texture. Just add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Troubleshooting

I find that a ratio of 2 tablespoons chia seeds to 1/2 cup almond milk yields a creamy texture that I love.

But on occasion, I hear from readers whose pudding hasn’t set up properly. Here are my best tips for making perfect chia seed pudding every time:

It’s important that you stir the chia pudding after it’s chilled for a few hours. By stirring it, you’ll break up any clumps of chia seeds in the milk or at the bottom of the jar. If the chia seeds are clumped, they won’t absorb as much liquid, which will result in a thinner pudding.

If your chia pudding is too thin after it chills overnight, add more chia seeds, stir well, and chill it for another few hours. The extra chia seeds will absorb the excess liquid.

Chia pudding topped with berries and cherries

Chia Seed Pudding Serving Suggestions

On its own, chia pudding is creamy, rich, and lightly sweet. But let’s be honest: the best part of any chia seed pudding recipe is the toppings! Here are some of my favorites:

  • Fresh fruit. I love piling berries and tart cherries on chia seed pudding. Use fresh ones in the summer and thawed frozen ones for the rest of the year.
  • Something crunchy, like coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or homemade granola.
  • Something sweet. Add an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Chocolate chips are delicious too!

Load up your chia seed pudding for a healthy breakfast or snack! If you’re meal prepping this chia pudding recipe, wait to add the toppings until right before you eat.

How to Store

Store chia pudding in a covered jar or other airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

If the pudding becomes too thick, loosen it with a little extra milk before adding your desired toppings and digging in.

Tip: Scale up this recipe if you’re making it for meal prep!

What are the best chia pudding jars?

I love using these small clear jars from Le Parfait for chilling and storing chia seed pudding. They come in a pack of 6 and have a cute and minimalist design. The airtight jars have an 11-ounce capacity, which leaves plenty of space for toppings like granola and fresh fruit.

Chia seed pudding recipe

More Favorite Breakfast and Snack Recipes

If you love this chia pudding recipe, try one of these yummy breakfasts or snacks next:

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Chia Seed Pudding

rate this recipe:
4.84 from 166 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Serves 1
This easy chia seed pudding recipe is a perfect healthy breakfast or snack! Store it in a lidded jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Vegan, gluten-free.

Ingredients

Optional toppings

Instructions

  • In a lidded jar, combine the almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Cover and shake to combine. Chill for a few hours, then give it a good stir to loosen any clumps. Continue chilling for 8 hours or overnight for the pudding to set.
  • Serve with toppings like fruit, nuts, coconut flakes, and maple syrup as desired.

142 comments

4.84 from 166 votes (123 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Debra Wilson
    10.25.2024

    My chia pudding didn’t set up? I doubled the recipe.???

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      10.28.2024

      Hi Debra, I’m sorry to hear that! We’ve always had success with this ratio, but it’s possible that different brands of chia seeds/almond milk could affect the results. I’d recommend adding more chia seeds and chilling a few more hours to help the pudding thicken up.

  2. Theresa
    10.02.2024

    Where did you get the adorable serving dishes seen in the chia pudding photo

  3. Deb
    09.23.2024

    I made this with blueberries and oat milk and it was delicious. Do you have the nutritional information please? Thanks

  4. Casey from informermessages.com
    09.19.2024

    The dessert is 2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds? 2 Table spoons? Really?

  5. Bren
    09.17.2024

    How many calories in this breakfast serving approximately

    • CeCe
      11.03.2024

      Probably will depend on the brand of items used.

  6. Gigi
    09.15.2024

    5 stars
    Delightful breakfast and snack. Easy to make and came out perfectly. I too, didn’t want anything overly sweet. This was my first go with Chia pudding, and your directions and recipe made it easy, and customizable in the future.
    Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. Thank you!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.19.2024

      I’m so glad you loved it and I hope you enjoy the recipes!

  7. Suzanne Hembly
    09.14.2024

    5 stars
    Very interesting breakfast treat

  8. Rebecca
    09.10.2024

    What is the nutrition facts

  9. Lou
    09.05.2024

    5 stars
    I was pleasantly surprised by this chia seed pudding. It is easy to make, tastes delicious, and is an easy way to pack in the healthful benefits of chia seeds.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      09.06.2024

      Hi Lou, I’m so glad you loved it!

  10. Daisy
    09.04.2024

    5 stars
    This recipe was perfect! I tripled the recipe, used a kilner jar to store so good for 3 days. 6tbsp seeds, 1.5 cups coconut milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1tsp cinnamon, and 1tbsp honey as I didn’t have any maple. Delicious. I know it’s not the recipe to a T, but the quantity outlined made the perfect texture.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      09.06.2024

      Hi Daisy, I’m so glad you loved it! Thanks for sharing your variation.

  11. Kathy
    08.22.2024

    5 stars
    Perfect! Not too sweet, just perfect.
    5 star

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.23.2024

      Hi Kathy, I’m so glad you loved it!

  12. Rebbeca
    08.03.2024

    5 stars
    I love your chia seed pudding!?
    Absolutely delish!!!

  13. Janet
    08.02.2024

    May this be made with cashew milk instead of almond? Would there be any adjustments?

  14. HealthyFoodie
    07.29.2024

    5 stars
    Excellent! Hadn’t had a chia pudding in a while. The hint of cinnamon does a lot…may add a touch more next time. Topped mine with blueberries, strawberries and sliced almonds. Making more for tomorrow!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.02.2024

      Hi, I’m so glad you loved the recipe!

  15. Tally
    07.27.2024

    5 stars
    Do you know how many calories and the nutritional values per serving? By the way, it came out perfect!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.01.2024

      So glad you enjoyed it, Tally! We don’t calculate nutrition facts for our recipes unfortunately, but you could use an online nutrition calculator to get an estimate.

    • Wendy Smith
      08.11.2024

      Added to my Nutritionix “Track” app, and here’s the nutritional value.

      Nutrition Facts
      Amount Per Serving
      Calories154.9
      % Daily Value*
      Total Fat 9.3ggrams12%Daily Value
      Saturated Fat 1ggrams5%Daily Value
      Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3ggrams
      Monounsaturated Fat 0.8ggrams
      Cholesterol 0mgmilligrams0%Daily Value
      Sodium 85.4mgmilligrams4%Daily Value
      Total Carbohydrates 11.2ggrams4%Daily Value
      Dietary Fiber 8.6ggrams31%Daily Value
      Sugars 2.2ggrams
      Includes 0ggrams Added Sugars0%Daily Value
      Protein 5.5ggrams
      Vitamin D 2.5mcgmicrograms13%Daily Value
      Calcium 381.5mgmilligrams29%Daily Value
      Iron 2.6mgmilligrams14%Daily Value
      Potassium 222.8mgmilligrams5%Daily Value

  16. Suzette
    07.22.2024

    3 stars
    Too runny as written and missing a key ingredient. So… I upped the chia seeds to 8 Tablespoons and added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. NOW it’s a perfect, 5 star chia seed pudding!

    • nichole
      07.29.2024

      you sure you were using tablespoons and not teaspoons? 8 tablespoons makes quite a lot

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Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.