I recently made a vanilla chia seed pudding, and really enjoyed it.  It makes a great alternative to yogurt at breakfast (refreshing, and great mixed with fruit), or a convenient snack for when you are craving a treat.  Since I love chocolate, it was no question what I should make next!

Why make pudding with chia seeds?  Chia seeds are absolutely packed with all kinds of nutrients and benefits.  They are the richest whole food source of Omega-3 (ALA) (and as a vegetarian family, we love that!).  These little seeds are packed with fiber and help with digestion.  They are a great source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and much more.  I could keep going on and on – these little seeds are a great way to get extra nutritional benefits.

Chia pudding is an easy way to get a good serving of these benefits.  This recipe is so easy, it only needs a few ingredients, doesn’t make a mess, and you can be creative with it.

Chocolate Chia Pudding

Ingredients

1/3 cup chia seeds – I use organic Salba Smart Chia Seeds, which are white (most chia seeds are black)

2 cups coconut milk (for this pudding, I used So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk)

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

Vanilla extract (optional)

Sweetener of your choice – the amount will depend on what kind of milk and cocoa powder you use (sweetened or unsweetened).   I recommended sweetening to taste, which you can do even after your pudding is ready.

Fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, other toppings (optional)

Directions

I use a Mason jar to mix my ingredients and to store the pudding.  However, you can also mix your ingredients in a bowl.

Combine your chia seeds, milk, a splash of vanilla extract, and some sweetener (or the sweetener can also be added afterwards).  I didn’t measure out the vanilla or sweetener, so add it to taste (and you can always add more afterwards).

Mix thoroughly – either with a whisk in a bowl, or by shaking your jar.  Be sure to mix the ingredients carefully, because I did notice spots where my chia seeds had soaked up the sweetener.

Allow to sit in the fridge overnight (or for the good portion of a day).  It only takes a few minutes to mix the ingredients, so you can make it right before bed and it will be ready in the morning.  If you can remember, mix at intervals every so often just to help break up some of the chunks that can form.

Once the chia seeds have thickened, mix again thoroughly, breaking up any chunks, as some of the chia generally becomes clumpy or sticks to the bottom of the jar.

I mix in fresh fruit with my chia pudding, such as bananas or berries.

You can get creative with your chocolate chia pudding, using other ingredients, such as different kinds of milk or sweeteners.

Serve, and enjoy!