This easy Vegan Chia Pudding recipe is a great option for a healthy breakfast or dessert! Serve with fresh fruit or nuts!
Small but mighty. That is my view on the chia seed. Used in a variety of foods like smoothies, granola bars, overnight oats, and as an egg replacer in cookies, muffins, and bread.
It can also make pudding!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy healthy breakfast meal prep
- Basic recipe you can customize
- Use your favorite plant-based milk
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Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk - The beauty of this recipe is that you can use your favorite non-dairy milk. Soy milk, cashew milk, or oat milk.
Chia seeds - Tiny black seeds similar in appearance to poppy seeds, they are little nutritional powerhouses. The seeds absorb the milk to make a pudding-like texture.
Black or white chia seeds can be used.
Pure maple syrup - This natural sweetener is also vegan-friendly but feel free to use a sweetener of choice or no sweetener at all.
Other liquid sweeteners like agave nectar, honey (not vegan), and date syrup would all work well.
Vanilla extract - A little bit of this gives a vanilla chia pudding flavor but can be omitted if desired.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Get out all your ingredients, a mixing bowl, and small mason jars or containers.
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together your preferred type of milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-5 hours, or overnight, until the vegan pudding has thickened.
Recipe tips
- For a thicker pudding, add a little more seeds and allow it to thicken.
- To make a smaller batch, the general ratio is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to ½ cup of dairy-free milk. You can mix the two ingredients directly in a glass jar or mason jar.
Serving suggestions
Serve as a nutritious breakfast or healthy dessert.
Customize your creamy pudding with different toppings. Top with fresh fruit, fresh berries, compote, orange or lemon zest, nuts, or even chocolate chips.
Add a dollop of almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter for extra protein and flavor.
Make a chocolate version by adding 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
FAQs
Yes! Chia seeds are the edible part of a desert plant called the Salvia hispanica. They are sold in their natural form in both black and white varieties and therefore are vegan.
Chia seeds have several health benefits. The little seeds boast 5 grams of fiber per tablespoon, a good source of plant protein, and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids that number greater than flaxseeds.
More breakfast recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk or any non-dairy milk
- ½ cup black or white chia seeds
- 3-5 tablespoons maple syrup or honey if not vegan
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- fresh fruit
- chopped nuts
- chocolate chips
- shredded coconut
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-5 hours, or overnight, until pudding has thickened.
- When ready to eat, stir, serve in small bowls or jars and top with fruit or other desired toppings.
Notes
- Make and refrigerate overnight and have pudding ready in the morning.
- For a thicker pudding, add a little more chia seeds and allow to thicken.
- To make a smaller batch, the general ratio is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to ½ cup of dairy-free milk. You can mix the two ingredients directly in an individual single-serving glass jar or mason jar if desired.
mary kirkpatrick
Delish - I love this pudding!
Tessa
I'm so glad! :) Thank you!
Hilary | For the Love of Basil
Oh my yummy! This looks amazing!
Tessa
Thank you, Hilary! One of my go-to breakfasts!
Alissa @ Big Eats Tiny Kitchen
Mango and blackberries! Nice...and i love chia pudding. Mmmm. Great snack.
Tessa
I've become a little obsessed with blackberry and mango combo - now I don't want one without the other!
Liz
Looks awesome Tess! You are the creative chef I will never be!
Tessa
Thanks, Liz!
Katie
That looks delicious and I am jealous of your school schedule. It really does seem like the way to live life.