Got a sweet tooth? Make a jar of Chocolate Chia Pudding for a no-bake, no-guilt dessert!
Table of Contents
Ever wish you could indulge in a rich and decadent dessert without feeling so darn guilty? Luckily, you don’t need cups of sugar nowadays to make a delicious treat without sacrificing your health goals. Whatever diet you’re on, there are ways nowadays to make your desserts fit your lifestyle.
From Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Brownies and No-Bake Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs to Sweet Potato Bread and Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Carrot Cake, you can find loads of creative ways to get your snack on without the added sugar. For instance, did you know you can create a sneakily healthy pudding recipe by mixing chia seeds with milk?
Yes, once you stir these tiny seeds with a liquid, you’ll notice an amazing chemical reaction that makes everything silky smooth! Why is this so special? Well, it gives us a way to mimic dishes like pudding while taking advantage of these seeds’ benefits. And, trust me, there are a LOT of healthy things chia seeds do for your body.
So, if you’re a chocoholic and a health nut, this chocolate chia seed pudding is right up your alley. Whether you enjoy this treat at breakfast or after dinner, it will put you in a good (and guilt-free!) mood.
Is Chocolate Chia Pudding Healthy?
Chia seeds may be tiny, but they’ve got HUGE health benefits. These little guys are packed with nutrients, including plenty of antioxidants, omega-3s, and protein to make us all big and strong. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the fiber. Get this: You only need an ounce of chia seeds daily to boost your fiber content by almost 10 grams!
OK, chia seeds are obviously healthy, but doesn’t adding sweet ingredients cancel these benefits? Not necessarily. For instance, you could use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or monk fruit to avoid unhealthy additions like sugar. It’s also easy to use an alt milk like almond, coconut, or oat if you’re on a lactose-free diet. As a bonus, cocoa powder is full of healthy minerals, so you can enjoy this recipe’s decadence while still hitting your health goals.
Why did my chocolate chia pudding come out watery?
Finding the perfect balance of chia seeds to liquid is a delicate dance. On the one hand, you don’t want this pudding to come out rock solid, but you also don’t want to slurp a super-thin chia smoothie.
A good ratio that works for me is one-quarter cup of chia seeds per cup of almond milk. If you add slightly more or less chia seeds to your mix, please stir them well to ensure they’re evenly spread. If you skip this step, your mix will likely turn out clumpy rather than smooth when you take it out of the fridge.
As a final tip: You might not get a great gel-like consistency if you’re using an old batch of chia seeds. Always opt for the freshest chia seeds for the best odds of creating a delicious and moist pudding texture.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk
Combine chia seeds, cocoa, milk, syrup, and vanilla.
Chill
Refrigerate until thickened.
Serve
Stir well and add toppings if desired.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Chocolate Chia Pudding is a phenomenal recipe for night owls who can’t be bothered to cook a hearty breakfast. Just like Overnight Oats, you can mix all of your chia pudding ingredients overnight, place them in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy them the next morning. So simple!
You could even leave these chia puddings in the fridge for a few days without issues. For longer-term storage, consider putting your chia seed pudding in a freezer-safe container and freezing it for a few months.
You can use purified H2O as your liquid in chia pudding, but it won’t get as creamy as a mix made with milk or a non-dairy alternative. Still, it’s perfectly OK to use clean water in your chia pudding with a seeds-to-liquid ratio of about 1:2 or 1:3.
Consider yourself warned: chia cramping is a real risk! Since chia seeds have so much fiber, they can trigger undesirable digestive symptoms like bloating if it’s your first time using this ingredient. To ease into a high-fiber diet, consider starting with just half a jar and seeing how your body reacts. Typically, as you adjust to the new fiber levels, you should experience more of the benefits of chia seeds without belly troubles.
Serving Suggestions
Chocolate Chia Pudding is a brilliant idea for breakfast or brunch, and it’s so easy to pair with fruit-forward faves like Peach Pancakes, Apple Banana Muffins or Cinnamon Banana Bread. You could also sprinkle tempting toppings like dark chocolate shavings, coconut flakes, or nuts on your chia pudding.
If you want to get a little more decadent, break out some whipped cream for an ultra-luxurious swirl. You could even add a chocolate or caramel drizzle and a cherry on top when you’re in need of some comfort food. Hey, it may not be the healthiest snack, but it’s way better for you thanks to those amazing chia seeds!
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chia seeds, cocoa powder, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
-
Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until the pudding reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
-
Once set, give the pudding a good stir. Serve in individual bowls or glasses and, if desired, top with fresh fruit or a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Nutrition
The post Chocolate Chia Pudding appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
