Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Published 3/16/2022 • Updated 7/5/2023
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Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is a nutritious dessert recipe that tastes like decadent chocolate pudding, but is actually made with maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, and chia seeds!
The Best Chia Seed Pudding!
This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is a thick & creamy, delicious dessert that’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
What is chia seed pudding? If you’ve never heard of chia seed pudding you essentially soak chia seeds in liquid and they expand into a gelatinous substance. When combined with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and almond milk it tastes exactly like chocolate pudding!
In this post, we’ll teach you all about why we love chia seeds plus how to make this yummy chocolate chia pudding recipe.
chia seeds nutrition
Per 2 tablespoons:
- 139 calories
- 4g protein
- 9g fat
- 12g carbs
- 11g fiber
A quick tip about chia seeds!
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!
Try it!
Protein Chia Pudding Cups
Do yourself a favor and meal prep these protein chia seed pudding cups for a protein packed breakfast or snack throughout the week!
What You Need for Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
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! Our #1 tip is to make sure your chia seeds are as fresh as possible and not expired or they will not expand.
Cocoa powder – This recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder. You can also use dark cocoa powder or cacao powder, but you may need to use more maple syrup to offset 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 such as coconut milk, oat milk, cow’s milk, etc.
#1 chia seed pudding tip
I can’t count on my fingers and toes the number of times I’ve made chocolate chia seed pudding – or any chia pudding for that matter.
Our #1 tip is to make sure your chia seeds are as fresh as possible and NOT expired. If you use old/expired chia seeds, they will not expand properly. Speaking from experience over here!
How to Make Chia Seed Pudding
Step 1: Prep
Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl or jar and whisk/stir 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.
Should I blend my chia pudding? If you are looking for a classic pudding texture and consistency, feel free to transfer your chia pudding into a high-speed blender after it has expanded and blend on high for 1 minute. This will pulverize the seeds and make them smooth and creamy.
Topping Ideas
Because every chia seed pudding desserts some kind of topping! Here are some of our favs:
- fresh fruit: berries, strawberries, 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!
FAQ
chia seed pudding is made with fiber and omega 3-rich chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup, and cocoa powder making it a great dessert option that’s nutritious and tasty.
Chia seeds are highly fibrous, making them a great option if you’re trying to poop.
Chocolate chia seed pudding is supposed to taste like classic chocolate pudding.
Storage
Store chia seed pudding in an airtight container (such as mason jars) 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!
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2.5 tablespoons maple syrup, or more, to taste*
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into an airtight container and whisk until the cocoa powder dissolves.
- Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or for best results, overnight.
- Before serving, option to add a splash more of almond milk or eat as-is.
Tips & Notes
- This recipe was retested and updated on January 14, 2021. To view the original recipe click HERE.
- Maple syrup: if you use a dark cocoa powder or cacao powder, you will likely need to use more maple syrup to balance out the bitterness.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This looks lovely! Recently discovered that I’m intolerant to pretty much everything so this chai seed pudding is a god-send for a former chocoholic! I was just wondering though if the taste would be ruined if I replaced the maple syrup with agave syrup, or possibly honey? Is there anything that you’d recommend as a good replacement? Many thanks in advance 🙂
You could totally use agave or honey. I much prefer maple because maple + chocolate = love, but I’d go honey for sure!
Great! Thank you. I might try it with each of them… For research of course ?
Hi, would it be OK to use coconut milk?
Absolutely! Any kind of milk will work 🙂
We added 1 block of milk chocolate almond bark and a dried fruit and almond mix and doubled the recipe. Thank you. As a heart transplant recipient I always look for recipe’s that are nutritional and taste good.
I tried to make chia seed pudding and it was SO hard. I’ll have to try this version of the receipe and hope it works better for me. Thanks for sharing!
xo
http://www.kristinawilde.com
Yes! This recipe for chia seed pudding doesn’t get much easier 🙂
I just bought chia seeds and this looks amazing! Yesssss <3
I’ve been eating chia seed pudding the last few days for breakfast sooo totally excited to switch it up and try chocolate variety !
WAH! So versatile. Can totally be dessert or brekki!
Yay! Long live the marble slabs (and chocolate chia pudding!)
LOL. Amen.
I have been dying to try this pudding =D
🙂 IT’S FINALLY HERE!
Can you please clarify what you mean by 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chia seeds, that is 1/4 referring to ????? Its confusing
Hey Elisa! Sorry for the confusion. It’s 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. Technically that comes out to 3/8th cups of chia seeds!
Hey Lee! I’m a Minnesotan transplanted in Louisiana, so I really enjoy reading your posts – reminds me of home! My little sister attended UWM and worked at Beans and Barely for 3 years. 🙂 Feels like a small world. Thanks for your posts and keep doing what you’re doing.
WOOOO!!! MN/WI represent! Love it!
Yum, yum, yum I have been on such a chia pudding kick lately! Can’t wait to try this!
Hope you love it!!!
How many calories in a serving? Thank you
Hi, one portion derives you about 362 kcal, if you want to
reduce the number of calories you can add less maple syrup. Do you want to know more about nutritional values?
Yes, if you have the carb, sugar and protein numbers. Thank you! Love your site!
Just updated the recipe!
Made this last night and it is ridiculous good! The bowl will yield multiple servings using the small glass desert dishes we use. Guessing 6 servings.
WOOOO! Glad you loved it! Yes, I would say the servings is either 4-6 depending on if you’re eating it for dessert or for a more hearty breakfast 🙂
Glad I could help. This pudding is delicious and chia seeds deliver a massive amount of nutrients with very few calories