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chocolate chia pudding - featured image

Chocolate Chia Pudding: 5-Minute Make-Ahead Dessert


  • Author: ava_chapman
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A quick, healthy, and creamy chocolate chia pudding that requires no cooking. Perfect for meal prep, this gluten-free and vegan-friendly dessert is packed with fiber and omega-3s.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1 cup milk (unsweetened almond, oat, or dairy)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey/agave)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon almond butter or protein powder

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt. Whisk until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
  2. Sprinkle the cocoa powder over the milk mixture and whisk vigorously to remove any lumps, creating a smooth chocolate liquid.
  3. Add the chia seeds to the bowl and stir immediately to ensure they are evenly distributed and do not clump.
  4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then give it a second good stir to prevent seeds from settling at the bottom.
  5. Pour the mixture into jars or airtight containers, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
  6. Once chilled and thickened, give the pudding a final stir before serving. Add toppings as desired.

Notes

Stirring twice (once immediately after adding seeds and once after 5 minutes) is crucial to prevent clumping. Use cold milk for faster expansion of seeds. Taste before chilling to adjust sweetness. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. If too thick, add a splash of milk; if too thin, add more chia seeds.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 12
  • Sodium: 50
  • Fat: 8
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Carbohydrates: 18
  • Fiber: 10
  • Protein: 5

Keywords: chia pudding, chocolate chia pudding, healthy dessert, meal prep, vegan dessert, gluten-free, high fiber, omega-3, quick recipe, make-ahead breakfast