Satisfy that chocolate craving and have dessert for breakfast at the same time with this easy yet indulgent chocolate chia seed pudding recipe. The toppings you add can turn this from a healthy breakfast into a simple dessert or a good treat to enjoy while at work or school. With 6 grams of protein per serving and healthy fats from the chia seeds, this is the perfect way to start the day!
Chia seeds are such a versatile ingredient, why not try this Lemon Infused Chia Water next?
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Easy Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe
Like having dessert for breakfast, this chocolate chia pudding is on the healthier side, but still indulgent, and a super fun addition to your breakfast rotation.
Studded with goji berries (or other dried fruit of choice) throughout, and topped with some shaved chocolate, this is a breakfast the whole family will love!
The best bit is that a big batch can be made at the start of the week and the pudding can be enjoyed all week long. Just pack into a mason jar and vary up the toppings if you don't like eating the same thing for a couple of days in a row.
Note: what specific ingredients you use for this chocolate chia pudding will depend on your dietary requirements (i.e. if you are vegan or gluten-free then choose your brand of ingredients with this in mind).
You will need:
- Milk of choice: I have tried this recipe with various types of regular milk and plant-based milk (non-dairy milk), and it has worked just fine with all. Personally, I use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, however, rice milk, coconut milk, or whatever kind of milk you prefer will work just as well;
- Chia seeds: these can usually be found in the health food section of most grocery stores. There is no substitute for chia seeds in this recipe they are an integral ingredient;
- Cacao powder: this can usually be found in the health food section also. Alternatively, you can use unsweetened cocoa powder if preferred, just be sure to check the ingredients if you are avoiding added sugars. Use a dark cocoa powder if you are looking for more of a dark chocolate chia pudding experience;
- Maple syrup: look for 100% pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored syrup. Any other liquid sweetener of choice can be used in place of maple syrup. I have tried agave syrup and honey and both have worked fine;
- Vanilla extract: look for pure vanilla extract, not vanilla essence;
- Goji berries: you can use any other dried fruit in place of goji berries such as raisins, mulberries, or chopped dried figs, or you can omit them completely;
- Pinch of salt: use good quality sea salt, this is used to enhance the flavor of the chocolate.
You don't have to, but I top my chia seed pudding with coconut yogurt, flaked almonds, and shaved chocolate to make it a little bit more indulgent.
Please see below for more topping suggestions.
How To Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is actually really very easy to make and is just perfect for prepping a big batch of breakfasts or snacks for the week ahead.
In a large bowl, you will need to whisk the cacao (or cocoa), salt, maple syrup, and some of the milk until the cacao is well incorporated.
Add the rest of the milk, the chia seeds, and the dried fruit, and mix everything again until properly combined.
Set aside for about 5-10 minutes to allow the chia seeds time to swell slightly, and then whisk again, making sure the chia seeds haven't stuck to the bottom of the bowl and there aren't any clumps of chia seeds.
Cover the bowl (I suggest using an airtight container so that it doesn't take on other smells from the fridge) and pop it into the fridge overnight. If you can't wait that long you can remove it from the fridge after about 4 hours, however, I find doing it overnight is just easiest and gives the chia seeds enough time to swell resulting in the perfect consistency.
Stir again before serving, add your toppings of choice and you are good to go!
You can use an electric handheld milk frother to faster mix the cacao in with the milk, however a regular whisk will work just as well.
The consistency should be on the thick side, with a pudding-like texture. If it is too liquidy then add more chia seeds, give it a good stir, and pop them back into the fridge for another half hour or so.
If it is a really thick chia pudding texture then simply add more milk and whisk again.
Storing Leftovers
Chocolate chia pudding is perfect for meal prepping, and I tend to make a big batch at the start of the week and portion it into little containers as a great grab-n-go breakfast option in the mornings.
It lasts about 4 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Unfortunately, chia pudding does not freeze well, so if you do not think you can get through a whole batch in time it might be best to cut the recipe in half.
Pro Tip: portion into little mason jars and keep stored in the fridge for the week ahead. They make the perfect little grab-n-go breakfast. Keep toppings stored in a small container and add when ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
The best thing about chocolate chia pudding is that there are so many ways to serve it up depending on how you like to eat yours and whether you are enjoying it as a quick breakfast or a healthy dessert.
Personally, my favorite way to serve it up is with a dollop of coconut yogurt for extra creaminess, some flaked almonds for a bit of crunch, and some extra grated chocolate for a bit of luxury.
However, it also works well with:
- a handful of berries like strawberries, blueberries, fresh raspberries, or other fresh fruit of choice
- with coconut flakes
- a dollop of peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter of choice
- a dollop of Nutella (why not make your own healthier version: homemade nutella spread) or cookie spread for a more decadent dessert kind of pudding
- a sprinkle of granola or seed mix (I suggest this granola: raspberry dark chocolate granola)
- a handful of cacao nibs or chocolate chips for the chocolate lover
Use your imagination and serve with whatever favorite toppings tickle your fancy!
Need More Breakfast Recipes
We love breakfast around here, but get bored of the same old thing all the time, which means we are always coming up with fun new recipes to start the day right.
Why not try one of these easy recipes next time:
- Zesty Lemon and Vanilla Chia Pudding Cups
- Overnight Raspberry Chia Pudding Recipe
- Baked Turmeric Oatmeal Banana Donuts
- Easy Almond Milk Rice Pudding
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (Vegan)
I hope you enjoyed the rich chocolate flavor of this healthy breakfast (or healthy snack depending on when you decide to indulge). If so, please leave a star rating on the recipe card or comment underneath the recipe card.
Happy Eating.
xx
Recipe
Easy Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk of choice
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons goji berries
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
- yogurt of choice, chopped almonds, shaved chocolate for topping
Instructions
- Add cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, and ¼ cup of milk into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.2 cups milk of choice, 3 tablespoons cacao powder, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the rest of the milk, the chia seeds, and the goji berries and mix again until everything is well incorporated.2 cups milk of choice, ½ cup chia seeds, 2 tablespoons goji berries
- Allow the mixture to rest on the counter for about 5 minutes before mixing again and making sure there are no clumps of chia seeds.
- Cover the bowl, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours, until the chia seeds have soaked up all of the liquid and the pudding has a thick consistency.
- Stir again, transfer to the serving dishes of your choice, and add additional toppings before serving.yogurt of choice, chopped almonds, shaved chocolate for topping
Notes
- a handful of berries like strawberries, blueberries, fresh raspberries, or other fresh fruit of choice
- with coconut flakes
- a dollop of peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter of choice
- a dollop of Nutella (why not make your own healthier version: homemade nutella spread) or cookie spread for a more decadent dessert kind of pudding
- a sprinkle of granola or seed mix (I suggest this granola: raspberry dark chocolate granola)
- a handful of cacao nibs or chocolate chips for the chocolate lover
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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