Oh my, I am so super excited to share this zesty lemon and vanilla chia pudding cups with you today. They are all kinds of delicious, and I am seriously hooked.
My first experience with chia pudding was not good at all. We had been travelling, and were set to have a super early flight the next morning. My kids (and myself), really are the type of people that need to be fed within 5 minutes of waking up, or there will be hell to pay. Hangry (hungry/angry for the uninitiated) is a real thing! Being the super prepared mum that I am (cough cough – I am slowing learning from bad experiences), I popped out to the shops the night before, and picked up some food for the flight. The main event were these little outrageously priced containers of pre-made chia pudding.
They were gross. The youngest spat his out within two seconds of me spooning it into his mouth, and this is someone who literally has eaten at least a dozen spiders and attempted one snail over his short time on this planet. The older one screwed her face up and refused a second spoonful (she has more refined tastes than her brother, but still…). The husband, of course, refused to try them at all. And I had to solider on and finish them completely, just to prove a point. Oh, and all the while I was covered in sticky little chia seeds which remained with me for the rest of the journey (from the spitting out incident).
And yes, the hungry demons came out from the kids once they realised there was no proper breakfast – and I had to resort to bribery and corruption (aka mummies chocolate stash…)
These little lemon and vanilla chia pudding cup’s are definitely not gross 🙂 They are so delicious my husband literally stood there and ate an entire jar! Now, I did have to trick him into trying it, by making him close his eyes and open his mouth as soon as he walked in from the gym. He avoids chia seeds like the plague (the airplane incident brings back bad memories), and has a strong dislike of anything lemon flavoured. But he was very impressed with these little pots of deliciousness – and he would definitely be the first person to tell me if he wasn’t.
They can be enjoyed as a snack, as breakfast, or even as a super easy to prepare dessert. I have been making some pots up at night, and then having them for breakfast. Please please please make sure you top them off with some nuts and/or seeds, as they really shine when there is a bit of crunch thrown in there.
You will want to whip up a batch of my Homemade Lemon Curd first though, as it is the perfect accompaniment, and really makes the whole dish just pop.
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk plain yoghurt
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- zest of one medium sized lemon
- juice of one medium sized lemon
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup more if you like it on the sweeter side
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or scraped vanilla beans if you are feeling fancy
- Homemade lemon curd chopped walnuts and unsweetened desiccated coconut for serving
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In a large bowl, mix together the almond milk, yoghurt, chia seeds, lemon zest and juice and the maple syrup. Whisk well to combine, ensuring there are no large clumps
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Transfer to serving dish of choice (stemless wine glasses or mason jars work well)
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Pop into the fridge and allow to sit for at least 15 mins. The longer it sits, the thicker it will get
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To serve, top with a large dollop of homemade lemon curd, a generous sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a pinch of coconut. Enjoy
Please please please make sure you top them off with some nuts and/or seeds as they really shine when they have a crunch.
The flavour was delicious! But mine didn’t set.
Which yogurt did you use please?
Oh no, that’s so disappointing! I always use a full fat thick yogurt. I get mine from costco and it has worked every time!
OK, so mine did not set up like pudding, even after a few days! Flavor was great, but more like soup. Where did I go wrong? Maybe too much lemon juice? Followed recipe, used Greek yogurt. Thanks for any insight as I liked it enough to try again.
Oh no, I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you Connie. The only thing I can think of which would maybe make a difference is whether you used full-fat or low-fat yogurt? The yogurt I use is whole milk and it is pretty thick – I have never had it not set (and I have made it many many times 🙂 ). Maybe try adding some more chia seeds to the soupy version so that it gets more gelatinous and you can eat it rather than drink it!
Donna, this chia pudding is AMAZING!. So delicious.
PS. I’ve made a bunch of your recipes and they are all so great; well done! We used to go to the same mother’s group in Newcastle – I think I found out about your blog off Jess. Hope you and the kids are well!
Oh hi Carmen, so lovely to hear from you!! Gosh that mother’s group seems like a lifetime ago doesn’t it, it was such a lovely little group though 🙂 I am so glad you loved the chia pudding, we have it all the time! Thanks for popping by to leave a comment, was a nice little message to wake up to this morning 🙂
Chia pudding is refreshing and healthy. Color scheme is refrrshing my mind. Photos have come out very well. Loved the pudding a lot
Oh I am so glad you loved it Smitha 🙂 Thanks for popping by to let me know!
Any idea how many calories would be in one serving?
Hi Lara, unfortunately I don’t. But if you use something like MyFitnessPal.com that should be able to work it out for you 🙂
Oh, I know hangry quite well. My husband and kids are awful when they’re hungry. Your story made me laugh, only because I’ve had similar experiences. Your chia pudding sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to try it.
Haha I am glad I could make you laugh 🙂 Yes hangry is definitely a real thing, and sadly I think I am the worst in my family when I am hungry!
This looks absolutely Delicious and Chia Puddings are so much fun n healthy. Love the combination of Lemon n Vanilla.
Thanks Molly! Lemon and vanilla is such a favourite around here 🙂
I love all things lemon! I have yet to try chia pudding, but when I do, I’m starting with this one and not some nasty store bought one! 🙂
Oh yes, avoid the store bought 🙂 They may put you off!
Can’t believe I never thought of making a lemon flavoured chia pudding! I bet with the chia seeds, it’s almost like lemon poppy seed. YUM! I’ll have to try this with dairy-free yoghurt 🙂
It is very much like lemon and poppy seed (which I love as well)!
I love lemon and vanilla together. And homemade lemon curd, swoon!!
Oh I know, right! I have been eating homemade lemon curd like it is going out of fashion 🙂
Oh, I loooove the lemon in these beauties! I have to say that my first chia experiences weren’t good, either. I don’t remember specifics, but I’m glad I’ve given it another try, for sure! 🙂
Haha, glad I am not the only one 🙂
These look so good, i can feel my mouth water..the lemon must really add a zing..I am yet to try these but this recipe goes on my list for the sheer simplicity.
Oh thanks so much Pragati! The lemon is definitely zingy 🙂
Yum! I love the lemon twist you added to this chia pudding. Looks absolutely delicious!
Oh thank you Vanessa – I am loving everything lemon at the moment!
Yum! I love the bright cheery lemon!
Me too 🙂
That looks wonderful. I’ve never seem a chia pudding I’ve wanted to dig in to, but you added lemon, so now I am hooked and craving it!
Oh yay 🙂 Yes it’s not the easiest thing to sell (my husband was seriously dubious), but this one is seriously delicious, especially with the addition of the lemon curd!
Lemon zest is such a grate… errrm, great way to bring falvour into a dish! This pudding looks really really tasty 😀
Haha that is definitely the worst joke I have heard all day Hauke 🙂
This chia pudding screams SPRING! I love the bright and fresh flavors of this recipe! Perfect for breakky 🙂
It does, doesn’t it Bethany! Thanks for your lovely words 🙂
This is such a healthy pudding. I love chia and I add it weherever I can. Perfect for snack
Me too, I add it to everything these days!