This tasty and super-easy chia pudding with almond milk is an excellent option for busy weekdays. It’s great for meal prep and can be made with 3 simple ingredients. Or more. How many layers and elements you want to add to your version is up to you.
This lovely basic chia pudding recipe is an absolute go-to if you want a creamy and satisfying meal. It‘s a delicious and wholesome breakfast that can be whipped up in minutes.
You need very few essential ingredients to get your overnight chia seed recipe together and can enjoy adding a different flavor to it with every new batch you make. To make this creamy pudding, you can experiment with a bunch of your favorite toppings and different types of milk.
For more easy breakfast options see Coconut Milk Chia Pudding, Creamy Warm Chia Pudding, or Chia Pudding with Yogurt.
Why you'll love this
- Chia seeds come with a number of health benefits. They are packed with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic (ALA).
- This is a gluten-free and dairy-free breakfast or low-calorie snack, depending on when you eat it.
- A versatile basic recipe to then top with your choice of fruit. Perfect to pack in a portion of healthy berries or citrus.
- Almond milk is an excellent source of Vitamin E.
What is chia pudding?
Chia pudding is a dish with a thick and creamy texture that is made by soaking chia seeds in a liquid – usually, milk such as cow's milk or plant milk.
It's great for meal prep and often enjoyed as breakfast but can just as easily be served as a snack or light dessert.
There are two kinds of chia seeds – black and white. Black chia seeds are the most commonly used in chia pudding recipes. You can use either, however.
Chia seeds to milk ratio
Chia seeds can absorb an enormous amount of water relative to their size, I find a chia-to-liquid ratio of 2 tablespoon and ½ cup of almond milk works best, but you can easily create a thicker or thinner pudding.
What might appear too much liquid at first will soak up nicely, resulting in a pudding-like and creamy texture that is just a heavenly start to your day.
Ingredients & Substitution Notes
- Chia Seeds: you can use either black or white chia seeds or a mixture.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: or another plant-based milk of your choice, such as oat, soy, and cashew. Vanilla almond milk also tastes great.
- Sweetener of choice: Our favorite sweetener in this almond milk recipe is pure maple syrup but you can also use agave, honey or a different sugar alternative.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make chia pudding with almond milk
This easy breakfast recipe is nutrient-dense and great to kick-start your day.
Step 1: Mix the ingredients. Whisk together the almond milk, chia seeds and maple syrup in a medium-sized bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Stir out any lumps. After 5 minutes or so, stir the mixture to eliminate any lumps that may be forming. Pop the pudding into your glass or container of choice and place it in the fridge to soak for at least 2 but preferably overnight.
Step 3: Toppings. Enjoy the next day with your toppings of choice such as fresh fruit, crunchy granola or seeds.
Step 4: Extra sweetening. Drizzle over an extra little bit of maple syrup for an extra sneaky bit of sweetness.
Top Tips
- Stir twice! Stir immediately and then give it a good stir again after 5 minutes to avoid clumps. Although this is a simple recipe, stirring out the lumps is the most important part of achieving a good texture.
- Toppings: Only add your fresh fruit and toppings just as you’re about to serve. This will ensure that the fruits don't get soggy.
- Sweetness: Taste your chia pudding to see that you’re happy with the flavor and level of sweetness before you let it ‘set’.
Variations
- Consistency: The texture of this almond milk chia pudding is easily customizable. Simply add a splash milk for a thinner texture.
- Nut-Free: Choose nut-free milk such as oat milk or soy milk, and don’t use nuts as a topping.
- Unsweetened: if you want to cut back on calories you can omit the maple syrup and only sweeten with fruits or unsweetened applesauce instead.
Topping ideas
Chia seeds themselves are pretty neutral in taste. Your choice of toppings is what makes all the difference! Choose different textures for a well-balanced dish.
- Fresh fruit: Simply choose your favorite types of fruits but you can't go wrong with fresh berries as a topping. We love a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries- so good.
- Dried fruits: such as cranberries, raisins, soaked pitted and chopped dates or chopped dried apple rings.
- Nuts and seeds: You can toast the seeds and nuts for a bit of roasted flavor.
- Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs.
- Natural nut butter such as this Roasted Almond Butter or peanut butter
- Yogurt: such as Greek yogurt or a spoonful of vegan yogurt.
- Homemade granola such as our crunchy Apple Granola
- Toasted coconut flakes.
Add-in ideas
- Cocoa Powder: add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to create a delicious chocolate chia pudding.
- Cinnamon: or a teaspoon of cinnamon for more warm and festive flavors
- Cardamon and cocoa: a classic combination
- Lemon zest or orange zest: for some refreshing citrusy flavors
- Protein powder of choice
- Pure Vanilla Extract
Meal prep option
This is one of those Sunday night meal prep dishes. They are so pretty prepared in a mason jar instead of regular bowl for grab-and-go. Add your toppings shortly before serving.
Storage
You can store the base almond milk recipe of your chia pudds in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This recipe is not freezer friendly.
FAQ
Chia seeds are a great source of soluble fibe and high in protein and healthy fatty acids. They are a great addition to your weekly diet and are an especially great option for those who eat mainly plant-based due to their protein content.
Soak your chia seeds for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for a creamy and soft pudding.
More simple breakfast recipes
📖 Recipe
Almond Milk Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon (25g)) chia seeds
- ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup *or more for a sweeter version
- ⅓ teaspoon vanilla extract *optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or mason jar, whisk together chia seeds, almond milk and maple syrup.
- Stir again after 5 minutes to break up any lumps.
- Let soak covered in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Add toppings of choice (fresh fruit, dried fruit, crunchy granola) just before serving and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Stir twice! Stir immediately and then give it a good stir again after 5 minutes to avoid clumps. Although this is a simple recipe, stirring out the lumps is the most important part of achieving a good texture.
- Toppings: Only add your fresh fruit and toppings just as you’re about to serve. This will ensure that the fruits don't get soggy.
- Sweetness: Taste your chia pudding to see that you’re happy with the flavor and level of sweetness before you let it ‘set’.
- Nutritional calculation without toppings.
Kristie Alexander says
I loved this. Very tasty and sayisfying. I cant wait to try it with cocoa powder or cinnamon. I needed snacks that gave me protein and this is perfect when I have a sweet craving too!
Katie Roux says
Hi Kristie! Very nice to hear that! 😊
Haunani says
This is the easiest dessert to make with high nutrient value. I especially like adding fresh or frozen fruit to it.
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Haunani
Katie says
Glad to hear that you liked it, thanks!