Vanilla Chia Pudding
Vanilla Chia Pudding is a delicious, creamy breakfast or snack with wholesome, simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, chia seeds, almond milk, and pure maple syrup. Easy recipe to meal prep for the week for a healthy breakfast or easy grab-and-go sweet treat.
For more easy chia seed pudding recipes, try Chia Oatmeal Pudding, Banana Chia Pudding, and Banana Chia Overnight Oats.
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If you're new to chia seeds, they're tiny powerhouses of nutrients (omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, plant-based protein) and, since they're very mild flavored, a versatile, nutritious ingredient. One of their superpowers is absorbing up to 10 times their weight (!) in liquid, making them a nutritious thickener for smoothies, overnight oats, and chia pudding.
What Is Chia Pudding?
Basic chia pudding is a simple and delicious combination of chia seeds and milk-dairy or non-dairy -- and usually some type of sweetener. As the seeds soak, they absorb the liquid and form a gel-like consistency similar to tapioca pudding. But I like to make it even creamier by adding yogurt.
Why We Love Vanilla Chia Pudding
This simple vanilla chia pudding recipe has become a favorite. It starts with a basic chia pudding recipe, 4 tablespoons of chia seeds and 1 cup milk (usually unsweetened almond milk), then I add 1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt, a good glug of vanilla extract, and a touch of maple syrup. The flavors are warm and rich, the texture is thick and creamy, and it's just sweet enough to keep our sugar cravings in check. AND it's a perfect blank canvas for our favorite toppings (I'm looking at you, chocolate chips!).
Find Your Perfect Chia Pudding Ratio
Making your chia pudding is all about finding the ratio of chia seeds to milk that works for you. Some people like it thicker and creamier, while others prefer a lighter, more pudding-like consistency.
Start with the base recipe of 4 tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of liquid and adjust from there. Some folks swear by 3 tablespoons chia seeds to 1 cup liquid. Figure out what you like!
- For a thicker pudding, use less liquid or stir in more Greek yogurt. You can always thin it later with more milk if it's too thick.
- For a thinner consistency, stir in a bit more liquid after the pudding sets.
The beauty of chia pudding is its flexibility-experiment until you find the perfect balance for your taste!
🍋Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Chia seeds. You can use white chia seeds or black chia seeds -- they're the same.
- Milk of choice. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk adds lovely vanilla flavor, but any type of dairy or non-dairy milk can be used like oat milk or soy milk.
- Maple syrup or honey. A little sweetener is optional, or you can add it at the end to taste. I know up front we'll want it sweet, so I add it right away :).
- Vanilla Greek yogurt. Whole milk vanilla Greek yogurt creates the creamiest pudding and adds extra vanilla flavor. Plain Greek yogurt works too. Lower-fat or nonfat varieties can be thinner, depending on the brand, which might result in a looser consistency. If your yogurt is thin, try reducing the milk slightly. I always make it thicker initially-it's easier to thin than to thicken!
- Pure vanilla extract. For an extra boost of vanilla flavor.
🫐Variations or Substitutions
Fruit
- Stir in a mashed banana or lightly mashed fresh or frozen berries. Blueberry chia pudding is a favorite!
- Try tropical fruits like diced mango or pineapple for a refreshing twist.
Stir-Ins
- Go chocolatey: Add cocoa powder for chocolate chia pudding and a pinch of instant espresso powder for a mocha vibe.
- Nutty goodness: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter for richness.
Toppings
The best part of chia pudding is piling on your favorite toppings! Here are some ideas:
- Fresh or frozen berries (slightly thawed)
- Sliced bananas, mango, or pineapple
- Dried fruits: cranberries, blueberries, or raisins
- Toasted nuts: almonds, walnuts, or pistachios
- Seeds: pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- Toasted coconut flakes or chips
- Sweet treats: chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
- Crunchy granola
- Fruit purees or compote
- Drizzles: peanut butter, honey, or maple syrup
- Spices: a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg
🥣How to Make Vanilla Chia Pudding with Yogurt
Step 1: Combine ¼ cup of chia seeds, 1 cup of milk, sweetener (if using), Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl or lidded jar. Stir well or shake to combine. Stir again in 5-10 minutes to keep chia seeds from clumping.
Step 2: Cover and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. Top with your favorite fruits or fresh berries, toasted nuts or coconut, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
👉Helpful Hint: Thin/thicken as needed. Chia pudding can take up to 1-2 days to fully set. If it turns out too thick, add a splash of milk and stir until you reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, stir in more Greek yogurt for an instant thickening effect. Or add a teaspoon of chia seeds, then wait a few hours for them to gel.
✅Top Tips
- Yogurt. For the thickest, creamiest texture, opt for full-fat Greek yogurt. Low-fat or nonfat yogurt works well too, but the pudding might not be quite as rich or thick. If your yogurt is on the thinner side, consider reducing the amount of milk slightly to balance the consistency.
- Stir. Mix the pudding thoroughly after combining the ingredients to prevent the chia seeds from clumping or settling at the bottom. For best results, stir again after 10-15 minutes to redistribute the seeds evenly as they begin to gel. If your pudding seems too thin the next morning, another good stir might do the trick to help thicken it.
- Thin/thicken as needed. Chia pudding can take up to 1-2 days to fully set. If it turns out too thick, add a splash of milk and stir until you reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, stir in more Greek yogurt for an instant thickening effect. Or add a teaspoon of chia seeds, then wait a few hours for them to gel.
- Err on the thicker side. Chia pudding is faster and easier to thin than thicken. Err on making it too thick, then add a splash of milk, as needed.
🎁Storage
Vanilla chia pudding. Store vanilla chia pudding in an airtight container or covered mason jar in the refrigerator.
Toppings. To keep toppings fresh, store them in a separate container and add them right before eating.
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📖 Recipe
Vanilla Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional, to taste
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well. Stir again in 5-10 minutes to keep chia seeds from clumping and settling to the bottom. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Enjoy topped with fresh fruit, nuts, granola, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
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Notes
- Tip: When playing around with ratios of milk to seeds, start thick-it's easier to thin than thicken later.
