Chia Seed Pudding

This easy chia seed pudding recipe is a perfect healthy breakfast or snack! It tastes like dessert, but it's filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Chia Seed Pudding

Now that the weather’s warming up, this chia seed pudding recipe has become my go-to breakfast/afternoon snack. It’s cool, creamy, and lightly sweet, with warm depth of flavor from a pinch of cinnamon. Topped off with fresh fruit, homemade granola, and a drizzle of maple syrup, it tastes like dessert, but it’s packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Another reason I love this chia pudding? It’s super easy to make, and it keeps in the fridge for about 5 days. So if you’re a big fan of meal prepping, this recipe is for you. Make a batch of chia seed pudding on the weekend, and portion it into individual jars or containers. You’ll have a quick, healthy breakfast ready for every day of the week!

Almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt

Chia Pudding Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chia pudding recipe:

  • Chia seeds, of course! I used white chia seeds on the day I took these photos, but black chia seeds will work here too.
  • Coconut milk or almond milk – I like to use light coconut milk in this recipe because it makes the pudding extra-rich and creamy, but if you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry! Almond milk is also a great choice.
  • Maple syrup – I mix some into the chia seed pudding to sweeten it naturally. When I eat, I drizzle more maple syrup on top!
  • Cinnamon – For warm depth of flavor.
  • And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Chia seed pudding in a large Mason jar

How to Make Chia Pudding

This chia pudding recipe couldn’t be simpler to make! Here’s how it goes:

  • First, combine the ingredients in lidded Mason jar. It should be fairly large; look for one with a volume of 3 to 4 cups.
  • Next, shake! Secure the lid on the top of the jar, and vigorously shake to combine the ingredients.
  • Then, chill. Pop the pudding in the fridge for a few hours.
  • An hour or two later, stir. This step is crucial for breaking up any seed clumps within the pudding. If the chia seeds stay bunched together, they won’t absorb the liquid in the jar, making for a lumpy, crunchy chia seed pudding. No, thanks!
  • Then, chill again. After stirring, cover the jar, and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, your chia seed pudding will be ready to eat!

Chia pudding topped with berries and cherries

Chia Seed Pudding Serving Suggestions

On its own, chia pudding is creamy, rich, and lightly sweet. But let’s be honest: the best part of any chia seed pudding recipe is the toppings! Here are some of my favorites:

  • Fresh fruit. I love piling berries and tart cherries on chia seed pudding. Use fresh ones in the summer and thawed frozen ones for the rest of the year.
  • Something crunchy, like coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or homemade granola.
  • Something sweet. Add an extra drizzle of maple syrup. Honey works too!

Load up your chia seed pudding for a healthy breakfast or snack! Store any leftovers in the covered jar or an airtight container for up to 5 days. If the pudding becomes too thick, loosen it with a little extra milk. Wait to add the toppings until right before you eat.

Chia seed pudding recipe

More Favorite Breakfast and Snack Recipes

If you love this chia pudding recipe, try one of these yummy breakfasts or snacks next:

Get This Recipe In Your Inbox
Share your email, and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy daily doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!

Chia Seed Pudding

rate this recipe:
4.96 from 83 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 8 hours
Serves 3 to 4
This easy chia seed pudding recipe is a perfect healthy breakfast or snack! Store it in a lidded jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Vegan, gluten-free.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light coconut milk or homemade almond milk
  • 6 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • teaspoon sea salt

Optional toppings

  • Tart cherries, (I usually get them frozen)
  • Blueberries
  • Chopped nuts or granola
  • Coconut flakes
  • Maple syrup

Instructions

  • In a lidded 3- to 4-cup jar, combine the milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Cover and shake to combine. Chill for a few hours, then give it a good stir to loosen any clumps. Continue chilling for 12 to 18 hours for the pudding to set.
  • Serve with fruit, nuts, coconut flakes, and maple syrup as desired.

57 comments

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Fahreen Ramjee
    12.30.2022

    4 stars
    Great recipe! Very versatile in terms of add-Ins. Go ahead and experiment with adding a dash of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla essence, almond essence etc etc. In reading through some of the past reviews, I just want to point out that store-bought milks have a thinner consistency compared with homemade milks. Use 2tbspn chia seeds to 1/2cup (instead of 2/3cup, as per the recipe) store-bought alternative milks. The pudding sets perfectly. I love Three Sisters and Malk milks.

  2. Paula
    11.09.2022

    Are your tablespoons 15ml or 20ml? I’m used to 15ml but here in Australia it’s 20ml. I always have to check😀

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      11.11.2022

      1 US tablespoon is about 15ml. Hope this helps!

  3. Joanna
    11.08.2022

    5 stars
    This is so delicious! I have never made or eaten chia pudding before this but now I am obsessed! Make sure to stir it after a few hours since most of the seeds will be at the bottom of the jar. This is crucial for it to set up properly! I can’t wait to get creative and try other flavors. I used vanilla almond milk and it worked great.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      11.11.2022

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe!

  4. KevIn
    10.25.2022

    5 stars
    I love the Chia seed pudding, Easy healthy and delicious. If it lasted more than one day In the fridge I’m surprised. definitely five star.

    • Phoebe Moore
      10.28.2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  5. Lynne
    10.24.2022

    I made this pudding for my sewing group and it was great. We used mini chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds as add-ins.
    Reading further, I learned that chia seeds shouldn’t go down the drain. Is there a special way to clean containers/bowls that have
    dried chia seeds on them?

    • Phoebe Moore
      10.28.2022

      Hi Lynne, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I’d use a spoon to transfer dried seeds to the compost or trash, then rinse the dishes in the sink. If a few seeds end up going down the drain, it should be ok. Hope this helps!

  6. Michelle
    09.13.2022

    Hi! This looks like a wonderful recipe! …Wondering what the nutritional breakdown looks like?

  7. Deborah A Thelen
    09.10.2022

    In the pics I see individual glass jars and, if Im not mistaken, the recipe seems to use a much larger bowl. Is this right? How would you ensure you get enough chis seeds and milk in the individual containers? Im confused.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.13.2022

      Hi Deborah, I like to make it in one large jar so that I can stir it well. Once it sits overnight and it’s done, you can transfer to smaller portions.

  8. Amanda
    06.13.2022

    5 stars
    Easy to make and very yummy!!😊

  9. Vicki Fitzgerald
    04.05.2022

    Which cookbook is this recipe from. I would like to purchase cookbook. Thx!

    • Sep
      05.06.2022

      Hi! This looks amazing! Just one question that might be a little bit out of context. Where did you get those oval kinda shape glass jars? They are so pretty! Lol I’ve been looking for quite sometimes. Would you be able to share?

      Thanks

      • Jeanine Donofrio
        05.07.2022

        Hi Sep, they’re the Weck Tulip jars, I lined them right underneath the recipe. I love them!

  10. Dj
    03.21.2022

    Quick question: can you use this pudding in smoothies instead of frozen banana?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.24.2022

      Hi Dj – yes, that would be great.

  11. Randi
    01.27.2022

    5 stars
    The Cinnamon is the absolute game changer; Delicious!!
    This recipe is simple to make, easy to store, and versatile when serving!! Perfect!

  12. Swati
    01.02.2022

    What kind of light coconut milk do you use (canned or tetra pack). As well as which brand. I tried a couple but they didn’t come out great.
    Thanks

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.02.2022

      Hi Swati, coconut milk, the beverage from the carton works well for this. I like Califia’s Coconut Almondmilk. Or I use the 365 brand canned coconut milk.

      • Swati
        01.02.2022

        Thanks so much. Will check out both suggestions.

    • Maka
      01.26.2022

      The best is coconut dream

  13. Shelly
    10.24.2021

    For some reason, Chia Seed pudding used to kind of gross me out until I tried it. OMG, I absolutely love chia seed pudding!

    Great recipe! I really like the addition of berries and will have to try that.

  14. Mackenziee
    09.18.2021

    Can i use oat milk ?

    • Lily
      01.09.2022

      5 stars
      Yes you can. I use soy milk for mine and it works.

  15. Natalie
    06.10.2021

    5 stars
    Loved it! I used store bought almond milk and found it to be not quite set after overnight chilling so after seeing the other comments I added another tablespoon of seeds and waited another hour and the consistency was good. Topped with berries and honey and it was delicious! Thank you for this recipe!

  16. Kim
    05.22.2021

    5 stars
    So yummy and so easy! I just had a bowl for breakfast with fresh strawberries and almond granola….I could eat another! Lol…mmmmm

    • Kim
      05.22.2021

      5 stars
      Oh, and I used a can of regular coconut milk cuz it’s what I had and some vanilla creamer. Set up fine

    • Abbey
      05.07.2022

      Can I use honey in place of maple syrup?

  17. Nancy
    05.22.2021

    I often make Chia pudding with regular plain yogurt. With yogurt it always has a putting thickness.

  18. PBarb
    05.21.2021

    Can you use organic whole milk?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.22.2021

      that should be fine!

  19. Maura
    05.21.2021

    I made this with store-bought almond milk (not homemade), but after 24 hours it hasn’t set. Still chia seeds in liquid. Should I have used less almond milk? Assuming it may be a bit thinner than the light coconut milk?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.21.2021

      Hi Maura, homemade almond and/or coconut milks are both a bit thicker. I’d stir in a bit more chia and let it sit again to thicken. Hope that helps!

    • Lauren
      05.21.2021

      I made this last night with the lite coconut milk exactly as written and mine never set either! I used black chia seeds but didn’t think it’d make a difference. Weird.

      • Jeanine Donofrio
        05.22.2021

        Hi Lauren, that shouldn’t make a difference, I’ve used black and white chia seeds interchangeably. We just increased the amount of chia – it’s possible that the milk I use is just thicker.

        • Lauren
          05.22.2021

          Thanks for responding Jeanine! I ended up adding more chia seeds and let it sit again overnight. It’s a much better consistency today. I think I ended up using about 8 tbsp of chia seeds. Just tried it though and it’s very good!

  20. Anon
    05.20.2021

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! Do you have the calories/ protein for this?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.21.2021

      I’m sorry we don’t calculate nutritional info. Sites like myfitnesspal let you plug in the ingredients.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.