Vanilla Chia Pudding Recipe - iFoodReal.com (2024)

Vanilla Chia Pudding Recipe made with only 4 ingredients and the perfect creamy consistency! Make it and let sit overnight, then enjoy for healthy breakfast or snack for 5 days.

Love chia? Be sure to try our chocolate chia pudding and banana chia pudding.

This vanilla chia pudding is so easy and simple. It takes less than 5 minutes to prep and then settles overnight in the fridge.

You can make a few chia seed puddings at a time. I like to make ahead 5 servings for Monday till Friday for easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack.

In the morning, grab a jar, top with your favorite toppings like nuts, berries, fruit or coconut flakes and you are good to go. It’s genius!

I also love to meal prep this almond flour banana bread and almond flour banana muffins for a week of easy healthy breakfasts.

Ingredients for Vanilla Chia Pudding

This vanilla chia seed pudding recipe consists of a mix of 4 ingredients. It couldn’t be more simple!

• Whole chia seeds: Black chia seeds are tiny seeds yet expand up to 9 times their original size. You want to use whole and not ground seeds to avoid bitter taste and unpleasant texture.
• Milk: I use unsweetened almond milk. You can use any dairy-free milk from a carton like rice, soy, oat or cashew milk. Dairy milk works too. Adjust sweetener depending if you use unsweetened or sweetened milk. To use canned coconut milk, try this coconut milk chia pudding.
• Liquid sweetener:I prefer maple syrup because unlike thick honey it dissolves better in cold milk. But honey works as you can tell from my video.
• Vanilla: To add that vanilla flavor. I like to use pure vanilla extract.

How to Make Vanilla Chia Pudding

Here is a quick overview how to make vanilla chia pudding. You can find full recipe card down below.

Add ingredients in this particular order: Almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla and chia seeds. This order is easy to mix, no mess and quick. Any glass container works and I prefer it to plastic for taste reasons. I have to say if you like toppings, use bigger 16 oz Mason jars.

Stir well: Stir with a fork or a small whisk and let it sit for 1 minute.Chia seeds will start expanding immediately and you will see them settling at the bottom.

Stir 2 more times after 1 minute: Stirring a few times will prevent lumps. If you don’t, not all chia seeds will expand and many will lump at the bottom. Make sure to stir maple syrup on the bottom, it settles fast.

Refrigerate overnight: The next morning stir well then eat as is or add your favorite toppings! See down below for ideas.

Tips for Best Results

• Best order of ingredients: It is important to add liquids first and then chia seeds for easy mixing.
• If your chia pudding is lumpy in the morning: It means you didn’t stir well or a few times before refrigeration. It happens. Just stir it with a fork and maybe add a splash of milk.
• Too thick chia pudding: Add a little bit of milk and stir.
• Too runny chia pudding: Next time, use 4 tablespoons chia seeds with 3/4 cup milk. It could be the type of chia seeds or milk that causes this issue.
• Chia pudding didn’t thicken at all: Some brands are better than others, also age of chia seeds matters. Your chia seeds might be not as fresh and have trouble absorbing liquid. I would try a different brand next time.

What Is the Perfect Chia Seed to Liquid Ratio?

Variations

I like vanilla chia pudding, so all I add for flavor is pure vanilla extract. You could also add:

• Sweet spices: Like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Or just make this pumpkin chia pudding.
• Berries: Blend fresh or frozen strawberries, raspberries or blueberries with your milk before combining with sweetener in a jar.
• Citrus: Add some orange, lime or lemon zest for a bright burst of citrus.

Toppings Ideas

When ready to eat, give vanilla chia pudding a stir and top with your favorite toppings. Sky is the limit!

• Fruit: I like to add fresh or frozen fruit and berries. Who am I kidding?! It’s frozen fruit 95% of time.
• Nuts: Toasted nuts are tastier although they lose a bit of their nutritional value. Raw nuts or nut butter works too!
• Coconut flakes: Again toasted are yum but I think we are getting very fancy.
• Granola: Look for a low sugar one or make healthy granola at home.
• Jam: Use your favorite.
• Greek yogurt: I always have this on hand from making Instant Pot yogurt.

How to Serve and Meal Prep

Store: Put this vanilla chia pudding together while making dinner the night before! Refrigerate overnight and breakfast is ready for the next day.

It’s also perfect for meal prep as it stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. It actually doesn’t go bad after 5 days, just will not be as fresh.

You can meal prep chia pudding in individual mason jars or in one big bowl and then distribute between your favorite leak proof containers.

Serve: During cooler months, you may like to try it warmed up. Just heat on the stove or in a microwave with a splash of milk.

FAQs

More Chia Pudding Recipes

• Chocolate banana chia pudding
• Mango chia seed pudding
• Matcha chia pudding
• Strawberry chia pudding

Other Pudding Recipes to Try

• Cottage cheese pudding
• Cottage cheese chocolate pudding
• Brown rice pudding