This Orange Creamsicle Chia Pudding is my go-to summertime breakfast. Bright, citrusy, and bursting with zesty, tangy flavour - this recipe is ridiculously easy and healthy, and can be prepared in minutes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This chia pudding is one of my favourite recipes for an easy, healthy breakfast or snack during the warmer spring and summer months. So incredibly delicious, you'll be shocked just how quick and easy it is to make!
- Kid-friendly - kids love this recipe! Even the pickiest of breakfast eaters don't stand a chance to this fun and vibrant orange creamsicle flavour.
- Super easy to make - literally just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time is all that's needed. No cooking required with this one!
- Ready when you wake up - it's a perfect food to meal prep in advance to save you time during those busy mornings.
- Nutritious and healthy - packed with vitamins, fibre, protein, and many other good things to nourish your body.
What is Chia Pudding?
Chia Pudding is a creamy, thick and delicious pudding that is made simply by soaking chia seeds in milk in the refrigerator. No cooking is required - the heavy lifting is done in the fridge as the chia seeds absorb the liquid over time, making it one of the easiest meals to prep for a healthy breakfast or snack. Loaded with nutrients, chia seeds are one of my favourite superfoods - so incorporating them into my diet in an easy, tasty and fun way is a huge win.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for exact quantities and measurements.
- Chia seeds - the star of the show! You can use either white or black chia seeds, both will work just fine.
- Milk - for this recipe, I'm using light coconut milk as it complements the orange very well. But you can use any type of milk you like; just keep in mind that due to the citrusy nature of oranges, mixing the orange juice with regular cow's milk can cause some curdling. So you may want to use plant-based milk instead (such as coconut, almond, or cashew milk).
- Maple syrup - I'm using maple syrup, but you can use whatever you like - honey, agave nectar, or liquid stevia are common options.
- Vanilla extract - vanilla works perfectly with this recipe for a boost of vanilla flavour.
- Oranges - I like to use mandarin oranges as they are typically sweeter than a regular orange.
- Greek yogurt - adds a delicious creaminess that acts as the "cream" in creamsicle.
- Coconut flakes - a delicious sweet topping that goes great with the orange flavour!
Instructions
STEP 1: Squeeze the juice out of 3 mandarin oranges (or 3 tablespoon of juice if using a regular orange).
STEP 2: In a mason jar (or other sealable container), mix together orange juice, coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
STEP 3: Stir again to remove any clumps (this is important!). Snap on a lid and refrigerate for 2+ hours.
STEP 4: When it's ready, take it out of the fridge and add on top a spoonful of Greek yogurt, and a handful of peeled mandarin slices.
STEP 5 (Optional): You can also use a fine grater to grate some orange zest from the remaining mandarin peel. Then, top it off with some coconut flakes. Enjoy!
How to Store
Typically, chia pudding can be stored away in an air-tight container (such as a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, due to the nature of orange juice, I recommend consuming this within 2-3 days. As always, make sure to use your judgement when checking for freshness and flavour.
Toasty's Tips
- Always make sure to follow the STIR → SIT → STIR AGAIN rule: Stir the ingredients, let it sit for 5 minutes, stir it again to remove any clumps, then refrigerate. This is very important to make sure your chia pudding ends up with a smooth consistency.
- If you can, use mandarins instead of a regular orange for their sweeter taste.
- Mix in your favourite nuts and seeds for a bit of crunchy texture.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought orange juice and canned mandarin slices?
Yes, you can! However, keep in mind that many store-bought juices and canned fruits are already pre-sweetened with sugars and syrups so exercise judgement when adding in sweeteners to your chia pudding.
Can I make this vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, chia seeds are naturally vegan and gluten-free! The great thing with chia pudding is you can customize them according to your specific dietary needs - for instance, using appropriate options for milk (i.e. plant-based for vegan) and sweetener (maple syrup instead of honey for vegan).
Why is my chia pudding not thickening up properly?
Typically, you can try a few different things: 1) mix in more chia seeds and refrigerate again for 2+ hours, 2) giving it more time to soak in the fridge, and 3) using a thicker type of milk, such as full-fat coconut milk. In my experience, one of these typically solves it; otherwise, it could be related to the type of chia seeds you are using (perhaps it has gone past its useful shelf life) and you may want to try purchasing a different batch or brand to use.
Other Chia Pudding Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe
Orange Creamsicle Chia Pudding
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Pudding Base
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ cup light coconut milk
- 1.5 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoon mandarin orange slices
- orange zest - pinch
- coconut flakes - pinch
Instructions
- Squeeze the juice out of 3 mandarin oranges (or 3 tablespoon of juice if using a regular orange).
- In a mason jar (or other sealable container), mix together orange juice, coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir again to remove any clumps (this is important!). Snap on a lid and refrigerate for 2+ hours.
- When it's ready, take it out of the fridge and add on top a spoonful of Greek yogurt, and a handful of peeled mandarin slices.
- Optional: You can also use a fine grater to grate some orange zest from the remaining mandarin peel. Then, top it off with some coconut flakes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- Always make sure to follow the STIR → SIT → STIR AGAIN rule: Stir the ingredients, let it sit for 5 minutes, stir it again to remove any clumps, then refrigerate. This is very important to make sure your chia pudding ends up with a smooth consistency.
- Storage: Typically, chia pudding can be stored away in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, due to the nature of orange juice, I recommend consuming this within 2-3 days. As always, make sure to use your judgement when checking for freshness and flavour.
- If you can, use mandarins instead of a regular orange for their sweeter taste.
- Mix in your favourite nuts and seeds for a bit of crunchy texture.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
You can find step-by-step video tutorials for all of my recipes on my YouTube Channel. There you'll find many more tips and tricks to help you along!
Nutrition
Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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