If you're looking for a super easy and healthy breakfast or snack that you can meal prep in minutes, then you need to give this Very Berry Chia Pudding a try. It's so incredibly delicious - you'll soon be wondering why you didn't discover this sooner!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This berry-based chia pudding is loaded with a delicious mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries - making for a deliciously refreshing snack or breakfast.
- Packed with nutrition - chia seeds are one of my favourite superfoods, packed with vitamins, protein, fibre, and healthy fats. Combine that with berries, which are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants; and you've got one healthy meal.
- Meal prep friendly - ready with just a few minutes of prep, you can batch prep enough of these for a full school or work week, saving you time and stress in the mornings.
- Kids love it - this recipe will break even the pickiest of breakfast eaters. You won't need to worry about struggling to get your little ones to eat a healthy breakfast before school anymore!
- So simple - so simple and easy that literally anyone can make this.
What is Chia Pudding?
Chia Pudding is a deliciously smooth and creamy type of pudding that's made by mixing together chia seeds and milk, and letting them soak together in the refrigerator for a few hours. Chia seeds are a wonderful absorber of liquid, and will swell up and expand in size into a jelly, tapioca-like texture. This creates a thick, creamy pudding that anyone can then mix with different types of ingredients for unique and creative flavour combos, such as the berry blend used in this recipe.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for exact quantities and measurements.
- Chia seeds - any chia seeds will do, whether it's black or white chia seeds.
- Milk - I prefer unsweetened almond milk for this recipe, but you can use whatever you like (whether it's cow's milk or plant-based milk).
- Maple syrup - I like maple syrup for its runny consistency and ease of mixing, but you can also use honey or agave nectar as well as other sweeteners.
- Vanilla extract - for a boost of added vanilla flavour.
- Berries - I prefer using frozen berries for the convenience, but you can use fresh berries as well; both will work perfectly.
- Granola - a nice sweet topping to add in for a bit of crunchy texture.
- Hemp seeds - I use this as a topping for a boost of crunchy nutrition, but you can swap it for other types of crushed nuts or seeds as well.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a blender or food processor, blend together milk, maple syrup, and frozen berries until it turns into a smooth consistency.
STEP 2: In a mason jar (or other sealable container), pour berry and milk blend in along with chia seeds. Give it a stir, and then let it sit for 5 minutes.
STEP 3: Stir it again to break up any clumps, and then snap on a lid and throw it into the refrigerator.
STEP 4: When it's ready, take it out of the fridge and add your toppings: a handful of fresh or thawed frozen berries, a sprinkle of hemp hearts, and some granola (or whatever toppings you like). Enjoy!
How to Store
You can store these away in the fridge for up to 5 days, making sure to use an air-tight sealable container. I prefer using 8-ounce (236 ml) wide mouth mason jars - their wide openings make them easy to clean and stir ingredients in, while being tall and wide enough to add in any toppings.
Toasty's Tips
- Don't forget 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 step is key in making sure your chia pudding ends up with a smooth consistency.
- Both frozen berries or fresh berries work well in this recipe; use whatever is most convenient for you. If using frozen berries as toppings, just thaw them before adding them on top.
- Mix in any types of crushed nuts, seeds, or nutritional boosters you like as toppings. Nuts and seeds bring some added crunch to each bite.
FAQ
Mine didn't thicken up the way I wanted. What did I do wrong?
Typically, if the chia seeds didn't thicken up into a jelly-like texture, you can try 1) adding more chia seeds and the refrigerating again, 2) giving it more time to soak, or 3) using a different batch of chia seeds (in case they may be past their useful shelf life). Try each solution - in my experience, one of them usually solves the issue! If not, you can also try using a thicker type of milk - such as full-fat coconut milk.
Can I mix in other ingredients during blending?
Absolutely - as an example, protein powder is a common add-in for a boost of protein. Just make sure to mix in a small amount of extra liquid if adding any sort of dry powder so that the chia seeds have enough liquid to soak up.
Can I make this vegan or gluten-free?
Absolutely - chia seeds are naturally vegan and gluten-free! With chia pudding, you can customize them according to your specific dietary restrictions - for instance, using appropriate options for milk (i.e. plant-based for vegan) or sweetener (maple syrup instead of honey for vegan).
Other Chia Pudding Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe
Very Berry Chia Pudding
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Pudding Base
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1.5 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ cup frozen berries
Toppings
- fresh berries
- granola - sprinkle (optional)
- hemp hearts - sprinkle (optional)
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend together milk, maple syrup, and frozen berries until it turns into a smooth consistency.
- In a mason jar (or other sealable container), pour berry and milk blend in along with chia seeds. Give it a stir, and then let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir it again to break up any clumps, and then snap on a lid and throw it into the refrigerator.
- When it's ready, take it out of the fridge and add your toppings: a handful of fresh or thawed frozen berries, a sprinkle of hemp hearts, and some granola (or whatever toppings you like). Enjoy!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- 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: You can store these away in the fridge for up to 5 days, making sure to use an air-tight sealable container. I prefer using 8-ounce (236 ml) wide mouth mason jars - their wide openings make them easy to clean and stir ingredients in, while being tall and wide enough to add in any toppings.
- Both frozen berries or fresh berries work well in this recipe; use whatever is most convenient for you. If using frozen berries as toppings, just thaw them before adding them on top.
- Mix in any types of crushed nuts, seeds, or nutritional boosters you like as toppings. Nuts and seeds bring some added crunch to each bite.
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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