Chia pudding has a seriously good publicist. It’s hard to find a health café (in Australia anyway) where it’s not on the menu. But it wasn’t a difficult sell; for such a little seed, it’s big on benefits. It’s high in omega-3 fats, protein, good carbohydrates and fibre. It’s the new porridge (or oatmeal, if you will), known to be a balanced breakfast that’ll keep you full until lunch.
Mastering the basic pudding recipe is simple. The secret lies in the seed to liquid ratio. (Depending on how you like it, that’s about three tablespoons of chia to one cup of liquid but play around to get a consistency you enjoy). But just like porridge, after a little while, the standard chia pudding can get a bit bland. Luckily, once you’ve got the basic recipe down pat, the possibilities are endless, and they can be SO much tastier than boring vanilla.
If you’re not a fan of chia pudding, don’t write if off just yet. We’ve rounded up nine of our favourite variations that may (read: will) change your mind.
Minimalist Baker’s Overnight Chocolate
This looks more like dessert than breakfast but trust us, it’s suitable for both. The chocolate flavour comes from cacao, which is full of antioxidants. In fact, cacao contains loads more antioxidants than blueberries so perhaps it’s a better breakfast than that fruit salad after all.
Get the recipe.
Apollo & Luna’s Peaches & Cream
It’s hard to hate mornings when you’re waking up to this peaches and cream chia pudding from Apollo & Luna. It takes a little more work than the basic vanilla but it’s still easy, and totally worth it.
Make it now.
Cookie + Kate’s Zesty Orange
Kate (of Cookie + Kate) confesses she’s never been a fan of chia puddings but after concocting this recipe, she’s made an exception. “It turns out that fresh citrus, vanilla and honey are a perfect match for chia seeds,” she says, and we’d have to agree.
Get the recipe.
Half Baked Harvest’s Pudding 3-Ways
Cinnamon Apple. Whipped Maple Butter Fig. Banana Chocolate…does it get more alluring than that? Half Baked Harvest has taken chia pudding to the new heights with these innovative, insanely-delicious recipes.
Try all three.
The Awesome Green Chia, Acai & Strawberry Breakfast Jar
Ok, ok, the chia pudding is still vanilla, but layered with acai smoothie, fruit and sprinkled with toppings, this is so much more than basic vanilla. Get yourself some cute mason jars and prep this for an on-the-go healthy start to the morning.
Make it now.
The Natural Nurturer Instant & Smooth Chocolate
This looks more like chocolate mousse than chia pudding and it tastes like it too. How? The chia seeds are blended to give it that smooth consistency. The Natural Nurturer says it’s by far her favourite recipe and it only takes two minutes to make!
Get the recipe.
Half Baked Harvest’s Chocolate Chia Cream Pie Parfaits
Ok, we’re obsessed with Half Baked Harvest. Everything she does looks and tastes out of this world. So, we couldn’t help but share more than one of her recipes. According to Teighan, “they are literally what banana cream pie dreams are made of. Light, soft, fluffy, chocolatey perfection.” But, they’re healthy so they’re actually better.
Try them now.
