If you’re looking for a fresh and light breakfast that is simple and customizable then this Chia Pudding with Oat Milk is for you! It's made with only 4 ingredients and requires less than 5 minutes to prep.
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This recipe is vegan and gluten-free and a healthy option to have for an easy breakfast, a snack, or even for dessert.
Top with your favorite fruit or coconut whipped cream and you're in for a delicious treat!
What are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are edible seeds that come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica. It is a member of the mint family that grows in southern Mexico.
Chia seeds are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as a great source of fiber, plant-based protein, antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium.
Types of Chia Seeds
There are two different kinds of chia seeds, black and white.
Black chia seeds are a lot more common than white chia seeds but there aren’t that many differences.
Black chia seeds have slightly more protein, whereas white chia seeds have slightly more Omega-3s but the difference is very minimal.
What do chia seeds taste like?
The flavor of chia seeds is described as being very mild and slightly nutty. I personally would describe chia seeds as having no flavor at all. Chia seeds soak up liquid so they will take on whatever flavor you add to them.
When they are combined with liquid they start to form a gel-like consistency but when raw, the texture is crunchy like a poppy seed.
Ingredients
This oat milk chia seed pudding is the perfect breakfast for those busy mornings. It's easy to make, filling, and completely customizable.
It's made with a few simple ingredients including chia seeds, your sweetener of choice, and your favorite toppings.
Chia Seeds: Our main ingredient in chia pudding is, of course, chia seeds. You can find chia seeds online or in a grocery store near you. I typically buy the brand Nature's Intent in my local Costco.
Oat Milk: The addition of oat milk will give our chia pudding an extremely creamy texture! I would go for unsweetened oat milk over a sweetened variety. You can use any plant-based milk that you enjoy but oat milk helps create that creamy pudding texture.
Maple Syrup: Just a touch for added sweetness. I typically go for 1 tablespoon and top it with fruit. But if you want it sweeter, you can add more.
Flavoring: Cinnamon or vanilla extract are great additions! Sometimes I add both.
Pinch of Salt: The addition of a small pinch of salt helps balance the flavors. It's not to be forgotten!
Helpful Equipment
You don't need anything fancy to make a chia seed pudding recipe. You can simply whisk the ingredients up in a bowl and cover them with plastic wrap.
But if you would like to take them on the go or meal prep a few at a time, I would recommend buying a few jars with lids.
I recommend either 8-ounce jars or 16-ounce jars.
Here are a few small jars that I recommend: 16oz Weck Jars with Glass Lids, 8oz Jars with Latch, and 16oz Mason Jars.
How to Make This Recipe
Whisk together the chia seeds, oat milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until well combined in a bowl or jar.
Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or for at least 1 to 2 hours. The chia seeds need time to soak up the liquid to become nice and creamy.
Top with desired toppings and enjoy!
Topping & Additions
This easy chia pudding recipe is the perfect healthy breakfast that is 100% customizable. You can add protein powder, banana slices, or even chocolate chips!
Make a big batch to store in the fridge so you can have this delicious breakfast every morning.
Fresh Fruit: Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, and mango are all good fresh fruit options when it comes to topping chia pudding!
Frozen Fruit: Frozen fruit is a wonderful option to top off your chia pudding in the winter when fresh berries aren't in season.
Jam: Store-bought or homemade jam makes a great addition. Add some on top with a dollop of peanut butter- PB & J chia pudding!! Or swirl it into the chia pudding to add flavor.
Nut Butter: Almond butter, sunflower butter, or peanut butter are great toppings to add protein and keep you full longer.
Granola: Store-bought or homemade granola with the addition of some fresh fruit sounds delicious! The granola will add a nice crunch.
Cocoa Powder: Stir in some cocoa powder to add a rich chocolate flavor. Chocolate chia pudding is a great healthy dessert to keep on hand for when those dessert cravings hit!
Substitutions
Don't like chia seeds? Try overnight oats instead or check out my blog post on Chia Seed Substitutes.
Maple Syrup: Replace with coconut sugar, brown sugar, or agave.
Tips & Tricks
Use the appropriate jar: An 8oz jar will be filled to the top with chia pudding and the toppings will overflow a bit so the jar won't close whereas a 16oz jar will allow room for toppings and the lid to close. The 16oz jar is preferred if you're taking the chia pudding with you on the go.
Wait to add toppings: This is important! Take the extra few seconds in the morning to add the toppings fresh.
Make sure you mix your chia pudding until well combined. This will break up any clumps of seeds and ensure the mixture will be set properly. Sometimes chia seeds can clump and settle at the bottom of the jar and won't be as creamy so give it a good stir!
Don't love the texture? Try blending the chia seed pudding. This will create a more traditional pudding texture and an extra creamy chia pudding.
Storage
Chia seed pudding can last 5-7 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container or glass jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure your liquid-to-chia ratio isn't off. You should be using 4 tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of oat milk and allowing them to sit for at least 1 to 2 hours to ensure the liquid is soaked up. Overnight is best.
Yes, chia pudding is gluten-free. Not all brands of oat milk are 100% certified gluten-free so be sure to check the brand you are using.
Unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, and coconut milk are great substitutes for oat milk.
Yes, store in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying it.
Chia seeds contain fiber, protein, healthy fats, calcium, and antioxidants. They are most known for being loaded with Omega-3s.
Chia Seed Recipes
Recipe
Chia Pudding with Oat Milk
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Chia Seeds
- 1 cup Oat Milk unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup more if desired
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract optional
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Whisk together the chia seeds, oat milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until well combined in a bowl or jar.
- Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or for at least 5 hours. The chia seeds need time to soak up the liquid to become nice and creamy.
- Top with desired toppings and enjoy!
Notes
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