Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding

This overnight strawberry chia seed pudding recipe is an easy and nutritious recipe that can be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack. This pudding made with a dairy-free homemade “strawberry milk” and is naturally sweetened with dates.

Chia seed puddings are all over the internet but I will admit I’ve largely ignored chia pudding until recently. Little did I know what I had been missing out on! Chia seed pudding is a powerhouse full of nutrients and makes the perfect snack or breakfast. Instead of eating it plain, I make it with a pureé of strawberries and dairy-free milk to make a protein packed, delicious breakfast or mid-day snack.

What are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are small black seeds that are very versatile. Chia seeds were once a staple food for the ancient Aztecs and Myans. These little black seeds can be used in cooking, baking, in smoothies or eaten on their own (after soaking).

Chia seeds expand up to 10x and absorb the liquid they are soaked in. Chia seeds become gel-like after soaking so can be used as a pudding (like this recipe here), to thicken a smoothie or sauce, or as an egg replacement!

Once upon a time, chia seeds were only found in health food stores (or on a Chia Pet!) but today chia seeds can be found in pretty much any grocery store.

Are Chia Seeds Good for You?

Chia seeds are full of important nutrients and I highly recommend they become a regular part of your diet! Chia seeds have:

• omega-3 fatty acids – chia seeds are the best known plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids
• fiber – more than 80% of the carb content of chia seeds are fiber
• protein – these seeds offer all nine essential amino acids and are considered to be a high-quality plant-based protein
• essential minerals – essential minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium

What is Chia Seed Pudding?

Chia seed pudding is a healthy way to enjoy this powerhouse seed. Chia seed pudding is made from soaking the seeds for a few hours. This pudding can be enjoyed as a breakfast, snack or dessert.

Chia seed pudding can be made two ways:

• Whole seed – For the whole seed version, you just need to blend the milk mixture with the seeds and let set.
• Blended – Some people don’t like the texture of chia seeds and prefer a more “pudding-like” texture. If that’s the case, you can add the chia seeds to the blender after you make the milk mixture.

Ingredients in this Chia Pudding Recipe

• Chia seeds – You can use white or black chia seeds
• Strawberries – Fresh, organic, in-season strawberries are best but you can also sub frozen
• Plant-based milk – I like to use either unsweetened vanilla almond milk, or if you are looking to boost protein content, use soy or a pea-protein milk
• Vanilla extract – Use a high-quality vanilla extract with real vanilla
• Medjool dates – This recipe is naturally sweetened by using medjool dates which are found in the cold aisles in the grocery store. Make sure the date is fresh and soft. If the date is not soft, soak in warm water for a few minutes to soften (otherwise, the date will be hard to blend).

How to Make Overnight Chia Seed Pudding

Making chia seed pudding takes time. Chia pudding is best when the chia sits in the liquid giving it time to gel – for a few hours or overnight.

In general, you will need 4 parts of liquid per 1 part chia (e.g., 2 tablespoons chia seed, 1/2 cup liquid, or 1/4 cup chia and 1 cup liquid).

For this overnight strawberry chia seed pudding, you will make the strawberry milk first, and then mix it with the chia seeds and let it sit overnight.

After you make the pudding, you can also top with coconut yogurt or other berries and fruits.

I hope you enjoy this twist on traditional chia pudding! If you tried this recipe let me know!

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