This creamy chocolate chia seed pudding with coconut milk is a delicious and healthy breakfast option. It's an easy recipe to whip up in under 5 minutes to have for meal prep all week. Full of chocolatey goodness, this chia pudding recipe is a chocolate lovers dream.
One of my favorite chia pudding recipes, it’s perfect if you have a sweet tooth. This dreamy chia seed chocolate pudding is loaded with health benefits from the chia seeds and coconut milk while guaranteeing total chocolate craving satisfaction.
If you're on the hunt for more breakfast recipes, you will love these High Protein Overnight Oats with three flavor options and Chocolate Baked Oatmeal.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Ideal for meal prep: make a batch of this easy chia seed pudding in advance, and you'll have breakfast all week long. It's great on the go and a convenient option if you need a grab-and-go meal.
- Versatile: I love that this chocolate chia seed pudding with coconut milk can pass for breakfast, a healthy snack, or delicious dessert!
- Loaded with healthy ingredients: chia seeds have good protein, healthy fats, and are full of fiber which is great for the digestion system, while coconut milk deals with inflammation in the body.
- This coconut milk chia pudding is both gluten-free and dairy-free. It can easily be switched to a vegan recipe by swapping the honey for maple syrup.
- Tasty: it’s basically chocolate pudding for breakfast, or one of the best healthy desserts.
Ingredients
- Coconut milk - Try to get hold of unsweetened coconut milk if you can – this will allow you to control how sweet you make the pudding. This plant-based milk has a rich, sweet taste.
- Chia Seeds - you can use either white or black, or a combination of both. Chia seeds are a great source of Omega-3 and fiber.
- Cacao Powder - not only is this ingredient an excellent nutritional supplement, but it also gives the pudding its rich chocolate flavor. This plant-based superfood, high in iron and magnesium, is less processed and a healthier alternative to cocoa powder.
- Honey - I always purchase local honey for it's healing properties and ability to help fight seasonal allergies. Raw honey boosts immunity, aids in digestive and gut health, and is full of antioxidants.
- Vanilla Extract - gives this recipe its pudding flavor.
- Optional toppings/add-ins: mix and match your favorite toppings.
What is Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding with Coconut Milk?
Chocolate chia seed pudding with coconut milk is a creamy and indulgent dessert or breakfast dish made by mixing chia seeds, coconut milk, cacao powder, sweetener, and flavorings like vanilla extract or cinnamon.
Let it sit in the fridge until the chia seeds absorb the liquid and form a thick, pudding-like consistency with a rich chocolate flavor. Its texture is similar to tapioca pudding.
How to Make this Recipe
Here is how to make your own chocolate chia pudding recipe:
Step 1: First, in a medium-sized bowl, whisk all ingredients together until combined.
Step 2: Next, let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes and then give it another good stir to mix in any clumps of chia seeds.
Step 3: Cover and store in a mason jar, or any airtight container, in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or best results, overnight.
Step 4: Once your chia pudding has stood and "set," look at the consistency. If it seems a little thick, you may need to add extra coconut milk to thin it back to balance the ratio. Before serving, stir and garnish with optional toppings, if desired.
Pro Tips
- Make it in individual cups or mason jars, so your breakfast or snack is ready when you are.
- Chill the pudding in the fridge overnight for best results.
- Use high-quality cacao: this will make a difference to the final taste.
- If you prefer a silky-smooth texture, blend your pudding once you allow it to stand for a smooth consistency and more pudding-like texture.
- Enjoy it warm by heating this recipe on the stove or in the microwave.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Use your milk of choice, like any non-dairy milk or whole milk in this recipe: think oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, unsweetened almond milk, etc.
- You can use unsweetened cocoa powder or replace the cacao powder with chocolate protein powder for protein chia seed pudding.
- Pure maple syrup is the best alternative to honey (and a healthy one), although I sometimes use agave syrup. Keep in mind different ingredients offer different levels of sweetness.
Chia Pudding Toppings & Add-Ins
Get creative with toppings to avoid recipe fatigue. Chia pudding is delicious with a variety of different toppings.
- A tablespoon of chocolate chips or cacao nibs for extra chocolate and some crunch.
- A tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter for extra protein and a nutty flavor. Chocolate and peanut butter is a classic combination.
- Fresh fruit or a dollop of berry compote. Fresh berries, figs, pears and banana all go well with chocolate.
- Shredded coconut flakes – toast them for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- Your favorite granola for extra crunch.
Storage
Pack your chia pudding into a sealed, airtight container and keep it chilled in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
While the pudding can be frozen, the texture may become icy and less creamy when thawed, so it's not recommended.
FAQs
Yes, you can use any milk of choice. Keep in mind, chia seeds take on the flavor of the liquid they are soaked in.
If your pudding has a gel-like consistency, thin it up with a splash of extra milk.
Absolutely! Chia seeds are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Fiber helps with digestive health and will keep you feeling full for longer.
Yes, you can use a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol, but keep in mind that the sweetness may be different, so adjust to taste.
Hungry for More?
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding with Coconut Milk
Equipment
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk all ingredients together until combined.
- Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes and then give it another good stir to mix in any clumps of chia seeds.
- Cover and store in a mason jar, or any airtight container, in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or for best results, overnight.
- Before serving, stir and garnish with optional toppings, if desired.
Notes
- Get creative with chia pudding toppings: fresh berries, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, peanut butter, etc.
- You can use unsweetened cocoa powder or replace the cacao powder with chocolate protein powder for protein chia seed pudding.
- You can use any non-dairy milk or whole milk in this recipe: think oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, unsweetened almond milk, etc.
- Pure maple syrup is the best alternative to honey in this recipe.
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