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Vanilla Chia Pudding (Easy + 4 Ingredients)

The best Vanilla Chia Pudding is made with 4 simple ingredients and pairs great with fresh fruit and granola! It’s thick, creamy, and makes a perfectly healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert!

side angle view of glass jar with serving of chia pudding and fresh fruit with spoon.

This chia seed pudding has been my little obsession lately. I love it for breakfast, snacks, or a light lunch!

When paired with an assortment of fruits, it’s light, refreshing, and surprisingly filling. And for even more texture and flavor, add a little granola to the mix!

Why We Love This Recipe!

Chia pudding is extremely easy to make with just four simple ingredients. Combine them all together, place them in the fridge, and within four hours or so, you’ll have a perfect ‘superfood’ pudding!

Flavor-wise it’s delicious. Texture-wise, chia seed pudding is not too seedy or crunchy at all. These amazing little seeds absorb the milk making them mostly gelatinous.

There is much to love about this quick and easy treat. So without further ado, let’s get to it!

top down view of ingredients used to make healthy vanilla chia pudding recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe combines chia seeds, non-dairy milk, vanilla, and sweetener, creating a simple and tasty raw, vegan dessert or snack.

Here is everything you will need, including substitution ideas (measurements are in the recipe card below):

  • Chia seeds – use black or white
  • Unsweetened plant milk – almond, coconut, oat, soy, or your favorite non-dairy milk
  • Vanilla – use vanilla extract, vanilla bean, or ground vanilla
  • Pure maple syrup – can sub with coconut sugar or be optional

Chia Seed Faq’s

Are chia seeds healthy? Yes! Chia seeds are small but nutritious and should be included in your heart-healthy habits! Per 1 ounce serving (2 tablespoons) of chia seeds, you’ll get 138 calories, 9 grams of fat (I strive for 3 grams per 100 calories but this is healthy fat), 10 grams of fiber (amazing!), 4.7 grams of protein (not too shabby). They contain a concentrated amount of the essential omega-3 fatty acid, although they don’t contain all the essential omegas like EPA or DHA, you’ll still get a good dose of the others at 5 grams. All their fiber will help aid in digestion and elimination.

Where can I find chia seeds? Chia seeds have finally made it into the mainstream. They are no longer just seen in health food stores and are easily accessible. I see them at Target and all my local grocery stores. They are mostly found dark-colored, like the ones you see above, but you can find white chia seeds online.

How to use chia seeds? In the world of vegan food, chia seeds act as a binder to replace eggs and also as a thickener, like for this pudding. When not making chia pudding, you can sprinkle them on smoothies, oatmeal, and salads and make the refreshing drink called ‘chia fresca.’

side by side by photos showing the process of making vanilla chia seed pudding in glass jar.

How To Make Chia Pudding

Making vanilla chia seed pudding is super easy. it just takes a few stirs and a couple of hours to set. Here’s a look at what you can expect. The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.

Combine. Place chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla, and sweetener in a container or bowl and mix well.

Stir twice. Cover and refrigerate for 5 and 10 minutes, giving it a good mix every now and then. Mixing just once or twice will do. Mixing is important since the seeds will fall to the bottom of the container. If it is not shaken or stirred every now and then, it won’t thicken and set properly.

head on view with before and after chia pudding.

Before and after. Above you’ll see the difference between before and after. The jar on the left has just been mixed together and the jar on the right is what it will thicken up to look like after six hours or so.

Keep refrigerated.

Top Tips

  • Don’t forget to mix! During the setting process, if you don’t mix the seeds they will not set properly and fall to the bottom of the jar for a soupy result.
  • Preferred containers. I used mason jars to make and store my chia pudding. They work well, and all you have to do is shake the jar every few hours until it sets. Mason jars are also great for travel. Fill pint-size jars halfway using half the recipe, once set, fill the other half with fruit. It’s perfect for a to-go lunch or snack!
  • Add dessert spice. Vary it up with a sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, or other dessert-type spices for a change of pace.
  • Can I make vegan pudding without chia seeds? Yes, this raw chocolate pudding is made with avocado and banana, and is ready in minutes!

head on view of jar with vanilla chia pudding with fruit and spoon.

How To Store + Meal Prep

  • Refrigerator: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 5 – 6 days.
  • Freezer: Chia seed pudding is freezer-friendly and can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. To freeze, place in freezer-safe containers, leaving 3/4 inch headroom for expansion. Let thaw in the refrigerator. Give a good stir before serving.
  • Meal prep: Chia seed pudding is perfect for a healthy grab-n-go treat. To pack, spoon pudding into to-go containers with fruit or as is. If adding granola, it’s best to keep it separate until ready to eat.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to enjoy chia seed pudding is with a mix of seasonal fruits and granola.

top down view of bowl with serving of chia pudding with a variety of fruit.

More Pudding Recipes You’ll Love!

If you try this easy chia seed recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

Vanilla Chia Pudding

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 11 reviews

Chia Pudding with vanilla is so easy to make and requires just 4 ingredients! Pair with mixed seasonal fruits for a healthy, wfpb breakfast, snack, dessert or a light lunch!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Snack, Dessert
  • Method: mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (use your favorite)
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or seeds of 1 vanilla bean
  • 12 tablespoons pure maple syrup or coconut, turbinado or organic pure cane sugar, optional

Instructions

Combine: Place ingredients in container or bowl and mix well.

Mix twice: Mix the chia mixture after 5 minutes, then again after 5 minutes, mixing well each time. Mixing the chia seeds is important so they don’t fall to the bottom of the container. If not shaken or stirred every now and then, the pudding will not set properly and the seeds will sink to the bottom.

Chill: Keep covered in the refrigerator until set. Will be ready in 3 – 4 hours.

Makes about 2 1/4 cups

Serve: Spoon into individual bowls or containers, and serve with fresh fruit, granola or whatever your heart desires that sounds good!

Store: Keep stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days. For longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator.

Serves 4

Notes

I usually eat about 1/3 with a bunch of fruit. Use mandarins oranges, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, mango, banana, apples, peaches, granola, nuts, seeds, etc. Mix and match your favorite fruits, nuts & seeds!

I use mason jars to prepare the pudding. This way you can shake the jar to mix instead of mixing with a utensil. Mason jars are also great for traveling.

I don’t add sugar to my chia pudding but the option is there if you prefer a little sweetness.

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom or other dessert type spices for a change of pace. 

Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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29 Comments

  1. I have a quick question. I have been using oat milk. The pudding is delicious and though I shake it often and chia seeds are suspended, it doesn’t set up like ordinary pudding though it is thick and delicious. Any thoughts?






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