The Ultimate Chia Seed Pudding

For some of you Chia Seed Pudding may be ‘so last year’ or even 5 years ago for that matter, but I’ve only this year discovered Chia seeds/Chia seed pudding and I am definitely an enthusiast. Despite being so tiny, these little seeds are packed with good stuff. They’re full of antioxidants, omega 3’s, calcium, protein and fibre. Chia Seed pudding is a great way to start your day, as a healthy snack or even a dessert. Below are a couple of my favourite ways to top Chia Seed Pudding, but feel free to experiment with different fruits, nuts and toppings to your taste – that’s the fun part!

Written by Corin

Serves: 1-2

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

Waiting time: 30 minutes – 1 hour

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Ingredients

For the pudding:

• 3 heaped tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup plant milk (coconut milk drink, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk etc)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

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Method

1. Place the chia seeds in a bowl or container. Add the plant milk along with the vanilla. Mix with a fork or whisk until incorporated. Leave to rest for 5 minutes then stir again thoroughly. Now leave for 3o minutes to an hour, or overnight in the fridge.
2. Distribute chia pudding into bowls/glasses or mason jars, whatever you’d like to eat them from. Then using the garnish ideas below begin mixing/ topping/garnishing your pudding. Enjoy!

Types and Garnish Options

Mango Ginger Breeze

• Fresh ginger, finely chopped (best to mix this in at the chia seed and plant milk stage)
• 1/4 cup canned coconut milk
• Half of a mango, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 small banana, chopped
• A small handful almonds, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes
• Drizzle of vanilla syrup

The Rise and Shine

• 1 nectarine, sliced
• 1 small banana, sliced
• 1 kiwi sliced
• 1/4 cup canned coconut milk
• A small handful almonds, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes
• Dusting of Matcha (Green Tea Powder), optional

Cacao Strawberry Blast

• 1 tablespoon cacao or coco powder thoroughly mixed into the ready chia pudding
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 3-4 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon (per person) nut butter
• Top with cacao nibs or grated dark chocolate

The Colada

• 1/4 of a pineapple, cut into bite sized pieces
• Dollop of coconut cream (this is made from 1 can of coconut milk, pour out the liquid and only use the thick coconut cream. Add 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before using.)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes
• A few mint leaves, chopped
• Drizzle of vanilla syrup
• Top with small handful of almonds or macadamia nuts, chopped

Lean and Green

• 1 avocado, 2 dates, 1/4 cup plant milk and 1 teaspoon matcha powder, use a blender to combine
• Top with a small handful of chopped almonds, sliced kiwi, a sprinkle of hemp hearts and chopped mint leaves.

Chocolate with Sauteed Banana

• 1 tablespoon cacao or coco powder mixed in with the chia seeds and plant milk
• 1 banana, sliced and sprinkled with a tiny bit of caster sugar each side
• Lightly toast 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes in a ProWare 24cm Frying Pan, remove into separate dish
• Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the frying pan and fry the banana until lightly golden on each side