Everyone has their food niche. Some can make any vegetable look amazing and taste delicious. Some can turn a a plain Jane ingredient into a decadent dessert. Some are good are strange but good combos. And some are good at making the most of the ingredients they have on hand. You all know who you are! But me? I like to think I am the latter. Give me a certain amount of one ingredient and I’ll give you several way to put it to good use! Cotter Creations, ya know?
That’s where today’s post into play. CHIA!
I love chia because it gives food texture, volume, and has lots of great nutrition perks (protein, omegas, fiber, etc.). But I will be honest, we don’t eat it every day. We usually rotate through these types of seeds because it’s better for my gut health. Just like the green vs orange smoothies, we vary our nutrients. Needless to say, we still love using it! And these past few weeks I’ve been using it a ton since the kiwi has been resting and focusing on more fiber, protein, fats, etc.
Okay, let me get to the recipes!!
First up, bites! Yes, another Healthy Bites recipe. It’s has chocolate and cherry and of course, CHIA!
Double Chocolate Cherry Chia Bites
Second –> Chia Protein Cakes! These are great for snacking, post workout, or after dinner desserts.
Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 1 min
Serves: 1
Ingredients
•30 grams Vanilla protein
•2 tablespoon chia seed
•1 egg
• 2 tablespoon pineapple juice or crushed pineapple
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•½ tablespoon coconut butter
•¼ teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Toppings:
- â—¦dried fruit
- â—¦Greek yogurt or vanilla rice pudding for topping
Instructions
mix everything in a large soup mug. Microwave for 30 seconds. Let it stand for a few seconds, then microwave again for 15 seconds, let it stand, then microwave one more time for 10 seconds. Flip it over on a plate and add topping. I used Greek yogurt, Rice pudding, and raisins. Melts in your mouth.
Third, a pudding! This is a great way to make your breakfast ahead of time and it allows the seeds to be soaked so it’s easier to digest. I let this chia pudding sit overnight so it’s thicker come morning!
Mix and let it sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Note –> I highly recommend carrying floss after you consume these. Unfortunately, the chia seed stuck in the teeth style is not trending yet. 
What’s your favorite way to use chia? What’s your food niche?
Cheers,
LC
LOVE this post!!! I most often use chia seed in overnight oats, but I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy them! đŸ™‚
Wait, you mean secretly attempting to grow chia pets in between your teeth is NOT cool?!
haha you know it!
Oh friend…… these look amazing and goodness knows I love my chia. That cake and those balls????? I don’t know which one to try first. You are on fire! đŸ™‚
Those pineapple protein cakes look really good. I love chia seeds. Super useful and nutritious.
Ohhhhh Chia seeds are my favorite I eat them daily so many fun ways to mix them in.
There’s nothing I won’t chia on!
love it! yes indeed
These all look so good! I put chia in my smoothies, juices, overnight yogurt & oats. Looks like more bites are in my future.
I need those cherry chia fudge bites NOW! I can practically taste them! I love putting chia seeds in my overnight oats and pancakes! So good!
i think you will love!! let me know if you try it
My superpower is I can turn veggies into bacon. Just kidding, but I do like to think I make them look good, and since I know they taste good, I’d say I’ve got my bases covered. I love the inventive chef as well; the one who makes the most of whatever she’s got on hand. Yep, those chefs are pretty bad ass too, and you know who I’m talking about. You!
that reference was for you, the veggies into bacon –> I SWEAR you do!
Hahahah, omg yes, they DO stuck in the teeth! I realized once I was wandering around with one all day and nobody told me. So mean.
I love the Chia Cakes, the look so good! And the addition of coconut butter…..yummy.
i would have told you. xxoo chia friend!
I haven’t gotten into chia even though I’ve tried several times but a friend here swears that the seeds are the reason her cholesterol dropped in the last 6 months. Not that I have high cholestrol to begin with, but it might be worth looking into
i am surprised you haven’t! it’s such good texture to play with in baking too!
Oh these all look so delicious! We love Chia seeds and use them a lot.
I love ch ch ch chia. With that chia pet commercial back in the day, how could I not? I have actually tried using chia seeds the same 3 ways you have, in bites/balls, pudding, and pancakes..and I must say that I am a huge fan of all three. Your Cherry Berry Delight Bites are one of my favorites and the recipe you have here sounds very similar. I may just have to try it out for myself and see what I think. I am never disappointed though so I better watch out đŸ˜› And pineapple and coconut butter in pancakes?! ohmygoddess! Fabulous!! I shared this on my FB page btw. hope that’s ok đŸ™‚ x
haha i know, i need a chia pet again! and yes, thank you for sharing friend! you are amazing!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chia…I use anywhere from 1/2 T-1T in breakfast everyday. I’m addicted to it…I also love to substitute when I am baking. So good for all of us! XOXO
I’ve never been a fan of the texture of chia, but I know that it has great benefits, especially for me as a vegan. I don’t think I’m up for the pudding (yet), but those healthy bites sound yummy.
the pudding takes time. haha. texture that is. You should so try the bites! great for post run and i use vega or growing naturals vegan powder.
I LOVE chia! My dad bought a couple big bags at Costco and gave me one and have yet to do anything but add a sprinkle to my smoothies…MUST change that! đŸ˜‰
let me know if you try any friend!
I loveee chia seeds. Super intrigued by the pineapple mug cake… it’s super creative! Good call on varying the seeds though… I need to be better about that!
Lindsay – I am so loving your chia creations! That chia cake – those bites and that pudding sound absolutely wonderful! I’ve only made pudding and used chai as a topping so far. I am usually trying to sneak veggies and healthy stuff into most eats – I once fooled my daughter with chia chocolate pudding! Yup, being a parent has its rewards đŸ™‚
love it! you are so good at those mystery ingredients!
Never thought to do chia & pineapple! I’m a fan of good old fashioned chia pudding with vanilla, almond milk and cocoa đŸ™‚
I’ve only made pudding so far, but now I really want to make the rest of those goodies!
Of course the healthy bites sound amazing, but that pineapple cake!? YUM!!!
you would love Tara!
I love chia seed pudding and I LOVE them in my overnight oats!
Thanks for the chia ideas! I recently found out I have little to no omega 3s in my blood, so I need to eat more chia and flax. I will be making the balls! đŸ™‚
Yum! I just made those bites – a little differently but close enough and love the chia seeds in them!!
Love your Cotter Creations! Keep ’em coming! đŸ™‚
I love chia! I love to put it in green smoothies!
I loveee all of these but you know I’ve got my eye on those bites in particular! Coming up soon đŸ˜‰
Food niche? I don’t know – whatever I’m in the mood to eat at the time. đŸ™‚ And chia isn’t something I use too often, but I do enjoy it from time to time! Those healthy bites look fantastic!
Couldn’t eat oats now without chia seeds! It just gives it something special! đŸ™‚
I need some chia protein cakes in my life! That looks so amazing!
That pineapple cake sounds so yummy – perfect for summer! I love chia and use it in everything I can – smoothies, yogurt, pancakes, cereal, breads, you name it!
I like to use it in homemade bites and balls best, but nothing I have made has been quite as delicious as your Chocolate Cherry Chia.
I think that if anyone can get the trend of chia seeds stuck between your teeth going, you can!! hehe Love you!
mmmmmmmm CHIA!! Love it!! Especially the balls!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chia pudding. That is usually my go to long run / long ride breakfast with added carbs of course. That chia cake looks amazing. Your recipes are always so creative and more importantly….TASTY!!! đŸ˜€
The Chia Cake looks so good! You mentioned strange but good. I realized that fewer and fewer food combinations seem strange đŸ™‚
Oh the pineapple recipe sounds fantastic. I use chia seeds in my oatmeal every morning. Then I just have to remember to check my teeth đŸ˜‰
I throw chia in everything from smoothies to oatmeal to baked items. I love the sounds of the pineapple recipe–so easy and delicious sounding!
BTW–made that zucchini casserole the other night. Loved it and so did the whole family!
yay!! glad you liked it. It’s easy to make and freeze as well
Pretty sure my favorite is overnight oats! Especially because you just can’t make em without the chia!
You come up with the best recipes. Whew my belly is always so happy when we read your blog đŸ˜‰ Favorite way to use those little pretty seeds… In Healthy Bites or in overnight oats!
Protein Chia Cakes…. Yeah, I cannot make those (even if I sub in something for the pineapple)… Because they would be dangerous! I would eat the entire batch in about 3 seconds – that’s typically what happens when I bake ANYTHING really! ha! My mouth is a slut.
that pancake recipe has my name written all over it! I am a big fan of chia seeds in my oatmeal and homemade energy bars!
I have been wary of chia since I got caught up in the bad stuff but working my way back – been using flax since that but I am back.. all look amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need them all! đŸ™‚
I think my food niche is making healthy eating more accessible for the average busy mom (or anyone!). Give me a standard American diet recipe and I’ll healthify it. đŸ˜‰ I love me some chia seeds for the nutrition, even though the texture sometimes gives me the willies. I like them where I can’t tell they’re there. đŸ™‚
Cherry chia fudge bites? uh, yes please to that! I am a chia virgin but would love to try some of these out. I have done them in smoothies for my kids but nothing fancy yet.
These sound great! I’m definitely more of a veggie stylist type than the other ones you mentioned, but I do love a good chia pudding once in a while! I usually make it with Vega chocolate performance protein, almond milk, and raspberries. So good!
LOVE me some chia! I used to make overnight last or raw soaked buckwheat cereal with them all the time. Need to start doing that again! Chia puddings are a favorite too, I love blending them. These days just adding to smoothies is the best and simplest way to eat them. We go through chia like nobody’s business!
Pineapple chia cake? I MUST try this!!!
I like chia seeds, and it’s so tasty if you know how to combine it…
Didn’t try cherry chia fudge bites before, so that’s next on my “to-eat” list đŸ˜‰
I love using chia in smoothies, bites and oatmeal. I’d really love to find a way to incorporate it into some savory dishes…hmmm.
I adore chia seeds for all their goodness! I put them in my oatmeal each morning…nest time I will put them in my pancakes!
LOve me some chia! That said, I seem to have cycled off of them lately. Your recipes look amazing as always. I make a berry shortcake with chia instead of poppy seeds. Yummy!
I love me some chia. Especially in puddin’. i wonder what it would be like with gelatin too… you could probably make the biggest bowl in the history of man!
Yum! I’ve never thought to use protein milk as the base for chia pudding. That’s such a good idea!
Mmm, I need to make chia pudding again. Love the creative cake you pulled together! I have no idea what my food niche is… obsessing over how to get at least one vegetable into my daughter every day? Sometimes our meals revolve around that- ha!
The chia cake recipes looks so good! I love to make chia “jam” with blueberries to put on my pancakes.
i LOVE chia seeds! add them in everything – smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods!
I have been loving Chia Pudding for breakfast or a snack! I need to try those balls!
Love chia seeds! I have finally started using them more and more recently and am about to run out! I need to get some more đŸ˜›
the chia cake looks amazing. my food niche…is keeping it simple a niche?
Im still boring with chia.
bag to spoon to mouth đŸ™‚
Harry is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE the HB recipe! We are obsessed with cherries in this house, and I’ve been looking for a reason to use chia seeds (of course, never done it, lol). <3
I love chia seeds in oats or bars! Haha they are ridiculous for getting stuck in your teeth!! Seriously – you can find one hours after you have eaten the darn things!
Great recipes! I have more chia at my house than i know what to do with.
Great post (as always) Lindsay….I would say you fall into the all of the above niche đŸ˜‰ Thanks for sharing more protein ideas, especially with chia, you can’t really add enough of that! I am beginning to ramp up in miles, so will need snacks like this, I need to try out some of your healthy bites soon! I loved the ones from my giveaway!
I am big on chia seeds in oatmeal. I always cook a bit pot, throw in the seeds and love how thick the oatmeal gets when it is finished cooking. I am known for throwing together my own recipes using minimal ingredients as well as creating meals out of whatever is on hand!
brilliant! love that fluff!
wow, all of these recipes looks delicious Lindsay! Thanks so much for sharing with us đŸ™‚ Have a wonderful day!!
yay! let me know if you try any mollie
Ohh chia and gut health……I’m not the biggest fan of it but used to add it to my oats on occasion then ran out..and never bought it again! the idea of adding fudge to those bites? Genius.
PS totally ninja’d a Persian Fudge recipe from my mum- it is amazing. Will need to post.
did you try soaking them first? and dude, we need that Persian fudge!