Vegan
Gluten FreeHemp protein gives a big health boost to your breakfast in this Vegan Caramel Coffee Protein Chia Pudding! It’s nutrient dense and delicious! I love adding hemp protein to chia pudding and soaking it in coffee and coconut milk. It makes for a nutrient dense breakfast that’s naturally gluten free and delicious!
First of all, Happy Meatless Monday! Second of all… As much as I love hemp protein, it just doesn’t photograph that well, color wise. But I did my best. Now let’s talk about this ugly yet nourishing protein for a minute, mmm k?
When I first tried hemp protein, way back when, it was way too gritty and tasted like dirt. Come on, you know you’ve tasted those kind before, am I right?
But the good thing is, hemp/vegan/primal/dairy protein have come a long way since then, as they should!
The quality of protein and how it is produced is key. The way it reacts to your body is also important. Once you find that, you’re set!
For sure, we like both grass fed whey protein (lactose free) and hemp (pea) or sprouted brown rice protein. But we use them in totally different ways. I find that whey protein is best for post workout or as a bed time snack, when combined with carbohydrates. Both work great to accelerate muscle recovery/regeneration.
Since I am sharing a hemp protein recipe, I might as well get all nerdy and chat about it.
Hemp Protein is different that most plant protein.
- Hemp protein comes from grinding the nutrient-rich seeds of the hemp plant. The seeds contain essential fatty acids, and complete proteins that your body needs.
- Not many other plant proteins contain all the essential amino acids (complete protein), which is why hemp seed protein is so valuable to us (especially vegans).
- It contains a good course of omega fatty acids, iron, and is a great source of fiber.
This is why I (we) love using hemp protein for breakfast and snacking:
It’s great in a nourishing smoothie, or a chia pudding like this vegan caramel coffee chia pudding recipe.
It’s filling, nutrient dense, and it’s a great way to start the day off right!
Print
Vegan Caramel Coffee Chia Pudding with Hemp Protein
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 hr
- Total Time: 5 hr 10 min
- Yield: 2 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 6– 8 oz vanilla coconut or almond milk
- 2/3 cup chia seeds (I use ground chia)
- 1 scoop Vanilla or Coffee flavored Hemp Protein (My Mix Nutrition)
- 2 oz brewed coffee or espresso
- 1/4 tsp caramel extract or 1 tbsp Caramel syrup
- Optional Add ins – Banana and honey
Instructions
- First, blend your protein, coffee, and milk together. Set aside. Pour 1/3 cup chia seed in to 2 bowls. Pour your protein shake mix on top and mix bowls so that chia seeds are evenly blended with protein shake. Pour caramel extract (or syrup if you are using it) into each bowl. Set in fridge for at least 4-6 hrs. I like to do this overnight.
- For extra sweetness and thickness, blend the protein shake with a banana or add in 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup.
- Feel free to top the chia pudding with granola, gluten free cookie, oats, nuts, or instant coffee!
Notes
I used the little bit of coffee I had leftover from morning for this. You can also use tea or just stick with milk.
When used as a snack, this combo helps to keep the blood sugar regulated and maintain adrenal health. You all know that’s important to us, for sure!
Sometimes….we use it for late night snack dip with an udis gluten free cookie. Hey, it all evens out, right?
I recently teamed up with My Mix Nutrition as one of their “expert mixers.” Sounds pretty cool, eh?
I created 2 Customized MIXES for them, a vegan a and a whey. You can read all about it here!
The Vegan Protein (which I call Plant Power) consists of Organic hemp protein as well as B12 and probiotics. See below!
How’s that for a PERFECT plant protein mix?! Everything you need in one scoop! And delish (not lying)!
I hope to share more recipes with my PLANT POWER and ReENDURE whey protein powders, but for now, try this protein packed chia pudding for your next breakfast! And while you’re eating it, check out the new My Mix site. You can even create your own!
Have you tried Hemp Protein? What’s your favorite way to use it if so?
*Just so you know, there are affiliate links in this post. I am part of the My Mix Nutrition Team, and I believe in their company and product. In fact, I’ve been using them for over a year! All thoughts and opinion are my own. The darn truth. Always!
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Erin @ The Almond Eater says
March 23, 2015 at 5:29 AMThis looks/sounds so good! I like hemp protein now, but then again I only tried it fairly recently 🙂 I could see where it maybe didn’t used to taste so good… Pinning this recipe because YUM.
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 12:44 PMWhich one is your fav brand?
Tina Muir says
March 23, 2015 at 5:35 AMpudding for breakfast!? yes please! I bet james uses pudding the same way as me! Yum yum, and it has coffee to give you a boost! Win win!
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:39 AMLOL! yes, and he likes his pudding with rice!
emma @ be mom strong says
March 23, 2015 at 5:37 AMWill be checking that out and trying this recipe for sure. We are cutting out dairy (after research and a realization of how bloated we’ve been feeling on it) and i’m currently eating almond milk yogurt. Not doing the trick and could use some more protein punch in the AM!
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:39 AMhave you tried making a protein pudding with vega or hemp sprouted brown rice? that’s what i do. ANd I think coconut kefir is great for smoothies and baking!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
March 23, 2015 at 5:50 AMCaramel coffee flavor sounds so delicious, I must try something like this! Haven’t tried hemp protein either, but I’m interested 🙂
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:38 AMits more primal than paleo but hemp or sprouted brown rice seem to work well with endurance athletes, just a thought!
SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe) says
March 23, 2015 at 6:00 AMSuper impressive! I love plant based protein, though I think I am probably most familiar with pea protein. It doesn’t mix as well (in my opinion) in shakes, but it is far better with regards to eating (vs. drinking).
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:42 AMPea protein makes a good pudding or to use in baking!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
March 23, 2015 at 6:17 AMI think your spoon is my favorite part of this post 😉 Haha but really, I do love Hemp, too! I tried it in pancakes before and loved it!
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:40 AMtee hee, me too!
misszippy says
March 23, 2015 at 6:29 AMNever tried hemp protein powder, but…looking at this recipe, I now need to try it! Love anything w/ some coffee flavor to it.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
March 23, 2015 at 6:30 AMokay… MUST try this.. and I need to look into making my own protein!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
March 23, 2015 at 6:34 AMSounds delish, Lindsay! I tend to use plant based protein over whey because I digest it better, and hemp is definitely one of those that agree most with my stomach.
LCCotter says
March 23, 2015 at 7:41 AMOh ya! Does Vega have hemp in it? Or just pea/rice? I forget
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
March 23, 2015 at 8:51 AMNope, no hemp. Their blend is pea, rice, sacha inchi (SaaviSeed) protein, and alfalfa. Can’t deny it – it’s my fave!
Annmarie Licatese says
March 23, 2015 at 7:08 AMI didn’t even have to read the ingredients….you had me at “Vegan Caramel Coffee Chia…” then I stopped reading and started drooling 😛
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
March 23, 2015 at 7:12 AMNow I need to buy some caramel extract! This sounds fantastic. I have not tried hemp protein powder, but I do like hemp seeds.
kristin | W [H] A T C H says
March 23, 2015 at 7:17 AMcoffee caramel is a favvvvvorite flavor combo.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, WOrk It Out says
March 23, 2015 at 7:27 AMyum!! This looks so good!
Phaedra @ Blisters and Black Toenails says
March 23, 2015 at 8:19 AMThis sounds SO good! I tried hemp protein once a long time ago and it was gritty and disgusting so I never went back. I’ll have to check this hemp protein out…hopefully they can ship to Canada!
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch says
March 23, 2015 at 8:49 AMYARM! That’s a combo of YUM and RAR because I want to eat that so bad. Yeah, caramel extract needs to get in my pantry, now. Haha. I have heard amazing things about hemp protein, and am excited to gets mahself some of dat. And, bravo making ‘ugly’ food look so delicious. You did it so well, I wouldn’t have even thought it was ugly, until you mentioned it, and I realized, wow, she really worked around that color. Love it. Have a great week, Lindsay!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
March 23, 2015 at 8:55 AMI think I have all of the ingredients! I must try! I love caramel and coffee.
Jody - Fit at 57 says
March 23, 2015 at 9:01 AMI am so excited for your new venture! You are famous!!!! This sounds amazing! I got a few samples at the show of help protein so…. but so exciting about having your own mix!!! Now for some balls with that whey one! 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
March 23, 2015 at 9:29 AMI haven’t yet tried hemp protein – I have had this misguided notion that the taste would be “challenging” – but I must say – in a pudding – with coffee – well, gee – please pass me the hemp protein!
Oh and btw, thanks so much for all the info on hemp protein Lindsat
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
March 23, 2015 at 9:55 AMI didn’t know there were flavored hemp seeds! I’ve recently discovered them and I love them. Thanks for linking up with us for MM have a great day!
Sarah says
March 23, 2015 at 10:01 AMYou had me at CARAMEL, wait no maybe it was COFFEE, or was it CHIA PUDDING?!?! So much to love in this recipe! I have added hemp protein to cookies, pancakes, shakes, and breakfast bowls. We have played with it a little, it just depends on how I use it and in what form it is in. The whole family likes hemp seeds so I usually use just those instead of powder form, or blends of hemp (again unless just adding to breakfast bowls, yogurt, ect). Hemp milk is another way I use up hemp seeds, especially that are nearing expiration, to add extra protein to the families diet.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
March 23, 2015 at 10:31 AMPudding! I haven’t had pudding in a long time. And hemp, I don’t think that I’ve tried it but now I’m super curious. I don’t think that I should have allergy issues with it… 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
March 23, 2015 at 10:34 AMOMG YUM, and I have to try hemp protein again! I was in the same boat as you, the hemp powder I used to use was pretty gritty and only did well in baked goods. I will have to check out the My Mix though because that sounds awesome!! Thanks for sharing with us the awesome benefits of hemp protein!!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
March 23, 2015 at 10:52 AMYum! This sounds sooo good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 23, 2015 at 12:13 PMThis is fabulous! Love all those flavors, a perfect way to wake-up!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
March 23, 2015 at 12:16 PMDelicious! I’ve been craving yogurt parfaits for breakfast lately. Must try this!
Katie says
March 23, 2015 at 1:20 PMI have a ton of hemp protein to use up! yaaaay! talk about perfect timing 🙂 You’re becoming the recipe blog queen <3
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
March 23, 2015 at 5:15 PMSometimes the yummiest stuff is the ugliest! The flavor combo sounds lovely.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 24, 2015 at 12:19 AM#1 Brown food is the jam.
#2 The little “Cotter Crunch” on that spoon is brilliantly cute.
LCCotter says
March 24, 2015 at 7:04 AMhehe brown food FTW! p.s. did you post yesterday? how are you? I’m stalking
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 24, 2015 at 9:55 AMNooooo… I was feeling lazy and went with it. 🙂
Natalie says
March 24, 2015 at 12:25 AMI have never tried hemp protein but sounds so good! Always love your pictures and recipes. Will try this!! 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
March 24, 2015 at 3:19 AMNot only does this recipe sound delicious but damn… made with hemp too! I need to give hemp another chance! Stellar pictures my friend!
Beverley Cheng says
March 24, 2015 at 8:14 AMI’ve never tried hemp protein before, but I LOVE hemp seeds. I pour them over all my breakfasts haha. This is such a creative and tasty idea! The cookie is the perfect added touch 🙂
GiGi Eats says
March 24, 2015 at 8:41 AMGUESS WHO CAN ACTUALLY TRY THIS RECIPE —- THIS GIRL! WOOP WOOP!!!
★★★★★
LCCotter says
March 24, 2015 at 2:19 PMI’m doing a happy dance right this minute!
Jess @hellotofit says
March 24, 2015 at 7:20 PMI’ve never had hemp protein, just hemp hearts. But, I want something with your name on it!! …is that creepy?
jill conyers says
March 25, 2015 at 3:45 AMlove the flavor combination!
Jen says
March 25, 2015 at 4:46 PMoooooo, yum! I love me some chia pudding, but never thought to put protein powder in it! I am a fan of hemp protein too! Gotta try this!