How to Make Chia Pudding with Protein

by Lindsay Cotter · 08/10/2022

Learn how to make chia pudding with protein for a wholesome breakfast, easy afternoon pick-me-up, or satisfying dessert. Loaded with fresh fruit, chia seeds, and plant based protein, it’s full of healthy fats and nutrients, to keep you fueled. It’s great for digestion, too! Gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

a jar of chia pudding with protein with layers of dairy-free yogurt, honey, peaches, and fresh mint on top

What Exactly Is Chia Pudding?

Not exactly your grandma’s pudding recipe, chia pudding exists in many flavors and variations but always starts with chia seeds combined with a liquid of some sort such as water, almond milk, or even oat milk. The mixture is soaked overnight, which allows the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and expand, becoming gelatinous. As a result, they form a thick, pudding-like texture. Once the base is formed, your chia pudding recipe is complete, and you can add all your favorite flavor mix-ins and toppings!

Nutrition & Health Benefits

If you’re looking for a nourishing recipe that’s simple to make, you’re in luck! Not only does this chia pudding come together quickly, but it’s also perfect for meal prep and suitable for a wide variety of diets. Plus, it’s bursting with health benefits! Not only is our chia pudding recipe gluten free, dairy free, vegan, nut free, refined sugar free, and high in protein, but it can also:

Help manage blood pressure and lipid levels
Fight inflammation
Improve blood sugar levels
Help regulate digestion
And more! (source)

Perfect “Pudding” Ingredients

To make a basic chia seed pudding recipe, we stick with just a handful of ingredients including:

banana slices and peach slices in a white bowl, 1/4 cup full of chia seeds, protein powder and hemp seeds in a small white bowl, and dairy-free milk on a cutting board with a golden spoon to create chia pudding

Fresh (Or Frozen) Fruit – Taking advantage of the fresh summer produce, we opted for peaches and bananas, but feel free to mix and match your favorite fruit!
Non-Dairy Milk – Crucial to creating a thick pudding-like consistency, any plant based milk such as almond or oat milk will work.
Natural Sweeteners – Maple syrup or honey add just the right amount of sweetness without the need for refined sugar.
Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract (not the imitation stuff) helps enhance the natural flavors of the fruit.
Chia Seeds – Feel free to use either black or white chia seeds. Apart from their color, they’re all the same!
Cinnamon – The finishing touch, cinnamon adds an element of spice that levels out the flavor of the fruit and creates lots of depth in flavor.
Optional Toppings – We like to add in a few extras including fresh mint, coconut cream or yogurt, and sliced fruit. Did you know that mint actually helps aid in digestion as well? So, be sure to add that extra green topping!

overhead image of a slice of peach and fresh mint on top of chia pudding

Superfood Boosters! For a flavor and nutrient boost, feel free to mix in a few extras such as vegan vanilla protein powder or hemp seeds.

How to Make Chia Pudding with Extra Protein

Basic chia pudding recipes come together easy as 1, 2, 3! For our version, we added just a few quick steps to make it even tastier…and better for you, too.

overhead image of bananas, peaches, dairy-free milk, and cinnamon in a food processor

overhead image of blended bananas and peaches with dairy-free milk in a food processor

Blend the fruit, milk, and maple syrup.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl (or meal prep containers), and pour in the chia seeds.
Stir in the cinnamon, protein, and hemp seeds. For the best results, we recommend letting everything settle and stirring again just to make sure it all blends!
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Then, when you’re ready, just pull it out, give it a stir, and it’s ready to eat!

overhead image of two open glass jars of chia pudding with a woman's hand pouring chia seeds into one and a small bowl of protein in the background

overhead image of a woman's hand stirring up chia pudding with protein

Pro-Tip: The texture of your pudding will depend on how much liquid you use and the extra ingredients that are mixed in. There are many opinions on the perfect ratio. However, we’ve found that on average ¼ to ⅓ cup of chia seeds combined with 1 cup of milk works best.

How to Store This Chia Pudding Recipe

The great thing about our chia seed pudding recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and enjoyed all week! Just keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Storage Note: For longer-lasting chia pudding, try storing it in the freezer for up to a few weeks.

More Gluten Free Way to Use Chia Seeds

Noatmeal (3 Ways) – Enjoy all of the convenience and taste of oatmeal with none of the grains!
4-Ingredient Low Carb Pancakes – Grain free, sugar free, low carb, and gluten free, these pancakes are so delicious you’ll never believe they’re actually good for you!
Oatmeal In A Jar – Packed full with fruits, veggies, and flavor, this oatmeal is a crazy easy make-ahead recipe great for breakfasts, post-workout snacks, and more.
Gluten Free Apple Oatmeal Muffins – Naturally refined sugar free, are filled with sweet flavors and a bit of spice in every bite!

Do you have questions, feedback, or tips about this recipe? Leave a comment below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share!

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