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.
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:
- 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!
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.
- 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!
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!
How to Make Chia Pudding with Protein
- Total Time: 1 hour up 24 hours
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to make chia pudding with protein and fresh fruit for a nourishing breakfast or snack that’s so easy to make! Gluten free, dairy free, and vegan friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large peach, sliced or 1 cup frozen peach slices
- 1 small ripe banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey (to taste)
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup chia seeds (adjust to desired thickness)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- Optional 40 – 50 grams vegan vanilla protein powder – See notes for other options
- Optional 2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- Optional Toppings
- 1/3 cup non dairy yogurt of choice
- Sliced fruit
- Fresh mint
Instructions
- Place peach slices, banana, milk, and maple syrup in a blender or food processor. Blend until a smoothie-like texture is formed. (See notes for alternative method.)
- Transfer blended mixture into a large bowl or divide into 2-3 meal prep jars. Mix in the chia seed (about 2-3 Tablespoons per jar).
- Stir in cinnamon, optional protein powder, and hemp seeds (divided between jars or all in one bowl).
- Cover and place bowl or jars in fridge for minimum 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Overnight will result in an extra thick protein pudding.
- Remove bowl or jars from fridge. If using one large bowl, spoon desired amount into a bowl. Top each jar or bowl with yogurt and peach slices. Optional mint leaf on top, if desired.
- Store leftover chia pudding covered in fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
To help thicken the chia pudding without protein powder, mix in 2 to 3 Tablespoons gluten free rolled oats or steel cut oats.
If you don’t have a blender, finely chop the peaches, mash the banana, and mix the ingredients until well combined.
Nutrition varies depending on amount of chia seed used plus mix ins. Basic chia pudding nutrition below with 40 grams plant based protein added.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Rest Time: 1 hour +
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 156.8 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegan, chia seeds, chia pudding, peaches, dairy free, gluten free, breakfast, high protein, protein pudding, pudding
Do you have questions, feedback, or tips about this recipe? Leave a comment below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share!
Was it just me, or did this recipe not give the amount of chia seeds needed?
Oh wow, it disappeared. Just added amount back in! thanks!
I recently made something similar, I was going to use tinned peaches (no fresh ones available at the moment) but I forgot to buy them. So I used pre-soaked dried apricots. It turned out delicious.
Oh that sounds wonderful!! Will definitely try that next! Thanks!!
Haven’t tried chia puddings before. Have been shifting our meal options for more healthier ones and this recipe is perfect. Loving your blog.
Oh wonderful! Let me know if you try it Wanda!
I need to try that protein powder, thanks for the suggestion!
Yes, it’s great! I really love how simple their products are. No additives. Plus…. tasty!
I really need to get on the chia bandwagon. I hear so many amazing things, and yes I love your nerdy nutrition talk.
it is good for digestion and energy! mama needs, right? love you!
Looks vibrant and very appetizing!
thanks Meg!
Wow, my vegan friends would LOVE this one! Thanks!
YUMMMM… I love anything with peaches in it! I have been on a huge chia pudding kick lately and can’t wait to try this one. Pinned for later!
Not do confessional confession: I like it when corny nerdy Cotter comes on stage. In other words nutrition nerds unite! I choose food by taste preferences but educating myself about how powerful they are makes things all the better. It’s good to know you’re doing yourself good with your choices. And this chia creation is a beauty with benefits.
Ugh. Can we overlook the typos thanks to me writing too fast? *so not do; in other words:
Grammar nerdy me …
girl I am the queen of typos! so come on with your bad self! haha nutrition nerd and all, YEA!
I’d take this over a protein bar any day! And you’re seriously the QUEEN of all this pro and prebiotic. I was going to say the queen of gut health, but the former seems to sound a little nicer 😆 I also need more peaches in my life. I haven’t been seeing them yet…
hehe well I appreciate that. Gut health or prebiotic PRO! LOL!
I love chia seeds but I’ve never made a chia pudding. This looks so amazing…as always!
Oh you must try it then Wendy! I think you’d love!
I’ve never met a chia pudding that I didn’t like and I just know I would LOVE this one! Another winner Lindsay!
did someone say digestion??? you know I love anything that’s going to help that!!! Plus this looks like s perfect post workout recovery food!
What a wonderful way to showcase such perfectly ripe peaches. And I’ll use any excuse to add coconut cream 🙂
You know it! love my coconut cream!
Oooooh this looks so good! There’s nothing better than a fresh, juicy, summer peach!
Oh gosh, we couldn’t be more on the same page today — this looks and sounds amazing, love the peaches!
I have not had chia seed pudding in, like, 2 years! This delicious looking recipe reminded me that I used to love this – pinning for later!!!
woohoo, time to bust out the chia! keep me posted
I love it when you talk nutrition!! And this recipe is definitely worth talking about! Looks delicious as usual!
haha nutrition talk for you ANYTIME. Mwah!
Such an incredible recipe! I definitely want to get more peaches very very soon!
You must! so perfect for summer
You are a total nerd… and I am a Georgia Peach. 😉
I got on a peach chia kick a few years ago at the height of peach season… and now I’m seeing it in my future. I just realized Vegas has NEVER had chia pudding!
i think you should start a separate blog called… Feed Vegas NEW FOOD!
LMAO! We joke about starting one called “Shit I Feed My Wife.”
OMG do it!
I love anything with peaches and if the pudding packs an extra protein punch, I am in! Great recipe. Cannot wait to try it. Can I substitute almond milk?
you sure can! that works great too!
I just saw a post on chia pudding and thought I need to make this! Glad you posted this today- I just bought peaches too!
Yea! let me know if you make it
I LOVE PEACHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and I LOVE YOU!
xoxoxo Love back!
Delicious!! I’m printing this recipe so that I can make them soon! Love everything about this!!
Chia seeds are the BEST, as is chia pudding. And now that you mention it, it would make a great travel snack (adding that to my list for next time!)
yes! perfect travel… like honeymoon travel! EEK!!! so soon, right?!
Chia pudding was so critical to the few months where we were trying to help Dave heal from some pretty severe stomach issues and was on a candida protocol. I’ve been waiting to buy peaches since we will be out of town visiting Austin this week and it always seems to take a few days for peaches to be perfect and I know that would be my luck that they wouldnl’t be good before we left. They are on my grocery list for next week though YUM!!
i feel his pain! yay austin!!! have fun and let me know if you need anything
Haha! Yup, you bet I <3 your nerdy nutrition talk – and I heart chia pudding – and this has me wiggling a happy dance in ma seat!
well I heart you more!
Oh man this looks delicious, but you will kill me because I still haven’t tried chia pudding lol! I do love peaches in the summer but my body prefers berries 🙂
Same here! I love peaches but the fructose gets me. But if I use them in a recipe, like this one, that combines with a fat and is more spread out within servings, I’m all good! Phew!
Looks so delicious, I’m picky about my chia pudding and this looks perfect. However, my first peaches of the season were a bad batch . . . .. soooooo disappointed . . .where’d ya get yours?
the HEB in lakeway! so good!
Love me some peaches and cream! This looks amazing!
thank you friend!
Currently crushing mangoes and blueberries like a champ! XOXO
crushin on you! always. P.S I totally forgot to call you! ACK!!
O peaches and cream sounds lovely! I have yet to get my hands on peaches this season :'(
come visit! we have TONS!
Looks so gooooood!
thanks friend!
I could certainly use more prebiotic in my life! I haven’t done chia pudding on awhile. I think it’s time to switch things up.
You must!! you’ve done a chia smoothie though right?
Oh yes!
Anyone who knows me knows that I love and adore stone fruits. This post makes me want to take a trip back home to GA!
ahh you’re my georgia peach! <3