Chia seed protein pudding combines healthy nutrients like fiber and probiotics in every cup. Made with only 3 ingredients for an easy make-ahead recipe! Topped with fresh peaches, raspberries, and nuts for a tasty vegan snack.
How to make chia seed protein pudding
This chia seed protein pudding recipe packs the most nutrition into one serving to help fuel your day. By combining just three wholesome ingredients, protein powder, milk and chia seeds. This no-cook snack is ready to go whenever you need it.
Let’s face it, with our busy schedules loaded with activities, work and play this summer, it can be hard to eat well. Take advantage of seasonal ripe fruit and combine them with crunchy almonds for amazing pudding experience. Switch up your food routine for a delicious meal you’ll look forward to devouring over and over.
I grew up eating individually packaged sugary chocolate and vanilla-swirled pudding cups found in the refrigerated aisle of the market. Now that I know all too well what artificial ingredients go into those, I tend to make my own homemade snacks that are more nutritious.
Key ingredients
To make a thick pudding, I have found that using a ratio of 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to 1 cup of milk (dairy, almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk) gives the right consistency. You can add more milk as needed to adjust the thickness.
Added nutrition
To increase the health benefits of the pudding, I used Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Boosters vanilla protein flavor. Each serving delivers an excellent source of high-quality plant-based protein (20 g). To aid with digestive health, the booster also has probiotics and prebiotic fibers that help the probiotics flourish.
Chia seeds are also added and deliver 240 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per serving, which help with brain health. The protein powder is also naturally sweetened with monk fruit, so you don’t need to add any additional sugars or calories from sweeteners to the recipe.
Because the pudding is a cold recipe, it’s the perfect way to ensure that the added nutrients from the protein booster, such as the probiotics, stay active so they can deliver maximum benefits to your gastrointestinal system.
Thickening time
When the chia seeds are combined with liquid, it takes at least 30 minutes for them to swell and thicken the mixture. The longer you let the seeds sit (an hour is ideal, to overnight), the thicker the mixture becomes.
Storing
Chia seed pudding can be prepared and packaged in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To ensure the freshest fruits, chop them up and enjoy within 2 to 3 days, or add them on top the day that you eat the pudding.
Customize to liking
You can customize what kind of milk, fruit, and nuts to add variety each week to your meals. The vanilla flavor and natural sweeteners from the nutritional booster work well with different combinations of fruit!
With summer fruit in season, I like to choose ripe stone fruit and berries for my chia snacks. Juicy yellow peaches, raspberries, sliced almonds, and pecans were my top choices for a sweet, tart, and crunchy combination.
Meal prep
Let’s chat about meal prep. It only takes a few minutes to measure and mix the pudding ingredients, so you can portion out the mixture after 30 minutes to allow the seeds to thicken just enough to divide. Use at least 8-ounce airtight containers or glass jars so that you have enough room to add fruit on the bottom and top. You can make about five individual servings with this recipe.
Take the guesswork out of snack or mealtime with this chia seed protein pudding snack with fruit and nuts. No more excuses for not having something good to eat. These portable, grab-and-go meals are your answer to life’s hectic schedule.
Recipe Science
How does chia pudding thicken?
Chia seeds are from the desert plant and member of the mint family, Salvia hispanica. It has grown popular in use in daily diets due to the ingredient being an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber from just the seeds alone. When the chia seeds come in contact with moisture (like milk), they acquire a gel-like coating on the outside. The seeds absorb the water and swell over time, creating a tapioca-like texture with a little crunch. No added thickening agent like cornstarch or heat is needed to thicken chia pudding.
Chia Seed Protein Pudding Snack
Ingredients
- ¾ cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 ½ cup milk, unsweetened almond, cashew, soy or dairy
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 ¼ cup raspberries
- 1 ¼ cup diced peaches
- 5 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 5 tablespoons pecans
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl whisk together protein powder, milk and chia seeds.
- Transfer chia mixture to the refrigerator, cover and allow it to sit for 30 minutes to overnight. The chia mixture should thicken into a pudding.
- Assemble four cups. Add 2 tablespoons raspberries, and 2 tablespoons peaches to each cup.
- Evenlly distribute the chia pudding into each cup.
- Top each cup with 2 tablespoons raspberries, 2 tablespoons peaches, 1 tablespoon almonds, and 1 tablespoon pecans.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Serving Size: ½ cup pudding, ½ cup fruit, and 2 tablespoons nuts.
- Storing: Use small individual airtight containers.
- Any fruit can be substituted like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and apples.
- Any nuts can be substituted like cashews or walnuts.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Cindy Packard says
mine didn’t set up ?
Jessica Gavin says
Did you use the same protein product? Did the seeds swell, just not thicken? You can try increasing the amount of seeds for a thicker pudding.
Kristi says
I agree with others comments and how it neglected to thicken. You definitely need more chia seeds than the recipe calls for
Mommy says
How much for 1 serving in each ingredients. Im confused on previous post.
1 Scoop protein
1/2 cup chia seeds
?? Almond milk
TIA ?
Bill Maclennan says
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you, Bill!
Becca says
Looking at protein powder packets they always say drink immediately. This is because the amino acids start to break down once mixed. So therefore won’t having this sit for any length of time, particularly over night, significantly decrease the protein?
RS says
Is this a good pre-workout snack
Jessica Gavin says
Because the recipe is high in fiber, I would wait to enjoy it for breakfast or snack after working out.
svea says
Didn’t thicken. 🙁
Jessica Gavin says
How long did you let the chia pudding sit? Sometimes you need a longer time if the ingredients are different.
Ashley says
I made this last night, following your recommendation of one tablespoon of chia to one cup of milk, and mine hasn’t gone thick either! This morning I now have a protein shake with some chia seeds floating around ha ha
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Ashley- Thank you for your feedback! You can definitely add more chia seeds, about 1 tablespoon at a time until you achieve the consistency you desire. I will take another look and update the post with my findings 🙂
Debbie says
Hi there. Do you know the protein count in this pudding? Thanks
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Debbie- For 1 serving (1/2 cup chia pudding and 1/2 cup fruit) is 12 g of protein.
Maneesha says
Hi Jessica! This looks delicious! Is it possible to make this with ground flax instead of chia?
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you Maneesha! It is possible however the flavor will not be the same and you will lose the crunch that chia seeds add. The ground flax will add some thickness, but you may need to test if more is required. I have found that the more flax you add, the more earthy and slightly bitter a recipe will become.
Tommie says
How long will it take to thicken mine has sat in the fridge for a couple of hours and it’s not exactly like putting consistency yet
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Tommie- Typically 30 minutes for it to start thickening, and it gets thicker over time. Did it end up becoming a pudding consistency for you?
Susan says
You need more chia seeds. Then mix it up and shake it every 20 mins. It will thicken