No Bake Chia Seed Pudding

The good news is this delicious Chia Seed Pudding recipe is vegan, nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and egg-free.

Here’s a delicious pudding recipe that’s easy to make and packed with great flavors. Chia seeds have become a popular superfood among health enthusiasts, and this pudding is a fantastic way to incorporate them into your diet.

Nowadays, many companies have discovered the versatility of chia seeds beyond being a nutritious superfood. Due to their numerous potential benefits, chia seeds have gained popularity as a healthy food.

What’s To Love?

💕 Five minutes to prepare, and no oven is required.
💕 Doesn’t require any complex skills.
💕 No hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 Perfect for kids and adults alike.
💕 Tastes as good as it looks.
💕 Chia pudding has a unique taste and texture that can be described as creamy and mildly sweet with a subtle nutty flavor. Its flavor can vary depending on how it is prepared and the ingredients used, as there are various ways to make it.
💕 The texture of the pudding is somewhat similar to tapioca pudding due to the gel-like consistency of the chia seeds. The seeds become soft and gelatinous after absorbing the milk, which creates a pudding-like texture. You either love the texture or hate it, but for us, it reminds us of our childhood days when Mom used to make tapioca pudding.
💕 Chia seed pudding is known for its creamy consistency, similar to traditional dairy-based puddings. Our pudding achieves this creaminess by allowing the chia seeds to absorb the cashew milk and thicken over time.

Have you already tried Chia Seed Pudding? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Chia Seeds — make sure to grab whole chia seeds, not ground.
• Milk — we think cashew milk works well, but feel free to use any creamy milk; otherwise, your pudding will be thin and watery.
• Agave Nectar — agave nectar is used in our recipe to add a subtle sweetness and a lovely texture to the dessert. It tastes like honey and is a better sweetener than cane sugar for desserts like chia seed pudding. Darker varieties of agave can taste more like maple syrup, producing a slightly different taste. We particularly loved agave nectar cinnamon and agave nectar chocolate for this pudding.
• Vanilla Extract — use Nielsen Massey; it is made with real vanilla beans and alcohol. The vanilla is quite potent and adds a beautiful richness to desserts.
• Fruit — kiwi and blueberries give the pudding a lovely, sweet balance.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Vanilla Extract — if you prefer a non-alcohol base, use vanilla flavoring.
• Fruit — any combination of fruits can be used, such as strawberries and raspberries; cherry compote is particularly tasty, and mashed banana adds an extra touch of sweetness.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Chia Seed Pudding with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

The chia seed pudding is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ Combine the chia seeds, milk, agave, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, then stir again to prevent the chia seeds from clumping together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture to individual serving jars.

▶︎ Place the mixture in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results. The chia seeds will absorb the liquid during this time and create a pudding-like consistency. Once the chia seed pudding has been set, give it a good stir to break up any clumps and distribute the seeds evenly throughout the pudding.

▶︎ Serve the chia seed pudding in bowls or glasses and top it with your favorite fresh fruits, nuts, or other toppings.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Chia Seed Pudding? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• kMix – or this award-winning hand mixer.
• Mixing Bowl – if not using a kMix.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
• Glass Mug – for serving.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this hand mixer for mixing, whisking, and beating. It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Chia seed pudding is frequently eaten as a standalone dessert but can also be paired with other delicious foods. Here are our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ Adding vanilla extract, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or fruit puree can enhance the taste and create different flavor profiles.

▶︎ Chia seed pudding is often served with toppings such as fresh fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of additional sweetener. These toppings can add extra layers of flavor and texture to the dish.

▶︎ What you drink when eating the chia pudding counts too. It is a must to drink it with a cup of tea, such as chamomile tea. It creates the perfect balance, especially before bedtime.

▶︎ The beauty of chia pudding is that you can add whatever you need to use up. We added kiwi fruit and blueberries for extra healthy tones.

More Recipes

Here are some other creamy-rich recipes that we think you might also like:

⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Chia Seed Pudding every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.

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