Chocolate Chia Pudding

Rich and creamy, Chocolate Chia Pudding is a favorite healthy sweet treat! Simple to make with just four ingredients, this easy chia pudding recipe comes together quickly with a bowl and a spoon.

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Chocolate Chia Pudding

I have a tremendous sweet tooth and once I bite into something sugary, it’s all downhill after that. I try to curb my sweets when I can but I still need a little treat at the end of the day. The problem is, I love to indulge but don’t know when to stop. So, having a healthy dessert to reach for when the sugar craving strikes is imperative. And this easy Chocolate Chia Pudding does the trick!

What is Chia Pudding?

If you never tried chia pudding before you’re in for a real treat! I think it has a similar consistency to tapioca pudding which is one of my favorites. The chia seeds are soft and chewy much like tapioca but chia seeds are so much healthier.

Chia seeds (this is the brand I use and love) are high in protein, calcium, fiber, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. They are extremely easy to add to your diet…you can sprinkle them on cereal, yogurt, or salads. You can also use them in various recipes such as the one here, Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding.

Chia seeds are also super high in fiber, 11 grams of fiber per ounce, which aids in weight loss. Dessert that helps you lose weight, sign me up!

One of the things that makes these seeds unique is their ability to expand when mixed with a liquid. Some think that when they are eaten they expand and make you feel full. Sort of like a natural appetite suppressant.

How To Make Chia Pudding

In an effort to fulfill a reader request, I created my version of chia seed pudding…adding what else….chocolate. This is a great substitute for chocolate pudding and, as I mentioned, had the texture of tapioca. If you don’t like tapioca…this may not for you.

1. Chia Pudding is super simple to make. All you do is whisk together the chia seeds, milk, cocoa powder and sugar. 
2. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Stir vigorously because the chia seeds will begin to plump up at this point and stick together. 
3. Cover and return to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes or overnight.
4. Stir your chia pudding again and enjoy.

You can substitute the milk for almond milk, rice milk or any other milk product you like. I used low fat milk because that’s what I had when I decided to create this recipe and have been making it this way ever since.

Variations

Occasionally, I do play around with the flavors a bit like I did with this Spiced Coconut Chia Pudding and this Banana Peanut Butter Chia Pudding but chocolate will always be my first love. It’s the best way to squash a chocolate craving when one strikes and I don’t want to spiral into the sugar abyss. 

I layered this chia pudding with lightly sweetened whipped cream to make it more dessert-y, totally perfect for Valentine’s Day or Easter….or really any holiday!

I won’t lie….I’d rather have a massive piece of chocolate cake but when I’m trying to squeeze into a bikini this summer I’ll be thankful for a healthy sweet treat every now and then.

Is Chia Pudding Healthy

This chia pudding recipe is super healthy clocking in under 200 calories and loaded with protein, fiber and omega-3s. It’s a great pre or post workout snack or just a light dessert.

And I love that you can totally make this a Breakfast Chia Pudding by simply adding your favorite fruit and layering with some greek yogurt for added protein. 

Ratio of Chia Seeds to Liquid

No matter what liquid you decide to use, coconut milk, almond milk, regular milk, oat milk….the ratio of chia seeds to milk will be the same. You will need 3 tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of milk.

This recipe makes a double batch because I like to have it ready to go all week.

This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding recipe is so versatile you can use it in so many ways. You can make a chia pudding parfait or simply serve it in a bowl topped with berries and whipped cream. 

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More Easy Healthy Recipe Ideas

Looking for more healthy dessert recipes? We’re loving these Chocolate Covered Banana Bites, they’re super easy and kids love them, too! Not really dessert, but these Coconut Overnight Oats are sweet and creamy….total perfection. And you can’t go wrong with a batch of simple Chocolate Covered Strawberries, am I right?