• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Carrots & Cookies
  • Home
  • About Kristi Ruth RD, CNSC, LDN
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Quick & Easy Chocolate Chia Pudding

    Published: Jan 6, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This chocolate chia pudding is so good, you'll have to convince yourself that it's not just for dessert. I'll show you how to make it in less than 5 minutes with simple, easy to find ingredients.

    Chocolate chia pudding in a small white ramekin with a spoon and topped with fresh raspberries. One small glass bowl with fresh raspberries is behind the white ramekin.

    I was at a Christmas party recently and someone told me that I need to post more chocolate recipes (I love receiving feedback like this, btw:). And if you know me, you know that I have a wonderful relationship with chocolate, lol! So, more chocolate it is!

    Just like my Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar and Vegan Blondie recipes, this recipe was a no brainer. I was originally inspired to make a chocolate chia pudding recipe after having 'Chocolate Chia Pudding' from a Farmer's Fridge. My version is a little less complicated and just as delicious!

    If you've had my blue chia pudding or flaxseed pudding, you already know that I like to keep recipes simple, while still having them taste incredible. 5 minutes and done? I'm sold!

    Chia pudding is perfect for all of the parents and teens who have no idea what to eat when in a time-crunch, like on busy weekday mornings. Simply mix it up the night before and grab it from the fridge for a quick and easy breakfast the next morning.

    Jump to:
    • What Are Chia Seeds?
    • What is Chia Pudding Made of?
    • How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
    • Dietitian Tip
    • Expert Tips
    • Questions You May Have
    • More 'Fix it and Forget it' Recipes
    • Chocolate Chia Pudding

    What Are Chia Seeds?

    Chia seeds are seeds from a chia plant. They gelatinize as they absorb liquid, which is why they work well to achieve a pudding consistency.

    What is Chia Pudding Made of?

    Chia pudding is made with chia seeds, milk or a milk alternative (like coconut milk), and a sweetener like maple syrup. Additional ingredients are often added for even more flavor, such as peanut or almond butter, fruit, or as with this recipe, cocoa powder. When you use the best ratio of chia seeds to milk, you'll get a nice pudding-like consistency.

    How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding

    I'll provide you with a brief summary of the ingredients and how to make chocolate chia pudding. For a full list of ingredients with measurements and complete instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.

    To make this recipe, you will need:

    Milk in a white measuring cup, (labeled), maple syrup in a small white dish, (labeled), vanilla in a small white dish (labeled), chia seeds in a white bowl (labeled), and cocoa powder in a small white dish (labeled).
    • Chia seeds Good source of omega-3 fats, protein, and fiber.
    • Cocoa Powder
    • Maple Syrup
    • Vanilla
    • Milk I use skim milk or 2% milk but any kind of milk will do.
    • Raspberries Optional but highly recommended.
    • 16-ounce jar with a tight-fitting lid

    Instructions: Add chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk to a 16 oz food-safe jar in the order listed and stir well. Let sit for about two minutes and stir again. Place a tight-fitting lid on the jar and refrigerate for two hours or overnight before serving. Mash in fresh raspberries just before storing or serving.

    Dietitian Tip

    Sometimes the easiest way to win kids over with a new food is to incorporate flavors they enjoy... like chocolate:) To think that kids will take a bite of plain chia pudding and enjoy it when they've never had anything like it is unrealistic.

    But when you add chocolate (and raspberries!), you may have a better chance at success.

    Why chia seeds? Well, chia seeds are an easy and convenient way to add fiber to foods. Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fats, which are good for heart health. They also contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds like polyphenols.

    Expert Tips

    • Store in an airtight jar or food safe container with a tight lid.
    • Consume within 2-3 days. The texture will turn gummy after that.
    • This chocolate chia pudding is sweet. Feel free to cut back on the maple syrup by one teaspoon to make it less sweet.
    • Adding mashed raspberries helps balance out the texture of chia seeds and compliments the chocolate flavor of the chia pudding.
    • Regular milk or a milk alternative can be used.
    • I do not suggest grinding the chia seeds for chia pudding. I've tried it and the texture felt like sand.
    • Freeze-dried strawberries can be used in place of fresh raspberries. If using freeze dried strawberries, mix them in with the rest of the ingredients before refrigerating.
    • If you prefer a thinner pudding consistency, stir in one or two additional tablespoons of milk before serving.
    My Chia Seed Pick
    This is the brand of chia seeds that I use. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fats and are shelf stable (the bag I have says they are good until August of 2024, which is one and a half years from now).
    SHOP NOW

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    One package of Bob's Red Mill Chia Seeds. Image taken from amazon.com.

    Questions You May Have

    Can you make chocolate chia pudding with chocolate milk?

    Yes and no. I was really hoping to make a "2 ingredient' recipe using only chia seeds and chocolate milk but when I did this, it tasted so bland. So, while technically you can make it that way, I don't recommend it.

    How do you eat chocolate chia pudding?

    Eat chia pudding with a spoon. You can eat it as is or add more fresh fruit (like you would on a smoothie bowl) first.

    What if my chia pudding is too thick?

    If you prefer a thinner consistency, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk before serving.

    Does chia pudding have to be refrigerated.

    Yes.

    More 'Fix it and Forget it' Recipes

    • Favorite Pumpkin Overnight Oats
    • Incredible Flaxseed Pudding
    • Mango Overnight Oats
    • Easy Blue Chia Pudding

    Do you love this chocolate chia pudding as much as we do? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

    Don't forget to snap a pic of your chocolate chia pudding and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

    Chocolate chia pudding in a small white ramekin with a spoon and topped with fresh raspberries. One small glass bowl with fresh raspberries is behind the white ramekin.

    Chocolate Chia Pudding

    Kristi
    This chocolate chia pudding is so good, you'll have to convince yourself that it's not just for dessert. I'll show you how to make it in less than 5 minutes with simple, easy to find ingredients.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Refrigerated time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 230 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Jar with tight fitting lid

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 tablespoon chia seeds
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 teaspoon cocoa powder
    • 4 teaspoon maple syrup pure maple syrup. 4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon.
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Add chia seeds, cocoa powder, vanilla, and maple syrup to a glass jar. Stir well.
    • Add the milk. Stir well.
    • Let sit for one or two minutes and stir again.
    • Place lid on the jar and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
    • Optional but highly recommended: top with fresh raspberries before serving.

    Notes

    • Consume within 2-3 days. The texture will turn gummy after that.
    • This chia pudding is sweet. Feel free to reduce the amount of maple syrup to just one tablespoon (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon) to make this less sweet.
    • Adding mashed raspberries helps balance out the texture of chia seeds and compliments the chocolate flavor of the chia pudding.
    • Regular milk or a milk alternative can be used.
    • I do not suggest grinding the chia seeds for chia pudding. I've tried it and the texture felt like sand.
    • Freeze-dried strawberries can be used in place of fresh raspberries. If using freeze dried strawberries, mix them in with the rest of the ingredients before refrigerating.
    • If you prefer a thinner pudding consistency, stir in one or two additional tablespoons of milk before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 9gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 11gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 368mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • 21+ Best Ripe Banana Recipes from Dietitians
    • Easy Dairy-Free Banana Bread
    • 20+ Easy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
    • Spinach Mango Smoothie (without yogurt)

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kristi Ruth wearing a green long sleeved blouse and jeans, holding tri-colored carrots plated on a white oval platter with one hand and leaning on the counter with the other hand in a kitchen.
    Welcome! Kristi is a Registered Dietitian and busy mom of three, ages 7-15. After being displaced from a housefire in 2021, Kristi decided to say 'goodbye' to her long commute so she could turn her passion for sharing easy recipes and tips to help you learn what it means to feed your family well with less stress into a reality. Let's get cooking!

    Popular Recipes

    • Lasagna For Kids
    • Easy Caprese Bruschetta
    • Easy Asian Noodle Bowl with Shrimp and Scallops
    • Ultimate Homemade Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
    • Perfectly Roasted Sweet Potato, Beets, and Parsnips for Kids
    • Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning For Kids

    Recipes for Valentine's Day and Super Bowl Sunday

    • Easiest Chocolate Cupcakes (from Scratch!)
    • Kid-Favorite Vegan Blondies with Chocolate Chips
    • Incredible 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Tortilla Chips (Air Fryer) For Kids
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Avocado Truffles for Kids
    • The BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    carrots and cookies featured in banner

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2020 Carrots & Cookies