15 Chia Pudding Recipes You Need to Try (Vegan) (2024)

First, an update on last week’s anti-inflammatory green juice post: My poor inflamed feet are better! Not 100% better, but I-can-walk-a-mile better, which is a huge improvement. Needless to say, I’m psyched!

So, what did it?

I started eating less—and healthier—by turning off the TV. As much as I hate to admit it, a good 90% of my overeating AND junk-food frenzies were fueled by mindless TV-watching. (Is life unfair or what?)

Yes, with the time and mental space formerly occupied by Fixer Upper, I planned meals, cooked healthy recipes, and ate more fruits and veggies. I also shifted my fat intake, eating less omega-6 fat (from oily restaurant food and nuts) and more omega-3 fat, including a vegan EPA/DHA supplement and at least one serving of omega-3-rich seeds daily.

My feet—along with the rest of me–are thrilled with the changes. So I’m determined to keep them up.

Which brings me to this post, a celebration of anti-inflammatory, omega-3-rich chia seed!

Chia funtime nutrition

If you aren’t familiar with it, chia seed is more than a hilarious (or should I say Hillary-ous?) political statement…

Aaaaand back on track.

Like I said, chia seeds are nutritional powerhouses packed with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.

In fact, in 3 Tablespoons of chia seed, you get:

• 5 grams of omega-3 fat (ALA)
• 42% daily value of fiber
• 18% daily value of calcium
• 4 g protein

Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of chia seeds! And chia pudding is an easy—and delicious—way to eat more of them.

The culinary magic of chia seeds

If you’re already familiar with chia seeds, you can skip this section. But if not, you’re in for a treat: When you soak chia seeds in (plant-based) milk, they thicken, as if by magic, into a tapioca-style pudding.

Chia seeds also meld nicely with a variety of flavors, from tried-and-true chocolate to very berry, peanut butter & jelly, and sticky bun. (Hungry yet?)

Best of all, chia pudding is handier than a pocket knife. (That’s a Texas-ism from Jeff, y’all. 🙂 ) You can make chia pudding a breakfast, snack, or dessert. You can sweeten it with stevia for a guilt-free treat or splurge with old-fashioned sugar or maple syrup for a “real” dessert. And no need to fire up the stove: Chia pudding is no-cook and takes all of 5 minutes to prep. (Although you do have to let it set.)

So, are you ready to make some chia pudding? Here are 15 of the best gluten-free, vegan chia pudding recipes on the web to get you started.

1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding

Frankly, this picture makes me want to lick my computer screen make this recipe RIGHT NOW. Because, I love PB&J, and this creamy coconut chia pudding sandwiched between blueberry compote and a dollop of peanut butter is over the top. Two thumbs up for Dana and John over at Minimalist Baker!

2. Chocolate Chia Pudding

This Chocolate Chia Pudding from Susan at FatFree Vegan is healthy, tasty, and easy to make. In fact, this is the recipe that got me started on chia pudding in the first place, and it’s in regular rotation at my house.

3. Carrot Orange Chia Pudding

Loaded up with vitamins A and C, this Carrot Orange Chia Pudding from Kyra at Vie de la Vegan is healthy enough for breakfast, but yummy enough for dessert.

4. Molasses Banana Chia Pudding

This spiced spin on chia pudding from Lindsay at Cotter Crunch combines coconut milk, banana, and molasses with anti-inflammatory cinnamon and ginger. Yum!

5. Raw Almond Granola Chia Seed Parfait with Mango

This vanilla chia pudding by Deborah at Urban Naturale is topped with juicy mango and crunchy raw granola for a tasty breakfast treat. Will someone pass a spoon, please?

6. Kiwi Chia Pudding

My husband Jeff is a huge fan of of kiwi, so I’m excited to make this chia pudding from Olivia at Primavera Kitchen. Although considering that Jeff and I both have, er, healthy appetites, I’d better make a double batch… 😉

7. 5-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Pudding

I love fresh strawberries, so I’m dying to dive into this 5-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Pudding from Iosune and Alberto at Simple Vegan Blog. Plus, it’s healthy enough to have for breakfast—and I’m all about dessert for breakfast!

8. Cappuccino Chia Pudding

As you may know, I love coffee. It’s my drug of choice, and I mean that literally: When I don’t have my cup of coffee in the morning, I get a withdrawal headache by noon! Luckily, this Cappuccino Chia Pudding from Lauren of Lauren Kelly Nutrition has the coffee built in. So you get a health boost from the chia seeds, plus a zoom boost from the coffee. Win!

9. Sticky Bun Chia Pudding

Made with cashew milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then topped with quick-cooking sticky pecans, this Sticky Bun Chia Pudding from Kate at I Heart Eating looks ah-maz-ing. In individual ramekins, this pudding would be the star of a brunch buffet. Which is probably the occasion I should save it for, because if I make a recipe of this all for myself, it will be gone in a nanosecond. (Dear sticky pecans: I love you 4 ever!!)

10. Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding

This Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding by Heather at Gluten Free Cat not only combines two of my favorite flavors, but it’s raw to boot. So if you want a health gold star and you want to eat dessert for breakfast, well, you’re in luck. 🙂

11. Mango Turmeric Chia Pudding

I love this Mango Turmeric Chia Pudding recipe by Renee at Will Frolic For Food. Not only is it rich in omega-3s, but it also has inflammation-fighting fresh turmeric. In fact, I bought fresh turmeric for the first time just to make this recipe, which I’ll be trying later this week. Wish me luck!

12. Lime Chia Pudding with Kiwi

If you like your chia with a tropical twist, try Kiwi-Lime Chia Pudding from Kimmy at Rock My Vegan Socks. It’s an easy-to-make glass of green goodness!

13. Very Berry Chia Pudding

One look at this Very Berry Chia Pudding from Davida at The Healthy Maven is enough to make you want to reach into the screen, grab that mug, and dig in. (Amiright?)

14. Matcha Chia Pudding

True confession: I’ve actually never tried Matcha before! In fact, I wasn’t totally sure what it was until I read Traci’s Matcha Chia Pudding post over at Vanilla and Bean. Turns out, it’s a finely ground powder of green tea leaves that not only makes a lovely cup of tea, but adds flavor and nutritional oomph (plus a smidge of caffeine) to whatever you put it in. Including this gorgeous chia pudding, which seems like the perfect antidote to that sleepy midafternoon slump.

15. Lemon Chia Pudding with Mandarines

This Lemon Chia Pudding with Mandarines from Kat at Curls ‘N’ Chard looks like a glass of sunshine, no? Just the thing to start the day! And not only is that lemon zest tasty, it’s a great source of anti-inflammatory limonene.

15 #Vegan chia pudding recipes you don't want to miss! Click To Tweet

Microplane prize pack giveaway coming up!

Speaking of which, I’ve got just the thing to make zesting that pudding-bound lemon a snap: a Microplane zester! Yep, this Monday, June 27th, I’ll be hosting a Microplane giveaway! One lucky winner will score a prize pack including a classic Microplane zester, 2-in-1 herb mill, garlic slicer, and spiral cutter, all courtesy of Microplane.

Stop by next Monday for your chance to win!

Until then, though, how about whipping up a quick cup of cool and creamy chia pudding? Your body—and your taste buds—will thank you.

Your turn:

• Did you have a chia pet growing up?
• Have you ever tried chia pudding?
• Which of these recipes do you want to try first?

Shared on the Healthy Living Link Party, Plant-Based Potluck Party, Healthy Vegan Fridays, and Real Food Fridays.