Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Four ingredients, one jar, and about five minutes of actual work. You whisk cocoa powder, chia seeds and a little sweetener into half a cup of plant-based milk, give it a second stir ten minutes later, and let the fridge do the rest overnight.
By morning the chia seeds have soaked up the milk and turned it into a thick, spoonable chocolate pudding. I like it straight from the jar for breakfast, and it works just as well as an after-dinner treat when I want something chocolatey that isn’t a slice of cake.
The milk matters here. The recipe calls for a plant-based milk with 1 gram of carbs or less and 8 to 10 grams of protein, so read the label before you buy. That choice, plus a low-calorie sweetener instead of sugar, keeps the pudding light.
If you are in the mood for something richer, browse my easy dessert recipes, or try the pumpkin pie overnight oats for another make-ahead breakfast jar.
PrintChocolate Chia Seed Pudding
One small jar of chocolate chia pudding: plant-based milk, cocoa powder, chia seeds and a little low-calorie sweetener, stirred twice and left in the fridge overnight.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk (choose one with 1 gram or less carb and 8 to 10 grams protein)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons low-calorie sweetener (e.g., Splenda or any low-calorie sweetener)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Pour the plant-based milk into a bowl.
- Add the chia seeds, cocoa powder, and low-calorie sweetener to the milk and stir well.
- Wait about 10 minutes and stir again to prevent clumps.
- Transfer the mixture to a cup or mason jar and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, the chia seeds will have gelled the pudding, making it ready to eat.
Notes
The second stir after 10 minutes is the step that keeps the chia seeds from settling into a clump at the bottom. This is a small portion on purpose: many chia pudding recipes serve larger jars with extra toppings, which adds carbohydrates and calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does chia pudding need to set?
Overnight. The chia seeds need the night in the refrigerator to absorb the milk and gel the pudding, so mix it in the evening for the next morning.
Can I make more than one jar?
Yes. Mix each jar separately with the same amounts, stir each one again after 10 minutes, and keep them covered in the refrigerator.
Why is my pudding lumpy?
The seeds clump if they sit undisturbed right after mixing. Stir again after about 10 minutes, before the jar goes into the fridge.
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