Name: Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp chia seeds; 1 cup Fairlife Chocolate Milk

Chocolate lovers, unite! Don’t let the sweet flavors fool you, this easy chocolate chia seed pudding is a nutrient dense start to your morning and is packed with protein and fiber.

The mornings never seem to have enough time for me. Between the baby wanting breakfast, my husband looking for his work pants, and trying to get everybody out the door on time, breakfast seems to get put on the back burner… only to bite me with insatiable hunger later in the day! This is why I stick to simple, healthy breakfast options that fit into my busy routine.

Some mornings, that looks like meal prepped hardboiled eggs but other mornings, I am looking for something a little sweeter. If you are looking for sweet breakfast ideas that still nourish your body, this chocolate chia seed pudding is for you!

What is chia seed pudding:

Chia seeds, which are edible seeds, are a great addition to a healthy diet. In fact, they have been consumed for thousands of years for their plant protein, energy sustaining carbohydrates, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. When placed in a liquid, chia seeds will actually absorb that liquid and swell to over three times their size! As they absorb the liquid, chia seeds take on a softer and more gel like texture that is best compared to pudding. Enter, chia seed pudding. Just like old fashioned oats can be used to make overnight oatmeal, chia seeds can be prepped the night before for a ready to eat chia seed pudding in the morning

Why you’ll love this recipe:

If you live a busy life, want to eat more protein and fiber, or are searching for healthy breakfast recipes then this chocolate chia seed pudding is for you because it’s:

Protein packed- It has 19 grams of protein per serving with both plant and animal based protein sources. This makes it an easy, high protein breakfast for you to grab and go!
Full of fiber- Features 10 grams of mostly soluble fiber which will keep you full and supports your health
Lower in added sugar- It’s a more balanced sweet breakfast option because we use Fairlife chocolate milk which is lower in added sugar and higher in protein than other chocolate milks.
Simple and easy to make- A healthy breakfast that is easy to make and no cooking skills required.

chia seed pudding with spoon — Chia seed pudding with chocolate.

Ingredients:

This breakfast truly could not be easier to make and has just two ingredients!

Chia seeds: chia seeds are full of plant based protein, rich in fiber, and packed with healthy fatty acids.
Fairlife chocolate milk: I’m a huge fan of chocolate milk which makes me a huge fan of Fairlife chocolate milk. In contrast to other ready to drink chocolate milks, Fairlife chocolate milk is convenient to use but lower in sugar, higher in protein, and completely lactose free.

Recipe Modifications:

With just two ingredients, this recipe is the perfect base to customize and make your own by:

Switch up the toppings: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or peppermint bark to make it seasonal.
Add fruit: I love to add fresh fruit to top my chia pudding and make this a balanced breakfast. I would recommend adding banana, raspberries, pomegranate seeds, or strawberries which would pair well with the chocolate flavor!
Change to unflavored milk: Don’t feel married to chocolate milk, especially if you want to lower your added sugar intake. You can simply sub in unflavored milk instead of chocolate milk in the recipe.
Stir in some extra nutrition: Ground flax seeds are a nutritious addition to this recipe. I like my chia pudding a little bit more runny, so you can simply add one tablespoon of ground flax seeds to this recipe and you will still get a nice texture.

Recipe FAQ:

Is this keto chia seed pudding?
- Though chia seeds do contain carbohydrates, they also contain an almost equal amount of fiber and are loaded with healthy fats which makes them a keto friendly option. However, this specific recipe is not keto friendly since we use flavored dairy milk which will be higher in carbohydrate. If you want to make this a keto chia seed pudding, I would sub the Fairlife Chocolate milk for unsweetened almond milk, which is lower in carbohydrate, and flavor with cacao power and a low carb sweetener.
Is this chia seed pudding lactose free?
- Yes, we are using lactose free fairlife milk which makes this chia seed pudding completely lactose free and lactose intolerant friendly.
What are some chia seed substitutes?
- If you want something like chia pudding but aren’t a fan of chia seeds themselves, I would recommend buying old fashioned oats and making overnight oatmeal instead. Other than that, few substitutes have the gelling abilities that chia seeds have. If you have a recipe that calls for chia seeds stirred in (like to a batter, protein ball, or oatmeal) you can substitute chia seeds for flax seeds for healthy fats or hemp hearts for plant protein.