Chocolate Chia Pudding

Chocolate chia pudding is a creamy, naturally-sweet chocolate treat. Make this breakfast pudding recipe at night and wake up ready to enjoy it!

2 servings of chocolate chia pudding garnished with whipped cream and chocolate shavings in ½ pint glass jars

If you enjoy eating sweet breakfasts, then chia pudding will become your new favorite way to start the day!

When breakfast tastes like a creamy, indulgent dessert but it’s actually fuel for your body, it’s impossible to resist!

What are chia seeds?

Chia seeds are tiny, crunchy little seeds that grow on a flowering plant known as Salvia. They’re native to South America, but are also grown in parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States.

If you have ever seen a chia pet, then you already know what chia seeds look like when they sprout!

The reason they are popular for eating is because they are full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Plus, they are very absorbent. In fact, they soak up to 12 times their weight in liquids. When this happens, the seeds form a gel-like coating that has the ability to thicken food.

This is exactly why chocolate chia seed pudding is a great choice for breakfast It’s thick, creamy, and SO delicious! It’s almost like a grown-up version of chocolate pudding!

ingredients for a chocolate chia seed pudding recipe in a blender

How to make chia seed pudding

You only need a few basic pantry staples to make any flavor of chia pudding.

I already have two chia pudding recipes; this vanilla chia pudding and a chia pudding recipe as well.
So, it makes sense to also have this chia pudding chocolate version.

To keep the pudding from becoming overly sweet, I use natural sweeteners rather than refined sugar.

Here’s what you’ll need for the chia pudding:

almond milk – You can use regular milk, or even another nut milk if you’d like to.
raw cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder. Raw cacao powder is less refined, so it has a bit more antioxidants in it.
maple syrup – I recommend using pure maple syrup, not the bottled pancake syrup
salt
vanilla extract
almond extract
dates – You can find dates in the aisle of your grocery store where they keep raisins and other dried fruits. Look for pitted dates so that you don’t have to deal with removing the pits.
chia seeds – Most stores keep the seeds in the natural or organic food section.

Recipe notes

It only takes 15 minutes to prepare the chia pudding recipe. However, the pudding will need to be kept in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before it is ready to eat.

During the chill time, the seeds will absorb the milk and other liquids. As a result, they will expand, causing the liquid to take on a thick custard-like consistency.

Chia pudding is similar to tapioca pudding, but in appearance only. This is an indulgent-tasting, healthy chocolate pudding!

overhead shot of chocolate chia pudding in jars

Instructions

Add the ingredients to a high-speed blender. If you don’t have one, a food processor will work just as well.
Blend or process on high speed until the ingredients are smooth and creamy.
Pour the custard into 1 cup (½ pint-size) mason jars or ramekins. Be sure to cover them with a lid or a layer of plastic wrap.
Refrigerate your chia pudding for at least 8 hours. I like to make them at night, just before washing the dinner dishes. This way, I don’t have to clean up a second mess in kitchen.

up close shot of chocolate pudding in jar

Serving suggestions

There are a lot of options for serving the pudding. Basically, anything that you enjoy eating with chocolate desserts will be perfect!

A few topping ideas:

Banana slices
Fresh berries – raspberries, strawberries, etc.
Vanilla Greek yogurt
Whipped cream, or coconut milk whipped cream
Chopped nuts of your choice – If you don’t have nut allergies, peanuts are delicious on chocolate chia seed pudding!