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By Plant-Based Nutrition Professional Chef Susy • Designed For Effortless Weight Loss & Weight Maintenance

Chia Fruit Pudding
(Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Name: Chia Fruit Pudding (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Worldwide
Ingredients: 3 tbsp (30 g) chia seeds; 3/4 cup (150 ml) unsweetened hempseed milk or plant-based milk of choice; 2 1/2 tbsp (40 g) plant-based plain yogurt; 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) fresh fruit of choice; 2 tsp (5 g) mixed seeds or chopped nuts; 1 tsp agave syrup or maple syrup

Tired of boring breakfasts? 😖 This vegan chia fruit pudding is the perfect solution! With its creamy texture, sweet and tangy flavours, and customisable toppings, it's sure to become your new favourite morning meal. 🍓

Prep Time: 5 Mins | Inactive Time: 10 Mins

Total Time: 15 Mins | Servings: Adjustable

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Small but mighty, chia seeds have become my favourite pantry ingredient. I add them to so many foods. Smoothies, overnight oats, granola bars, and even as an egg replacer in muffins and cookies.

And guess what? Chia can even make pudding! Topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup, this vegan chia fruit pudding tastes like a dessert but is an immensely fulfilling breakfast, rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats.

Why This Recipe Works

Easy & Quick

The recipe takes only 5 minutes in the kitchen—and an additional 10 minutes to settle. You can quickly prep things in the kitchen and run off to get dressed for the day while the breakfast prepares itself on the countertop.

Meal Prep Friendly

Not in the mood to visit the kitchen early in the mornings? Plant-based chia pudding can be meal-prepped in advance to save time. Make a batch on the weekend and portion it into individual jars to enjoy a delicious breakfast delight throughout the week.

Healthy

This plant-based fruit chia pudding is packed with essential nutrients—particularly those your body needs to give you a headstart in the morning. One serving typically provides 21.26g of healthy fats, 14.6g of fibre, 9.8g of protein, and 29.4g of carbs. And did I mention it’s also gluten-free and rich in probiotics? No wonder why I love it so much!

Customisable

There’s so much room for customisation. You can swap out ingredients to suit your pantry, so there's no need to worry about running out of something at odd times. And because it's so versatile, you can even use it as a base for other breakfast ideas, like adding a scoop of plant-based yogurt or a drizzle of vegan dandelion honey.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Chia seeds - Of course. Both black and white can be used. Use the freshest seeds because old seeds might not plump very well. Also, keep in mind some brands might thicken better than others. I love using the Bob’s Red Mill or Linwood’s organic brand. It is available at most good grocery stores and works amazingly in this recipe.

Hempseed milk - Or any plant-based milk you have on hand. Oat milk, soya milk, coconut milk, and almond milk are all great options. I prefer using unsweetened versions to have better control over the sweetness.

Plain yogurt - Plant-based, again. It’s an essential ingredient, as it is responsible for adding creaminess to the pudding.

Fresh fruit (of choice) - Seriously, any seasonal fruit works. I like using a combination of mango and banana. You can also try strawberry chia pudding, which is wonderful. Pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, and peaches taste great, too.

Mixed seeds - For a boost in the nutritional profile—and a crunchy bite. I used sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, but a pair of sesame seeds and poppy seeds is perfect, too. You can also go for nuts, instead (or even nuts and seeds, both). Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts are yummy additions.

Maple syrup - I love adding a hint of sweetness to my chia pudding, and I also drizzle some on the top when eating. The good thing is, you can adjust the amount based on your personal preference or even completely omit this ingredient.

Helpful Equipment

Mixing bowl
Jar

How to Make Vegan Chia Pudding

Mix the ingredients. Add chia seeds, plant-based milk, and yoghurt to a bowl. Mix thoroughly and leave it for 10 minutes. This gives the seeds enough time to absorb liquid and create a pudding-like texture.

Next, layer. Once the chia seeds are ready, start your layers in a jar with fruit first, then some chia seeds, another layer of fruit, then more chia seeds, and so on.

Then, chill (optional). Pop the chia seed pudding into the fridge for a few hours.

Now, add the toppings. Fresh fruit, mixed seeds, chopped nuts, yogurt, or a drizzle of maple syrup—whatever you want.

Enjoy. Grab a spoon and dig in 🥄😋

Woman holding bowl of Chia Fruit Pudding

Variations, Ideas & Notes

📑 Substitutions

Flax seeds instead of chia seeds (however, there will be subtle differences in flavour).
Any plant-based milk instead of hempseed milk.
Creative fruit choices, like guava, lychee, or pomegranate.
Date syrup instead of maple syrup.

🥥 Optional Add-ins

Coconut flakes (taste amazing with coconut milk)
Gluten-free granola, if you prefer an extra crunchy pudding.
Vanilla extract
Nut butter
Oats
Vegan protein powder

✨ Flavour Variations

Notes

Though the recipe base is for 1 serving, it can easily be doubled or tripled, quadrupled or more using the servings adjustment drop-down menu.

Pro Tips For This Recipe

If you’re having trouble creating the perfect chia pudding, there could be a few things going wrong. Here are some helpful tips you might need to look out for—

Your chia seeds might not be plumping properly. Try switching the brand to find a variety that absorbs maximum liquid—and creates the perfect texture.
Before layering the chia mixture into the jar, give it a good mix to break up any potential clumps in the seeds. Otherwise, the chia seeds might stay bunched together, making for a lumpy pudding. No thanks!
Stirring the pudding works for me every time, but if you still have clumps even after stirring, allow the pudding to gel for 10 minutes. Give it a good stir and let it sit for another 30 minutes. Stir again, and it will be ready to enjoy.
If your pudding is still too thick, but you ran out of plant-based milk, add a bit of distilled water to adjust the consistency.
If your pudding is too thin, add more chia seeds and let them sit longer. You can also use thicker milk, like full-fat canned coconut milk (although this will obviously increase the saturated fat and calorie counts).
Some people might not like the texture of chia pudding. Blend the chia mixture to solve the problem. It will taste more like regular pudding, instead of tapioca pudding.
And… here’s the best tip: top your pudding with what YOU like. Don’t add strawberries just because they’re healthy. You get me? Use the fruits, nuts, and seeds that make this plant-based chia pudding something you look forward to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best chia seed to liquid ratio for chia pudding?

From my experience, 3 tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of milk creates the perfect consistency. If you want a thicker pudding, use 4 tbsps chia seeds to 1 cup milk.

Which milk should I use for chia fruit pudding?

It varies based on your dietary restrictions (if any) and taste preferences. I love using plant-based milks, like almond milk and hempseed milk. If you want a low-calorie, low-sugar chia pudding, unsweetened plant-based milk is best, like high-protein soya milk, which is also a great pick for folks on a weight-loss journey.

Full-fat coconut milk is also a good choice if you want to increase the pudding thickness and prepare a really filling breakfast—or even dessert, although this will increase the overall fat content and total calories.

How to store plant-based chia seed pudding?

Vegan chia pudding stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wait to add the toppings until you are ready to enjoy it, or they might turn brown and soggy.

For a grab-and-go portion, add the chia seed pudding to a single-serving jar, top it with mango, and add the lid. In the morning, add the seeds, granola, bananas, or whatever you wish for.

Is vegan chia pudding healthy?

Yes. Low in sugars and high in protein and healthy fats, chia pudding offers an energetic meal, dessert, or snack for any time of the day.

How to serve plant-based chia fruit pudding?

On its own, chia fruit pudding is rich, creamy, and slightly sweet. But let’s be honest: the best part about chia pudding is what you serve it with.

Here are some of my favourites—

Fresh fruit. I love piling tart cherries and berries on my pudding. Use fresh ones when in season, and thawed frozen ones for the rest of the year.
Something crunchy, like homemade granola, chopped nuts or shredded coconut.
Something sweet. Could be something as simple as maple syrup or a fancier option, like caramel sauce.

To enjoy vegan chia pudding as a hearty meal, I like to pair it with—

If you made the recipe, make sure to tag me on Instagram @vegan.susy

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