Have you ever spotted one of those cups of delicious chia pudding in Whole Foods, and then you look at the price tag and it’s three dollars? Fortunately it is super easy to make your own fresh chia pudding that is just as good and is way cheaper than the pre-packaged version, using just dried bulk chia seeds and your choice of creamy beverage and/or fruit – my favorite mixer being coconut. Chia pudding makes a delicious nutritious breakfast that is low in sugar, paleo friendly, and a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids for those on a dairy free or vegan diet.
Watch the video demonstration by toddler Fehren – it’s so easy that even a 2 year old can do it! For more details on the recipe for coconut chia pudding, read on.
Chia is one of the most nutrient-dense “superfoods” on earth, packing in tons of nutrients into very few calories. Chia seeds are rich in protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, Calcium, Zinc as well as the B vitamins thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and folate. This delectable little seeds soak up the liquid and flavor of whatever surrounds them, creating an appealing pudding with a unique texture that is highly addictive!
For those of you not familiar with chia, it is a flowering plant in the mint family, commonly grown as a commercial crop in Mexico and Latin America, with the scientific name Salvia Hispanica. Although most contemporary Americans’ familiarity with chia may be limited to Chia Pets – that quirky trend from the 80s – this plant has been grown for thousands of years in Mexico and Guatemala, by the Aztecs and Mayans as an staple food crop on the same level as maize. One article I read stated that the state of Chiapas in Mexico is named after Chia (which supposedly means “oily”).
Whatever the health benefits of chia, it also tastes great and makes a wonderful, nutrious breakfast that fills you up for the morning. It is so easy to make that even the smallest of kids can do it (see video above), and little ones enjoy making this simple and easy recipe. Most health oriented grocery stores sell chia seeds in the bulk section, and you can also order it online from Amazon.
INGREDIENTS
– dry bulk chia seeds – fresh coconut milk (or your choice of beverage) – some sort of sweetener or fruit (if desired) – nuts or granola (if desired)
STEP 1: measure chia into your bowl
Pour 1/8 cup of chia seeds (about 2-3 tablespoons) into a small lidded bowl
STEP 2: add in your liquid
Mix in about 2/3 cup – 1 cup of your favorite creamy beverage. Almond, soy and rice milk all work just fine, but we personally recommend fresh coconut milk (i.e. ground up coconut) – it is so delicious with the chia texture!
STEP 3: stir and cover
Let sit overnight in the refrigerator to give the chia seeds time to soak up your liquid and form a jelly-like texture. The chia pudding mixture should sit in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours to set.
STEP 4: garnish with fresh fruit and enjoy!
Personally, I love fresh strawberries with chia pudding, but lots of fruits work well: mangoes, peaches, blueberries, bananas. Honey, nuts, cinnamon and cacao are all great additions as well to flavor your pudding. (If you want to make chocolate, vanilla or cinnamon chia, mix the cacao powder or cinnamon or vanilla extract in BEFORE you put it in the fridge). Experiment with different toppings and let me know what you like!
Here’s that video again, in case you missed it at the top of this article 😉
