This Classic Vanilla Chia Pudding is made with 4 simple ingredients and will be your go-to basic chia pudding recipe! Enjoy it on its own or with a variety of toppings!

a cup of chia pudding with berries and a spoon in it

Easy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

This is my basic go-to vanilla chia pudding recipe. You’ll find that this recipe is a base that can be used in a variety of other flavoured chia pudding recipes, like this layered chia pudding with fruit puree and this strawberry rhubarb chia pudding.

This Easy Chia Seed Pudding takes about five minutes to make and only requires four simple ingredients.

Chia Pudding Ratio

This vanilla chia pudding makes a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. It really is healthy enough to eat any time of the day, but also enjoyable as a sweet treat!  It’s filling, loaded with omegas and protein!

Chia seeds have the ability to expand 10x their original size, which you’ll notice once you see how much liquid you have to add compared to the number of chia seeds you have to add.

The general ratio I stick to is at least 4 parts liquid to 1 part chia seeds, ( ex: 1 cup of liquid, to 1/4 cup of chia seeds) though I find this a little too thick for my liking and I prefer a ratio of 5-6 parts liquid to 1 part chia seeds.

This may vary slightly depending on the type of liquid you use and the brand of chia seeds you use. (i.e. if you use coconut milk you may need a bit more liquid since coconut milk tends to be thicker than almond milk.)

From there, you can always mix in some more liquid to your chia pudding after it gels if you prefer a slightly thinner texture. I generally prefer a ratio of 5-1 for my chia pudding, for a slightly less-thick texture.

two small cups of vanilla chia pudding next to each other topped with berries

Chia Pudding Recipe Ingredients

  • Chia seeds: of course we wouldn’t be able to make this recipe without them! You can use white or dark chia seeds.
  • Plant-based milk: any kind you like! I recommend homemade almond milk or cashew milk, but store-bought works too.
  • Vanilla extract: the real stuff! It makes a big difference in flavour.
  • Maple syrup: as our sweetener. You could also use any other sticky sweetener you love

How to Make Chia Pudding (Vanilla Flavored)

Add the chia seeds to a bowl along with the plant-based milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Use a whisk and whisk everything together for 1-2 minutes until you see the mixture starts to thicken.

  • chia seeds in a clear mixing bowl
  • chia seeds and almond milk in a mixing bowl with a blue whisk

Cover and place the bowl in the fridge for at least 1 hour for the mixture to thicken. (You can also prepare this in advance the night more and place the mixture in the fridge overnight for best results) When the chia pudding is done, it should look like this.

  • vanilla chia pudding in a clear mixing bowl
  • two cups of vanilla chia pudding topped with berries

And that’s it! Your chia pudding is ready to go. You can enjoy it on its own, scoop it into a bowl, or enjoy it in a cup with fresh fruits.

Topping Ideas for Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

  • Yogurt (Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt…etc.)
  • Berries & fruits
  • Jams & compotes
  • Nut butter (runny almond butter works great!)
  • Nuts & seeds
  • Granola (I like this one with chia pudding)
  • Drizzle of maple syrup or honey

Tips for a Perfect Chia Pudding

  • Use good quality or homemade plant-based milk. Since the majority of the chia pudding is made from the milk you use, using one that tastes good is essential for tasty chia pudding!
  • If you prefer a richer creamier chia pudding, opt for coconut milk. Coconut milk naturally has more fat in it and will give you a creamier chia pudding.
  • Make sure to whisk all the ingredients together well so you don’t get clumps of chia seeds in your pudding.
  • For best results, place in the fridge overnight to “gel“. This will really give the chia seeds plenty of time to absorb all the liquid and will give you the best texture.
  • If your chia pudding seems too thick after removing it from the fridge, add more plant-based milk, a couple of tablespoons at a time and mix it in until you have your preferred consistency.

How long does chia pudding last?

  • Fridge: Store leftover chia pudding in a sealed container or jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s possible the chia pudding may thicken more over time as the chia seeds absorb more liquid. If you find the chia pudding becomes to thick after storing, simply add a splash of almond milk to it and mix.
  • Freezer: Chia pudding can be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To defrost, let the container sit on the countertop until the chia pudding is defrosted.

Is chia pudding better than overnight oats?

I wouldn’t say chia pudding is “better” than overnight oats because it really depends on what you are looking for nutritionally. Both chia pudding and overnight oats are very good for you, however, chia pudding is grain-free, low-carb, gluten-free and high in protein and fibre. So if you’re looking for a breakfast or snack that is grain-free and good for you then chia pudding is the way to go!

FAQ for Chia Pudding Almond Milk

Do chia seeds absorb almond milk?

Yes! Chia seeds absorb all types of liquid including almond milk. They can absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid.

Why isn’t my chia pudding thickening?

There are a few reasons why your chia pudding might not be thickening.
You aren’t using the right ratio of chia seeds to liquid. You want to use one part chia seeds to four parts liquid.
You aren’t mixing the chia pudding enough. You want to whisk the chia pudding together for a good minute or two until you notice it start to thicken slightly. I
Your chia seeds are stale. Make sure to use fresh chia seeds as sometimes stale chia seeds don’t absorb liquids as well.

Why is my chia pudding so thick?

If your chia pudding is too thick it’s because of the ratio of chia seeds to liquid and the amount of time the chia pudding has been sitting in the fridge to thicken. (If it’s left in the fridge longer, it will often thicken more.)

If the chia pudding is too thick for your liking, don’t worry, this is an easy fix! Just add another splash of almond milk (or whatever liquid you like) and mix it into the chia pudding until it reaches your desired consistency.

How long do chia seeds need to soak in milk?

Chia seeds need to soak in milk for at least an hour, but ideally overnight for best results. This gives the chia seeds enough time to fully absorb all the liquid and become the best texture.

Is chia pudding actually good for you?

Yes, it is! Chia pudding is packed with fibre, protein and omega-3s. Just be minding to consume chia pudding in moderation. (One serving of chia pudding a day.)

More Easy Chia Seed Pudding Recipes to try

one small cup of vanilla chia pudding with a spoon and berries in it

If you tried this Classic Vanilla Chia Pudding or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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a cup of chia pudding with berries and a spoon in it

Vanilla Chia Pudding Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: breakfast
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This Classic Vanilla Chia Pudding recipe is easy to make and perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert! 

Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Let sit for 2 minutes until it begins to gel, and then give it a good mix again with a fork or a whisk.
  3. Let sit for at least 1 hour before serving, or overnight in the fridge.
  4. Serve with fresh fruits, yogurts, jams, granola or anything else you’re heart desires!

Notes

Use good quality or homemade plant-based milk. Since the majority of the chia pudding is made from the milk you use, using one that tastes good is essential for tasty chia pudding!

If you prefer a richer creamier chia pudding, opt for coconut milk. Coconut milk naturally has more fat in it and will give you a creamier chia pudding.

Make sure to whisk all the ingredients together well so you don’t get clumps of chia seeds in your pudding.

For best results, place in the fridge overnight to “gel”. This will really give the chia seeds plenty of time to absorb all the liquid and will give you the best texture.

If your chia pudding seems too thick after removing it from the fridge, add more plant-based milk, a couple of tablespoons at a time and mix it in until you have your preferred consistency.

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 166
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Fat: 11g
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 11g
  • Protein: 7g