Chocolate Chia Pudding
Satisfy your chocolate craving with this Chocolate Chia Pudding made with three types of chocolate in it! (You read that right.) You can enjoy this chia pudding as a delicious dessert or a chocolatey breakfast!
Chocolate chia seed pudding
Question: What’s better than one kind of chocolate?
Answer: 3 kinds of chocolate.
Which is exactly what this chia pudding is made with. That’s right. Not one, not two but THREE kinds of chocolatey goodness loaded into one cup of chia seed pudding. If you want a little less chocolate, Snickers Chia Pudding or Chocolate Raspberry Chia Pudding might be right up your alley. But I have a feeling if you’re here you’re a chocoholic just like me.
Chocolate chia seed pudding is made by combining chia seeds with plant-based milk, cocoa powder and a sweetener that gets mixed together and turns into a creamy and delicious pudding.
Why you’ll love this chia pudding recipe
- Easy to prep. Chocolate chia pudding is an easy-to-prep dessert, snack or breakfast. All you need is a mixing bowl and 5-10 minutes of your time!
- Packed with 3 kinds of chocolate. If you’re a chocolate lover this is the ultimate chocolate chia pudding for you. No sissy one kind of chocolate here! We’re going all out with three different types of chocolate in this pudding.
- Make ahead. This recipe is easy to prep ahead of time so you can keep a batch of it in the fridge for the week to enjoy whenever you like!
- Dairy-free and gluten-free. Chia pudding is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan making it a great dessert option for anyone who has any food allergies or intolerances.
Is chocolate chia seed pudding good for you?
Chocolate chia pudding is definitely one of the most popular ways to enjoy a chia pudding and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
This recipe for chocolate chia seed pudding is much healthier than buying store-bought chocolate pudding cups that are loaded with sugar and often times unnecessary additives.
This homemade chia pudding is made with cocoa powder, dark chocolate chips and cacao nibs. If you’ve never used cacao nibs before, they are just little bits of crushed-up cocoa beans. They can be a little bitter in taste, (since they have no sugar added to them) but they are uh-mazing sprinkled in chia pudding, oatmeal, granola…really on anything.
Cocoa nibs also have great health benefits! They are extremely high in fibre, loaded with magnesium, and antioxidants and are a mood booster. (but let’s be honest, what chocolate isn’t a mood enhancer 🙂 ) On top of that, you have all the benefits of chia seeds too. Chia seeds are extremely healthy and are packed with tons of nutritional benefits.
Chia seeds are:
- Loaded with Fiber
- High in protein
- Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids
- Expand in liquid so they keep you feeling full and satisfied!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Chia seeds: can’t make chia pudding without chia seeds! You can use either the light or dark chia seeds. Both are the same and will both work fine in this recipe.
- Coconut milk: Since coconut milk is high in fat, it gives a really rich creaminess to the chia pudding. I
- Almond milk: I like to use half coconut milk and half almond milk in this recipe to make the chia pudding rich, but light at the same time. If you prefer you can use all coconut milk or all almond milk.
- Cocoa powder: this is the most important ingredient to give the chia pudding that chocolate flavour! Use a good quality cocoa powder for the best results.
- Chocolate chips: I love adding these to chocolate chia pudding to give it a hint of sweetness and actual chocolate in it. This ingredient is optional but just yummy!
- Cacao nibs: Another optional ingredient, but oh my gosh are they good! Cacao nibs are crunchy, rich and slightly bitter and help balance out the flavour in the chia pudding.
- Maple syrup: to sweeten the pudding. You can also use agave or honey.
- Vanilla extract: this actually helps to enhance the flavour of the chocolate.
How to make chocolate chia pudding
Step 1
Add the chia seeds, vanilla extract, cacao powder, maple syrup, coconut milk and almond milk together in a bowl. Mix for a couple of minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Then cover and place in the fridge to set overnight or for at least one hour.
Tip: I make this recipe with not only coconut milk, but also almond milk. This creates a wonderful, creamy flavour while remaining vegan! If you want to keep this recipe as unprocessed as possible, try making your own nut milk first with this almond milk recipe, and then use it to make your chocolate chia pudding!
Step 2
Remove the chia pudding from the fridge and add the cacao nibs and chocolate chips and mix together again to combine everything. Spoon the chia pudding into cups or jars, or small bowls to serve. Top with your favourite toppings.
Chocolate chia pudding topping ideas
Chia pudding is delicious on its own, but let’s be honest…it’s even better with toppings! There are so many different toppings you can add to this chia pudding. Here are some great options that will go well with the chocolate flavour.
- Chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs
- Coconut flakes
- Roasted Almonds
- Roasted hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Peanuts
- Chocolate granola
- Almond butter
- Peanut butter
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Sliced banana
- Mango
- Passionfruit
How to store chia pudding
Store any leftover chia pudding in an airtight container or a sealed mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you’d like to take this recipe to go you can store the chia pudding in small sealed jars.
How to thicken chia pudding
If you find your chia pudding came out a little too thin, there are a few key techniques and tips you can use to thicken your chia pudding.
Whisk the pudding together: It’s important to whisk everything together well before placing it in the fridge. You’ll notice as you continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes that the pudding will start to thicken. This is important to help incorporate the chia seeds with the liquid so the seeds don’t end up just sitting at the bottom of the bowl.
Use a four to one ratio: You want to use roughly four parts liquid to one part chia seeds. This is the proper ratio to create a thick chia pudding. Of course, this ratio can change slightly depending on what ingredients are used. If you use all coconut milk, since it is a thicker liquid, you may find you need slightly more liquid.
Add more chia seeds: If you remove your chia pudding from the fridge and notice it’s still too thin, add an extra tablespoon of chia seeds and mix well. Then place the pudding back in the fridge for another 30 minutes.
Chocolate chia seed pudding tips
- Use fresh chia seeds. Are you using a bag of chia seeds that have been in the back of your pantry for a year? Make sure to check the expiry date. Sometimes old chia seeds will have trouble absorbing liquid and turning into pudding.
- High-quality cocoa is best. Tasty cocoa powder=tasty chocolate chia pudding. Period. Make sure to use a good quality brand here, it will make all the difference.
- Make it a Keto chocolate chia pudding. If you want to make this recipe keto-friendly, substitute the maple syrup for a sugar-free sweetener like stevia and use sugar-free chocolate chips, or just leave them out.
Frequently asked questions
Technically you can freeze chia pudding and it will still be pudding after being defrosted. That being said, I find defrosted chia pudding not as good as when it’s made fresh.
Chia seeds are not a magic weight-loss food, but they can help with weight loss because they are packed with fibre and protein so they will keep you full.
If you don’t like coconut milk you can use all almond milk or any other type of dairy-free milk you love like oat milk or cashew milk.
If you don’t love the texture and consistency of chia pudding and prefer the texture of a classic chocolate pudding, you can blend the chia pudding in a high-speed blender. It’s best to blend the chia pudding before placing it in the fridge to set. Just add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and then cover and place in the fridge.
More chia pudding recipes to try
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Chia Pudding
- Keto Chia Pudding
- Coconut Chia Pudding
- Golden Milk Latte Chia Pudding
- Matcha Latte Chia Pudding
- Banana Cream Pie Chia Pudding
- Vanilla Chia Pudding
Triple Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This chia pudding loaded with 3 types of chocolate will satisfy your chocolate craving…in a healthy way!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup coconut milk (full-fat, from a can)
- 1/2 cup+2 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup high-quality cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix the chia seeds, coconut milk, almond milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a bowl until well combined.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, then give it another mix before placing it covered in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Remove from fridge and mix in the cacao nibs and dark chocolate chips.
- Serve with fresh fruit, nuts or more chocolate.
Notes
Store in the fridge in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 5 days
If the pudding turns out too thick, add a little more coconut or almond milk and mix together. If the pudding turns out too thin, add another tablespoon of chia seeds and mix together.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe
- Calories: 288
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 11g
- Protein: 6g
If you tried this Triple Chocolate 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!
I have a bunch of questions. Number one: Can I just use normal milk instead of the other types (Almond and coconut.) Number Two: I don’t have cacao nibs, is there a substitute? Number Three: Is the coco powder sweetened or unsweetened? I plan to make this and am super happy for a healthy, delicious sounding, dessert option.
You can use normal milk, leave out cacao nibs if you don’t have and unsweetened cocoa powder- i don’t believe cocoa powder ever comes sweetened. (not hot chocolate powder- cocoa powder from the baking aile.) I hope this helps!
I made this with cashew milk, Stevia Leaf Extract powder and the drops, it was very delicious. Thank you!
Delicious! I plan on making it for guests next time. Using my whisk definitely helped incorporate the ingredients. The final texture was satisfying with a nice little crunch from the nibs.
So glad you enjoyed it Jeanne!
How do you figure out how much is in a serving???? 1/2 C . 1 C. ???
Hi Yvonne, 1 serving is 1/2 of the recipe!
Amazing!!!!!!!!!! This recipe is so good. My husband and I love it. I used liquid stevia because I try to avoid su gar. I also used peppermint oil and cinnamon powder.
Hi Toni, so happy you and your husband loved the recipe!
I have a question. When you say coconut milk from a tin, do you mean just the solids or ensure the tins contents are mixed ? We love chia and have it regularly. Choc is always a fave as is pumpkin spiced.
Hi Chrissy, you can use the can mixed, not just the cream on top!
Love the coconut milk and chocolate combo 🤤🤤
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
Made my second batch this week as a healthier alternative to my nightly bowl of ice cream to avoid gaining the “quarine-nineteen“ lol. I used regular milk, and topped it only whipped up some heavy cream and some shards of chocolate chips. Tasty!
Haha, sounds so good! Love the ice cream swap idea 💕
how would putting either soaked or dry chia seeds through the blender affect the recipe(s)? this looks yummy I just don’t like the texture of the plumped seeds. thanks.
Hi Rebecca, you can definitely blend this chia pudding if you like! Blended chia pudding is creamier, it does have a slight grainy texture though. A good blender will help.
For Keyo: Comes out to about 4.5 net carbs per serving By removing the chocolate chips and using unsweet maple syrup as well as unsweet almond milk. Can also use two Stevia’s. Tasted pretty good just needed some whipping cream!
Wow, brilliant recipe. I tried it today. Surprisingly had all ingredients. Does this freeze well?
Thank you Gayatri! I wouldn’t recommend freezing these.
Hands down best chia pudding I’ve ever tried! Doesn’t taste too much like that plain chia takes more like a real chocolate pudding!
Thanks for the review! This is my favourite too 🙂
Jess! I love that these are triple chocolate! Can’t get much better than that, haha! love them, Dee xx
Thanks Dee! Never gets better than chocolate! 🙂
Chia pudding is one of my favorite little snacks or desserts, but I also like to use it as a garnish! This chocolate chia pudding looks heavenly. I agree that high quality cocoa powder makes the world of a difference! Cacao powder is my personal favorite!
Hi Cassie, same here! adding chocolate to it definitely makes it more decedent 🙂
Your pudding looks so amazing, Jess! When I hear chocolate, I am in! 😀
Thanks Ela! Chocolate everything is just the best isn’t it?
Looks so decadent
Thank you, Arielle! Hope you enjoy the recipe:)
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe. I’ll definitely try it at home.
Thank you! Chocolate chia pudding is one of my favourite ways to enjoy it!:)
This looks so good! Chocolate and chia are the best together!!
Hi Ridhima, thank you so much! it’s one of my favourite ways to enjoy chia pudding! I love adding raspberries to it…so yummy!