A healthy breakfast sounds like such a novel idea at 9 p.m. But at 6:30 a.m.? I’m lucky if I can drag myself out of bed (and the cat from his favorite snoozing position, my feet, so I can physically do so) and put on mascara before heading out the door.
That’s where make-ahead breakfasts come to the rescue. Even if you sleepwalk through most mornings, you can still pull this together because there’s little to no work required to make this recipe. This chia pudding is a similar concept to overnight oats, in that the fridge does everything for you while you sleep.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the texture of overnight oats, so I tend to opt for this make-ahead option. It’s creamy, good for your gut, full of healthy fats and protein, and so easy to customize with whatever is in your pantry or fruit basket. Depending on what you add, you can make sure it’s filled with even more nutrients.
To make things even easier on yourself, get your toppings together the night before. All you’ll need to do is scoop the pudding, garnish and go!
Here are a few of my favorite flavor profiles to top this super-simple breakfast pudding:
-Blackberries and raspberries
-Pumpkin seeds and chopped mango
-Blueberries, sliced peaches and almonds (pictured)
-Raisins, walnuts and cinnamon
-Pistachios, shredded coconut and honey
More chia pudding flavor ideas:
Healthy Apple Cinnamon Chia Seed Pudding
Layered Coconut Spirulina Chia Pudding
Simple Chocolate Chai Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Coconut Chia Pudding
Equipment
- Small bowl
Ingredients
Basic Coconut Chia Pudding
- 1 cup coconut milk use the full-fat kind from a can
- 1/4 cup chia seeds I like Kunachia brand because it includes extra probiotics
- 1 tablespoon protein powder of your choice optional
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- pinch of salt
Cashew Butter & Jelly Chia Pudding
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter or your favorite nut butter
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jelly
- 1 teaspoon honey
Mocha Chia Pudding
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredient using a fork or whisk. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or until pudding is set.
- Serve topped with fruit, nuts and garnishes of your choice.
Photos by Ana Stanciu
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Would it work with lite coconut milk?
Yes it works with light coconut milk.
I’ve all about chia pudding, but have never added coconut before! I will have to give this recipe a try :)
This is definitely one of my favourite breakfasts and the trusted one whenever I have to eat breakfast on the go. So easy and yummy!
Chia pudding is seriously one of my favourite things to have – though I usually have it as a snack. My favourite flavour for a while now has been the one I make with raw cacao powder, coconut water, and stevia drops to sweeten. I almost always forget to top it off with even more goodness, but the options here sound so wonderful – I’ll have to give them all a try soon.
Hope your week is off to a great start!