We’re big fans of pudding for breakfast here at Hello Glow. These sweet, slightly spicy apple-cinnamon version of chia seed pudding is no exception. It’s the perfect vegan breakfast for cold mornings, or eat it as a healthy dessert.
Use your favorite non-dairy milk—coconut, cashew, almond, soy, whatever you like—and feel free to switch up the fruit and spice. For example, try fresh peaches and cardamom, or plums and nutmeg.
Apple Cinnamon Chia Seed Pudding
Apple Cinnamon Chia Seed PuddingMove over, overnight oats—we bet this will be your new go-to healthy breakfast!
And like overnight oats, this chia pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast option. Mix together milk and chia the night before then pull it out of the fridge in the morning and just top with fruit, nuts and seeds.
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. Pick low sugar fruit options, and you can make sure it’s filled with even more vitamins and nutrients.
And chia is not just for breakfast! Chia pudding is a great make-ahead protein-filled snack that’s loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds have about 2.5 grams of protein per tablespoon, so a chia pudding made with three tablespoons of chia seeds would serve up 7.5 grams of protein.
Chia pudding on its own doesn’t have a lot of taste so add flavor with fruit, chocolate, nuts and spices. We added anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich cinnamon for its blood sugar regulating benefits. Plus, it adds a warming boost that’s perfect for cold mornings, and the spicy fall scent is mood-boosting and stress-relieving.
More Chia Seed Pudding Recipe Ideas
Here are a few more chia seed pudding ideas to add to your morning rotation:
- Berry Chocolate Chia Pudding Breakfast Parfait
- Coconut Chia Pudding: The Ultimate Lazy Girl Breakfast
- Spirulina Breakfast Pudding
- Chocolate Chai Chia Pudding
- Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds – 3 Ways for Summer
Photos by Ana Stanciu
Healthy Apple-Cinnamon Chia Seed Pudding
Equipment
- saucepan
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 apples cored and chopped
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- For warm chia seed pudding, place milk and vanilla extract into a saucepan, and warm over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. The milk does not have to be boiling hot, just warm enough for your taste. Add chia seeds to a cereal bowl.
- When the milk is warm, add the milk to bowl of chia seeds.
- Stir continuously for about 2 minutes while the chia seeds absorb the milk. Allow the mixture to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Top with coconut flakes, apple slices, and cinnamon.
How can there only be 350calories when the chia seeds are 150 calories for 3 tablespoons and this is 2/3 of a cup?
This recipe makes a lot! I halved it and still ended up with a big bowl. I made it warm and had to add some stevia to it. It’s kindof blah so next time I make get add some nuts and raisins.
I made this for my kids, and they liked it but would have preferred cooked apples. I’m going to cook the apples in some coconut oil next time before adding the milk and vanilla. Thanks for a great recipe!
If you make it warm and don’t finish it can you refrigerate what is left?
How many calories are in this?
Made it just as the recipe said except for mixing the sautéed apples in the pudding. Delicious!!
This looks delicious!! I’m always looking for more ways to eat chia seeds. I’ll have to give this recipe a try
Made it this morning! Really good!
I am allergic to all nuts including coconut so going to try with rice milk.
Can’t drink soy. If push comes to shove cows milk. I want to try China seeds.
I made this for breakfast today and it’s delicious. I used whole milk because that’s what I’ve got. I also added a little stevia and I love it. I tried it warm but think I will like it cold better.
This was so slimy and goopy and gross. I followed your directions to the letter. Did I do something wrong? We’re doing Paleo and I miss oatmeal so much and I thought this would be a good substitute. Help me please.
Chia seeds when soaked will be a bit goopy. It’s pretty normal
Try using a can of full fat coconut milk, makes a much firmer pudding
I made this tonight, but with blueberries instead of apples. Loved it!
Can I use dairy milk? I really don’t understand why every recipe with chia calls on some fancy and expensive milk. Are all the people using chia dairy intolerant/has dietary reason or is it unhealthy to eat chia + dairy or is it just fashion?
afraid of saturated fat and other things. bottom line-try it with dairy, see if you like it, note any ill effects, if none keep doing it
Saturated fat is good for you, Transfat is the one you should steer clear of.
Dairy is extremely fattening due to the high sugar content. Not to mention pasteurized dairy has been heated to the point where next to no nutrients still exist.
Those who eat chia seeds usually tend to be those who eat clean as well, this is why you will find very few recipes with cows milk. However feel free to enjoy whatever you like.
I’ve used both canned coconut milk and regular dairy. Like it both ways.
I’ve used chia seeds in smoothie but never in a pudding! Will definitely try this! Thanks for the recipe!
I LOVE THIS! I just bought chia seeds and have no idea what to do with them haha. Could you make this the night before and let it sit in the fridge? Would it still taste good??
I love chia pudding and I always forget I have a fat packet of chia seeds in my pantry. I’ll make a post-it for this recipe ;)
Looks so delicious and sooooooo healthy. I wish I could have this now or in weekend <3