Coconut Chia Pudding (Paleo & vegan)

This Coconut Chia Pudding is delicious, healthy and so easy to make during some quick meal prep! The perfect easy healthy breakfast for any day of the week! Paleo, vegan, plant based and dairy-free.

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Originally posted 9/2015. Updated 8/2020

Coconut chia seed pudding

Chia. Yes, as in the “ch-ch-ch- chia”  pet jingle that we all, undoubtedly, have permanently burned into our brains from commercial breaks during our morning cartoons during the 80’s (assuming you are old enough to have some sort of recollection of the 80’s. If not, YouTube is there for reasons such as this).

But before you cringe and write off this recipe as me suggesting that you lick a houseplant, trust me when I tell you that chia pudding is likely one of my favorite “bag of tricks” recipes for healthy breakfasts on the go. It can be made the night before and can be quickly topped with some fresh or frozen fruit to go with you as you fly out the door on a crazy Monday morning. No heating required. 

What are chia seeds and why should I want to eat them?

Chia seeds are these teeny tiny black seeds that, should you spill them, will get into every nook and cranny of your kitchen (and some nooks and crannies you didn’t know existed).

 Yet, despite their downfalls, chia seeds are so good for you that they are worth the (minor) headache they can sometimes cause. They have very few calories, but pack a big punch of nutrients, like fiber, protein, and Omega-3s. You can sprinkle them on a salad, over oatmeal, or add them to your morning smoothie. But my favorite way to enjoy them is in pudding form, or as a popsicle (but more on that later). 

Chia seeds are little superheroes in many ways. Not only are they an easy whole food to work into your diet, but they also have the amazing power of shape shifting! When you add them to a liquid, they morph from a teeny dry seed that rolls everywhere to a clingy, gelatin ball that can take on many flavors.  My personal favorite flavor is coconut.

Why this chia pudding is awesome

• Super easy to make. Mix in a bowl. Stick bowl in fridge. Chill. That’s it!
• Loaded with healthy chia seeds. Full of Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and a boatload of other nutrients, chia seeds are just a great thing to have in your life and your belly.
• Adaptable. This easy recipe is vegan, Paleo, dairy-free, and nut-free…but you can tweak it to fit your needs. See Suggested Adaptations portion of the post below for how to make this chia seed pudding recipe work for you!
• No cooking! Making this recipe extra quick and extra easy to make.
• Great for breakfast, snack or as a healthier dessert!

Suggested Adaptations

• Blend it up. If texture of chia seed pudding (similar to tapioca pudding) isn’t your thing, try blending this chia pudding in your blender before chilling. It will create a smoother pudding with the same lovely flavor.
• Use whatever milk your prefer. This chia pudding is great with any kind of milk. So if you don’t have coconut milk or don’t like it, use cow milk, almond milk, oat milk, or whatever you have on hand.
• Adjust sweetness to fit personal preference. If you and your family prefer a sweeter pudding, add more maple syrup. If you want a chia seed pudding with less added sugar, reduce it or replace it with a monk fruit sweetener.
• Add a little cocoa powder and make it chocolate!
• Freeze finished pudding into popsicles. This is helpful not only for a fun, healthy treat…but freezing can help minimize the tapioca-like texture of chia pudding that some people feel iffy about.
• Use white chia seeds to make them extra undetectable in this recipe! Most people know about the black chia seeds, but there is also a white variety! When making recipes that will result in dishes that are lighter in color, consider using white chia seeds to help make the dish more visually appealing. This chia pudding is the perfect recipe to test drive some white chia seeds in!

Love this coconut chia pudding? Check out these other recipes you might enjoy!

• Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding
• Instant & Smooth Chocolate Chia Pudding
• Zucchini Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
• Easy Green Smoothie for kids
• Blueberry Spinach Smoothie