This gut-healthy Chia Cocoa Pudding is naturally sweetened and takes just 5 minutes to make. Plus, you need only 5 ingredients. This easy recipe is meal-prep friendly and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Serve it for breakfast, as a midday snack, or in place of dessert. Vegan and gluten-free.
The best thing about this blended Chia Cocoa Pudding recipe is that it's ready to eat immediately. No more waiting for the chia seeds to gel.
Plus, it's naturally sweetened with dates, which are loaded with gut-healthy fiber. However, feel free to use maple syrup instead for a sweeter chia pudding. Drizzle with maple syrup for serving, or substitute the dates with maple syrup when blending.
The beauty of this 5-minute recipe is that the flavor possibilities are endless once you have the right chia seed-to-liquid ratio.
You might also enjoy my longevity anti-inflammatory energy balls, these Frozen Yogurt Bars, as well as my healthy Nutella recipe.
Jump to:
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- Chia seeds may help with weight loss, as they are rich in fiber, which adds bulk to your meals and hence prolongs their satiety value. Plus, they slow down digestion and delay the release of glucose in the blood. This is for ground chia seeds. For maximum benefits, chia seeds should be blended.
- Use almond, soy, oat, or any milk for this Chia Cocoa Pudding recipe. Soy and oat milk are creamier, while almond milk is lighter. Coconut milk adds a rich, tropical flavor but is higher in saturated fats. Rice milk is allergen-free, and hemp milk offers omega-3s with a nutty taste, though it may be harder to find.
- Dates are nutrient-rich, providing fiber for digestion, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. For this Chia Cocoa Pudding, I used Medjool dates for their caramel-like flavor and soft texture. You can also use more Deglet Noor dates, which are smaller with a firmer, milder sweetness.
- Cocoa powder - regular cocoa flavanol consumption may have positive effects on facial wrinkles and elasticity. Use a high-flavanol brand.
- Optional anti-aging barberries and hemp hearts for serving. Barberries boost AMPK, an enzyme that induces autophagy. Autophagy is the natural process by which cells clean out damaged or unnecessary components to maintain their health and functionality. Barberries also help combat acne!
All longevity ingredients can be purchased using the link below. See the recipe card for quantities.
🍓 Substitutions
- Cocoa powder - omit as desired, or substitute with protein powder
- Medjool dates - Substitute with more Deglet Noor dates, or use maple syrup instead as desired.
- Nondairy milk - use almond, soy, oat, coconut, cashew, or hemp milk
- Hemp hearts: Add for serving for more protein
- Barberries: Top with barberries for their anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and acne-fighting benefits.
- Strawberry Powder: Add about 1 ½ tablespoons for natural sweetness and a boost of fisetin, which helps slow aging by reducing cellular senescence.
Make my Banana Chia Pudding in just 5 minutes. It's naturally sweetened and tastes incredible.
🛒 Shop This Recipe
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nisha's Longevity Ingredients
Get my tried and true longevity products here.
📖 How to Make Chia Cocoa Pudding
For the full recipe with quantities, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.
Step 1. Blend the milk, chia seeds, dates, cocoa powder, strawberry powder 9if using), and vanilla in the canister of a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the chia seeds are fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Step 2. Do NOT top with bananas like you see here! Cocoa powder is packed with flavanols which may lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, and promote heart health. Bananas contain polyphenol oxidase which breaks down flavanols so you get less!
I prefer to add anti-inflammatory barberries, and hemp hearts for more protein.
✔️ Expert Tips
- Consume chia seeds in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, remember to drink plenty of fluids when consuming them, as they tend to absorb liquids and may cause digestive discomfort if consumed in excess without sufficient hydration.
- Chia seeds are incredibly versatile. Sprinkle them on cereals, add to smoothies, use them as an egg substitute in baking, or mix them into yogurt or puddings.
- Do not use expired chia seeds. They do not gel very well. Check the 'Use By' date before using them to make this Chia Cocoa Pudding. I store mine in the freezer or refrigerator.
- Do not reduce the quantities listed in the ingredients. The recipe requires a certain volume to blend well.
- Use whole dates. Remove the pits yourself for this recipe. Whole dates are more flavorful than pitted dates. I freeze mine for a delicious healthy treat. I soak the frozen dates in hot water for a few minutes before removing the pits for this recipe.
- Storage: Refrigerate before serving for the best-tasting Chia Cocoa Pudding. Store any remaining chia pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Chia pudding is very healthy. It is made with chia seeds which are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and fiber. One tablespoon of dry chia seeds has about 60 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. Chia seeds might be better at turning glucose (a type of sugar) into a slow-burning energy source, helping you feel full longer compared to flax seeds. This could be because chia has thicker fibers that take more time to digest.
In this study, ground chia seeds were shown to help overweight women reduce their waist size.
Almond milk tends to be lower in calories and saturated fats than cow's milk, fortified with nutrients, lactose, and dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and versatile. However, it is typically lower in protein than other nondairy milk alternatives, unsuitable for individuals with nut allergies, and does not contain some essential nutrients.
I prefer soy milk which is higher in protein and contains spermadine, which boosts autophagy, keeping us younger!
Leave a review for my 5-Minute Chia Cocoa Pudding and share your creation with me on Instagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.
I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.
📖 Recipe
Chia Cocoa Pudding
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooking for Peanuts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk soy milk, oat milk, or milk of choice
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 4 to 5 pitted Medjool dates (preferably frozen)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
- 1 ½ tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder optional
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract optional
Optional toppings (per serving):
- Dash of hemp hearts
- 2 teaspoons barberries
Instructions
- Blend: Transfer the milk, chia seeds, dates, cocoa powder, strawberry powder (if using), and vanilla to the canister of a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the chia seeds are fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides and add more milk as needed.
- For serving: Serve immediately or chill before serving. Top with barberries and hemp hearts as desired.
Notes
-
- Buy the ingredients here.
- Do not use expired chia seeds. They do not gel very well. Check the 'Use By' date before using them to make this Chia Cocoa Pudding. I store mine in the freezer or refrigerator.
- Medjool dates - Substitute with a larger quantity of Deglet Noor dates, or use maple syrup instead as desired.
- Nondairy milk - use almond, soy, oat, coconut, cashew, or hemp milk
- Do not reduce the quantities listed in the ingredients. The recipe requires a certain volume to blend well.
- Storage: Refrigerate before serving for the best-tasting Chia Cocoa Pudding. Store any remaining chia pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Ravneet says
Love it!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you!
Liza says
Made this and im surprised how simple and delicious it is! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this chia pudding. So happy to hear!
Ravneet says
Can I add protein powder to this recipe?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Yes! Adjust the amount of milk as needed.