This Lemon Poppy Seed Chia Pudding is the perfect healthy breakfast. It's nutritious, creamy, and delicious, packed with incredible zesty flavor, sweet raisins, and poppy seeds. It's satisfying, easy to make in just 15 minutes, and has no refined sugars. Quite a treat!
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Last week I was on a real chia spree. I found a pack of unopened chia seeds in my kitchen cabinet, and the first thing that I made was, you can probably guess... a Strawberry Chia Pudding. I haven't had chia pudding in a while. It was a really nice change in my morning routine. I got quite bored with oats and pancakes for breakfast.
The next day my chia pudding frenzy continued because strawberries are now in season and beautiful. So I made it again. And then I got inspired by these Lemon Poppy Seeds Pancakes and decided to make this bright lemony beauty.
This Lemon Poppy Seed Chia Pudding is totally amazing. Creamy, sweet, and full of wonderful citrus flavors. Flacked with rising and discreetly scented with vanilla, packed with freshness and wonderful poppy seed flavor. It is delicious!
It's also quite nutritious, very filling, it makes the perfect healthy breakfast or afternoon guilt-free treat. It's also super easy to make, and totally guilt-free, made without added refined sugars.
Ingredients used
To make this lemon chia pudding, you will only need only a few pantry ingredients.
- Chia seeds. They are tiny, but they are powerful, loaded with fibers good for our digestion, and healthy Omega-3s for heart health. (1) Omega-3's also boost our brain and reduce inflammation. Chia seeds are also high in proteins. The unique combination of fats, proteins, and fibers makes them a great breakfast option. The benefits of chia seeds are really numerous, and chia pudding is one of the most popular ways to eat chia seeds.
- Milk. Non-dairy milk such as almond, oat, cashew, or soy milk is the best choice for making this lemon chia pudding. Cow's milk will work ok too. Coconut milk not so much.
- Sweetener. To sweeten this chia pudding, I used pure maple syrup. Maple syrup is an unrefined sweetener. It gave a subtle sweetness yet he didn't overload this chia pudding with many sugary calories.
- Lemon. Lemon is now in season and so beautiful. You will need lemon juice as well as some lemon zest, so make sure you use organic lemon here. The zest gives the majority of the citrus flavor, so don’t skip it!
- Poppy Seeds. Tiny but mighty, poppy seeds pack a powerful punch. Like most seeds, poppy seeds are rich in fiber, healthy omega fats, and antioxidants polyphenols that reduce inflammation. (2)
- Raisins. I also tossed in some dried raisins. They go so well with lemon and poppy seed flavor.
- Vanilla extract. I added a splash of vanilla too, just to make this beauty taste even more delicious.
How to make Lemon Poppy Seeds Chia Pudding
Assembling this Lemon Poppy Seeds Chia Pudding is quite easy. You will need only basic kitchen tools, some bowl, and a lemon grater. It's also done in a jiffy. That's why this is a great breakfast option.
- Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients using measuring cups. Grate the lemon zest using the grater.
- Place chia seeds in a bowl. (Picture 1) Add in milk. (Picture 2)
- Mix chia seeds using the whisk or the spoon. (Picture 3)
- Leave chia pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes. Seeds will start to absorb the liquid and expand forming the chia pudding. Mix the chia seeds halfway through. That way, chia seeds will absorb liquid equally, and there will be no lumps. Remember to stir! (Picture 4)
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, the zest of a lemon, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, poppy seeds, and raisins. (Picture 5)
- Mix everything until it's all nicely combined. If chia pudding is too dense, add in more liquid (milk). Also, this is a good time to try the chia pudding and add more sweetener if desired. (Picture 6)
- Transfer chia pudding into another bowl or glass jar, if you like. Top it with fresh strawberries or other fresh fruits, like blueberries, raspberries or blackberries.
- Additional toppings: bee pollen, hemp seeds, chopped almonds. Be creative here and choose the toppings you like.
- Makes 1 bowl that serves: 1 person (full meal size) or 2 people (dessert/snack meal size).
Substitutions
- You can substitute oat milk with any milk - organic soy milk, cashew milk, or almond milk. Cow’s milk works well too. Coconut milk won’t work well here.
- You can substitute maple syrup and use honey. Make sure honey is in runny form. Date syrup, stevia, or any low-carb sweetener are great options too.
- You can substitute lemon juice with lemon extract.
- You can substitute fresh lemon zest with dried lemon zest.
- You can substitute raisins with other dried fruits, but I don't recommend it, flavor wise. Raisins pair perfectly with poppy seed and lemon. Other dried fruits, not so much.
Tips for storing
- Keep leftovers sealed for up to 2 days in the fridge.
- PREP THE NIGHT BEFORE: Prep the chia pudding and put it into a jar with a lid. In the morning, just add toppings and enjoy!
Useful tips
- The chia pudding ratio I used here is ¼ cup chia seeds per ⅔ cup of liquid (milk). This makes very dense, very firm chia pudding, but after adding lemon juice chia pudding will dissolve. Add more liquid after adding the lemon juice and make chia pudding creamy as you like.
- If you let the chia pudding sit overnight, it will become super dense so you may need to add a bit more liquid. Lightly stir after adding the liquid, don't overmix.
- Make sure you use organic, unwaxed lemon.
Faq
Chia pudding it's SUPER healthy. It's high in protein, full of omega-3s, packed with fiber and helps keep you full and satisfied all day long. It's also meal-prep friendly which is great.
If it's too runny, you probably added to much liquid. To fix this, just whisk in more chia seeds and let it sit again until thickened. On the other hand, if chia pudding is too thick, thin it with a touch of milk.
The best chia pudding ratio is ¼ cup of chia seeds per 1 cup of liquid. That makes softer, creamy pudding.
Chia pudding will start to absorb the liquid as soon as you mix them. In about 10 minutes chia pudding will already form and you can consume it. But for best result is best to leave chia seeds in liquid for 15-20 minutes.
To make your chia pudding, combine the chia seeds and the liquid in a container, or a mason jar. Mix well or give your jar a vigorous shake to distribute the chia seeds evenly. Leave for 10-15 minutes, and then give it another shake or stir to loosen up any clumps of seeds. Then return it to the refrigerator and leave overnight.
This citrusy chia pudding got me completely hooked. It tastes just like sunshine in a bowl. Just like Summer! You can enjoy this easy chia pudding for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack. It’s a creamy, filling, and healthy, no matter how you serve it. Best chia pudding recipe!
More chia pudding recipes to try
- Blueberry Chia Pudding
- Blueberry Coconut Chia Pudding
- Pineapple Coconut Chia Pudding
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
📖 Recipe
Lemon Poppy Seed Chia Pudding
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ⅔ cup oat milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place chia seeds in a bowl. Add in milk and mix using the whisk or the spoon.
- Leave chia pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes. Mix the chia seeds halfway through to allow chia seeds to absorb the liquid and make sure lumps do not form.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, the zest of a lemon, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, poppy seeds, and raisins.
- Mix everything until combined. If chia pudding is too dense, add in more liquid (milk). Taste the chia pudding and add more sweetener if desired.
- Transfer chia pudding into another bowl or glass jar, if you like.
- Top it with fresh strawberries or other fresh fruits - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries.
- Additional toppings: bee pollen, hemp seeds, chopped almonds. Be creative here and choose the toppings you like.
Notes
- You can substitute oat milk with any milk - organic soy milk, cashew milk, or almond milk. Cow’s milk works well too. Coconut milk won’t work well here.
- You can substitute maple syrup and use honey. Make sure honey is in runny form. Date syrup, stevia, or any low-carb sweetener are great options too.
- You can substitute lemon juice with lemon extract.
- You can substitute fresh lemon zest with dried lemon zest.
I really enjoyed this. I was unsure about the raisins but they really were the star since I used less sugar.
What a perfect breakfast this was. I topped mine with strawberries and it was so delicious!
Chia puddings are great for quick breakfasts in the morning and lemon poppyseed sounds really tasty! Love the idea!!
I love chia pudding! The lemon flavor is so perfect for the summer. Nice and light!
I bet the raisins give the chia pudding a lovely natural sweetness. They look delicious!
Chia pudding is my favourite breakfast and the lemon and poppy seed flavour combo is gorgeous! Love the strawberries on top too as an extra treat.
I made chia seed pudding before and I really enjoyed it! I was planning on making it again and I am going to try this recipe for it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Such a classic combination of lemon and poppy seed. I just loved this pudding. It was my first time using oat milk too ~ delicious!
I love chai so I am really looking forward to trying this recipe. I also love the fact that it includes lemon and poppy seeds, sounds so delicious!
Such an easy and delicious chia pudding. I love the combination of lemon, chia, and poppy seed. I will definitely be going to try this.
I love this idea for a healthy breakfast. This is the perfect way to mix up my morning routine without adding stress or time! So perfect!
What a delicious flavour combination for chia pudding! I have to try this soon and get out of my vanilla rut! Thanks for sharing!
Love the lemon poppy seed combination. Thanks for the great chia tips. It came out great.
I love the brightness of the lemon in this pudding. I think I'll add some blueberries next time. I love lemon and blueberries together.
I appreciated all of your useful tips as this was my first time using chia seeds. This was such a great way to start the day and loved the flavor the raisins added to it. Delicious!
The Lemon + Poppy Seed combo is always a favorite here in my house! Love this healthy chia pudding recipe - thanks!
Can’t wait to try this, I know it’s going to be a hit!
This quickly became a favorite day breakfast at my house! Perfect way to start my day!
I just love the ingredients in this recipe! So healthy and I bet the results is crazy delicious.
I definitely need to try more treats with poppyseed! They're so good with lemon. Can't wait to try this!
I love that you added raisins! I'm sure they get nice and plump and juicy!!
This is seriously ahh-mazing! Everyone at my house loved it!
This looks so creamy! Yum!!
One of my favourite things to make for breakfast is chia pudding so I am all over this!! Bookmarked to make this weekend, thanks so much for the recipe!!!
This was so satisfying and refreshing, a great way to start off my day!
What a delicious treat to serve at breakfast. I love the poppy seed combination with chia. So great.
I love the great flavours in this healthy chia pudding!
This was absolutely delicious, and so refreshing! Will definitely be making again for breakfast.
You caught my attention. I love lemon cakes, bakes and desserts
I had some chia seeds sitting in my pantry so I just made some of this. I used almond milk for mine and it is great! Love the lemon taste - thanks for this great recipe!
My favorite type of dessert when I crave something yum and healthy. That chia is amazing!
There are so many things I like about this recipe. No refined sugar, nutritious breakfast, and only 15 minutes to make! Sounds like an absolutely delicious way to start the day.
Thank you so much for sharing this lemon poppy seed chia pudding! It's tasty and very easy to make~ Will do it again!
This looks so yummy. Love to enjoy a wholesome and unique breakfast. Combinations healthy.
This is such a great healthy summer treat! Loved the lemon flavor!
This is truly such a beautiful, well written recipe! Bravo!
This looks like a perfect summer time breakfast!
This chia seed pudding was so good! Lemon and poppyseed are the best together!
The lemon flavor is really lovely in this chia pudding. Making this again today! thank you.
I had not tried oat milk chia seed pudding before and I love this lemon flavor. So good!
Lemon is our favorite I am sure this healthy version will be a new addition!
These puddings look so delicious and so yummy! My daughter and hubby are going to love this recipe and be all over it. Can't wait to make this soon!
That lemon zest with the little bit of sweetness from the maple syrup is a perfect combo! Oh, I just ove your chia pudding recipes!
What a delicious poppy seed + chia pudding recipe, with a burst of lemony flavor.