Strawberry Chia Pudding

Strawberries are now in season and I can't stop myself. Lightly sweet, juicy, and extra tasty... how can you even resist them? Having a handful of fresh strawberries straight in the morning can make your day instantly better.

There are so many ways to enjoy fresh strawberries for breakfast. From Strawberry Banana Smoothie to Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies, and super healthy chia pudding.

The benefits of chia seeds are countless and the most popular way to enjoy them is by making chia pudding. Chia pudding ticks all my boxes. It packs everything - looks, flavor, and nutrients. Plus, it's the easiest breakfast ever.

This Strawberry Chia Pudding is my latest creation. Bright red and bursting with flavor. The perfect way to super-charge your day. Plus, this healthy breakfast definitely has the power to brighten your day. 

Why do you need to try this?

• It's incredibly creamy and extra delicious.
• It's packed with fibers, proteins, and superfoods.
• It's very filling - it will keep you full for hours.
• It's made with simple ingredients without unhealthy processed sugars.
• It's easy, made in 15 minutes.
• It's a great breakfast option or light afternoon dessert!

Ingredients used

This strawberry chia pudding recipe is very simple. You will only need a few simple ingredients.

Chia seeds. Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet and they are stapled in my pantry. They are packed with nutrients - fibers, proteins, and healthy Omega-3s. (Source)

Milk of choice. I used oat milk. But you can use any dairy or non-dairy milk. Note: coconut milk won't work well here. It will interfere with other flavors. 

Strawberries. Fresh, sweet, and delicious, they are the real star. Also, strawberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants. They help keep our hearts healthy and reduce inflammation. Not to mention they are low-calorie fruit great for weight-loss. (Source)

Peanut Butter. I used creamy peanut butter. It gave a creamy texture but also it pairs so nicely with strawberries. Plus, peanut butter added more nutrients, making this chia pudding more nutritious.

Sweetener. I used pure maple syrup. You can use other sweeteners. Please check the "Sweetener recommendation" section below.

Vanilla extract. Just a splash is enough to make this beauty taste even more delicious.

Ceylon cinnamon. Paired nicely with fresh strawberries and gave an unbelievable scent.

Maca powder. It's a superfood with many health benefits. It has a deep earthy, root-like, flavor that goes so well with strawberry freshness. Also, maca is a known energy and mood booster. A great addition to your morning meals or drinks.

How to make Strawberry Chia Pudding

This chia pudding recipe is easy to make. You will need basic kitchen tools and 15 minutes of your time.

Equipment used

• Measuring cups.
• Mixing bowl.
• Fork and whisk.

Step by step instructions

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
  • Start with measuring all the ingredients. I use measuring cups.
  • Wash and pat the strawberries dry with a clean towel. Remove stems.
  • Place strawberries in a bowl and mash them with the fork.
• Step 2: Mix chia seeds.
  • Place chia seeds in another bowl.
  • Add in milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract. Mix chia seeds using a whisk or a spoon.
  • Next, add peanut butter, cinnamon, and maca powder (if used). Mix chia seeds until smooth and not clumped.
  • Leave chia seeds to rest for 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. 
• Step 3: Serve.
  • The final step is to mix in mashed strawberries.
  • 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.
  • Add toppings (optional): I used fresh strawberries and bee pollen. Be creative and add toppings you like.
  • Serve and enjoy!

This makes 2 bowls (servings) that serve 2 people as a full meal.

Substitutions

• You can substitute oat milk with dairy or any other non-dairy milk - organic soy milk, cashew milk, hemp seed milk, or almond milk. Note: coconut milk won't work well here because of the flavor.
• You can substitute maple syrup and use honey. Make sure honey is in liquid form. See "Sweetener recommendation" below for more options.
• You can substitute peanut butter with any nut butter.
• You can omit maca powder if you don't have it at hand. It's an optional addon.

Recipe variations

This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

Make it keto. Use unsweetened almond milk and low-carb sweetener. Add in 1 teaspoon of MCD oil.

Make it weight-loss friendly. Omit peanut butter and use low-carb sweetener to cut down calories.

Make it with protein powder. Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to a chia mixture. This will transform chia pudding into a great protein-packed meal. Note: you may need to add more milk as protein powder absorbs liquids. Also, no need to add sweetener or extra vanilla extract.

Tips for storing

Keep leftovers chia pudding sealed in a bowl or jar for up to 2 days in the fridge.

This recipe is suitable for meal-prepping. Make chia pudding and put it into a jar with a lid. Save in the fridge. In the morning, just add toppings and enjoy!

Recipe tips

Fresh strawberries are the best for this recipe, but you can use frozen ones too. Make sure you thaw strawberries so you can mash them. Also, drain excess water after you mash them.

If you let the chia pudding sit overnight, it will become very thick so you may need to add a bit more liquid. Lightly stir after adding the liquid, don't overmix.

What is the best chia pudding ratio?

The chia pudding ratio I used here is ⅓ cup of chia seeds per cup of liquid. This ratio gives a denser texture. Alternatively, you can use ¼ cup of chia seeds per cup of liquid. This ratio gives a lighter texture.

Sweetener recommendation

I used pure maple syrup in this recipe. Maple syrup is unprocessed sugar, it gives mild sweetness and has fewer sugary calories. You can use other sweeteners.

• You can use date syrup or liquid honey.
• Use liquid stevia or any liquid low-carb sweetener for the keto / low-carb option.
• Coconut sugar or any other cristal sugar won't work well here. It will not dissolve well in the chia mixture.

This healthy strawberry chia seed pudding is the perfect breakfast that is tasty enough to be a dessert too.

Lightly sweet, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, and heavenly creamy, this chia seed pudding is a really special treat. Satisfying, nutritious, and very filling, it will keep you full and very happy for hours.

Try these chia recipes too:

• Peach Ginger Chia Seed Pudding
• Pineapple Coconut Chia Pudding
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding
• Blueberry Chia Pudding
• 30 Chia Seeds Recipes
• Blackberry Chia Seed Jam
• Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

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