Chocolate Chia Oat Pudding

Dessert for breakfast, anyone? This chocolate chia oat pudding is creamy, dreamy, and smooth. It's healthy and nourishing, with an easy vegan option, making it perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Chia pudding is nothing new; there are tons of recipes out there. But this one is different because it's blended into a smooth, creamy, ultra chocolatey pudding. It has a silky texture reminiscent of a decadent dessert.

And when you have this for breakfast, you may feel a sense of guilt because it tastes so much like dessert. But no worries- this pudding is super healthy and nourishing. It can be made entirely plant-based and is full of vitamins and minerals, such as iron (you need to get plenty if you are on a plant-based diet). It's also full of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.

So you can feel good inside and out when you enjoy this wonderful chia oat pudding. And if you are into pudding for breakfast as much as me, check out my recipe for Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding. It's full of protein as well and low-calorie.

So back to chocolate chia oat pudding- what do you need?

Chocolate Chia Oat Pudding Ingredients:

For chocolate chia oat pudding, you will need:

•  Milk – I use unsweetened almond milk, but any milk will work. Use your favorite plant-based milk, such as soy or oat milk, to keep the pudding vegan.
• Old-Fashioned Oats- Also called rolled oats, these absorb water better than steel-cut oats.
• Chia Seeds- Chia seeds are so nutritious, and they help to thicken this pudding up. You will need a high-speed blender to get a good consistency.
• Cocoa Powder- Any unsweetened cocoa powder will work.
• Yogurt – Use plain, unsweetened yogurt or your favorite dairy-free yogurt for a vegan option. Greek yogurt is a great choice if you want to add a little more protein.
• Maple Syrup- Feel free to substitute your favorite sweetener in place of the maple syrup. 
• Stevia-I use Sweetleaf Stevia powder from the shaker jar. If you choose to omit the stevia, you may want to add a bit more maple syrup. 
• Salt- Just a little salt helps to bring out the chocolatey flavor.
• Protein Powder (optional) – Add 2 tablespoons of your favorite chocolate or vanilla protein powder for an easy protein boost. Use a plant-based protein powder to keep the pudding vegan. You may need a splash more milk depending on the protein powder you use.

How to make chocolate chia oat pudding:

Once you have your ingredients, you only need about 10 minutes to put this pudding together, and then it just chills in the fridge. Simply follow these instructions:

• Add Ingredients to a high speed blender. Add the milk, oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, yogurt, maple syrup, stevia, salt, and optional protein powder to a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix.
• Blend. Blend for 1 minute and stop to scrape down the sides. Continue blending for 2-3 minutes or until pudding is super smooth and creamy.
• Refrigerate. Pour into a dish or serving containers and cover. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight if you wish.
• Enjoy. Enjoy your pudding with your favorite toppings, such as berries, granola, pumpkin seeds, and peanut butter. Have fun with it!

Storage

Chocolate chia oat pudding will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, making it a great meal prep breakfast. I like to divide the pudding into three small mason jars and enjoy the pudding over the next three days for breakfast. This recipe doubles easily if you decide you want to share. 😉

Want more healthy recipes?

Check these out:

Healthy Peach Muffins with Oat Flour

Double Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

Healthy Lemon Cake

Vegan Banana Bread Cookies with Maple Glaze

As always, please let me know how you like the Chocolate Chia Oat Pudding in the comments. Your feedback means a lot to me, and your star ratings encourage other readers to give this recipe a try.

Happy Eating!

Crystal

📖 Recipe