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Made with chocolate oat milk, brown sugar, chia seeds, and cocoa powder, this chocolate chia seed pudding offers a great dairy free, gluten free, and vegan dessert option. Requiring just seven ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, it’s the best chocolate chia seed pudding, and one of my go-to recipes for a healthy-ish treat.

Why Make This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding?

This easy chocolate chia seed pudding recipe ticks all the boxes: it’s dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making it suitable for anyone with dietary restrictions, or simply looking for a wholesome chocolate dessert.

In this recipe, I’ve combined nutrient-dense chia seeds with cocoa powder, dark brown sugar, and creamy chocolate oat milk, plus pieces of chopped dark chocolate and a hint of vanilla extract. The result? A rich, sweet, tapioca-like chocolate pudding.

This chocolate chia pudding is as easy to make as it is satisfying. In just a few simple steps (basically just combine, whisk, and refrigerate!) you can create a dish which works just as well for breakfast or snack time as it does for dessert. Just be sure to plan accordingly—although it only takes a few minutes to prepare, the pudding must rest in the fridge for 10-12 hours prior to serving.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients

This chocoalte chia seed pudding recipe requires just seven ingredients, plus optional garnishes (see my suggestions below). Start by gathering the following:

Chocolate Oat Milk – I prefer chocolate oat milk (the Oatly brand is my go-to) for an extra dose of chocolate goodness, but plain oat milk works, too. You can also use chocolate almond milk, or any other plant milk you’d like.
Chia Seeds – As the chia seeds absorb the oat milk, they transform from crunchy to chewy, creating a thick, pudding-like texture. There really is no substitute for the chia seeds in this recipe, but any brand will work.
Cocoa Powder – For a rich chocolate flavor. Opt for regular (not Dutch process), unsweetened cocoa powder.
Dark Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds the right amount of sweetness, plus notes of caramel and toffee. You can substitute light brown sugar, muscovado, or coconut sugar.
Vanilla Extract – Or vanilla bean paste. For an extra flavor element, try swapping vanilla for a coffee extract, like Trablit.
Fine Sea Salt – Just a pinch! Kosher salt or table salt are also fine.
Dark Chocolate – You’ll need finely chopped pieces, or miniature chocolate chips (the regular kind are a little too big). Be sure to choose a dairy-free dark chocolate if making this pudding for vegan or dairy-free friends.

What Are the Benefits of Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are tiny edible (and nutrient-dense) seeds which come from the Salvia hispanica plant. These little seeds pack a healthy punch, including omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and antioxidants, plus vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Chia seeds also offer digestive health benefits, thanks to their high fiber content.

In addition to pudding recipes like this one, you’ll find chia seeds in everything from smoothies, porridges, and overnight oats to cookies, bread, and energy bites. Thanks to their versatility and health benefits, these tiny black seeds make an affordable and convenient addition to a healthy diet.

Garnishing Chocolate Chia Pudding

I love coming up with creative garnish ideas for my custard and pudding recipes. Some of my favorite ways to dress up this chocolate chia seed pudding include:

Fresh herbs (mint, basil) and edible flowers
Chopped nuts (peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds)
Sliced fruit (kiwi, bananas, peaches) or whole berries
Chocolate (chips, chunks, curls, shavings)
Whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream, for a dairy-free and vegan option)

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Although it only takes a few minutes to whisk together the ingredients for this chocolate chia pudding, you do need to allow plenty of time for the pudding to chill in the fridge. As it rests, the chia seeds absorb moisture, transforming them from crunchy little seeds to soft, chewy, and tapioca-like. At the same time, the mixture shifts from liquid to, well, pudding.

For best results, I suggest making your chia pudding and refrigerating it overnight. At minimum, you need to wait at least10-12 hours before digging in.

Other vegan pudding recipes you might enjoy:

Butternut Squash Pudding
Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

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Author: becky
Total Time: 10+ hours
Yield: 4 80-gram portions, or 2 larger portions 1x

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Description

Made with chocolate oat milk, brown sugar, chia seeds, and cocoa powder, this chocolate chia seed pudding makes a great dairy free, gluten free, and vegan dessert option.