Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

This Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is a healthy dessert that is rich and chocolatey and so delicious!  Almond milk and maple syrup keep it paleo friendly and vegan.  With only 5 ingredients, it's an easy no bake chocolate dessert that everyone loves! 

Healthy Desserts

I admit it.  I have a huge sweet tooth.  That can be a problem when it comes to healthy eating.  I am constantly on the search for healthy desserts.  Usually I top some yogurt with fruit, Yogurt with Blueberry Compote, but I was wanting something different. 

The struggle was real.  Then I discovered chia seeds.  

Chia seeds are little powerhouses of nutrition - with lots of fiber and antioxidants.  I could write a whole blog post on chia seeds alone, but someone has already done that for me - Health Benefits of Chia Seeds. 

What I love about chia seeds, besides how good they are for me, is that they have this magical ability to turn liquid ingredients into thick puddings.  You can get a creamy pudding without cream and eggs.  

How to Make Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Step 1 - gather your ingredients:  cocoa powder or raw cacao powder, chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract (I used my homemade vanilla extract.)

Difference between Raw Cacao Powder and Cocoa Powder - Raw Cacao Powder is made by cold pressing the cocoa beans, this keeps the living enzymes and removes the cocoa fat.  Cocoa powder has been processed under high heat.  Raw Cacao Powder retains more of the healthy benefits of the cocoa bean, though it is more expensive.  

In this recipe I used Raw Cacao Powder rich results in a strong chocolate flavor.  

Difference between black chia seeds and white chia seeds - there is no nutritional difference between white and black chia seeds!  They are separated only for aesthetic reasons.  I use black chia seeds for darker foods and white chia seeds for lighter foods.    For this recipe, you could use black or white. 

Step 2 - In a bowl, whisk together the cacao powder and almond milk.  Then add the maple syrup, vanilla extract and chia seeds.  Put a lid on the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though I usually do overnight.  You can stir it occasionally. 

Step 3 - Remove from fridge.  If it's too thick add a little more liquid, if it's not thick enough stir in a little more chia seeds. 

Step 4 - Optional - toast some sliced almonds and dice strawberries to top the pudding. 

Ways to Serve Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

You can serve the delicious chocolatey chia seed pudding simply scooped into bowls.   It's so rich with chocolate flavor that you really don't have to do anything else, but we like to vary it up a bit. 

This time we topped it with some toasted sliced almonds and a few diced strawberries.   You could also use walnuts, sunflower seeds or whatever nuts you like.  

An easy chia seed parfait can be made by layering the chia pudding with plain or vanilla yogurt or even a raspberry compote!    It's one of our favorite easy desserts.  

Looking for More Chocolate Desserts

Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Brownie Tarts

Easy Chocolate Coffee Dessert Shots

Chocolate Panna Cotta

Chocolate Coconut Sorbet

If you love chocolate as much as I do, you definitely need to follow my Chocolate Recipes Pinterest Board! 

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4.94 from 33 votes

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

This chocolate chia seed pudding is so easy to make - only one bowl needed and it's a healthy no bake dessert that everyone loves! 

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Chilling 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 190kcal

Ingredients

• ¼ cup cacao powder or cocoa powder
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups almond milk unsweetened
• ½ cup chia seeds

Instructions

• Whisk together the cacao powder with the almond milk in a medium bowl. 
• Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract and chia seeds to the bowl and whisk to combine. 
• Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.   Stir occasionally. 
• Remove from fridge and stir.  If it's too thick add a little more almond milk, if it's too thin, add a sprinkle of chia seeds. 

Notes

Difference between Raw Cacao Powder and Cocoa Powder - Raw Cacao Powder is made by cold pressing the cocoa beans, this keeps the living enzymes and removes the cocoa fat.  Cocoa powder has been processed under high heat.  Raw Cacao Powder retains more of the healthy benefits of the cocoa bean, though it is more expensive.  

Difference between black chia seeds and white chia seeds - there is no nutritional difference between white and black chia seeds!  They are separated only for aesthetic reasons.  I use black chia seeds for darker foods and white chia seeds for lighter foods.    For this recipe, you could use black or white. 

This is a great recipe to use Homemade Vanilla Extract!

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 313mg | Iron: 2.4mg