Easy Coconut Milk Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

What is Chia Seed Pudding?

So, you are on your way to eating healthier but you have no idea what chia pudding is. Maybe you are looking at this easy dessert a bit suspiciously and wondering what chia seed pudding tastes like. Well, basically, chia seed pudding is just chia seeds that have been left to soak in liquid, flavored, sweetened, and enjoyed!

Traditional pudding recipes are basically thickened dairy milk while chia puddings get their 'thick' consistency from the chia seed itself. Even better is that homemade chia puddings require ZERO effort on your part because they just soak in the refrigerator!

Why do chia seeds get gooey when they sit in liquid? When you combine chia seeds with liquid, they become very gelatinous in their texture. This is because chia seeds have loads of mucilage in them, which is a type of soluble fiber. As it absorbs liquid, it achieves this gelatinous state. Kind of strange but also very tasty!

Why Is Chia Seed Pudding Good For You?

What's so healthy about this easy coconut milk chia seed pudding recipe? There are a TON of health benefits of chia seeds so eating more of them is always a good thing. Chia seeds are loaded with soluble fiber. As a result, you may see better blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, and improved gut health. In addition, their omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation.

All around, chia seeds are healthy. And eating them as this easy coconut milk chia seed pudding recipe makes it a delicious way to stay healthy! Looking for more chia recipes? Try my avocado smoothie recipe with chia and blueberries!

Or, if you want more coconut milk dessert recipes, try my  coconut milk popsicles. 

What Does Chia Seed Pudding Taste Like?

If you haven't had this chia pudding before, you might be wondering what chia pudding really tastes like. Basically, the texture is like a thick, creamy tapioca pudding. Chia seeds have no real flavor so the pudding itself will taste like whatever liquid and mix-ins you're using.

Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the liquid sweetener in this coconut milk chia seed pudding recipe. Vary the flavor profile by using chocolate almond milk or fresh berries instead of pineapple and coconut. There are endless chia seed pudding variations that you can try.

How Long Can You Keep Chia Seed Pudding In The Fridge?

The great thing about this homemade chia pudding is that you just leave it in the fridge til you want to eat it. As long as you use it within about 5 days you are fine. I found that thick chia pudding took a few days to set up.

After 12 hours, it was still a bit thin. However, your personal tastes may vary so play around with it. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container or the chia seeds on top may dry out.

For a thick chia pudding, use ¾ cup chia seeds for this recipe. If it gets TOO thick, thin it out by adding a touch more coconut milk. Many recipes say to only let it sit for a few hours, however, I really found that it needed at least 24 hours to get to the thickness I liked.

Can You Eat Too Much Chia Pudding?

Okay, we are going to have a little TMI conversation here. Chia seeds have a LOT of fiber. And, as a result, they move your digestive tract along rather quickly. Will chia seeds make you poop? Yes. Yes, they will. So, if you are not used to a high-fiber diet, go easy on the chia seed recipes and add them in slowly to your diet.

A common 'dosage' recommendation is about 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds, twice per day. So, you probably don't want to start with more than a ¼ to ⅓ cup of chia pudding at first. Once your body adjusts to the high fiber, you can increase your intake of this simple chia pudding!

Easy Coconut Milk Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

Make this easy coconut milk chia seed pudding recipe for an easy gluten-free, dairy-free dessert. Chia pudding is a healthy dessert recipe you will love.