Cacao Chia Pudding

Cacao chia pudding is a sweet, chocolatey dessert, breakfast, or even a snack. It’s vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Who doesn’t love chocolate pudding? Especially chocolate pudding paired with fresh berries and crunchy, shredded coconut?

This recipe for cacao chia pudding will surely satisfy your sweet tooth and curb those chocolate cravings.

You’ll barely notice the difference between this dessert and a standard, sugar-filled alternative option off the shelf.  In fact, you may even think it tastes better.

All of the ingredients are whole, healthy foods that are good for you. They are also incredibly nutritious and great additions to a well-balanced diet.

This cacao chia pudding is high in protein and low in added sugars. There are no artificial or confusing ingredients here.

Eating whole foods is always more delicious than artificial ingredients, anyway. It’s the best way to eat!

When Can You Have Chia Pudding?

Chia pudding can be eaten in several different ways. There is no specific meal that this recipe is suitable for.

If you’re feeling like something sweet for breakfast, go ahead and enjoy this delicious treat. Alternatively, if you are looking for a healthy dessert option, this recipe is also great for that.

There are no limits to this recipe. And this is a good reason you should try the recipe right away and keep it close by.

You will want to come back and make it again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this awesome dessert.

Chia Pudding:

Cacao powder – Cacao powder is a healthy way to add chocolate/cocoa flavor. It’s a much healthier alternative to cocoa powder. It’s more beneficial because it doesn’t have added ingredients (like sugar) and is high in fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

Maple syrup – Maple syrup is a natural ingredient and healthier way to add sugar to the recipe. Pure maple syrup is how the pudding is naturally sweetened. It also provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals organically.

Vanilla extract – Using pure vanilla extract is the key here. It will provide an excellent flavor that cannot be duplicated with another ingredient (like the artificial counterpart).

In the event you don’t have any, it can be omitted. Or you could also substitute with a small amount of vanilla bean paste or another type of extract (like almond).

Coconut milk – Coconut milk is another excellent dairy substitute. It provides a picture-perfect amount of creaminess for the pudding. Also, coconut milk has many healthy fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which actually aid in weight loss.

Chia seeds – Chia seeds are high in protein, fiber, and omega-3s.  These seeds are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and even keto-friendly. They are the main ingredient for any chia pudding!

Chocolate chips – Chocolate chips make everything better! While keeping this recipe healthy, try to find sugar-free or organic chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips, like these, will be a great option.

Toppings (optional):

Raspberries – Raspberries are a great way to add a fresh, fruity element to the recipe. If you can’t find fresh raspberries, you could use frozen or even a spoonful of sugar-free jam or preserves.

Shredded coconut – Shredded coconut is another great way to add sweetness without adding sugar or unfamiliar additives. It’s best to find shredded organic coconut so that you can stick to a healthy diet.

If you can’t find any, you can omit it from the recipe or top with another topping like sugar-free granola or more chia seeds. Keep in mind that these swaps will alter the nutritional information.

How to Make Cacao Chia Pudding

The very first step to making the cacao chia pudding is to gather all of the ingredients. This will help the recipe move along very smoothly.

Then, you will mix together the ingredients (except the topping ingredients) into a bowl. So you will combine the chia seeds, coconut milk, cacao powder, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips.

The next step will be to stir everything together. It’s essential to make sure everything is evenly combined.

When everything is combined, the chia seeds are evenly distributed, making a much better pudding.

Next, wrap the bowl with plastic wrap. Now you can place the covered bowl in the fridge for at least two hours.

During these two hours, the pudding will “set up” and create that thicky, creamy texture that makes a delicious dessert.

Remove the bowl from the refrigerator once the two hours have passed. Then, you’ll carefully spoon each serving into two separate cups.

Now you may garnish the cups with fresh berries and shredded coconut. It’s finally time to grab a spoon and enjoy your tasty treat.

Can I Grind Chia Seeds for Pudding?

You can grind the chia seeds if you would like, but there is no need to.

You might grind the chia seeds if you do not like the texture they give the pudding. Remember, the seeds do not disappear once the pudding is made.

Instead, they will become slightly chewy and provide a somewhat different texture than you might be used to. This doesn’t discount how delicious the pudding is, though.

Try the pudding without grinding them first. This will save you an extra step.

You can then simply grind them up next time instead if you find yourself not liking their specific texture.

Is It OK to Eat Chia Seeds Every Day?

Yes, it’s OK to eat chia seeds every day. They add a great amount of fiber and protein to your diet.

Keep in mind that when you eat foods that are high in fiber, it may cause digestive issues. You can decrease your serving sizes if this happens to you.

Gradually, you can increase the amounts if you feel up for it. It’s important to remember that chia seeds are a great addition to other meals throughout your day, too (like smoothies!).

Other Chia Pudding Recipes You Might Like

• Mango Chia Pudding
• 600 Calorie Meals
• Coconut Chia Pudding
• Banana Chia Pudding
• 20 High-Calorie Meals
• Blueberry Chia Pudding
• Strawberry Chia Pudding
• 10 Oatmeal Toppings

You can also check more tutorials on how to make chia pudding here: