Pudding… made from seeds? Can that even be any good? I know, those were my thoughts too when I first heard of chia pudding. And, much to my surprise, if you make the pudding the right way and have the right expectations, chia pudding can be a delicious and healthy snack, breakfast, or even dessert! This dairy-free strawberry banana chia pudding is just one flavor that you can make with a simple chia pudding recipe. Chia pudding can be made into a variety of fruity flavors, spice flavors, or even sweet flavors, but more on that later. For now, all you need to know is that I think you should give this chia pudding a try!

a jar of chia pudding mixed with homemade gluten-free granola

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Modern Pioneer Recipe

Dairy-free chia pudding is a modern pioneer recipe (I don’t think that it made into the chuckwagon cookbook). Even though it doesn’t have heritage roots, chia pudding certainly qualifies as a modern pioneer recipe since it uses simple, wholesome ingredients and it is very allergy-friendly. Plus, it’s super easy to make! No baking or cooking required.

Dairy-free pudding contains a very nutritious ingredient: chia seeds. Chia seeds are a nutrient powerhouse that promote overall good health. Here are just a few benefits that chia seeds provide:

Chia seeds are an extremely rich source of anti-oxidants.
Chia seeds are rich in fiber which promotes a healthy gut (11 g per oz.).
These seeds are naturally anti-inflammatory.
They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium and manganese which help build and maintain healthy bones.
Chia seeds are a good plant-based source of protein.

I think that chia seeds are a very interesting seed. They are tiny, have a beautiful black mottled color, and they expand in size when saturated. Their expanding nature is what makes this pudding recipe work! At first I thought the chia seeds might give the pudding a crunchy texture. Instead, the chia seeds became soft. When combined with a variety of other chia pudding toppings, you can hardly tell there are chia seeds in the pudding!

Plus, chia pudding is super allergy-friendly! Chia pudding is….

gluten-free
dairy-free
grain-free
corn free
processed sugar free
tree nut free
egg free
low inflammation

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three jars of chia pudding, one topped with granola, one topped with peanut butter and peanut butter cups, and the other topped with strawberries and banana

Chia Pudding Flavor Ideas

Since this chia pudding recipe uses such simple ingredients, it only makes sense that any toppings or flavors you add should be healthy too! However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a sweet and delicious pudding. Traditional pudding recipes typically contain lots of dairy, processed sugars, sometimes cornstarch, and even eggs. This chia pudding recipe is free of all those!

But don’t worry, despite being healthy, this pudding is anything but boring! It still is full of flavor and can be sweetened to your liking (just adjust the amount of natural sweetener you add). Chia pudding can be a little bland when eaten plain, so I like to add a variety of different flavors to my chia pudding… hence the name of this recipe ‘strawberry banana’ chia pudding.

Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations for flavoring chia pudding:

peanut butter and cacao powder
strawberry and bananas
bananas and homemade maple granola
peanut butter cups
homemade peanut butter granola
chocolate chips
blueberries and cardamom
dairy-free vanilla yogurt
peanut butter and jelly
cinnamon and banana or homemade granola
gluten-free granola bars (I love to add Munk Pack nut & seed bars to my pudding!)

I like to use homemade granola to pair with my chia pudding to cover up some of the texture that chia pudding has. Even though the chia seeds aren’t crunchy once they have absorbed the milk, they still add a different texture to the pudding. Having crunchy granola mixed into the pudding helps hide the chia seed texture for texture-sensitive pioneers.

Still not sold on the ‘seed pudding’? The you may want to check out this dairy-free chocolate pudding recipe that will certainly satisfy your pudding cravings!

gluten-free blueberry cardamon granola free recipe

strawberry banana chia pudding topped with banana slices and granola

Chia Pudding Recipe Tips

Chia pudding is a VERY simple recipe to make! It only requires 4 simple ingredients to make the base pudding and then you can add whatever flavors you want to make your chia pudding delicious and enjoyable!

However, to make sure your pudding turns out perfectly and tastes delicious, here are a few recipe tips.

Tips:

Mixing Jar– I mix all of the chia pudding ingredients together in a pint wide-mouth mason jar. After I add everything to the jar, I can just shake it to mix everything together. Then I just put a lid on the jar and set it in the fridge. No need for lots of dishes!
Sweetener– Both raw honey or maple syrup work great as natural sweeteners for chia pudding! I find that using maple syrup yields a slightly sweeter pudding compared to honey.
Dairy-free Milk– Any dairy-free milk will work for making chia pudding! I like to use coconut milk beverage or gluten-free oat milk. However, hemp milk, almond milk, or cashew milk will all work too. If you use full-fat coconut milk from a can, make sure you mix in the cream that gathers at the top of the can before measuring out the milk for your pudding.
Berries– If you use berries to flavor your chia pudding you can use fresh berries or frozen berries that have been un-thawed.
Fruit Blends– Sometimes it can be fun to blend different fruits together to make a fruit puree to mix into your chia pudding. I like to use my Vitamix for making a strawberry banana blend. You can also simply mash the fruit or slice it up and put it in whole, depending on how you like it!

chocolate chia pudding topped with peanut butter and gluten-free peanut butter cups

This dairy-free strawberry banana chia pudding is super easy to make and packed with nutrients. It would be a great treat to start the day with or it would also make a perfect, filling snack option! This pudding is even good enough to be dessert!

Dairy-free Chia Pudding

Recipe by The Pioneer Chicks

Prep Time 10

Total Time 12 10

Servings 1 serving

Author Alexa Lehr

Ingredients

Big Batch Chia Pudding

2 cups organic coconut milk
3 T raw honey or pure maple syrup
1/3 cup chia seeds
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Single Serving Chia Pudding

1/2 cup organic coconut milk
2 T. chia seeds
1 T. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Strawberry Banana (single serving)

1/2 large ripe banana
1/2 cup strawberries, washed and hulled fresh or frozen

Chocolate Peanut Butter (single serving)

1-2 T. organic peanut butter
1 T. cacao powder

Instructions

Combine the coconut milk, sweetener, chia seeds, and vanilla extract in a quart wide-mouth mason jar (big batch) or pint wide-mouth mason jar (single serving). If making the chocolate flavor, add the cacao powder to the jar as well.
Cover with an airtight lid and shake very well. Set in the fridge. Allow the pudding to set for at least 8-12 hours. I like to let mine set overnight.
After the pudding has set you will want to stir it well with a fork. Sometimes the chia seeds clump at the bottom and need to be pressed apart with a fork to make a smoother chia pudding. Once the pudding is smooth and has a thick consistency, you can add whatever flavors you want!
To make a strawberry banana chia pudding: Blend the strawberries and banana in a Vitamix and add it to the chia pudding. Stir to combine. Top with additional fruit and granola!
Leftover chia pudding can be kept in an airtight jar in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Where to Find the Ingredients

a jar of dairy-free chia pudding served with a gluten-free granola bar

Dairy-free strawberry banana pudding is the perfect modern pioneer recipe to make on the homestead! It doesn’t require any cooking or baking and it can easily be customized to meet your cravings. Maybe you want a fruity, sweet chia pudding for breakfast…. then for snack, peanut butter and chocolate are calling your name! I must admit, one of my favorite ways to enjoy ‘healthy’ chia pudding is to add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter to some cocoa flavored chia pudding then top it off with a sprinkle of homemade granola and some chopped peanut butter cups. It is totally like a pudding dessert! There are not boundaries when it comes to making a healthy chia pudding that you will actually enjoy!

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by Alexa