Make the best chia seed porridge aka chia pudding as a delicious base for fresh fruit and other delicious toppings. It makes for a great breakfast or snack any time of the day. Add your favorite toppings, see suggestions below!
[This chia pudding recipe was originally posted in June 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
This chia seed porridge is a great batch cooking breakfast/snack. Make enough of the base recipe to last through the week. It stores well and is easy to grab and go. Add your favorite toppings later to mix it up, and use what you have.
I'd just add the toppings fresh instead of when prepping them (unless they're peanut butter or frozen fruit). You can have a variety of toppings for the base chia pudding recipe to make an easy breakfast recipe.
My favorite toppings are peanut butter and jam, also banana, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. But there are so many more to make your breakfast the best part of the day.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the chia seed porridge recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Milk: use your choice of milk, a cup of almond milk, cows milk, or other non-dairy milk.
- Whole chia seeds
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Optional toppings
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Mix together chia seeds, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir immediately. Set aside in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, stir occasionally.
2. Stir one last time.
3. Top your chia seed porridge with seasonal fruit and enjoy. For example, I'm topping this with fresh orange slices since it's winter. See below for more topping ideas.
Enjoy this delicious breakfast cold, or heat it up for a hot chia seed porridge.
Topping suggestions
Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding: ½ tart apple, chopped; 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup, pinch of cinnamon
Orange Ginger Chia Pudding: ½ orange, sliced; 1-2 teaspoons honey, pinch of ground ginger.
Berry Chia Pudding: 1-2 Tablespoons jam.
Or try chocolate chia pudding, Peanut Butter Banana Chia Pudding or Coffee Chia Pudding.
Storage Tips
Easily make extra servings of chia seed porridge and refrigerate in airtight containers, until use for up to 3-5 days. This makes for a quick snack. Enjoy cold or you can heat it up too. Whatever you prefer.
Substitutions/Tips
- Swap your sugar for maple syrup or honey if you prefer the flavor.
- Use your favorite milk: cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc
- Add fruit topping before serving, unless it's frozen, then you can add it to your chia seed porridge and store it for a few days.
- You can make this chia pudding ahead of time and store in the fridge.
- Additional Topping ideas: Fresh berries or other fruit, flax seeds, almond butter or peanut butter, instant breakfast, a little bit of ground cinnamon, jam, and other toppings make chia seed pudding the perfect breakfast.
FAQ
Chia seeds are great in chia pudding/chia seed porridge (same thing) like this recipe or Peanut Butter Banana Chia Pudding, added to smoothies, to make jam, or in place of poppy seeds in Ham and Cheese Sliders.
Yes, I use both terms to describe chia seeds that have absorbed liquid to make a pudding like food.
You can add chia seeds to oatmeal, porridge, and smoothies. Add them as a topping for a crunchy bite or add them to oatmeal or porridge before you cook it to get softer chia seeds.
Other good breakfast recipes
What to do with leftover ingredients
- Chia Seeds: Peanut Butter Banana Chia Pudding and Hawaiian Roll Sliders.
- Berries: Blueberry Chocolate Muffins, Strawberry Spinach Salad, or Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Did you make this chia seed porridge? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
The Best Chia Seed Porridge for One
Equipment
- Small bowl
- whisk
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons dry chia seeds
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup seasonal fruit see notes for options
Instructions
- Mix together 2 Tablespoons chia seeds, ¾ cup milk, 1 teaspoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla, stir. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
- Stir again. Top with seasonal fruit and enjoy.
Notes
- Swap sugar for maple syrup or honey if desired.
- Add fruit topping before serving, unless it's frozen fruit-then you can add it to your chia seed porridge and store it for a few days.
- Topping ideas: Fresh orange slices, fresh berries, kiwi slices, sliced apples or pears, pineapple, or mashed banana. Chocolate chips and peanut butter are also a great additions.
- You can also mash fresh berries with a spoonful of sugar for a sweet addition.
Sherri Hall says
My husband has been obsessed with the chia pudding from our local coffee shop. I think I'll surprise him by making this for him; he will LOVE it! 🙂
Rebecca says
that's awesome! let me know what he thinks of it!
Albert Bevia says
Nothing better than using seasonal ingredients, this chia pudding looks amazing
Rebecca says
thanks so much!
Rebecca says
right?! I try to eat seasonally! thanks
Carrie A Groff says
This looks so yummy!! Not sure why, but I totally have not gotten into the chia pudding thing yet 🙂 I really should, especially when I see a yummy and simple recipe like this!
Rebecca says
yes, it's so easy & delicious! it's time 😉
GiGi Eats says
Whenever I see chia pudding recipes I am like - I NEED TO MAKE IT! but then for some reason, I always forget to buy chia seeds at the store like a dumb dumb! LOL!
Rebecca says
haha! I feel ya, I do the same thing. hope you remember next time
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
This looks delicious! Give me all the berries in summer!
Rebecca says
thanks Emily! and yes, same here! ALL the berries
Abbey Sharp says
Love how easy these are to take on the go! So pretty too 🙂
Rebecca says
Thanks! and they're an awesome grab & go breakfast/snack