Chocolate for breakfast? Why not? This thick, creamy 5-ingredient chocolate chia pudding packs a powerful punch of protein and just-sweet-enough chocolate pizzaz. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it's a no-cook treat that's sure to satisfy that chocolate craving.
If I could eat chocolate all day, every day, I would. So, when I encounter a recipe that somehow folds chocolate into breakfast, I'm like, “Yes, please!” This chocolate chia pudding does just that (and does it right). With just 5 ingredients and about 2 minutes of prep time, you can pop it in the fridge to set for a memorable start to the day.
It turns out wonderfully thick and creamy, with every centimeter infused with chocolaty goodness. It's not overly sweet, which I love, so it's totally appropriate for breakfast (especially with all that protein from the chia and hemp seeds). That said, it also makes for a top-notch dessert when you top it with some mini chocolate chips and coconut whipped cream.
Why This Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe Is a Keeper
It's hard for me to put into words how magical this chocolate pudding is. But I'm going to try. Here's what keeps me coming back:
- Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. They're loaded with healthy fats and protein, and they are the star player in this pudding. That means that, even though this pudding tastes like dessert, it's actually a fabulous way to power up your day.
- This chia pudding takes pretty much zero effort. You just have to mix together a few ingredients and twiddle your thumbs while the chia seeds thicken the pudding. Easy peasy.
- Chia pudding keeps really well in the fridge (or in the freezer), and it's so easy to make a double (or even triple) batch. Portion it out into single-serve mason jars, and you've got breakfast for days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
5 ingredients (and some water) are all you need to make this chocolatey breakfast pudding. Here they come (see the recipe card for precise measurements):
- Chia seeds – These little seeds are magical. Not only are they super high in protein and healthy fats, but when you mix them with liquid and let 'em sit, they create this gel/pudding like consistency.
- Hemp seeds – For an added punch of protein and texture. If you prefer chopped almonds or walnuts or [insert your favorite nut and/or seed here], that will work, too.
- Raw cocoa powder – Cacao powder is a lovely substitute, but it'll yield a slightly earthier, more bitter chocolate flavor.
- Maple syrup – To sweeten things up a bit. Honey or agave would also do the trick.
- Unsweetened almond milk – Really, any unsweetened plant-based milk will work. Cashew milk or coconut milk would be yummy.
- Water – If you prefer a thicker, more decadent pudding, you can replace some or all of the water with more almond milk.
How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
This recipe couldn't be any easier! Here's a quick look at how it's done (see the recipe card below for more detailed instructions):
- Mix. Mix together all the ingredients.
- Chill. Chill in the fridge for 30–45 minutes, or until thickened into a pudding-like consistency.
- Serve. Serve chilled with your favorite toppings. See the section below titled “Toppings and Serving Suggestions” for inspo.
Tips to Keep In Mind
As simple as this recipe is, I still have a few tips and tricks for you to ensure the best chocolate chia pudding possible:
- Stir well. You want to make sure the chia seeds are distributed evenly throughout the pudding so they thicken it evenly. So stir well.
- Adjust sweetness. Give the mixture a taste before popping it in the fridge. If you want to add more maple syrup or cocoa powder, go for it.
- Don't skimp on chill time. The chia seeds need some time to work their magic (aka, thicken the pudding). 30-45 minutes in the fridge should do it. If you cut that time short, your pudding will be runny.
- Check the consistency. Give the pudding a stir before serving (after chilling). If you find it too thick, you can stir in a little extra almond milk or water, one tablespoon at a time.
Toppings and Serving Suggestions
There are about a zillion ways you can top this chocolate chia seed pudding, and I highly suggest picking at least one or two of the following to take it from great to unforgettable:
- Your favorite fruits. I'm a big fan of fruit and chocolate, side by side. Whether it's blackberries, cherries, sliced bananas, diced peaches, or [insert your favorite fruit here], you can't go wrong. You could also add a little Chia Jam (any flavor) or Blueberry Compote.
- Nut butter. Want to ramp up the protein and the creaminess? Top your pudding with your favorite nut butter. My Super Seed Homemade Peanut Butter or this Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter would be amazing.
- Add some crunch. Add some chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or Coconut Granola to this pudding. It makes it feel even more like a breakfast of champions.
- Desserty additions. If you're serving chocolate chia pudding for dessert, consider topping it with some Coconut Whipped Cream and mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Throw some berries in there too and call it a day.
Don't want to pick just one? Feel free to mix and match any and all of the above.
How to Store
- Refrigerator: Seal any leftover chia pudding in an airtight container (I like portioning mine out into single-serve mason jars for easy, grab-and-go breakfasts). It'll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Seal the leftover chia pudding in an airtight, freezer-safe container (or in single-serve mason jars) and pop it in the freezer. It'll keep for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before diving back in.
I recommend giving leftover chia pudding a good stir before serving. If it seems too thick, go ahead and stir in a little extra almond milk to loosen things up.
More Chia Pudding Recipes
I've been pretty hooked on chia pudding for a while, so I have plenty of other recipes for you to try:
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder according to taste
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk I used almond
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients, stirring until everything is combined and the cocoa powder is fully incorporated.
- Transfer to the fridge and let sit until fully gelled and thick, about 30 – 45 minutes.
- Remove from fridge and enjoy!
- It's as simple as that 🙂
Video
Nutrition
This looks delish–but I’m wondering if you left something out of the recipe? I put this into my calorie nutrition counter and it comes up with way less calories, less protein, less fat, less sodium, etc. Is this the full recipe or are the nutrients calculated incorrectly?
Thank you for catching that, Cheryl! The original recipe had one additional ingredient- 1 cup of cooked quinoa
Quick question. I’d like to make nut free. Will rice mylk work since the consistency is different?
We have not tried this recipe with rice milk but it should work just fine 🙂 if you try it let us know how it goes!
Does this chia pudding make one or two servings?
This is just one!
I really want to try this recipe, because it looks wonderful. But I am confused by the calorie count. It says that it is for one serving at 181 calories, but the 1/4 of chia seeds alone are 300 calories? Please tell me that this is really a recipe for two servings, because between the chia & the hemp seeds, I have over 500 calories and I haven’t even added the milk & maple syrup to my counts yet. Which would make this way to high for a breakfast for me. Thanks!
You’re right! That was pulling incorrectly. Thank you for letting me know. It’s updated now with the correct values!
Hello, Your blog post write up and your ingredient list don’t match, the following 2 sentences is from your post – “hemp seeds which are packed with plant-based protein, raw cacao which is full of antioxidants, maple syrup which is a less refined sweetener and with those blueberries on top” and “It’s sweetened with a touch of maple syrup and topped with blueberries, coconut and cacao nibs” none of these ingredients are on ingredient list and your ingredient list has cocoa powder not cacao and stevia. Am i missing something?
Thank you! The recipe must not have updated correctly. Checking now!
Nutrition information is out of whack.
There is no serving size assuming it is your whole recipe
577kcal
409 kcal from fat
49 grams of fat
Where dld all the fat come from. 49 grams?
If this inf were real this would be terrible. Eat chocalate cake instead.
Just updated! It was pulling the milk incorrectly 🙂 Thanks!
This is my new favorite breakfast treat. I have made it a few times but my chia pudding has never really set. It is still soupy the next morning. What am I doing wrong? (Also if you don’t have any quinoa handy, hemp hearts work nicely as well)
This is a good recipe but I added ground flax and reduced the water. There is a lot of moisture left in the cooked quinoa. It turned out firmer.
This is a good recipe but I added ground flax and reduced the water. There is a lot of moisture left in the cooked quinoa. It turned out firmer.
Alyssa, this looks like a great way to use the chia seeds that I bought at my daughter’s urging. But I have a question. I thought using it in a pudding that I should get them to expand. Does the chia expand in this pudding or does it stay crunchy?
I just tried this, ran out of cacao powder so substituted with cinnamon & cacao nut butter. Instead of stevia I used rice malt syrup!
Tastes awesome!
So creative, I love it!! Glad you liked it 🙂
I love your recipes. But, to me, the taste of stevia dominates everything it’s in. Yuck!(as my grand daughter would say:-) I’m guessing I can just add a little honey or maple syrup, right? Thanks for the recipes!
I am having this warmed as I post this. Reminds me so much of chocolate cream of wheat cereal from my childhood! Perfect breakfast for the unseasonably cool temps we have here today. I added just a pinch of cinnamon as the cocoa I used was a tad bitter.
Warm!? What a fabulous idea. How was it? I’m sure it was delicious 🙂
Yummy yum yum!!! I need this in my life about now:)
Cindy,
I cook a cup of Quinoa every week and when a recipe calls for this ingredient it is already made. Plus, I watch the prices of this product at the stores I frequent and when I see a it a good price I buy several packages.
Is that liquid or powdered stevia you used in the recipe. I am so ready to make it . Thank you! I am excited to try it/
It’s powdered! Enjoy 🙂
Boy, does this seem so simple. I can’t wait to try this. I love chocolate too (2).
Would love to know if you do 🙂
this looks crazy good 🙂
It is! You should totally try it 😉
Sounds great but 2 T cooked quinoa… you will be shocked but I have yet to use it any way but as a flour! how do I cook such a small amt??