This carrot cake chia pudding is a cozy, flavorful way to start the day. With warm spices and a rich, cake-like taste, it’s basically breakfast that feels like dessert.
![Carrot Cake Chia Pudding...with 12 grams of protein per serving WITHOUT the use of any protein powders! [vegan]](https://www.simplyquinoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/carrot-cake-chia-pudding-4.webp)
With Easter only a few days away, I'm pretty much obsessing over all the things on Pinterest. How are people so insanely creative?! From cute bunny cupcakes to dirt cakes, to birds nest cookies (oh wait…I made a version of those for you!), to literally the most adorable tablescapes and decorations I've ever seen. Yep, pretty much in DIY heaven here, minus the fact that I could never make anything like this on my own.
We're not doing anything special for Easter this year. Since we were just home in Vermont this past weekend, we're not going to see my parents and Matt's family lives out in Denver, so I think it's going to just be the three of us. Matt and I booked afternoon massages, we'll probably go to brunch somewhere in the neighborhood and most likely spend the evening snuggled up on the couch watching movies. (btw…seen any good movies lately? we'd love some suggestions!)
Even though it won't be a big family affair this year, I've still been dreaming up Easter-themed recipes for you to try. Tuesday it was Birds Nest Cookies, today it's Carrot Cake Chia Pudding and Sunday it's going to be Quinoa + Coconut Crusted French Toast. I realize those are all on the sweeter side of things, so if you're looking for something savory to serve with your meal, you could try my Quinoa Wild Rice Salad or the Garlic + Herb Mushroom Quinoa!
Instead of making you an actual cake (have one of those already if you're interested!), I I wanted to make something you could enjoy for breakfast that still gives you that sweet, dessert-for-breakfast vibe. Enter… this carrot cake chia pudding.
Just like my vanilla version, the ingredient list is simple: quinoa, carrots, chia + hemp seeds, cinnamon and coconut milk. And since we all seem to be big fans of the breakfast-disguised-as-dessert recipes, this is yet another one that will make you feel like you're eating something decadent.
(ps I added chopped dates to mine for some sweetness, but that's totally optional)
It makes for a delicious breakfast with very minimal efforts because I know when it comes to making breakfast, there are definitely a few areas where we all get stuck:
- you have no time
- you want something simple
- you don't want to use protein powders (or make eggs)
- you want something sweet
Luckily, this carrot cake chia pudding hits on all four. You make it the night ahead so you can literally just grab it from the fridge and go. It's less than 10 ingredients, most of which I bet you already have in your pantry.
![CARROT CAKE CHIA PUDDING...high protein, high fiber and less than 10 ingredients! It makes the ULTIMATE breakfast treat! [vegan]](https://www.simplyquinoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/carrot-cake-chia-pudding-5.jpg)
Your turn…
What's the one thing you struggle most with when it comes to breakfast? Let me know in the comments and I'll work on creating new breakfast recipes that fit your needs. For me it used to be about the time, but now I'm much more focused on keeping things as simple as possible. Excited to hear what you have to say!
xx Alyssa
More Incredibly Delicious Chia Pudding Recipes to try:
- High Protein Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Peach Pie Breakfast Parfaits
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Breakfast Parfait
- Apple Pie Breakfast Parfaits
- Chocolate Raspberry Chia Parfaits
- High Protein Vanilla Chia Pudding
- 6 Easy Chia Pudding Recipes
High Protein Carrot Cake Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cooked quinoa
- ¼ cup grated carrots
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup lite coconut milk
- 1/4 cup water if you use only 1/2 cup coconut milk
- Optional add-ins: turmeric medicinal mushrooms, chopped dates, maple syrup, etc.
- Toppings: sliced banana grated carrot, chopped dates, walnuts
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar and stir together (minus toppings). Tighten lid and place chia pudding in the fridge to set, at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Remove and top with desired toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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This post was sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill in celebration of National Nutrition Month. Bob’s is my favorite source of ingredients! Stay tuned all month long as we share simple and delicious recipes using the amazing products from Bob’s. Thank you for supporting the companies I believe in! xo
This was so disappointing! I go back and forth between saying there isn’t any flavor to saying that it actually doesn’t taste good. I made it as written.
late to the party but happy to have found your site! can almond milk be subbed for the coconut milk? and if I don’t have hemp hearts, will more chia work? thanks again!
Yes and yes! Those changes should work well! Let me know how it turns out.
I made this today…it was so good. A great way for me to eat my carrots along with hemp hearts. I can’t wait to try the other chia pudding recipes.
So glad you enjoyed it!!
I just wanted to say that there is a typo in the ingredients. I believe you meant to say a pinch of salt (not cinnamon). I just made this wonderful pudding. Just waiting for it to set. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you!!
I made this for breakfast. It was tasty but very dense and makes a really big portion. I couldn’t eat the whole thing, so I saved half for the next day’s breakfast.
It will definitely keep for more than a few days 🙂 so that’s perfect!
Hi Alyssa,
I have just made this recipe so will enjoy it tomorrow morning for breakfast. Thank you for posting as i was in need of a high protein breakfast besides eggs.
Still not sure about the “Pinch of” should that be removed or is a pinch of salt added??
Thanks!
Nutmeg 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! xx
What a fantastic chia pudding you have here. We love the carrots in the pudding. We can’t wait to try out your version! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
Hi there! Just wondering how long this can be kept in the fridge? I want to use this recipe for meal prep but don’t want it to go bad. Any ideas?
Thanks for al the vegan recipes!
At least 3 days!
That look amazing, I have to buy dates and than I will make it really great one 🙂
I made this recipe but mine came out dry?! Any idea why this could be happening?
The pudding was try? Hmmm maybe it soaked a bit too long. You can always transfer it to a bowl and stir in a bit more milk 🙂
I calculate closer to 400 calories as listed. banana and walnuts would make it around 600…I’d like to try it!
Thanks, Lina!
HI! I have issues with texture – I know this is not creamy like pudding , and I have eaten quinoa before- what is the texture of this? It sounds yummy but I am afraid I will not be able to eat it-
Hi Paula – the texture is like overnight oatmeal, have you tried that before?
Yummy!!!!!! The Carrot cake chia pudding outstanding, I did add fresh micro ginger Thank you for another great on the go breakfast .
So glad you enjoyed it!! xo
Sometimes I look at Pinterest party ideas or decorations and I’m like…how do people have time for this??? I’ll just make all the food instead because at least I get to eat that, hehe. This looks incredible! I’d have this for breakfast year round.
I am TOTALLYYYYY guilty of that too. People always need to eat, right?? 😉 Hope you give the pudding a try – it’s a keeper!
Hi there! 🙂 I’m a bit confused as to how much cinnamon, is it a pinch or 1/2 tsp? Also, is it possible to either leave out the hemp hearts or substitute something else? Thanks!
Whoopsie! I’ve updated it to say teaspoon 🙂 And yes you could substitute the hemp hearts for more chia seeds or quinoa (or oats even!). You just might want to add a bit more liquid if you’re going with the chia since they absorb a lot!
I am excited to try this quick high protein carrot cake chia pudding tomorrow morning . This morning i had quinoa, carrots celery onion garlic apples with syrup and hot sauce on the side i had pears with chia seeds 2 teaspoons. So far so good i am feeling great!!!!!
Sounds lovely! Hope you enjoy the pudding – I’d love to hear what you think 🙂 xo
I need to know the calorie and carb content of each serving. I’m trying to loose weight and part of my strategy is to eat more vegetable and grains protein. Thanks, your recipes are great.
Hi there – I don’t have the calorie count on hand for this recipe, but you could add the ingredients to this tool: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
And also, you might be interested in learning about a new program that I’m developing that is specifically designed to help people transition to a whole food diet (lots of veggies and grains) and lose weight. Email me if you want more info 🙂 al****@**********oa.com
This recipe on Youmly.com states a whopping 1270 calories. It all sounds wonderful and decadent but the recipe has nearly 60% of a days calorie allowance for the average person.
I don’t think that’s right…I calculated it using MyFitnessPal and it came out to around 600. They must not be calculating the ingredients correctly – I have issues with it pulling uncooked quinoa when it’s supposed to be cooked (drastically reduces calories) and also the coconut milk might not be write. I used lite which is much less calories. Hope that helps!
I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re trying to lose weight- it still has a lot of carbs/sugar. I would stick with eggs for breakfast, butter or bacon. The best way to lose weight and be healthy is to have No grains, no oils (except some real olive) and no sugars. Add fats (saturated are best) like coconut, grass fed butter, tonnes of avocado. Add fermented foods like sourcrout and plain yogurt and kefir. Try it for 3 weeks and you will be amazed. :))
Thanks for writing in with your opinion, but I do want to jump in and say that I don’t think the diet you’re recommending is good for everyone. For you and your body type it might totally work, but for others it might not. It’s important to remember that what works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another.
Sounds great…what’s 1/2 cinnamon? And did you mean pinch of cinnamon or something else?
Thanks!
oops! supposed to be teaspoon 🙂 Updating!