Coconut Milk Chia Pudding Recipe

Easy, 4-ingredient coconut milk chia pudding recipe. This recipe is so simple yet filling and delicious! So, let’s prep some coconut chia pudding and put it in the fridge for breakfast in the morning. 

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple: This recipe is stupidly simple. It uses just four ingredients and a few minutes to prep. It’s the perfect recipe for meal prep, too!
• Versatile: Whether you prefer it for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this chia pudding is the perfect treat. 
• Nourishing: It’s packed with nutrients! Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber (along with a host of other nutrients). Coconut milk adds plant-based fats that help to keep you satiated longer. 

Nutrition For Mental Health

When I was in graduate school for nutrition, one of my focuses was on how food can impact your mood. So, here at Raepublic, we focus on that. Chia seeds are not just a culinary ingredient but a powerhouse of nutrients. They are an excellent source of protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, magnesium, and phosphorus. Chia seeds also contain a good amount of vitamins B1, B3, zinc, iron, and calcium. Did you know that chia seeds have been shown to have antianxiety and antidepressant effects [1]?

Coconut milk is high in plant-based fat, mainly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). It is also rich in iron, magnesium, copper, selenium, and manganese. Coconut milk is also a good source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and manganese. An animal study showed that coconut milk can have an anti-anxiety effect [2].

Ingredients + Notes

I hope you enjoy this simple recipe for chia seed coconut milk pudding made with simple ingredients.

• Chia Seeds: Chia seeds gel up when submerged in liquid, creating a pudding-like consistency. It’s like magic! 
• Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, floral aroma that enhances the natural sweetness and complexity of dishes. However, if you don’t have any, it will still taste great.
• Maple syrup: I love using maple syrup in recipes like this. Since it is a liquid, it integrates seamlessly, making sure that this recipe for coconut milk chia pudding is perfect!
• Coconut milk: This ingredient is obviously the star of the show. The other ingredients are merely supporting actors. 

How To Make Coconut Chia Pudding

Here are helpful step-by-step photos for a flawless recipe. 

1. Add chia seeds, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and milk into a jar.

2. Stir thoroughly until well combined. Screw on lid and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight). 

3. Serve with fresh berries on top.

Servings Ideas

This coconut chia pudding is delicious on its own. However, who doesn’t love toppings or sides, for that matter?

• Nut butter: Adding a dollop of nut butter, such as almond or peanut butter, adds a delicious texture and flavor.
• Zest: A sprinkle of lemon zest or orange zest can brighten up the pudding with a refreshing burst of flavor. Here is a helpful tutorial for How To Zest A Lemon, in case you were wondering.
• Coconut flakes: Topping the pudding with toasted coconut flakes adds to the coconut flavor of this recipe as well as adds a complementary texture. 
• Berries: Top with berries like fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. 
• Muffins: Enjoy this healthy breakfast alongside a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin.
• Scones: This chia seed pudding with coconut milk pairs perfectly with these Raspberry Scones!
• Savory: Pair this tasty coconut chia pudding with an easy Vegan Scrambled Tofu Recipe.

Storage Tips

If you make this recipe in a glass jar, then storing any leftovers is just that much easier. Keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days. (Keep in mind that the chia seeds will continue to absorb liquid, so if you keep them in the fridge for more than a day or so, you will most likely want to add a splash of fresh coconut milk before serving. 

If you tried this Coconut Milk Chia Pudding Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Recipe

References

[1] Ullah, R., Nadeem, M., Khalique, A., Imran, M., Mehmood, S., Javid, A., & Hussain, J. (2016). Nutritional and therapeutic perspectives of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.): a review. Journal of food science and technology, 53(4), 1750–1758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-1967-0

[2] Zubair S, Sarfaraz S, Naveed S, Sarwar G (2017) Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety. J Anal Pharm Res 6(4): 00182. DOI: 10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00182