Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Greek Yogurt

Chia seed pudding is packed with healthy fats (omega 3 fatty acids) and is high in fiber, which makes it one of the healthiest and most filling breakfast options one can have. The pudding is easy to make with simple and readily available ingredients. In this recipe, I use Greek Yogurt and whole milk as the base for the chia seed pudding. Yogurt and milk magically elevate the flavor, texture, and nutritional value of the pudding, giving you a delicacy that you will relish whether you are a beginner or a pro at consuming chia seeds.

Do soaked chia seeds look scary?

When I first saw soaked chia seeds in a plain liquid, I was like, “there’s no way I am eating that.” Honestly, they can look a little scary (I have read about people who have a phobia for the chia seed gel). So, if you are a beginner at eating chia seeds, you may struggle with something of that sort too. Lucky for you, there’s a way to fix that problem and that it by including yogurt in the mix.

Greek yogurt in chia seed pudding

Greek yogurt makes the best base for the chia seed pudding if you ask me. The two combine so perfectly like they are meant for each other. For starters, the yogurt offers amazing flavor to the chia seeds which lack one. Secondly, the thickness of the yogurt perfectly blends with and holds the chia seed gel which can otherwise be slimy and difficult to scoop with a spoon. On the other hand, the gel from the soaked chia seeds adds texture to the yogurt elevating it to new heights of yum.

Why add milk to the chia seed pudding?

Milk plays a vital role in the preparation of a chia seed pudding. It offers the fluid that chia seeds need to soak and form their gel. There are many recipes that use milk alone as the base for the pudding, but I like to combine milk with yogurt for reasons explained in the section above. Greek yogurt alone is too thick and won’t allow chia seeds to soak fully unless a very small amount of seeds is added to the yogurt. But, if you are looking for a richer pudding with a higher amount of chia seeds in it, then adding milk alongside yogurt will give you that great result.

What toppings to add to the chia seed pudding

Ripe mangoes and bananas are my favorite fruits to top the chia seed pudding with. Both bring in extra sweetness and texture besides the obvious bonus of nutrients. In addition, I always include berries. Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are my go-to. I love their mild tartness which blends well with the tastes from yogurt and the other fruits. In the later sections of this post (below the recipe), I outline several other possible additions and toppings to the pudding so that you are equipped with multiple ways to enjoy it.  

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How long should you soak chia seeds?

While some recipes advise that you soak chia seeds for just 20 minutes and that they’ll be ready, I recommend you soak them for much longer than that. Do this not just for safety (it is dangerous to eat dry chia seeds) but also if you’re looking for a much smoother texture of chia with more gel that beautifully bursts in your mouth as you enjoy your pudding. A rushed recipe could end up with tougher, poorly soaked seeds that will stick to your teeth, and you don’t want that. Worse, unsoaked seeds will continue soaking and expanding in your belly, which could be dangerous. Here is a story of a man who ate just a spoonful of dry chia seeds and ended up in the Emergency Room despite having drank water after eating the chia seeds.

Alternative bases for the pudding

You can use other types of yogurts besides Greek yogurt in your pudding. Note that some yogurt brands are more runny or sweeter and the final flavors and textures, therefore, will slightly differ. If you use a runnier yogurt, you may want to reduce the amount of milk you add to the mixture. About milk, you can choose to use other types besides whole milk. Non-dairy yogurt and milk will also work for this recipe.  

Adding a sweetener to the pudding

You may want to add a sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, etc., to your pudding if you decide to use milk alone as the base. In my recipe above, I did not use any sweetener because yogurt had that covered. Also, you can add cocoa powder to the milk for a chocolatey chia seed pudding.

More topping ideas for a chia seed pudding

You can top your pudding with any fruits and berries depending on where you are located and what is available. You can use whole, chopped, or pureed and frozen fruits and berries to top your pudding. Besides, you can use non-fruit toppings such as chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut flakes among other options available to you. I made the pudding pictured below while in Kenya sometime back. I added fresh passion fruit and some raisins for more crunch and flavor. It was perfect.

Other healthy breakfast ideas

Vegetarian oatmeal with berries and nut butter