Errrmmm chia seeds are fah-reaky deeky. And chia pudding is even freakier. But I’ll totally eat yours if you don’t want it.
Surely you’re aware that chia seeds are all the rage right now. They’re the most popular seed on the block. I mean everyone’s doing it. Smoothies, oatmeal, cookies, jelly, pancakes, veggie burgers, shampoo…I mean they put that shiz on everything! It’s the new hot sauce. Can’t blame ’em, though. Chia is bursting with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, bone-building calcium and filling fiber. They’re like little sponge monkeys that hop around your bod going bananas over all the cholesterol they’re about to soak up. I’m quite surprised that no one has ground (I originally typed “grinded”) those suckers to a paste, spread it on toast and called it chia butter.
It’s a revolution.
I posted this recipe a year ago but the pics were downright fugly and the recipe needing a little sprucing up. Story of my life. Hashtag I need new blog material.
Chia pudding has a lot of haterz. It’s gelatinous. It’s gooey. It gets stuck in your teeth. Are you excited for the recipe yet?!
You love it or you hate it. It goes in that category with mayo, mustard, olives, pickles, mushrooms and oysters. Maybe you’d eat all those if I blended them up into chia pudding.
I like to sweeten mine naturally with my fave big, juicy Medjool dates from Trader Joe’s plus a bit of maple syrup for good measure. Add some fresh strawbs and cocoa powder and lookie here! You’ve got yourself what you thought was a chocolate covered strawberry but what’s actually a super filling, healthy shmealthy snack.
Cheers to sponge monkeys!
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A deliciously filling and secretly healthy “pudding” made with high-fiber chia seeds, cocoa powder and strawberries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 12 strawberries
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 pitted Medjool dates (or use 1 more tbsp maple syrup)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine almond milk, 8 of the strawberries, cocoa powder, maple syrup, dates and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into a glass jar or container. Chop remaining 4 strawberries and add to mixture along with the chia seeds and chocolate chips. Stir well to combine.
- Allow pudding to thicken overnight in the fridge (or four at least 6 hours) prior to serving.
cheri says
This looks amazing, love that you added dates to the mix.
Alexis says
Thanks, Cheri! Dates are my BFF these days. They lend the perfect natural sweetness to so many things!
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Hi Alexis. Count me among the chia seed fans, I use them a lot. You are right, they are like the new Sriracha but I don’t care, fad or not they are really useful. I like this recipe, getting a chocolate pudding without too much sugar and yet without overwhelming the chocolate flavor with a whole lot of maple syrup. Dates are useful that way.
Alexis says
Yayyy! Glad you’re on board, Mary! I’ve been adding dates to everything lately. You know I’m all about that natural sweetness! :)
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
I keep meaning to try chia pudding again and blend it up after it sets–I may have to try this recipe for that. I’m sure the kiddos would love it. They are chocolate freaks.
Alexis says
It’s SO good all blended up. That definitely solves the texture problem!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
I love chia seeds! I’ve been using them for a few years now. I put them on lots of different things. Chia pudding is SO good! I love the strawberry and chocolate combination – so decadent, but healthy at the same time!
Alexis says
MmMmmMmmm aren’t they the bestest?!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
I keep going back and forth on how I feel about chias. I love how they poof things up, but they’ve made for some awkward days when I’ve walked around with them stuck in my teeth ;) That being said, I do love them blended up in smoothies, and anything with chocolate is an obvious win <3
Alexis says
They’re always in my teeth. Hashtag foodbloggerprobz. I love how they thicken up smoothies, too!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds fantastic, Alexis!! I recently got into the chia pudding craze a couple of months ago and REALLY enjoy it…especially the chocolate versions. Your addition of strawberries sounds spot on :)
Alexis says
I’m seriously been obsessed. I know some people hate it, but I honestly love the texture!
She Rocks Fitness says
I’m always skeptical of chia pudding, but for some reason this sounds fabulous. Love the addition of the maple syrup…NOM NOM!
Alexis says
Anything’s good with chocolate, right?!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
Drooling… Love me some chia seeds!
Alexis says
Right?! Bomb.com.
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
I love chia pudding! Actually I just love pudding period. Sometimes I get really tempted to steal it off patients’ trays at the hospital. Oh gosh, I’m a horrible intern. :P
Alexis says
Hahaha I feel ya, girl! And when it’s made with chia you’re basically allowed to eat tons of it.
Lauren says
Mm love chia seeds! They don’t creep me out one bit…although, the cashiers always ask if I like the “fish eggs” when I buy the chia kombucha.
Alexis says
Hahahaha that’s so funny! Fish eggs in komucha….sounds tasty.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I don’t like anyone who doesn’t like chia seeds. They probably like cats…I just decided that’s an association…
Alexis says
I mean they’re basically the same thing.
Cassie says
Four words: all the chia pudding. I seriously can’t get enough. Why did I not think of chocolate covered strawberry? Luckily I have all these things and just finished off the last of my kabocha + cottage cheese so THIS will be my dessert for the week :)
Alexis says
Hope ya love it, Cassie!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Um, story of my life/blog when I create the most delicious recipe… and the photos turn out awful. I’m still in the phase of food photography where sometimes I get it right.. but it’s mostly just a freak accident :) I am all about Chia seeds, I love them and their texture! Plus, it gives me a great excuse to eat more chocolate… like this recipe!
Alexis says
So glad you’re a chia seed lover!! Anything that gives me an excuse to eats tons of chocolate is fair game :)
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
I totally have some delicious recipes from early on that I should go back and re-photograph. Cause let’s face it, bad photography skillz + chia pudding = disaster! Yours looks fantastic though, and I love those juicy strawberries. I think you may be onto something with the chia seed paste, too…
Alexis says
Chia pudding is by far one of the ugliest looking foods, too! Bad combo ;) Off to make chia paste a thing!!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’ve been wanting to try chia seeds…I know, I’m behind on the trend. ;) This pudding looks delicious and I’d love to try. :)
Alexis says
Go for it, girl! It’s the perfect snack :)
karina says
Made this using a packet of hot cocoa powder as the sweetener and chocolate contributor, Loved it! It’s been my go-to afternoon snack all week! Thanks for the recipe :)
Alexis says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing, Karina!
Monica B. says
Alrighty, I made this today! It was good and totally gave me the chocolate fix I needed. I would like it to be a bit thicker. I was going to try adding a few spoonsful of some coconut milk yogurt to the mix and see what happens. I didn’t have any dates on hand, but I imagine that helps thicken it up as well. So, I plan to make it again with the dates. I also used cacoa bits instead of chocolate chips. I really enjoyed the texture the chia seeds provided. It made me feel like I had to work a bit more at eating it which is good ’cause the yumminess is gone way too quickly. Thanks for this! Ciao!
Alexis says
I’m so glad you liked it, Monica! Just add more chia seeds if you want it thicker.
Anna says
I found this recipe from the recently posted raspberry chia pudding recipe and since I had strawberries I tried it. I now have another batch in the fridge. I love this stuff!! Thank you for this recipe. I want to try it next with cherries and almond extract.
★★★★★