Pumpkin Chia Pudding with Yogurt and Pumpkin Spice

Name: Pumpkin Chia Pudding with Yogurt
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt ((or yogurt of choice)); ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk ((or milk of choice)); ½ cup pumpkin puree; 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice; pinch sea salt; ¼ cup chia seeds

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If you're looking for a delicious fall breakfast or healthy snack, this Pumpkin Chia Pudding is a must-try! With minimal prep time, you'll have a nutritious breakfast full of 10 grams of fiber, plus protein, and healthy fats waiting for you in the morning. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 😊

side view of pumpkin chia pudding in a mason jar.

As a dietitian, you would think I've always been a fan of chia pudding with all the health benefits it can provide. But it wasn't until recently, when I discovered how to make it creamy, that I started loving it! When it's the time of the year when leaves are falling and it's cooling down outside, this pumpkin chia pudding recipe is my new favorite way to start my day with great nutrition (and it's also an easy way to satisfy my sweet tooth)! To me, the best part about chia pudding is that you can meal prep a big batch in around 5 minutes and have a healthy breakfast or snack for the whole week.

Chia seeds are tiny, but they're seriously packed with nutrition, including antioxidants, plant-protein, healthy fats, fiber, and iron. I love diving deep into particular ingredients, and I wrote a whole article about the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds if you wanna geek out with me and are interested in learning more.

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Pumpkin Chia Overnight Oats or Caramel Apple Pie Chia Pudding. If you're craving pumpkin in a warm, more filling format, try this high-protein pumpkin breakfast recipe. For the same pumpkin-pie flavors in a quicker breakfast, this high-protein pumpkin smoothie comes together in just 5 minutes.

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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
How to Make Pumpkin Chia Pudding
Dietitian Tip
Video of How to Make Pumpkin Chia Pudding
Variations for Pumpkin Chia Pudding
Storage for Pumpkin Chia Pudding
Expert Tips
FAQ
More Pumpkin Breakfast Recipe
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💬 Comments

Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas

This pumpkin chia pudding is made with simple ingredients. Below are some notes. Check the recipe card for the measurements.

ingredients for pumpkin chia pudding on a table.

Chia Seeds - chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and the key ingredient. They provide important nutrients like healthy fatty acids to support heart health, dietary fiber, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes, and plant-based protein. When soaked like in this easy chia pudding, they absorb liquid and have a gel-like consistency. Black chia seeds or white chia seeds work.
Pumpkin Puree - canned pumpkin helps give this chia pudding a creamy texture and pumpkin flavor! It also adds vitamin A, vitamin C, along with fiber to help support a healthy gut. Be sure to look for pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which has added ingredients including sugar and salt.
Greek Yogurt - for an extra protein boost and to make it especially creamy, add Greek yogurt or skyr (Icelandic yogurt). You can use regular yogurt if the texture of Greek yogurt bothers you, or vegan yogurt like coconut yogurt to make it vegan. Use vanilla flavored yogurt if you want it a bit sweeter.
Milk of Choice I make my chia pudding with either regular cow's milk or unsweetened almond milk. I usually prefer the almond milk because it's a bit creamier! Other options for non-dairy milk are oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk or coconut milk.
Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Maple Syrup - I personally love using a drizzle of maple syrup and vanilla to sweeten chia pudding. You could also use honey, agave nectar, date syrup, or your liquid sweetener of choice.
Pumpkin Pie Spice - pumpkin pie spice has the delicious fall flavor of pumpkin pie in one little bottle! This cozy pumpkin pie mix of spices often includes cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. You can even make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice.
Sea Salt or Kosher Salt - this is optional, but I add a pinch of sea salt or kosher salt to enhance the flavors.

How to Make Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Below are the directions for how to make this recipe with photos that I hope you find helpful! The full recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

ingredients for pumpkin chia pudding in a bowl.

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the milk, yogurt, pumpkin, vanilla, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt (optional). Whisk very well or use a handheld milk frother until it is creamy with small bubbles forming.

human hand whisking together pumpkin chia pudding.

Step 2: Add the chia seeds and stir very well with a whisk or fork. Let the mixture rest 10-15 minutes and give it another good stir. This helps prevent the chia seeds from clumping. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Hint: It will thicken up quite a bit in the fridge. If you prefer it thinner, wait to add another splash of milk after the 4 hours, if needed. If you like thicker chia pudding, add an extra 1-2 tablespoon of chia seeds or cut the milk down to ½ cup.

Dietitian Tip

I like to serve this chia pudding with an extra scoop of Greek yogurt and pumpkin for more protein and fiber. I often mix in some blueberries too!

Video of How to Make Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Here's a video showing how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!

Variations for Pumpkin Chia Pudding

There are endless ways to customize this pumpkin chia seed pudding! Below are some of my favorite toppings and add-ins:

Fresh Fruits - top it with whole foods like banana slices, pomegranate seeds, or fresh berries and enjoy it as a healthy snack.
Peanut Butter - add a drizzle of nut butter like peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
Nuts or Seeds - pumpkin seeds, pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds make great toppings and add crunch.
High Protein - a scoop of protein powder or extra Greek yogurt can be added for more protein.
Pumpkin Spice Latte - cut the milk in half and replace it with cold brew coffee for a pumpkin latte flavor.
Cinnamon - add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a simple finishing touch.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chia Pudding - stir in some unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate chips to give it a chocolate flair! Top it with whipped cream or coconut cream and crumbled graham crackers for a healthy dessert.

See this Cinnamon Vanilla Chia Pudding for another option.

Storage for Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Refrigerator - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
If you want to store it in individual jars, here are some options: Wide Mouth Mason Jar, Mason Jars with Bamboo Lids

Expert Tips

Use a milk frother or whisk to make it extra creamy!
Don't skip the double stir. After whisking in the chia seeds, let it sit about 10-15 minutes at room temperature and whisk it very well again before refrigerating.
Patience is key! Give it at least 4 hours in the fridge for the chia seeds to plump up to their full potential. Make it the night before and portion it into individual containers for a ready-to-go breakfast.

FAQ

Is Pumpkin Chia Pudding healthy?

While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich recipe. The chia seeds provide dietary fiber, plant-protein, antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and several vitamins and minerals. The Greek yogurt adds more protein and calcium. This recipe is sweetened with maple syrup, with pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to round out the flavor. If you prefer to cut the sugar even more, skip the maple syrup!

Where can I find chia seeds at the grocery store?

Chia seeds are commonly found in the health foods/organic section of the grocery store. Sometimes they are found in the baking aisle, and often you can also find them in the bulk section.

Why isn't my chia pudding thickening?

To avoid this problem, be sure to stir it VERY well when you add the chia seeds and let it sit for at least 4 hours in the fridge! It will continue to thicken as it sits. Also be sure to use fresh chia seeds. If they're expired or old, they won't absorb as much liquid.

How do I prevent my chia seeds from clumping together?

To prevent the chia seeds from clumping, don't skip the step where you wait about 10-15 minutes after adding the chia seeds and stir very well again. I've found this to make a big difference in the end product.

More Pumpkin Breakfast Recipe

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian

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