As a dietitian, I meal prep different chia puddings for breakfast all the time, and this Strawberry Chia Pudding is my favorite when strawberry season rolls around! It's a healthy breakfast that provides a balance of protein and fiber and only takes 5 minutes to prep. Blending some of the strawberries with milk and yogurt gives it a creamy texture that seriously tastes like a treat!
As someone who lives a busy life, I love the kind of recipes that give me a lot of bang for my buck both from a flavor and nutrition perspective. And chia pudding has been a long-time favorite of mine because chia seeds have been shown to have many health benefits and have a high protein and fiber content. So I rotate through vanilla chia pudding with yogurt, blueberry chia pudding, and this strawberry chia pudding pretty regularly and can tell you with certainty, it will keep you full! I either have it for breakfast or as a mid-day snack. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
More Chia Pudding Recipes and Chia Seed Recipes
- Coffee Chia Pudding with yogurt
- Blueberry Chia Pudding with Yogurt
- Blueberry Chia Compote
- Banana Bread Chia Overnight Oats
- Strawberries & Cream Chia Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding with Dates
- Apple Cucumber Smoothie with Chia Seeds
- Banana Date Chia Smoothie
- Blueberry Spinach Chia Smoothie
- Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
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Key Ingredient Notes & Substitution Ideas
This strawberry chia pudding recipe is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card for the measurements!
- Chia Seeds - chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. And when soaked like in this easy chia pudding, they absorb the liquid and have a pudding-like consistency. I use black chia seeds but white chia seeds work too.
- Greek Yogurt - for an extra protein boost and to make it especially creamy! Greek yogurt or Skyr (Icelandic Yogurt) both add protein and probiotics to help support gut health. You can use regular yogurt if the texture of Greek yogurt bothers you or vegan yogurt like coconut yogurt to make it vegan. I use vanilla flavored yogurt to make it a bit sweeter.
- Milk - I've tested this recipe using regular 2% cow's milk and unsweetened almond milk. I prefer the almond milk because it's a bit thicker. Other options for plant-based milk are oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
- Pure Vanilla Extract - to add a creamier vanilla flavor.
- Pure Maple Syrup - I personally love using a drizzle of maple syrup to sweeten chia pudding. You could also use honey, agave nectar, date syrup, or your liquid sweetener of choice.
- Fresh Strawberries - fresh berries provide antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. They also add sweetness! If you don't have strawberries, you can use a different berry or fresh fruit like blueberries, raspberries, mango, or peaches.
How to Make this Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
Below are the instructions for making this chia pudding with strawberries with photos that I hope you find helpful! The full recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Combine the yogurt, milk, about half the strawberries, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in a blender or food processor. Blend until well combined to make a strawberry milk.
- Step 2: Add the chia seeds to a small bowl or mason jar. Pour the strawberry milk over the top. Whisk well to combine. Mix in the remaining strawberries. Let it sit about 10 minutes and then stir again a couple of times. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Hint: It will thicken up quite a bit in the fridge and I prefer my chia pudding quite thick personally! If you prefer it thinner, wait to add another splash of milk after the 4 hours if needed.
Dietitian Tip
Chia Seeds have been shown to support a healthy gut and play a part in the prevention of chronic illnesses including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. They can also help with weight loss and weight management! Read more about the health benefits of chia seeds here.
Variations of Strawberry Chia Pudding
The best part about making this chia seed pudding is there are so many different ways you can customize it to your taste. Below are some ideas.
- Peanut Butter - add a drizzle of nut butter like peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter for extra flavor similar to a PBJ
- More Healthy Fats - add hemp seeds or flax seeds to the chia mixture for more plant-based protein and healthy fats.
- High Protein - add a scoop of protein powder for more protein.
- Vegan Strawberry Chia Pudding - use a dairy-free milk and non-dairy yogurt to make this recipe vegan.
- Raspberry Chia Pudding - replace the juicy strawberries with raspberries and add a squeeze of lemon juice for a different vibe.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Chia Pudding - add unsweetened cocoa powder and cacao nibs or chocolate chips to give it a chocolate flare!
- More options: Vanilla Chia Pudding with Yogurt, Coffee Chia Pudding, Pumpkin Chia Pudding, Apple Date Chia Pudding or Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding.
Equipment
I like to use either a food processor or a high-speed blender to make this strawberry chia pudding. I use my Beast Blender or Ninja Food Processor.
Storage for Chia Pudding with Yogurt
- Refrigerator - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to store it in individual jars, here are some options:
Expert Tips
- 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.
- Give the strawberries a rough chop before blending with the milk and other ingredients.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich recipes. 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, and strawberries provide antioxidants and vitamin C. This recipe is sweetened with maple syrup, vanilla extract, and strawberries.
Chia seeds are commonly found in the health foods/organic section of the grocery store. Sometimes they are found in the baking aisle. Often you can also find them in the bulk section.
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. Lastly, be sure you use fresh chia seeds. If they are older, they won't plump up as much.
To avoid the chia seeds from clumping, don't skip the step where you wait about 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.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Strawberry Chia Pudding:
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
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Chia Pudding, Creamy, 5 minute prep
Equipment
- 1 blender (or food processor)
Ingredients
- ½ cup vanilla Skyr (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ cup diced strawberries
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Combine the yogurt, milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and about half the strawberries in a blender or food processor. Blend until well combined to make a strawberry milk.
- Add the chia seeds to a small bowl or mason jar. Pour the strawberry milk over the top. Whisk well to combine. Mix in the remaining strawberries. Let it sit about 10 minutes and then stir again a couple of times. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Notes
- 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.
- Give the strawberries a rough chop before blending with the milk and other ingredients.
- Refrigerator - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
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