Easy Vegan Chia Pudding With Oat Milk

Made with simple ingredients this easy chia pudding recipe with oat milk is a great option for an easy breakfast, snack or healthy dessert. With so many health benefits from this plant-based protein you will want to make a large batch to eat all week!

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Why This Oat Milk Chia Pudding Recipe Is The Best!

I love overnight chia pudding because it is thick, creamy and very adaptable to different flavors. I prefer oat milk in chai pudding over almond milk because it has thicker and creamier texture. Also oat milk has a naturally sweeter flavor which makes it perfect for seed puddings. Because chia doesn't have much flavor on its own it is important to use your favorite plant-based milk to flavor the pudding.

What Are Chia Seeds?

If you are just getting familiar with chia seeds and not quit sure what they are, here's everything you need to know about these tiny little seeds. Chia seeds are the edible seeds from a flowering plant called the salvia hispanica plant which is a relative of the mint family.

These seeds are known for their amazing absorption ability and can absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquid when soaked and produce a gelatinase consistency.

Chia seeds are a great source of fiber which will help you feel full and satisfied longer. They also contain antioxidants, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies need.

Equipment Needed

mason jars- or any airtight container.

Key Ingredients

chia seeds-are very mainstream nowadays and can be found at your local grocery store. There are both white chia seeds and black chia seeds but there is no difference in the varieties.

oat milk- creamy oat milk is a great dairy free option for anyone making a basic chia pudding. It already has a great flavor and creamy texture. Because oat milk is naturally sweet you will not need to add many extra ingredients to your pudding.

almond extract- I like the nutty flavor of almond extract. A little goes a long way so just a drop is all you need to give this pudding a little flavor boost.

agave syrup- also known as agave nectar, this is a sweetener derived from the agave plant. It is a similar consistency to honey but a good choice for anyone following a vegan diet.

Step-By-Step Instructions

For some reason, any time I make something with chia seeds I tend to make a bit of a mess. Those tiny seeds, they just go everywhere! So I have found the best way to make a chia seed pudding is to mix it right in the container you plan to serve it in.

Add 3 tablespoons of chia seeds to your glass jar. Pour in the oat milk and stir well. The chia seeds have a tendency to clump, so stir well until the clumps are smoothed out.

Add salt, almond extract and agave syrup or sweetener of choice to the chia mixture and stir once more. Now the hard part is waiting for the little seeds to absorb that liquid. It may take a couple of hours or even overnight for the seeds to become almost pudding like in texture.

Once the chia seeds have soaked up the oat milk they will have a gel-like consistency. So you can add your toppings to the top of the pudding. Add any fruit you like, a sprinkle of spices and extra agave if you want it extra sweet.

Topping Ideas

Chia seeds on their own do not have any flavor. The flavor of your pudding will come from the type of milk you choose and whatever you use for a topping. For my chia pudding I did something a little different from the berries that you see in so many recipes. I used mandarin oranges, toasted coconut and a sprinkle of cardamom. You can use your favorite fruit or try some of these ideas.

fresh fruit and fresh berries- strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, pears, banana slices, mango.

homemade granola- adds a little crunch to the pudding.

spices- I like to use cinnamon and cardamom. Another great option is nutmeg.

almond extract- most people use vanilla extract for their chia seed pudding recipe. Both work well so use what you have on hand or prefer.

Substitutions

milk- chia seeds will absorb any type of milk. Other non-dairy milk options you can try are unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk or rice milk. They may change the calorie content and flavor slightly but they are all great choices for your vegan chia pudding.

agave syrup- use equal amounts of pure maple syrup or honey to sweeten the pudding. You can also use a teaspoon of brown sugar.

Storage Recommendations

I like to make my chia pudding in mason jars for individual servings I can grab and eat for breakfast or a snack on the go. Any airtight container will work. You can also make a big batch for meal prep to keep in the fridge for the week. Chia pudding can be stored for 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Looking For Other Vegan Recipes? Try These!

Healthy Applesauce Muffins

Creamy Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Vegan}

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