Meet your new breakfast obsession: the Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe. Every bite is creamy, chocolatey, and astonishingly good for you, thanks to plenty of protein and fiber-packed chia seeds! Whether you’re aiming for a nourishing grab-and-go breakfast or something sweet post-workout, this pudding delivers on both taste and nutrition. It’s simple enough for a busy morning, indulgent enough for dessert, and almost magical in how it comes together with barely any effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe comes to life with only a handful of basics, but each one matters! Think luscious almond milk, rich cocoa, and your favorite protein powder—all coming together for maximum chocolate bliss and a pudding that keeps you full for hours.
- Unsweetened almond milk: A light, dairy-free base that lets the chocolate flavor shine and keeps things creamy without any heaviness.
- Chocolate protein powder: Adds that stellar protein punch and gives your pudding a deeper cocoa flavor—pick a variety you truly enjoy!
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Bumps up the chocolate intensity for a more decadent, dessert-like treat.
- Chia seeds: The star thickener—these tiny seeds plump up and create that classic pudding texture, plus a generous helping of fiber and omega-3s.
- Maple syrup or honey: Just enough natural sweetness to balance the cocoa’s richness; adjust to taste or skip for lower sugar.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a lovely mellow warmth—don’t skip this, even just a little makes a big difference.
- Pinch of sea salt: A little salt wakes up all the flavors and enhances the chocolate intensity beautifully.
How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Start by grabbing either a mixing bowl or, for extra creaminess, a blender. Pour in your almond milk, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, chosen sweetener, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk or blend until totally smooth—this is when the magic happens, and the sweet, chocolatey aroma starts making you hungry.
Step 2: Stir in the Chia Seeds
Once your base is blended, sprinkle in the chia seeds. Stir them in thoroughly so they’re evenly combined—chia seeds love to clump if left unattended! Giving them a good stir at this point is your secret to pudding with the perfect texture.
Step 3: Let It Rest and Stir Again
After the initial mix, let your pudding rest for about 5 minutes. This gives the seeds time to start thickening. Give it another solid stir to break up any clumps and make sure every seed is surrounded by that delicious cocoa mixture.
Step 4: Cover and Chill
Cover your bowl (or transfer to individual jars) and pop it in the fridge. Chill for at least 2 hours or, for the dreamiest consistency, overnight. The chia seeds will work their thickening magic, and you’ll wake up to a delightful pudding that’s ready to grab and go.
Step 5: Stir and Serve
Right before serving, give your pudding one last good stir. If it’s too thick, loosen with a splash of almond milk. Then, spoon into your favorite bowl or jar, decorate with toppings, and dive in. It’s seriously that easy!
How to Serve Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe
Garnishes
Personalize every bowl with a flourish of toppings! Try fresh berries for a pop of tartness, a drizzle of nut butter for richness, or a sprinkle of granola for crunch. Sometimes, a few shavings of dark chocolate are all you need for a bit of extra indulgence. The Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe handles customization wonderfully, so have fun with it.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with complementary flavors—think a side of sliced bananas, a bowl of yogurt with nuts, or a small cappuccino on the side. If you’re making it for breakfast, pair with a green smoothie or toasted multigrain bread for a balanced start to your day.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch spread, layer the pudding in clear glasses with fresh fruit or granola for a parfait effect. Take it to go in small mason jars (perfect for picnics or desk lunches). And for dessert, try topping with coconut whipped cream and a pinch of flaky sea salt to make it look absolutely stunning.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe is designed for easy meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. The texture actually improves as it sits, making every batch just as good on day five as it was on day one. Just give it a stir before serving and you’re good to go.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in air-tight containers or small jars. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture may change slightly—think more ice-cream-like and less creamy—but it’s still impressive, especially as a chilly treat in the warmer months.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t really needed as this pudding shines when eaten cold! But if you prefer a slightly warmer snack, give it a very short (10-15 seconds) zap in the microwave and stir well. This will loosen the texture a bit, just don’t overdo it or the chia seeds will become too soft.
FAQs
Can I use a different milk for this Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe?
Absolutely! While almond milk gives a lovely lightness, any non-dairy or dairy milk will work. Oat, soy, or even coconut milk will all bring a unique twist to the flavor and texture—just use the one you enjoy most or have on hand.
Is there a way to make this pudding even higher in protein?
You can definitely boost the protein content by adding another half scoop of protein powder, or even stirring in Greek yogurt along with the chia seeds. Just adjust the liquid slightly to keep the texture creamy.
Can I make this Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe vegan?
Yes! Simply use a plant-based protein powder and choose maple syrup instead of honey. It’s already dairy-free, gluten-free, and friendly for most dietary needs, so customizing for vegan diets is straightforward.
Why did my pudding turn out runny or too thick?
If your pudding is too runny, it likely needs more chia seeds or a longer chilling time. If it’s too thick, a splash of extra almond milk will do the trick. Sometimes, protein powders absorb differently, so a little experimenting makes it perfect for your taste.
How do I prevent chia seeds from clumping in the pudding?
The key is to mix thoroughly right after adding them and then stir again after five minutes. This ensures every seed is surrounded by liquid before they start swelling, delivering that classic, smooth pudding texture.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe is proof that the best things in life really are simple! It’s delicious, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable—basically, everything you could want in a make-ahead breakfast, snack, or dessert. Give it a try, and I’m betting it’ll become a routine favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Chocolate Chia Pudding (High Protein) Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this rich and creamy Chocolate Chia Pudding that is not only delicious but also packed with high-quality protein. This satisfying treat makes for a perfect breakfast or post-workout snack, offering a healthy and energizing start to your day.
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop (about 30g) chocolate protein powder
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or blender, combine almond milk, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk or blend until smooth.
- Stir in the chia seeds and mix thoroughly.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then stir again to prevent clumping.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight until thickened.
- Stir before serving.
- Serve chilled with toppings like fresh berries, nut butter, or a sprinkle of granola.
Notes
- For extra smooth texture, blend the mixture before chilling.
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- This pudding also works well as a make-ahead breakfast or post-workout snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
