Do your kids love chocolate milk, hot chocolate, chocolate mousse? Then they will love our chocolate chia pudding recipe. It’s deliciously chocolatey and a healthy choice for the whole family. Our chocolate chia pudding recipe is free from refined sugar, high in protein, fibre and minerals and rich in antioxidants. Making it a healthy dessert or yummy choice for breakfast.

Have you tried chia seeds?

If you haven’t already used chia seeds in your cooking, this recipe is a great way to try them. Chia seeds are available in health stores, online and now in most large grocery stores. They are little black/brown seeds that swell when placed in liquid. In fact chia seeds absorb around 10 times their weight in water. When soaked they form a gel like consistency. Kids love this crazy texture. It is very similar to the tapioca pearls used pearl/bubble tea, the hip drink popular with kids and teens.

Nutritional benefits

Chia seeds are high in fibre, protein and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. They also contain decent amounts of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. A good proportion of the fibre in chia seeds is soluble fibre. Soluble fibre controls blood sugar levels and helps keep our digestive systems healthy. Eating chia seeds that have been soaked is also a great way to stay hydrated. This is especially important for kids, who often ‘forget’ to stop for a drink.

Chocolate chia pudding

Our chocolate chia pudding recipe is a deliciously chocolatey and creamy. We use raw cacao powder to give our pudding it’s rich chocolate flavour. Cacao powder tastes almost the same as cocoa powder but is packed with nutritional benefits. Cacao powder is high in iron, magnesium and calcium, and rich in antioxidants. A great reason to add some chocolatey goodness to your chia pudding.

We generally use almond milk in our chocolate chia pudding, however whole milk works just as well. The pudding is sweetened with natural maple syrup. One to two tablespoons is usually sufficient, depending on how sweet you prefer it.

Super easy to make

Chocolate chia pudding is super easy to make. It’s great recipe to get the kids involved in making and a mini science experiment! They can watch the small dry seeds change consistency as they form a gel.

To whip up this pudding simply add milk to the chia seeds, cacao powder, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Then stir really well. A whisk works best for this, however you can also add everything to a glass jar, secure the lid and give it a good shake. Pour the mixture into glasses or serving dishes and refrigerate for three to four hours until set. We find ramekin dishes or small pots are a good portion size for younger kids.

Chia pudding for breakfast?

We love chocolate chia pudding as a healthy dessert. However, it also makes for a deliciously healthy and filling breakfast. It is quick and easy to prepare the evening before, meaning breakfast is ready to grab out of the refrigerator in the morning. Serving chia pudding for breakfast is also a great way to ensure the kids are well hydrated before they start a busy day at school.

Serve and enjoy

Once chilled and set serve with a sprinkling of shaved dark or milk chocolate. It is also delicious topped with fresh fruit or nuts. This rich chocolatey pudding is a great base for a whole range of flavour combinations. Raspberries and chopped pistachios are my favourite, whereas my son prefers chopped hazelnuts and sliced banana.

Why not grab a bag of chia seeds next time you are in the grocery store and give our chia pudding recipe a whirl?

Chocolate Chia Pudding

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (350ml) milk/almond milk
1/3 cup (60g) chia seeds
3 tbs cacao powder
1-2 tbs maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
pinch of salt
Dark chocolate shavings to serve.
Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a bowl or jug and whisk well until combined.
Pour into glasses (or small ramekin dishes for kids) and refrigerate for 3-4 hours until set.
Serve with dark chocolate shavings, or your choice of fruit.