Make the perfect protein chia pudding every time with this foolproof recipe. Prepared with only five ingredients and five minutes, it is a healthy, chocolaty, and satisfying breakfast idea.
I love breakfast desserts. Weekends or weekdays, there is always room for yummy breakfast treats. Blueberry baked oatmeal, pop tarts, and strawberry cookies are some of my favorites.
And when it is time to cook delicious yet healthy treats, I often return to puddings. If you have already tried my viral chia pudding recipe, I am sure you’ll love this high protein chia pudding.
Benefits of protein chia pudding
Like the regular chia pudding, this protein chia pudding is made by soaking chia seeds overnight until they triple in size.
Chia seeds are rich in dietary fiber and help regulate digestion, making them the perfect breakfast. They are also enriched in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and other antioxidants that reduce inflammation and chronic diseases.
Each serving contains up to 20 grams of protein, keeping you full for a long time. Because it curbs snacking, you can easily keep the extra calories at bay.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy. You can make this pudding with minimum effort and basic cooking skills. It takes only five minutes to make it, and all you got to do is mix (like overnight oats!).
- Tasty and filling. Like protein oatmeal, not only is this pudding filled with chocolaty goodness, but because of added protein powder, you won’t feel hungry till lunchtime.
- Make ahead. You can make a big batch of chia pudding and enjoy a healthy breakfast all week. It makes a fabulous meal prep breakfast.
- Almost like dessert. It’s like having a chia protein pudding.
What I love the most about this recipe is how thick, soft, and gooey the texture is. Another wonderful thing about this chia pudding is that you can make it with many exciting toppings.
Ingredients Needed
You’ll need only five simple ingredients to make this sweet, creamy chia pudding. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chia seeds. Use black or white chia seeds, whichever is available.
- Cocoa powder. I have used unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe.
- Milk. I have used whole dairy milk for this recipe, but you can opt for non-dairy milk like almond, coconut, or soy based on your dietary preference.
- Maple syrup. As a sweetener. You can swap it with agave syrup or honey. I don’t prefer using processed sugar to make this pudding.
- Protein powder. Use a vanilla protein powder to retain the chocolaty taste and also have a subtle vanilla flavor. I often use whey-based casein powder or plant-based protein powder in my breakfast.
How to make delicious protein chia pudding
Making this chia pudding is a cakewalk. You can make this pudding quickly with a mixing bowl and simple ingredients.
- Make the pudding. Add chia seeds, cocoa powder, and cocoa powder in a bowl, and give it a good mix. Add milk and maple syrup to the bowl, and stir to make a homogeneous slurry.
- Divide and refrigerate. Split the pudding equally into two small jars or bowls and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. I refrigerate mine overnight for the perfect texture and consistency.
- Garnish and serve. Mix the contents of the pudding and finish it with your favorite toppings. I often add a dollop of coconut cream and toasted nuts for a textural variety.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Mixing chia and mix prevents clumping of seeds into pockets. Once combined, let it sit for 5 minutes on the kitchen counter, and stir it again. You’ll not have dry chia seeds in your final pudding when set this way.
- Adjust the consistency. Before serving, add more liquid/milk for a thinner consistency.
- Choose the best protein powder. If you’ve never bought protein powder, making the right choice is overwhelming. Flavors like vanilla and chocolate work well in this recipe. Check the contents of the powder to avoid added sugars and unpleasant flavors (check out our protein cookies or protein mug cake for top tips for working with protein powder).
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking. Add more or less maple syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth. Also, if your protein powder is sweetened, use less sweetener in the pudding.
- Use fresh chia seeds. Old seeds may lose the ability to soak liquid and not gel successfully. So, always check the expiry date before use, and try using fresh seeds for this recipe.
Flavor variations
- Add fruit toppings. Fresh berries and bananas complement the chocolaty flavors and add complexity to the pudding. I often go raspberries. You can also add mixed frozen berries as toppings.
- Make it more chocolaty. Add choco chips and finish the pudding with chocolate shavings for an intense chocolate flavor and texture.
- Make it creamier. Add a dollop of fresh or whipped cream or Greek yogurt for a rich taste. If you prefer non-dairy options, top off the pudding with coconut cream.
- Add flavors. Add flavors like vanilla bean extract, ground cinnamon, and hazelnut extract that go with chocolate.
Storage instructions
To store. Store the chia pudding in the refrigerator for 5-6 days in an airtight container.
To freeze. For long-term storage, put it in a freezer-safe jar and store it in the freezer for up to six months.
More pudding recipes to try:
Frequently asked questions
If the texture of chia seeds bothers you, blend the pudding using a hand blender to make a smooth pudding.
Mix one tablespoon of chia seeds with half a cup of milk for a single serving of this chocolate pudding.
This protein pudding almost tastes like chocolate brownie batter. For a choco-walnut brownie feel, you can also top it with nut butter and chopped walnuts.
Besides being an excellent breakfast option, you can eat it after a workout, as an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert.
This recipe is gluten-free, and you can also make it vegan by substituting regular milk with plant-based milk.
Protein Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup protein powder chocolate or vanilla
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine cocoa powder with ½ cup of the milk and stir until well combined.
- Add the remaining milk, chia seeds, chocolate protein powder, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Divide the mixture between two bowls and refrigerate for two hours.
- Add toppings and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
I’m confused as to where the chocolate sauce recipe is located
Hi Beth, it’s written within the post.
whoops, read right past it. Well I feel dumb. Thanks Arman.
No worries! Enjoy!
Now this is one pudding I can get behind! I’m like you…I can eat the same thing for quite some time if I like it enough. Leftovers? Even better! Laura’s out of town for a week, so I’m thinking pizza every night ala bachelor-style. (No, not “The Bachelor”…I know that’s where your mind went.) Haha!
Hahahaha pizza every night sounds like a plan! 😀
My cocoa tolerance is quite high and this looks fantastic. I have yet to ever make a chia seed pudding, which I know makes me the WORST at this whole HLB thing. Put it on the list next to kale chips and homemade kombucha.
YESSS. Love it- We have these 275 gram boxes here and I go through one every 2 days….There’s something so addictive about it!
Kale chips and kombucha should be banned 😀
I definitely go through phases with foods. But mostly I eat what is cheap and I have on hand, which turns out to be bananas, rice and peanut butter. I actually really enjoy chia pudding, so this sounds delicious!
I think you’d really like this, Ellie!
You can definitely tell that I’ve had wayyyyyy too many phases: sweet potatoes, nut butters, curry, kabocha, and now I think mine is cauliflower. But cocoa/cacao was always on the list for me! And heck, all of these foods are still present phases!
Oh yay! Glad my cauliflower obsession has rubbed off!
I’m in a similar situation with dark cocoa powder—I bought a pack of 8 off Amazon because my inner Jersey girl couldn’t resist the deal (way more cost effective than the pack of 2). Only now, I have a TON of cocoa powder. I’ve been finding ways to use it in things like oatmeal, yogurt bowls, and baked things, but I also love it in chia pudding. Now that the weather has warmed up, my tastebuds are up for it again. Thanks for the reminder!
YES!!! I did that too- So much cheaper, and I went through it like water- I think that’s why I got so many headaches…worth it though!
Cocoa powder is bae. I also have pounds of chia seeds that I need to use up! Guess that means brownie batter for breakfast every day. 😉
😀 YES! Do it, buddy!
I buy in bulk since it’s so much easier, less time consuming, and I’m just not a fan of shopping. I had a huge bag of chia seeds I finally made my way through. I will watch for sales but usually eat the nutritious, least expensive foods. Good thing basic cocoa powder is not that expensive.
Right? Cocoa is so well priced and with no fillers, is such a great addition!
Finally someone who understands my ability to eat the very same thing for breakfast for weeks! I lived on oat bran porridge with cinnamon the entire winter 😀 but this pudding might be worth getting out of my current mango smoothie rut
Ohhhhh I’m craving oat bran porridge now- Thanks, Lucie! 😀
I foresee chia seed pudding in my future 🙂 My cocoa powder tolerance is pretty low though, since chocolate isn’t my fave. But I’m all about brownies. Ya know what I’m also all about? A glass of milk with my brownies, but NO. My insides protest.
Only if it’s eaten in that…jar/chalice/mug of great beauty.
Arman! We need more delicious, amazing, inspiring chia seed dessert, I mean, breakfast recipes!
Hey! This looks sooo good! Can I use ground chia seeds for this recipe though??
Hi Lisa! Absolutely! 🙂
Hi! I was wondering if the nutritional facts were accessible to this particularly recipe? It looks absolutely divine…
Sure! Feel free to calculate it using an online calculator like myfitnesspal 🙂
Shout off the rooftops, chia seed brownie pudding is easy to put together & easy to put away in my belly!! WOW, you did it again ARMAN
YOU HAVE MY VOTE!!
Thank you, Kathy!