Protein Chia Pudding

32 comments

5 from 61 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

My protein chia pudding needs just four simple ingredients and less than two minutes prep. It’s creamy, high in fiber, and packs in over 30 grams of protein.

Love high protein breakfasts? Try my protein oatmeal, protein overnight oats, protein bagels, and protein cinnamon rolls next.

protein chia pudding.

Chia seed puddings have an unfair stigma for being gloopy and unappealing, but once you try my high protein chia pudding, you’ll be swayed!

My recipe is perfect if you’re looking to increase your fiber and protein first thing in the morning, and the best part? It tastes delicious!

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients Needed
  3. How to make protein chia pudding
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More recipes with protein powder
  7. Protein Chia Pudding (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Quick and easy. All you need is a couple of minutes to prep the mixture, and voila- you are done!
  • Super filling. The chia seeds pack in tons of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamins (source) and adding protein will keep you full until lunch!
  • Make ahead. I often prep 5-6 servings on the weekend, so I have breakfast sorted for the week ahead.
  • Easy to customize. My recipe is a blank slate for you to add various toppings, mix-ins, and more.

★★★★★ REVIEW 

“This is part of my weekly meal prep- You’ve nailed the texture of the pudding too”Olga

Ingredients Needed

  • Chia seeds. Use either black or white chia seeds, whichever is available.
  • Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk works. If you can find Fairlife milk or another protein-enriched dairy milk, use that to amp up the protein even more!
  • Protein powder. As there is some sweetener in the pudding already, you can use unflavored protein powder or one that is vanilla or chocolate flavored.
  • Maple syrup. Adds some natural sweetness. Honey or agave nectar will also work.
  • Cocoa powder. It is optional, but I love some chocolate first thing in the morning!

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make protein chia pudding

Step 1- Make the pudding. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.

Step 2- Divide and refrigerate the pudding for 2-3 hours, or overnight.

Step 3- Garnish and serve. Mix the contents of the pudding and finish it with your favorite toppings.

    chia pudding protein.

    Arman’s recipe tips

    • 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. Vanilla protein powder is always a safe choice, as is vegan protein powder. Check the contents of the powder to avoid added sugars and unpleasant flavor. TL: DR- use a protein powder you like the flavor of.
    • Adjust the sweetness to your liking. I only add a dash of maple syrup because I don’t like things too sweet, but add more if you have a raging sweet tooth.
    • Add high-protein toppings like nuts, nut butter, Greek yogurt, and hemp seeds.

    Flavor variations

    As mentioned earlier, my pudding is pretty much a blank canvas, so dress it up any way you like. Here are 5 flavors I have on rotation:

    • Peanut butter cup. Fold through one tablespoon of peanut butter and 1/2 a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips.
    • Mixed berry. Add blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries to the mixture, along with an extra 1/4 cup of milk.
    • Lemon blueberry. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, a pinch of lemon zest, and 1/2 cup of blueberries.
    • Double chocolate. In addition to the cocoa powder, add some mini chocolate chips.
    • Coconut. Use coconut milk and add some finely shredded coconut on top before serving.

    Storage instructions

    To store. Store the chia pudding in the fridge 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.

    chia protein pudding.

    More recipes with protein powder

    protein chia pudding recipe.

    Protein Chia Pudding

    5 from 61 votes
    My protein chia pudding needs just four simple ingredients and less than two minutes prep. It's creamy, high in fiber, and packs in over 30 grams of protein. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
    Servings: 2 servings
    Prep: 2 minutes
    Total: 2 minutes

    Video

    Ingredients  

    Instructions 

    • In a mixing bowl, combine the chia seeds, milk, protein powder, and maple syrup and whisk together. Add any mix-ins of choice.
    • Divide the mixture between two bowls or glass jars and refrigerate for two hours or overnight.
    • When ready to enjoy, give the pudding a stir and add extra liquid if needed.

    Notes

    I added 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, but that is optional. 
    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 32gFat: 12gSodium: 353mgPotassium: 338mgFiber: 12gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 47IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 514mgIron: 4mgNET CARBS: 13g
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Arman Liew
    Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

    Originally updated July 2023, updated and republished June 2024

    Arman Liew

    I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

    You May Also Like

    5 from 61 votes (58 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. 5 stars
      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!!

    2. Hi! I was wondering if the nutritional facts were accessible to this particularly recipe? It looks absolutely divine…

    3. 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.

    4. 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

    5. 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.

    6. 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. 😉

    7. 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!

      1. 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!

    8. 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!

    9. 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!

    10. 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.

      1. 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 😀

    11. 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!