Vanilla Chia Pudding | Simply Quinoa

This vanilla chia pudding is delicious enough to have for dessert, but wholesome enough that you can eat it for breakfast. It mixes up in minutes!

Cup of vanilla chia pudding with fresh berries.

Chia seeds are a miraculous little ingredient. For one, they make great house pets. And second, they make even better pudding. (And chia jam too!) This vanilla chia pudding is creamy and delicious, but it’s also packed with fiber and healthy fats. Whether you need a quick breakfast, an easy snack, or a healthy dessert, this super duper, crazy delicious vegan chia pudding is perfection.

Why Everyone Needs This Back-Pocket Chia Pudding Recipe

When I first started seeing chia pudding popping up on Pinterest, I thought it was a fad. And here we are, more than a decade later, and it’s still going strong. Here’s what makes this vanilla chia pudding recipe timeless.

Quick and easy. Just stir everything together and let it set. So much easier than traditional pudding!
Naturally sweetened. If you try to avoid lots of sugar in your desserts, you’ll appreciate that this vanilla chia pudding is only lightly sweetened with maple syrup.
Perfect for meal prep. Because chia pudding needs time to set, it’s made for meal prepping. I love making a big batch and enjoying pudding over the next several days.
Endlessly customizable. Add your favorite toppings or make your chia pudding into parfaits.

What You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make this vanilla chia pudding.

Chia seeds – Chia seeds can be white or black; either option works.
Maple syrup – Date syrup or honey are great natural sweeteners too, or you can use liquid stevia.
Vanilla extract – For that signature vanilla pudding flavor!
Milk of choice – Almond, oat, coconut, or dairy milk, just make sure it’s unflavored and unsweetened.

Tips For Perfect Chia Pudding

A few simple tips will help you get the best texture.

Stir twice. Stir once when mixing and again after a few minutes to break up any clumps of seeds.
Adjust the thickness. Add more milk if it’s too thick or more chia seeds if it’s too thin.
Let it rest. This is non-negotiable! It helps the seeds absorb the liquid properly. The pudding gets a lot thicker the longer it sits, so if you want it super thick, pop it in the fridge overnight.

Vegan vanilla chia pudding in cup with fresh berries.

Variations

Berry. Add mashed berries or jam, either stirred right into the pudding or layered at the bottom of the jar.
Chocolate. Stir in cocoa powder. For crunch, you can garnish with cacao nibs too.
Tropical. Use coconut milk and top with mango and coconut flakes.
Protein. Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder; you may need to add a little extra milk too. I also like to add hemp hearts for a protein boost.
Matcha. Stir in matcha powder.

Storage

Store vanilla chia pudding in an airtight container or sealed jar for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving.

Spoonful of vanilla chia pudding being lifted from cup.

More Chia Pudding Recipes

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Leave on the counter at room temperature to thicken, about 15 minutes. Alternately, if you’re making this the night before, you can pop it in the fridge overnight. I find it sets quicker at room temperature, but you’ll get the same consistency if you do an overnight rest.
Once thick, stir together again and add a splash of extra milk if needed.
Stir in your favorite toppings/flavors and enjoy!