This secretly healthy Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding is so, so good. Totally decadent, fabulously creamy, and sinfully rich, this recipe will become your favorite sweet treat!
Ever since I was little I was a chocolate lover—it must have been written into my DNA. So when I can find a healthy way to incorporate some chocolate into my day, I am all in, which is why I love this Chocolate Chia Pudding. All the ingredients in this recipe are guilt-free, and it’s also dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and oil-free! As with my Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding and Coconut Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding, the chia seeds in this pudding act as a natural thickener, so literally all you do is add all the ingredients to a big bowl, stir it, and refrigerator it overnight. The result? Pure chocolate bliss!
Why This Chocolate Chia Pudding Is a Must-Make
Topped with fresh berries, this chia pudding is one of my favorite desserts. I’ve been making it for years and it never gets old! Here’s why you’re going to love it too.
- Super simple prep. Just whisk everything together and your refrigerator (and time!) does the rest of the work, making your chocolate chia pudding thick and creamy.
- Nutrient-packed. Chia seeds are a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and protein, making this pudding a satisfying, energy-boosting treat. (Try them in my Vanilla Chia Strawberry Jam too!)
- Naturally sweetened. Maple syrup adds sweetness and also depth to the flavor.
- Great for meal prep. Since the pudding thickens overnight, it’s awesome for a meal prep breakfast. (And any day that starts with chocolate pudding is going to be a good day, right?!)
What You’ll Need
You only need 6 ingredients to make chocolate chia pudding! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Unsweetened almond milk – Or another unsweetened milk (dairy or plant-based) that you have on hand.
- Chia seeds – You can buy white or black chia seeds and either will work for this recipe.
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder – For a deep, rich, smooth chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla bean paste works too!
- Maple syrup – Provides natural sweetness. Date syrup would also work for another natural option.
- Ground cinnamon – I love the warmth this adds to the chia pudding.
- Fresh raspberries, strawberries, and dark chocolate – Optional toppings. Or come up with your own ideas!
How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
Here’s how easy it is to make chia pudding!
- Combine the ingredients. Whisk the almond milk, chia seeds, cocoa powder, vanilla, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth.
- Chill. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve with toppings. Add berries, shaved chocolate, or your favorite garnish before serving.
Tips and Variations
I have a few more notes on this chocolate chia pudding recipe to help you make sure it turns out perfect!
- Adjust the thickness. Add extra chia seeds if the pudding is too thin; add more milk if it’s too thick.
- Scale it up or down. You can easily scale this down to a single serving, or make more for a week of breakfast puddings for your whole family!
- Boost the protein. Swap the cocoa powder for chocolate protein powder and sweeten with maple syrup to taste (since protein powder is sweetened). You can also add hemp seeds as a garnish for extra protein.
- Make chocolate peanut butter pudding. Swirl in some peanut butter or add peanut butter powder.
- Blend it. For a smooth pudding with the benefits of chia pudding without the texture, you can blend in a high-speed blender after chilling.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
More Recipes for Chocolate Lovers
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Description
This rich, creamy chocolate chia pudding is made with simple, wholesome ingredients and perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert.
- In a large bowl, add almond milk, chia seeds, cocoa powder, vanilla, maple syrup and cinnamon. Whisk until combined and smooth.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. (it is better if you let it sit overnight)
- Top with fresh fruit or shaved dark chocolate.
Notes
If your pudding comes out to liquidy you can add more chia seeds to thicken it up, if it is too hard just add more milk to thin it out.