Matcha Chia Pudding: Delicious and Healthy Dessert

As chia seeds are getting more and more popular in the health and wellness space, they are becoming super accessible and you can find them almost in every grocery store. They are packed with antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids to help your body reduce inflammation, prevent chronic diseases and lose weight faster by regulating your blood sugar level.

Chia seeds are also full of fiber that will keep you feeling full and reduce sugar cravings. They are suitable for almost any dietary restrictions being gluten-free, vegan, low in carbs, and packed with nutrients.

I’m always on the lookout for healthy breakfast or snack options, so when I learned about chia seeds and their superpower, I was more than excited. I like to use them in puddings to serve for breakfast or dessert.

Chia seeds on their own are quite tasteless. For some fresh vegetal taste and a morning energy boost, I always add a teaspoon of matcha green tea to the pudding. Then I increase the flavor with some cinnamon or vanilla extract and a sweetener, such as stevia or maple syrup.

When you make a chia pudding, it all comes to the right proportions of the liquid and chia seeds. I like a thicker gel consistency when the ingredients are mixed, so I always add 2-3 tablespoons of seeds on a glass of liquid.

So, here is my favorite refreshing matcha chia pudding, full of antioxidants, plant-based proteins, fiber, calcium, and many more vitamins. And, I forgot to tell you: it’s absolutely delicious and low in calories! Perfect for a light breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Matcha Chia Pudding

Prep Time: 5 min

Pudding Soak Time:  2 hours or overnight

Servings: 1 pudding

INGREDIENTS:

For the pudding:

1 teaspoon of matcha green tea (I’m using this matcha powder)

1 cup of cashew milk (almond milk works great as well)

2 teaspoons of maple syrup or stevia

Vanilla extract

2 tablespoons of chia seeds (for a thicker texture, use 3 tablespoons)

Toppings (optional):

⅔ cup of pomegranate seeds

¼ cup of shredded coconut

⅔ cup of strawberries (cut them in small chunks)

¼ cup of sunflower seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add one teaspoon of matcha green tea into a mixing bowl.
2. Add ¼ cup of cashew milk to mix matcha. Whisk matcha with a milk frother or a bamboo whisk until it’s creamy, smooth, and has lots of bubbles.
3. Add maple syrup, a drop of vanilla extract, chia seeds, and milk. Whisk all the ingredients well until the mixture is consistent.
4. Cover and chill in the fridge for 2 hours, or overnight. You can also stir it every half hour for better results.
5. In 2 hours or next morning, check if the pudding is 'runny' and has too much liquid. If yes, then add more chia seeds and let it chill for about an hour longer. If the pudding looks thick and creamy, let’s start decorating it.
6. I like to make layers with my pudding. Add pomegranate seeds and some strawberries, then 2-3 teaspoons of matcha chia pudding. Make another layer with the pomegranate seeds and coconut for a nice flavor.
7. Add 3 more tablespoons of matcha chia pudding and top with strawberries, pomegranate, sunflower seeds, and coconut. If you keep this pudding in a mason jar with the lid closed, you can store it for 3 days in the fridge. When I’m doing a meal prep for the week, I usually have at least 3-4 containers with this pudding as a healthy dessert option.