Meet your new favorite breakfast, snack, or dessert: Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding. Creamy, sweet, naturally nutritious, and bursting with strawberry flavor, this make-ahead treat is as lovely to look at as it is irresistible to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweet and Creamy: The blend of strawberries, yogurt, and a drizzle of maple syrup creates a pudding that’s luscious with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make it once and enjoy wholesome, grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks for days—no more morning rush stress!
- Completely Customizable: From dairy-free to paleo or vegan, you can switch up the fruit, yogurt, and sweetener to suit every taste and dietary preference.
- A Beautiful Burst of Color: With its vibrant pink hue, Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding turns even weekday mornings into something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple recipe sets the stage for a pudding that’s creamy, refreshing, and packed with nourishment. Each ingredient brings something unique to the table—from the juicy strawberries to the protein-rich yogurt, and, of course, those magical chia seeds that transform everything into a thick, dreamy treat.
- Fresh or Frozen Strawberries (12–16 oz): The real star here—sweet, tangy, and full of color! If strawberries aren’t in season, you can absolutely use frozen or swap in other fruit.
- Milk (1 cup): Oat milk, almond, or dairy—choose your favorite! The milk makes the pudding extra smooth and balances the fruitiness.
- Yogurt (1 cup): The secret to ultra-creamy texture; whole milk yogurt is dreamy, but plant-based yogurt works perfectly too.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Just a splash brings out the natural sweetness and elevates all the other flavors.
- Maple Syrup or Honey (1/4 cup): Your sweetener, your rules! Maple adds a delicate complexity, while honey makes it floral and rich.
- Chia Seeds (1/2 cup): The magic that creates that signature pudding texture. Rich in fiber, omega-3s, and just plain fun to eat!
- Fresh Chopped Strawberries or Other Fruit, and/or Whipped Cream (for serving, optional): For an extra pop of color and flavor on top.
Variations
One of the joys of Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding is how easily you can riff on it. Whether you’re working with what’s in the fridge or tailoring to specific dietary needs, little tweaks go a long way in keeping things exciting and delicious.
- Mixed Berry Blend: Substitute some or all strawberries with raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries for a tangy flavor twist and a different color pop.
- Dairy-Free/Vegan: Use your favorite plant-based milk and yogurt—like creamy coconut or almond—and opt for maple syrup instead of honey.
- Tropical Dream: Swap the strawberries for ripe mango or pineapple to bring a hint of sunshine to your chia pudding.
- Paleo/Whole30-Friendly: Use compliant nut milk and yogurt alternatives, skip the sweetener or use a Whole30-approved option for an entirely guilt-free treat.
How to Make Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
Step 1: Blend the Strawberry Base
In a medium bowl, combine your strawberries (fresh or thawed), milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and your chosen sweetener. Grab your immersion blender and blend until everything is smooth and gorgeously pink (a standing blender works too—just transfer the mix back to your bowl afterward). The aroma at this point is already irresistible!
Step 2: Stir in the Chia Seeds
Sprinkle the chia seeds over the creamy strawberry mixture. Give everything a thorough stir, making sure the seeds are evenly distributed—this prevents clumping and ensures every bite is packed with that fun, pudding-like texture.
Step 3: Chill and Thicken
Cover your bowl (or portion the pudding into jars or cups for grab-and-go ease) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. The chia seeds will swell and gel, transforming your mixture into a luscious, scoopable Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding. If the pudding isn’t thick enough after four hours, simply give it a little more time—the magic is in the wait!
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
When ready to eat, stir the pudding gently and spoon into bowls or jars. Add a flourish of fresh strawberries, a handful of other berries, or a dollop of whipped cream—whatever makes you smile. This is pure happiness in every spoonful!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
- Use Super-Fresh Chia Seeds: Older chia seeds may not gel as well, so reach for a fresh bag to guarantee the perfect pudding texture every time.
- Blend Completely Smooth: For a luxurious consistency, blend the strawberries and base ingredients until there are no chunks—this also helps the pudding look extra beautiful.
- Let It Set Overnight: For best results, chill the pudding overnight—this ensures the chia seeds fully absorb the liquid for the creamiest, thickest results.
- Customize Thickness: Prefer an even thicker pudding? Decrease the milk and yogurt by 1/4 cup each for a spoon-you-can-stand-straight-up-in treat.
How to Serve Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding
Garnishes
Garnishing your Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding is where the magic really happens—try a sprinkle of fresh chopped strawberries, a mound of vibrant berries, or a swoosh of whipped cream for dreamy indulgence. For an elegant twist, a few mint leaves or a drizzle of honey jazz things up deliciously.
Side Dishes
This pudding pairs beautifully with a warm slice of whole-grain toast, light breakfast muffins, or a side of crunchy granola. For a special brunch, serve alongside egg dishes, fresh fruit platters, or even spiced nuts for a satisfying texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off those gorgeous pink layers by serving the pudding in clear jars or parfait glasses—layer with fruit, granola, or coconut flakes for extra flair. Mini mason jars make adorable grab-and-go breakfasts, while a big bowl topped with a fruit rainbow wows a crowd at brunch gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding keeps wonderfully in the fridge for 4 to 5 days—just cover or seal it and savor whenever you need a wholesome treat. Stir before serving to redistribute any settled chia seeds for the best texture.
Freezing
While you can technically freeze chia pudding, it may separate slightly upon thawing. If you go this route, freeze in individual containers and let thaw in the fridge overnight—then give it a good stir. Top with fresh fruit just before serving for best results.
Reheating
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding is meant to be enjoyed cold, so there’s no need to reheat. If it’s been frozen, just allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before enjoying.
FAQs
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Can I use a different fruit instead of strawberries for chia seed pudding?
Absolutely! Blueberries, raspberries, mango, and even mixed berries work beautifully in this recipe. Just keep the total fruit amount roughly the same, and enjoy experimenting with new flavors and colors.
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Why didn’t my Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding thicken properly?
The most common reasons are older chia seeds or not letting the mixture rest long enough. Make sure your seeds are fresh and give the pudding at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) in the fridge to reach that perfectly thick, pudding-like consistency.
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How can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Simple swaps! Use plant-based milk (like oat, almond, or coconut) and non-dairy yogurt. For the sweetener, choose maple syrup to keep things fully vegan and dairy-free.
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Is Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding good for meal prep?
Definitely! It keeps perfectly for several days in the fridge, so you can make a big batch on Sunday and have delicious, healthy breakfasts and snacks ready to grab all week long.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something simple, nutritious, and packed with summery flavor, give Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding a try. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a little gift to future you—just delightful, every single spoonful!
Print
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Blending, Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy and refreshing Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding is a delightful and healthy treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. This recipe combines the goodness of fresh strawberries, chia seeds, and creamy yogurt to create a delicious pudding that is perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 12–16 oz. fresh strawberries, roughly chopped or frozen and thawed
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 cup yogurt (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
For serving (optional):
- Fresh chopped strawberries or other fruit
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding: In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth.
- Add chia seeds: Stir in the chia seeds until well mixed.
- Refrigerate: Chill the mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight until it reaches a thick pudding-like consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh fruit and whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
- Experiment with different fruits such as mango or berries.
- For a vegan option, use plant-based milk, yogurt, and maple syrup.
- For a paleo/whole30 version, use compliant yogurt alternative and milk.
- If pudding doesn’t thicken enough, refrigerate longer or adjust milk and yogurt quantities for a thicker consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 129 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 31mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
