Coconut Vanilla Chia Pudding
This creamy coconut vanilla chia pudding is a quick, flavorful and a healthy breakfast that will keep you full all morning long.
Pronunciations. How to say certain words. Big problem for this girl sometimes. Take chia for example. How do you even say that? In my head it went like this “chee-yah” but then I was telling a friend about this coconut vanilla chia pudding that I made and was so delicious and she had no idea what I was talking about. This is a constant conundrum for me. Ruins my stories. I don’t want to say English is my second language since I really started speaking English at an early age (3-4) but it’s beginning to sound like it is more and more as I get older (wahhh!!!).
I guess it is due to my so-called accent. I refuse to accept that I have one. Of course everyone says I do. They say it sounds British but since I ain’t no English gyal, I say I sound African. Which I think makes it harder when it comes to pronouncing certain words. An innocent word like “focus” in a heated gaming session of Catch Phrase this weekend with some friends was apparently heard as a certain word I can’t say on a food blog (use your rhyming skills) which lead to an eruption of laughter and some fun times among friends. I’m not a fan. But I try.
Maybe it’s time to actually get to the food. Eeeeepppp! This coconut vanilla chia pudding excites me. I decided to try some chia after all the buzz about its wonders on the interwebs. As you can tell, I don’t really follow food trends (or any trends) as I am sure chia is so last and I am finally getting to it. Better late than never as it is delicious and a power food!
Chia is high in fiber, protein and antioxidants. Who doesn’t want some of that? What’s even more remarkable about chia seeds is that they absorb almost 10x their weight in water to form a thick gel-like paste making them a super food as they keep you fuller longer. What I like most about chia seeds is that they do not have much flavor to them making them the perfect blank canvas. They can be mixed into other foods (sweet or savory) and assume the flavors of their environment, like smoothies, muffins or salads.
I decided to start with a breakfast pudding. This coconut vanilla chia pudding is very simple, delicious and so me. First it’s full of creamy coconut milk (hello!!) and rich in vanilla flavors thanks to vanilla bean seeds. I added a little bit of organic maple syrup for a touch of sweetness and served it with toasted coconut flakes and raspberries. As you can tell from the recipe, it ‘cooks’ while you sleep in the fridge for the perfect breakfast the next day. I’ve been enjoying this and other variations with almond milk for more than a week now and I think I need to stop for now.
Coconut Vanilla Chia Pudding
This creamy coconut vanilla chia pudding is a quick, flavorful and a healthy breakfast that will keep you full all morning long.
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/2 cup coconut milk
- seeds from ⅓ of a vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- Toppings:
- ½ cup fresh raspberries
- 2 tablespoons toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl with a lid, combine all the ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate. During the first 30 minutes, stir the mixture every 10 minutes as it thickens. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Add more coconut milk if you would a not-so-thick pudding
- Serve when the mixture reaches a custard-like consistency. Top with fresh fruits and coconut flakes.
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Have a great weekend!!
*You can find chia seeds in most supermarkets in the natural food sections. I use Bob’s Red Mill for all my whole grains and natural flour/meal products. I cannot make macarons without their almond meal (NO they did not pay me to say that!) Just sharing the love.*
Looking for more Breakfast Recipes? Try these:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chia Pudding
Amaranth Pudding with Hazelnuts and Berries
I looooove chia! This pudding looks amazing….love the photos!!
Girl, you crack me up! And now I REALLY want to play Catch Phrase with you 🙂 I am relatively new to chia seeds and can’t get enough of them in pudding form. This looks so delicious and creamy–plus I like that it can be a healthier grab-and-go breakfast for when I’m dashing out the door!
Hhahaha Amy…now I am scared lol! The hubs want to play at the in-laws this weekend and I said no way man!!
I’ve known and consumed chia seeds since I was a kid. We use these a lot in ‘Faloodas’ which is a milk and rose syrup based drink made especially during festivals! But I didn’t have any clue on its use in anything else apart from that cool milk based drink! This pudding looks soooo good!!!! I’ve been in a breakfast rut and I’m quite fed up of the everyday breakfast that I eat and this is making me salivate! It’s such a cool idea and the fact that I’ll have to prepare it overnight means I won’t have to spend hoursssss making breakfast in the middle of exams! This is PERFECT!
Oooo, faloodas sound delicious. Do you have a recipe for it? I’m about to go hunt your recipe index lol! I love rose syrup. I feel you on the breakfast rut and it is what inspired me to try something new. I was sick of yogurt and granola everyday lol!
I speak English and can’t say chia but where I live we say yall and I know that is not proper!! LOL! My hubby has a similar problem when he speaks. People say are you from Mexico. He just looks at them, let’s the crickets chime in for a few minutes and then says, no I am Italian! Or better yet, people randomly just start speaking Spanish to him assuming he is Spanish. This looks great!
Hhaha that is so funny people assume your hubby is from Mexico. I don’t like the straight assumptions lol!
I haven’t joined the chia train yet either, Zainab, but I must say I am tempted! Love the idea of adding the seeds to coconut milk! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Helen, I feel like you will love chia! It’s so good and good for u! Hope your week is off to a great start 🙂
Yes please! This looks so good, I can’t wait to give it a try!
This pudding is calling my name. Girl I want I want!!
Chia pudding is theeee best!! SO many possibilities with it, it’s unreal. Coconut milk is my favorite way to make the pudding happy you used it. I also love to put chia seeds in smoothies I make. It’s crazy how the seeds can create a thick pudding, the texture of the outside of the seed. Thanks for posting 😉
I have been curious about chia seeds and chia pudding and you certainly make it look good! I’d really love to try this. I can’t offer much on the pronunciation front. I’ve been known to say a word wrong for a few years before realizing it (like: “gianduja”)! I blame it on being born somewhere else too. ; )
Monica I think you will be surprised how simple and wonderful chia is. I hope you try it soon! (Being born somewhere else is a great excuse here!!)
I love chia! I just had a vanilla chia pudding with strawberries this morning. So good! Have a great weekend, Zainab!
A) you are NOT the last one on the chia train; I still have yet to hop on 😉 I sent hubby to the market to get some and he came home with the ground kind. :/
B) how else would you say it??? Chee-ya is exactly how I would pronounce it too and if your friend didn’t know what you were referring to, I think it probably had more to do with her not being as up on food trends, than your lovely (and barely perceptible) African accent.
C) I cant think of a nicer way to start the day than with a cup of this creamy, sweet, and nutritious delight! Beautiful recipe, especially heading into the warmer months <3
Hahhah I am glad it is not just me Allie. I’m so glad I got on board with Chia. Just enjoyed another batch today! Thanks for visiting friend.
This pudding looks so good! But, now I have a problem because I thought you pronounced “chia” “chee-yah”…so HOW DO YOU SAY THIS? 🙂