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    Home » Puddings and Mousses

    Chocolate Chia Pudding

    Published: Mar 2, 2023 · Updated: Mar 2, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Saved!
    1 hour 15 minutes

    Let's make this yummy vegan chocolate chia seed pudding! This simple recipe transforms cocoa powder, coconut milk, maple syrup and chia seeds into a versatile and easy sweet treat. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy dessert!

    A patterned mason jar full of chia pudding garnished with peach, blueberry, strawberry and grated chocolate.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredient tips
    • Step by step pictures
    • Substitutions and variations
    • Serving and topping ideas
    • Storage
    • FAQs
    • More chocolate recipes
    • Recipe

    Chia pudding is a really easy vegan breakfast or simple dessert that's on the healthy side.

    It's similar to tapioca pudding, but there's no cooking involved so it's super quick to whip up!

    The thick consistency comes from the chia seeds which naturally swell and gel up to create a pudding-like texture.

    This easy chocolate chia pudding recipe is:

    • Vegan and dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Refined sugar-free
    • Rich
    • Creamy
    • Simple
    • Easy to make in advance
    • And fun to customize with your favorite toppings

    Ingredient tips

    To make this chocolate chia pudding, you'll need the following ingredients:

    Ingredients: coconut milk, chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt.

    Coconut milk: Use full-fat coconut milk from a can for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.

    Maple syrup: I recommend adjusting the amount of maple syrup you use to suit your tastes. If you want a not-so-sweet breakfast pudding, you can use just a few teaspoons. If you are making this as a dessert and have more of a sweet tooth, you can add up to 4 tablespoons.

    Step by step pictures

    Here's how to make this chocolate coconut chia pudding recipe. Full detailed recipe and quantities are in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    A thick chocolate and coconut milk paste in a bowl with a whisk.

    Step 1 - Place the cocoa powder in a bowl and gradually whisk in about a quarter of the coconut milk to form a smooth paste, with no lumps of cocoa powder.

    Whisking in chia seeds to the chocolate mixture.

    Step 2 - Whisk in all the remaining ingredients.

    Thickened chocolate chia pudding and a whisk in a bowl

    Step 3 - Set aside for 10 minutes to thicken slightly and whisk again to break up any remaining lumps.

    Filling jars with chia pudding.

    Step 4 - Split the mixture into your serving containers, cover and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.

    A patterned mason jar full of chia pudding garnished with peach, blueberry, strawberry and grated chocolate.

    Step 5 - Serve with your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, chocolate, or nut butter.

    Top tip!
    To make sure the pudding sets properly, whisk the mixture well, making sure there are no lumps of cocoa powder or chia seeds left.

    Also, don't worry if the mixture seems thin at first, as the chia seeds will absorb the liquid and thicken the pudding over time.

    Substitutions and variations

    There are many ways to customize this recipe to your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas:

    Instead of cocoa powder, you can use raw cacao powder which is less processed. The flavor is a little more bitter and earthy if you use cacao.

    Instead of coconut milk, you can also use almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk for a lighter pudding.

    Swap the maple syrup for agave nectar or another sweetener of your choice.

    For a chocolate banana chia pudding

    Stir some mashed banana into the pudding and top with banana slices, vegan whipped cream, and chocolate.

    For a chocolate orange chia pudding

    Omit the vanilla extract and add 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest or orange liqueur to the mixture and top with fresh orange slices.

    For a chocolate peanut butter chia pudding

    Mix in 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter. Top with crushed peanuts and an extra drizzle of nut butter.

    For a smoother pudding, blend the mixture in a high-speed blender for 1-2 minutes or until very smooth.

    This is quite a firm chia pudding, if you prefer yours to be runnier, you can increase the amount of coconut milk to 2 cups / 480ml.

    Serving and topping ideas

    Short wide mouth mason jars with lids make the perfect containers for chia pudding.

    This recipe makes about 4 servings, depending on the size of your serving dishes. You can double or half the recipe to suit you.

    Here's a list of toppings that go deliciously with the flavor of this chocolate pudding:

    • Sliced bananas
    • Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries...)
    • Cherries
    • Peaches
    • Shredded coconut
    • Chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts...)
    • Granola
    • Chocolate chips
    • Cacao nibs
    • Whipped coconut cream
    • Peanut butter or almond butter
    • Maple syrup
    • Fresh mint leaves
    Two jars of chia pudding next to a board of fruit.

    Storage

    Store the puddings in jars or other covered containers for up to 5 days.

    Freeze without toppings, in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks and thaw overnight in the fridge.

    A spoon digs into a vegan chocolate chia seed pudding.

    FAQs

    Why didn't my chia pudding thicken?

    Stale chia seeds don't thicken so well. If you are using old chia seeds, try again with fresh seeds. Lumps of unmixed chia seeds can also lead to a runnier pudding, so be sure to whisk well!

    More chocolate recipes

    If you're a chocolate lover, you need to check out our list of 40+ Vegan Chocolate Desserts and Treats You Must Try!

    And you'll want to check out these other delicious dessert recipes too:

    Nut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Dates

    Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl

    Vegan Chocolate Mousse

    Recipe

    A patterned mason jar full of chia pudding garnished with peach, blueberry, strawberry and grated chocolate.

    Chocolate Chia Pudding (Vegan + GF)

    Vegan Dessert Ideas
    This creamy and rich chocolate chia seed pudding makes a healthy breakfast or a delicious dessert. It's vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free too!
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Chill Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Servings 4
    Category Puddings and Mousses
    Cuisine American

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Whisk
    • Silicone spatula

    Ingredients 

    • 4 tablespoons (30 g) cocoa powder unsweetened, or cacao powder
    • 1 ⅔ cup (400 ml) coconut milk
    • ½ cup (85 g) chia seeds
    • 2 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup depending on your sweetness preference
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Topping ideas

    • vegan dark chocolate
    • nut butter
    • shredded coconut
    • fresh fruit

    Instructions

    • Add the cocoa powder to a mixing bowl and gradually whisk in about a quarter of the coconut milk to form a smooth paste, with no lumps of cocoa powder.
      4 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 ⅔ cup coconut milk
    • Whisk in all the remaining ingredients - the rest of the coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt.
      ½ cup chia seeds, 2 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • Set aside for 10 minutes to thicken slightly and then whisk again to break up any remaining lumps.
    • Split the mixture into your serving containers, cover and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
    • Serve with toppings of your choice and enjoy!

    Notes

    Mixing: To make sure the pudding sets properly, whisk the mixture well, making sure there are no lumps of cocoa powder or chia seeds left. 
    Sweetness level: I recommend adjusting the amount of maple syrup you use to suit your tastes. If you want a not so sweet breakfast pudding, you could use just a few teaspoons. If you are making this as a dessert and have more of a sweet tooth, you can add up to 4 tablespoons.
    For variations and more yummy topping ideas, see the post above.

    Nutritional Estimate Per Serving

    Calories 349kcal | Carbohydrates 25g | Protein 6g | Fat 28g | Saturated Fat 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat 5g | Monounsaturated Fat 2g | Trans Fat 0.03g | Sodium 92mg | Potassium 411mg | Fiber 9g | Sugar 9g | Vitamin A 12IU | Vitamin C 1mg | Calcium 176mg | Iron 6mg
    Leave a commentI hope you loved this recipe! Leave a ★★★★★ rating and share your ideas in the comments! Vicky x

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