Looking for a delicious and nutritious breakfast that’s easy to make and fills you up till lunchtime? Chia pudding with yogurt is the answer! Add fruits, seeds and nut butter to make it even better for you.
Are you a fan of chia pudding? I’ll admit that my road to chia pudding love has not always been smooth and straightforward. However these days it’s my go-to breakfast for the summer months – when it gets too warm in the morning to have a hot breakfast like porridge.
My chia pudding experience…
I first tried chia pudding a few years ago, when chia seeds were heralded as the new ‘super food’ that would revolutionise your health and wellbeing. I’m not one to take such claims at face value, but chia seeds do have some excellent nutritional credentials, as they’re packed with fibre and protein.
I mixed my chia seeds with milk, popped them into the fridge, and next morning was rewarded with… something completely inedible! Lumpy, clumpy, and generally nasty, it’s fair to say my first attempt at chia pudding was an utter disaster. I tried a few more times and, achieving similar results each time, decided that chia pudding wasn’t worth the hype and gave up. I would stick to making chia jam with my seeds instead!
Delicious chia pudding!
However some time later, I was served chia pudding for breakfast at a lovely B&B. It was flavoured with a hint of vanilla and served with strawberries. The pudding was cool, creamy, and with none of the lumpiness or grittiness that I’d previously experienced. It was good! I decided to try again.
This time around, I discovered the secret to a really lovely chia pudding! And the secret is… stirring!
Yes, it sounds simple, and it is. Spending a few minutes vigorously stirring the chia seeds and milk together before refrigerating overnight makes a world of difference. The difference, in fact, between a lovely breakfast, and a horrible one.
Ultimate chia pudding recipe
Since then, I’ve tinkered with my chia pudding recipe, adjusting ratios, and adding extras both before and after the overnight soaking. Below is my ultimate chia pudding recipe! You’ll find me eating this most mornings during the Spring and Summer. It’s delicious, filling, and highly nutritious – what more could you ask?!
Chia pudding with yogurt
Adding yogurt to your chia pudding is transformational! It makes the pudding creamier and richer, and adds a lovely tangy flavour. The yogurt also boosts the protein and calcium content, and adds probiotics if you use a live yogurt.
I’ve tried adding the yogurt both before and after soaking the chia seeds, and after is definitely the way to go. Simply stir in a few spoonfuls once the chia pudding comes out of the fridge, and you’re all set.
What kind of yogurt?
I use a plain, unsweetened live yogurt for a tangy flavour and probiotic benefits. However you can use any kind of yogurt you prefer. Whether you like a Greek style, Icelandic Skyr, creamy vegan coconut yogurt, or something strained, stirred or flavoured. Ideally choose one with real fruit and minimal added ingredients for the best nutrition profile.
Added extras and toppings
While chia pudding with yogurt is delicious as it is, I also like to add a few extras to really boost my breakfast and set me up for the day. Typically I will also include one or more of the following:
Stirred in:
- Milled flaxseed or a flaxseed blend
Stirred into the chia pudding, it adds omega-3 which helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels, magnesium for healthy metabolism and muscle function, and copper for a healthy immune system. - Creamy almond butter or other nut butter
Added with the yogurt, almond butter gives a great flavour as well as a good boost of healthy fats, additional protein and fibre.
Scattered on top:
- Fresh fruit
I like to add summer berries (as seen in the photos), diced pears or peaches, or a sliced banana. They all make lovely toppings for your chia pudding and add natural sweetness as well as vibrant polyphenols, vitamins and minerals. - Toasted coconut flakes
I love the crunch and toasty flavour! - Mixed seeds
Another lovely crunchy topping. Look out for a ‘breakfast seed mix’ and sprinkle a spoonful over your bowl before tucking in. Seeds are nutritional powerhouses, packed with essential minerals and micronutrients.
Health benefits of chia pudding with yogurt
This tasty breakfast bowl is high in protein and dietary fibre from the chia seeds, milk (or nondairy alternative) and yogurt. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, and overall good health. Adults should aim to get around 50g of protein per day (although you may need more depending on age and activity levels.) A serving of chia pudding with yogurt contains around 8-10g of protein.
Dietary fibre is essential for gut health and the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome. A bowl of chia pudding provides around 8g fibre.
Adding nut butter, seeds and fruit as suggested above can increase these values. Depending on your choices, you can easily make a tasty breakfast with around 15-20g fibre and 15-20g protein per serving. It’ll really set you up for the day!
This tasty breakfast is also a good source of calcium and iron, essential for healthy bones, blood and overall metabolism.
Chia pudding with yogurt (and extras!) is a well-rounded and satisfying meal, and an excellent and healthy breakfast choice.
How to make chia pudding with yogurt (& extras!)
Making this delicious breakfast for yourself couldn’t be easier. Simply follow these easy steps and be rewarded with a gorgeous bowl of chia pudding with yogurt for a scrumptious breakfast.
- The night before you want to eat it, mix your chia seeds with milk or a non-dairy alternative (I use oat milk). Initially, the seeds will float on the surface of the liquid. Mix vigorously until most of the chia seeds are submerged in the milk. This may take a few minutes but it’s worth it!
- Cover the bowl, and transfer to the fridge overnight.
- Next morning, remove the soaked chia seeds from the fridge and uncover. The mixture will have thickened and be almost solid.
- Add the milled flaxseeds, nut butter and yogurt, then give everything a good stir to ensure it’s well mixed together. This will help to ensure a lovely creamy texture.
- Your chia pudding with yogurt is now ready to top with fruit, seeds, nuts, coconut, or whichever topping you desire! Tuck in and enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast.
A delicious and nutritious breakfast
I love this chia pudding with yogurt because it tastes really indulgent, fills me up till lunchtime, and is packed with nourishing, whole-food ingredients. Is this the perfect breakfast?!
I hope you’ll try it and enjoy it as much as I do.
If you want deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox, simply click here to subscribe. (Of course, I’ll never pass on your email address to anyone.)
📖 Recipe
Chia pudding with yogurt (and extras!)
Ingredients
- 20 g chia seeds
- 125 ml milk or a non-dairy alternative
- 75 g natural yogurt
- 20 g milled flaxseed (optional)
- 25 g nut butter (optional)
Suggested toppings
- 2-3 tablespoon diced strawberries or mixed berries
- 1 sliced banana
- 2-3 teaspoon mixed seeds
- 2-3 teaspoon coconut flakes
Instructions
- 20 g (2 tablespoon) chia seeds, 125 ml (½ cup) milk or a non-dairy alternativeThe night before you want to eat it, mix your chia seeds with milk or a non-dairy alternative (I use oat milk). Initially, the seeds will float on the surface of the liquid. Mix vigorously until most of the chia seeds are submerged in the milk. This may take a few minutes but it's worth it!
- Cover the bowl, and transfer to the fridge overnight.
- 75 g (⅓ cup) natural yogurt, 20 g (3 tablespoon) milled flaxseed (optional), 25 g (1½ tablespoon) nut butter (optional)Next morning, remove the soaked chia seeds from the fridge and uncover the bowl. Add the yogurt, together with milled flaxseeds and nut butter (I use almond butter) if using. Give everything a good stir to ensure it's well mixed together.
- 2-3 tbsp diced strawberries or mixed berries, 1 sliced banana, 2-3 tsp mixed seeds, 2-3 tsp coconut flakesTop your chia pudding with yogurt with fruit, seeds, nuts, coconut, or whichever topping you desire! Tuck in and enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast.
Notes
Nutrition
More delicious and healthy breakfast recipes
If you love a healthy breakfast, you might also enjoy:
Chia pudding FAQs
Classic chia pudding is made by combining chia seeds with a liquid such as milk and allowing it soak overnight. Chia pudding with yogurt adds an additional step by stirring in creamy natural yogurt before serving. This makes the pudding richer and creamier, and adds a delicious flavour as well as probiotic benefits.
Yes! As well as being creamy and delicious, chia pudding with yogurt is an excellent source of protein, dietary fibre, calcium and iron. Adding milled flaxseeds and nut butter as suggested in the recipe also adds healthy fats and omega-3.
Chia pudding with yogurt is naturally gluten free and suitable for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. It is vegetarian, but can be made vegan by simply substituting a plant-based milk and yogurt for those made with animal milk.
The nut butter is a delicious but optional addition, so those with nut allergies can simply leave it out, or use tahini or sunflower seed butter instead.
Leave a Reply