Working to add more protein to your diet? This Chia Seed Protein Pudding makes a delicious, quick, and easy breakfast, snack or dessert! Upgrade a classic chia pudding recipe with Greek yogurt and protein powder to make it fit your goals. The perfect make-ahead breakfast!
28 grams of protein per serving!
Contents
The Perfect Way to Add Protein to your Day
I am all about getting protein from real food sources, but let’s be real – we all need a little help sometimes!
If you struggle to make yourself meat, eggs, or other savory breakfasts, because you’re short on time, chia seed protein pudding to the rescue!
You’ll LOVE how quick and easy this recipe is. Whisk together some milk, Greek yogurt, and protein powder. Stir in some chia seeds. Boom! Breakfast for 4 days.
And it’s so delicious! Having it every morning for a week does not have to get boring. Each day, customize the bowl with different toppings.
Shaved dark chocolate + Raspberries ❤️
-or-
Blueberries + Pecans
The options are endless!
This recipe includes 5 flavor variations – vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, mocha, and chai spice! Pick your fav, or make a different flavor for each jar.
Chia seeds all on their own are a nutritional power house. 2 1/2 tablespoons of chia seeds contains 5 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber. The other simple ingredients amplify the protein content of this healthy base!
What You’ll Need
- Chia Seeds (I buy them in bulk at Costco and use them in water, for pudding, or to make chia seed jam).
- Milk of Choice (unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or other non-dairy milk recommended. Unsweetened hemp milk adds additional protein!)
- Greek Yogurt (I used a nonfat Greek yogurt for this recipe. Full fat yogurt contains healthy fats and can be used if you have higher calorie needs!)
- Protein Powder (I recommend a whey protein isolate. If you use a sweetened/flavored protein powder, omit or reduce the added sweetener)
- Maple Syrup (sub honey or other sweetener of choice! Allulose and monk fruit sweetener, or stevia drops, keep this recipe low carb and sugar free)
- Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- Optional Flavor Additions (see notes below for additional recipes): Cacao powder, freeze dried berries, cinnamon, orange or lemon juice, coconut oil.
What Protein Powder Should I Use?
This depends on your goals and the protein powder you best tolerate.
Whey protein powder has an excellent amino acid profile, meaning all the essential amino acids are in a good ratio to help your body build and repair muscle.
A good quality whey protein powder will have little else in the ingredient list. I love BioChem Natural Whey Protein Isolate. It mixes into recipes easily, tastes great, and has a minimal ingredient list.
I also prefer unsweetened/unflavored protein powders. This way you can seamlessly mix it into smoothies or other recipes without altering the flavor. It also gives you more control of the sweetness of your recipes.
Collagen adds an additional boost of protein, but shouldn’t be your primary protein source. It is not a complete protein. Use it to add extra protein but use a regular protein powder for the majority added.
Can I use Vegan Protein Powder?
You can use whatever protein powder works best for your health goals. If you use a vegan protein powder, it will most likely be sweetened and flavored, so adjust the sweetener and flavorings in the recipe in accordance.
Also beware that the amino acids in plant-based protein powder are often not in an optimal ratio. This means it takes more protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Plant based powders also typically have additional starches or sugars from the plants they are derived from. This could thicken the consistency of your pudding, so it might be necessary to add additional liquid.
How to Make Chia Seed Protein Pudding
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, sweetener of choice, vanilla, and pinch of sea salt. Add additional flavorings here, like cacao powder, cinnamon, or crushed freezed dried rasperries.
Step 2: Add chia seeds, and whisk to combine chia seeds with the liquid base. Allow the chia seeds to absorb liquid for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Whisk the mixture again to prevent the chia seeds from clumping. Allow to sit another 5 minutes. Do this 3-4 times, until the mixture has begun to thicken and the seeds are staying separated.
Step 4: Store chia seed pudding in a mason jar or an airtight container. Refrigerate at least an hour, or overnight. Refrigerate protein chia pudding for up to 5 days. Add toppings of choice to serve.
Meal prep containers can also be used, with the pudding in one section and toppings in a separate compartment.
Flavor Variations
Stick to the classic vanilla chia pudding recipe listed in the recipe card, or be adventurous and try one of these variations! Prepare all 1 flavor, or mix flavor additions into individual portions.
Chocolate Protein Chia Seed Pudding Recipe: Add 1/4 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. This is a good option if you’re using a chocolate protein powder. Adjust sweetener to taste.
Chocolate protein chia pudding is great for chocolate cravings! Do it up by adding some cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate, and some Raspberry Chia Jam.
Raspberry or Strawberry Chia Seed Protein Pudding: Crush 1/2 cup of freeze dried raspberries or freeze dried strawberries, and whisk in during step 1.
Berry flavors are delicious topped with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, and bananas!
Mocha Chia Protein Pudding: Reduce milk to 2 cups. Add 1/4 cup raw cacao powder and 2 shots of espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee or 1 teaspoon instant coffee). Whisk these in during step 1 of the recipe.
Top your mocha protein pudding with an extra creamy scoop of Greek yogurt and some shaved dark chocolate.
Chai Spice Protein Chia Pudding: Reduce milk to 2 cups. Add 1/2 cup strong brewed black tea. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of cardamom. Add a pinch of turmeric for extra antioxidant power!
This pudding flavor is so good with mandarin oranges and some shredded coconut!
Healthy Protein Pudding Toppings
- Sliced Bananas
- Strawberries, Raspberries, or Blueberries (any fresh berries in season!)
- Chopped Peaches or Nectarines (fresh fruit in season can be incorporated!)
- Mandarin Oranges
- Nuts: chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews
- Nut Butter: almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter!
- Seeds: hemp seeds (hemp hearts), sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds
- Coconut: unsweetened shredded coconut flakes or coconut butter.
- Homemade Granola: Add a little crunch. We love this Toasted Coconut Granola. Use this Keto Granola for a grain-free and sugar free option!
- Chocolate: My favs are chopped 85% dark chocolate and cacao nibs. Dark chocolate chips are also awesome!
Note: Split this recipe into smaller portions to make the perfect health snack!
Other Chia Seed Recipes
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Chia Seed Protein Pudding (lots of flavor options!)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk or hemp milk
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (I use fat free)
- 40 grams whey protein isolate or protein powder of choice
- 20 grams collagen protein
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey, or sweetener of choice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
- 3/4 cup chia seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, sweetener of choice, vanilla, and pinch of sea salt. Add additional flavorings here, like cacao powder, cinnamon, or crushed freezed dried rasperries.
- Add chia seeds, and whisk to combine. Allow the chia seeds to absorb liquid for about 5 minutes.
- Whisk the mixture again to prevent the chia seeds from clumping. Allow to sit another 5 minutes. Do this 3-4 times, until the mixture has begun to thicken and the seeds are staying separated.
- Store chia seed pudding in individual jars or a large glass jar. Refrigerate at least an hour, or overnight. Refrigerate protein chia pudding for up to 5 days.
Notes
FLAVOR VARIATIONS
Chocolate Chia Seed Protein Pudding: Add 1/4 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. This is a good option if you’re using a chocolate protein powder. Adjust sweetener to taste. If you’re in the mood for chocolate, do it up here! Add some cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate, and some Raspberry Chia Jam. Raspberry or Strawberry Chia Seed Protein Pudding: Crush 1/2 cup of freeze dried raspberries or freeze dried strawberries, and whisk in during step 1. Berry flavors are delicious topped with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, and bananas! Mocha Protein Chia Pudding: Reduce milk to 2 cups. Add 1/4 cup raw cacao powder and 2 shots of espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee or 1 teaspoon instant coffee). Whisk these in during step 1 of the recipe. Top your mocha protein pudding with an extra creamy scoop of Greek yogurt and some shaved dark chocolate. Chai Spice Protein Chia Pudding: Reduce milk to 2 cups. Add 1/2 cup strong brewed black tea. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of cardamom. Add a pinch of turmeric for extra antioxidant power! This pudding flavor is so good with mandarin oranges and some shredded coconut!HEALTHY TOPPINGS
- Sliced Bananas
- Strawberries, Raspberries, or Blueberries
- Chopped Peaches or Nectarines
- Mandarin Oranges
- Nuts: chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews
- Seeds: hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds
- Coconut:Â unsweetened shredded coconut or coconut butter.
- Chocolate:Â My favs are chopped 85% dark chocolate and cacao nibs
We LOVE the chocolate pudding. So good with raspberries.