When you puree chia seed pudding, it becomes smooth and creamy just like traditional pudding. In this recipe for Mexican Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding, I also added cinnamon and cayenne—because why not? It works for my breakfast shake, and it works really well in this pudding too.
Bonus: you can totally have this chia seed pudding for breakfast. Breakfast pudding! We'll live like kings!
And if you love this recipe, be sure to check out this Mexican Coconut Horchata too!
Recipe
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 196kcal
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond or other non-dairy milk
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup I used Grade B
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of cayenne optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours.
- Transfer mixture to a high-powered blender and blend until completely smooth. If pudding is warm from blending, return to refrigerator until chilled. (Alternately, you can just stir the pudding and eat it without blending.)
Notes
This pudding is thick, almost like a mousse. If you've blended your pudding and decide you want it a little thinner, add some extra milk. Be sure to blend the pudding until completely smooth—if you don't, it will be gritty! A high-powered blender like the Vitamix works best. Any sweetener you like will work in this, and if 1 tablespoon of maple syrup isn't sweet enough, feel free to add more.
Nutrition
Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 169mgPotassium: 218mgFiber: 12gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 356mgIron: 3mg
Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
your choc chia seed pudding looks so creamy and dreamy!
and regarding staging, props, etc. Yes to all. And the thing is, that even though I have it very well laid out in my mind what dishes Im going to use, linens, wood planks, etc. the food could look very diff than I planned on, and won't 'go with' what I had my heart set on so am scrambling at the last minute regardless. Story of my life!
And it's all $$ and none of us have the luxury of only using a plate one time so repeats happen!
Kiersten says
I just had a shoot today where I decided at the last minute that the food didn't go with the props I had chosen. Which sounds so completely insane and neurotic to anyone other than a food blogger, I'm sure.
Shelly says
I STILL have not even come close to understanding staging. I'm lucky if I finish my dessert to photograph in the day light! I need to plan better!
I have a whole bag of chia seeds so this would be a great way to use some up! Thanks!
Kiersten says
Well hey, at least the days are getting longer now! 🙂 I hate when something takes longer than you expect and you're racing against the clock to get it done before sunset.
Maria Tadic says
I like the idea of blending the chia seeds. I do like the texture, but a smooth pudding just is awesome! Especially for breakfast!
And don't feel bad about your pictures. I think they're great. Plus, I've been using the same burlap placemat for like the last 10 posts sooooo...yea.
Kiersten says
I lost my piece of burlap! I don't know if a cat took it or perhaps some kind of thieving elf, but I used to love taking pictures with that. :/ So I can definitely understand using it for 10 posts straight. 🙂 It's just so easy to work with! And it looks so good!
janet @ the taste space says
You are too funny. Take a deep breath and relax. It will be more than ok. Your photos are gorgeous and they all look great.. even if you use the same napkin twice.
Of course, says the girl who uses nearly the same dinnerware for every shoot... but that's because I long gave up the stress of perfect photos for my blog. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about cookbooks and my lack of all things prop-related. 🙂
Kiersten says
I have accumulated a lot of bowls and plates over the past two years, but I actually find myself using a handful of them on constant rotation. You can't beat a nice white plate or bowl.
Caitlin says
i loved this post! you're so funny. you remind me a lot of dayv. he won't like a movie because "in real life, that would never happen!" and i'm the same way with the photos of smoothies or milkshakes overflowing out of the glass i think about how i could never make that mess, and also waste some of the drink. i'm no fun either, ha!
Kiersten says
Well high fives to Dayv! Because that just completely ruins a movie for me too. 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
You made me laugh out loud. I think the exact same things! Especially about the tarnished spoons and vintage paint-chipped boards = lead paint. They photograph well, but ... ew! I'm more okay with spillage and drippage (I don't really understand why they make something look more appetizing but they often do), but yeah, the mess is a pain.
And seriously - a dude could never become part spider (in all the most advantageous ways) just by being bit by one.
(The pudding looks phenomenal, by the way).
Kiersten says
Have you seen that they sell vinyl backgrounds that LOOK like chipped wooden boards? I've seen people use them and you'd never know they're vinyl so I bought one to try out and it's on its way as I type. We'll see how it works out...
marquis @realrawkitchen says
This is exactly how I enjoy my chia seed pudding. I blend it on high speed until it's creamy and sinful. And I LOVE your write-up on staging. This is how I feel .. however I think you have actually mastered it!!
Kiersten says
I love your description! Yes, it does feel quite sinful when it's all blended and creamy, doesn't it? 🙂
Christy@SweetandSavoring says
I like hearing the behind the scenes stuff! My husband has made similar comments- looking at other blogs- like 'that just looks like a mess of stuff' rather than 'oh, how artfully placed those props are!' i'm sure it's quite the juggling act! Your pictures always looks wonderful, though, so you're doing something right.
I still have never bought chia seeds, but this pudding does sound yummy...
Kiersten says
Ha! That sounds like something my husband would say too. 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Hahaha I LOVED this post! I have exactly the same problem, I have probably 5-10 pieces of fabric and wood that I use in every single photo haha. I figure most people probably read one or two posts and then leave so they might never notice 😉 this pudding looks amazing! I've thought of making chia pudding but the weird texture has always put me off - a blended version sounds much better!!
Kiersten says
Oh yeah, I have about 5 or 6 wood backgrounds, but I mostly use 2 of them. I've pretty much accepted the fact that people probably mock and ridicule me for it. 😉
EA-The Spicy RD says
Such a funny post, and I LOVE this pudding recipe-genius idea to blend everything together! BTW-I'm drooling over your hot pink chevron spoon-adore it!
Kiersten says
I got it from Shop Sweet Lulu: http://www.shopsweetlulu.com/. They have such fun little things!
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
Love this! It looks unbelievably creamy. I am definitely one of those people for whom the chia seed texture is a deal-breaker, so I'll have to try this. And I'm with you on the practicality piece - I love those messy photos but just can't bring myself to ruin a $6 napkin!
Kiersten says
I think it would kill my soul a little bit to ruin one of my napkins. 🙂
Alissa N says
I have always wondered if blending the chia pudding would make the texture better!! You are so brilliant.
And oh my goodness can I relate on the staging. I have never noticed it on your stuff, it is totally one of those things that is only noticeable to you because you took the pictures. I even clicked those links knowing the plates and linens were the same and failed to see a real resemblance. Planning in advance is so smart, last night I moved the food 3 different times until I liked the look, which meant it was 8 by the time we ate, and I had 3 loads of dishes.
Kiersten says
I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with the idea and then afterwards, I found that other people had done it before. Darn it! 🙂
My husband does the dishes and I feel SO bad when I end up giving him a stack of plates because I had to try 10 of them to find the right one. That has definitely happened a lot around here, as have the late dinners!
Holly Waterfall says
oh my goodness, i am the WORST with staging! it's really bad. I use the same plates, and the same backgrounds.. it's bad. I just can't justify the money to buy staging items, but i really really need to. it's starting to get embarrassing. on the flip side, your photos are beautiful!
And this pudding sounds SO good and needs to happen in my life soon!
Kiersten says
I stalk sales and clearance sections. 🙂 And IKEA is good for cheap basics too!
Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen says
I have been wanting to try chia seeds for a while now, this recipe might make me just break down and buy them. I really do enjoy food photography, but sometimes I am definitely overthinking it. The kids think it is pretty funny watching me take photos with the props and sometimes standing on the table (I am fond of those overhead shots). Sometimes I think I have a great shot and when I go to write the post I don't like it anymore, and sometimes when I hate a picture, it's super popular on pinterest/foodgawker etc. Go figure.
Kiersten says
I love chia seeds, but I think they're one of those love 'em or hate 'em foods. But at least when you blend them up, everything objectionable about them disappears. 🙂 I've also noticed that some of the photos I really dislike are the ones that other people seem to like the most! And the ones I really love, FoodGawker will reject.
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I'm pretty sure I've used the same napkin and placemat for 75% of my photos haha, I always just hope that the attention is more on the food than all the background stuff because I have no space for infinite props! I never knew you could blend chia pudding and get such a light and fluffy texture - looks great!
Kiersten says
Well, it must be working because I haven't noticed and I read your blog all the time! 🙂
Jamie | Thrifty Veggie Mama says
I love chia pudding but never thought to blend it up!
Emily (Jelly Toast) says
I love everything about this post! I am so glad to hear that people (like you) who's photos that I admire a lot (like yours 😉 struggle with the same issues I do. I am horribly unorganized and get into terrible ruts with propping and styling. The thing is, your photos are gorgeous! I love your bright, clean style and fun colored dishes and props. It totally fits your healthy and beautiful vegetarian food. The thing I'm coming to realize (and struggling with finding) is that the only person I can be is me. I can't pretend to style or prop like someone else. I like to take inspiration and help push myself, but it has to be my vision. I think your style is so wonderful, and I know by scrolling through my feed or Facebook page when I come across one of your photos. You have a distinctive style that totally works. Anyway, I'm rambling. I love your work and can't wait for the book! Btw- this chia pudding looks great, and I totally need to try blending mine. My son has a texture issue and hasn't liked the his puddings I've made so far. This I think he'll love! Thanks so much!
Jad @ New South Food Co. says
Emily is right. You have a very distinct style that works great with your site and it sets you apart from other pictures.
Kiersten says
I guess I'm trying to branch out and try new things in my photography, without necessarily emulating other bloggers' styles. Although I love all the photos with elaborate place settings and ingredients strewn about, I don't think I'd ever be able to pull that off myself. But I do want to incorporate a little more of that into what I'm doing now, if that makes sense.
Kiersten says
Whenever I look at your blog, I always think, "Why can't I take pictures like that?!" So it's funny to see you saying that you admire my photos. 🙂 If you get into ruts with your props and styling, I definitely haven't seen it! I do feel that the way I take my pictures is the way I take my pictures and I've gotten comfortable with my style, but I still want to push myself to try different things. And I have trouble finding ways to do that that still feel like me!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I don’t plan on my props in advance either...and I use the same plates or props all the time.
The pudding looks yummilicious!
Honey What's Cooking says
wow, this looks unbelievable. Who knew almond milk a little cocoa powder and a third cup of chia could make pudding so thick and luscious. YUM! Nice job with the photos.. and tips. Really like your blog and healthy lifestyle.
ashley - baker by nature says
You know I'm obsessed with mexican chocolate ANYTHING, right?! And I just bought a giant bag of chia seeds last week. I must!!!
Nate says
focus, foCUS. FOCUS!!! It's about the food: Not about the pictures. If the photos are that important hire a professional. A lot of you bloggers take the fun out of trying your recipes because of the whining about your photos. STOP IT. I look at COOKING BLOGS for the food: I look at National Geographic for the pictures. I read both for the information
I hope I'm not being too much of a curmudgeon.
Kiersten says
You get a pass for using the word curmudgeon. That is one of my favorite words.
I completely understand what you're saying, but for most food bloggers, the photography and the food really go hand-in-hand. We're kind of forced to be jacks of all trades because we're running our own businesses on shoestring budgets. I tend not to blog about blogging because I know that, like you, most people don't really care about how the sausage is made, they just want their delicious sausage. But since I've had people ask me to write about the process of working on my book, I will probably be posting (once in a while!) about the recipe development process, the photography, etc., over the next few months.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
I love the spicy kick with cayenne! This looks so easy!
Jad @ New South Food Co. says
We're our own worst critic because I think you do a great job of staging but I'm always scrambling at the last minute looking for something different to use in a picture. Then I look at Bon Appetit magazine and try to compare my pictures to those!
Kiersten says
Oh yes, I'm terrible with comparing myself to magazines, other bloggers, cookbooks. But as my mom always says, there will always be someone better than you. (Hallmark should start making cards that say that.)
Erin says
This is my first post. I just have to say, I love reading your blog. Your honesty is refreshing, and SO hilarious! You say what people think. I'm the same way when it comes to "art". I am WAY too realistic! I've also wondered about paint chips in the food, or wastefulness just to make it look pretty while people are hungry.... Which is why I don't write a food blog. 😉 thanks for the laughs! (PS- I do enjoy the pics, of course!)
Kiersten says
It seriously warms my heart to know that there are other people who think this way. This means that either I'm not neurotic or that there are other, equally-neurotic people out there. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love the texture of your pudding! Great tip on choosing props ahead of time...sometimes I have the photo in my mind before I'm even ready to shoot, and other times I'm sorting through white dishes for the millionth time... 😉
Kiersten says
Yup, me too. Sometimes it comes together so easily--I love those times. 🙂