Easy Healthy Chia Seed and Strawberry Dessert

Chia seed and strawberry dessert

In this recipe for chia seed dessert, fresh (or frozen) strawberries are used, but any fruit will work for this nutritious breakfast, snack, or dessert that can be made ahead of time and is devoid of refined sugar. Chia seeds develop a gel-like consistency that resembles tapioca pudding. Additionally, because chia seeds are so nutritious, this recipe for guilt-free dessert is vegan, dairy-free, whole30- and paleo-friendly.

Chia seeds, which are similar to tapioca in texture, gel up when combined with a liquid. This dish tastes like a delightful mashup of strawberry ice cream and tapioca dessert and is sweetened just with strawberries and a tiny bit of maple syrup and vanilla extract. This is quite simple to prepare in advance because it keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge, but it does require at least 4 hours to set. The hands-on time is only 5 minutes.

The health benefits of chia seeds

One of those incredible superfoods with many health advantages is chia seeds.

They are rich in fiber, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals. The majority of the fiber in them is heart-healthy soluble fiber, which gives them their gel-like consistency. They have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (particularly when coupled with strawberries that also have these properties!), and they might even help regulate blood sugar.

You will find it difficult to resist eating chia seeds when they are combined with a delectable, naturally sweetened strawberry pudding.

Where can I buy chia seeds?

Since chia seeds gained popularity a few years ago, they can be bought in most grocery stores and on Amazon.

Ingredients and Substitutions for making Chia Dessert

Chia Seeds: Be sure to use whole, not powdered, chia seeds.
Strawberries: For this chia pudding, strawberries can be used either fresh (with the stems removed and coarsely diced) or frozen (and thawed). Additionally, you are free to use any fresh or frozen fruit you choose, including different berries, mango, bananas, or a combination of the three. Chia seed pudding is incredibly adaptable!
Milk: Oat milk is preferred over dairy milk, but you can also use other plant-based milk like almond or soy.
Yogurt: Whole milk yogurt is ideal for this, but you can also use Greek or ordinary yogurt or a plant-based yogurt substitute. Reduce or completely remove the maple syrup if you use flavored and sweetened yogurt, like vanilla.
Maple Syrup: Another sweetener, such as honey, agave, or even conventional sugar, can be substituted for maple syrup if you prefer. If you use regular sugar, I recommend letting it sit with the strawberries for a few minutes so that it can dissolve and bring out the taste of the fruit. Additionally, this recipe calls for 1/4 cup, but you may easily cut that amount back or even skip it in favor of the strawberries’ inherent sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: You can omit the vanilla extract if you’d like.
For serving, consider adding freshly cut strawberries and/or whipped cream or other fruit (great addition, especially if you’re serving this as dessert!).

How to make Strawberry Chia Seed Dessert

In a large or medium bowl, first combine the strawberries, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
Purée the ingredients in the bowl using an immersion blender (or in a standing blender).
If you used a standing blender, transfer the contents from it to a bowl at this point and stir in the chia seeds. Because they have a propensity to float on the surface, be sure they are completely immersed.
For at least four hours, refrigerate. Or until the chia seeds thicken and take on the consistency of pudding.
If preferred, serve with whipped cream and fruit pieces on top. Yum!

Why are my chia seeds not gelling?

Chia seeds can take a little longer than 4 hours to fully gel up and thicken the pudding, depending on how old they are. It could be the case if yours takes longer. It should be okay if you leave it overnight!

Additionally, you can cut the milk and yogurt by 1/4 cup each if you prefer a particularly thick chia pudding.

How long can it last in the fridge?

Chia seed pudding kept in the refrigerator can last for up to 5 days. There might be some separation; if so, simply whisk it before serving. Using bananas could also cause the pudding to turn brown.

Strawberry Chia Seed Dessert Full Recipe

This recipe for Chia Seed Dessert, which doesn’t contain any refined sugar and has fresh or frozen strawberries, is a great treat for breakfast.

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast

Servings: 8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Refrigeration time: 4 hours

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 129kcal

Equipment

Medium/large Bowl and Immersion Blender

Ingredients

12-16 ounces of strawberries (fresh + frozen or roughly chopped + thawed)
1 cup of yogurt (whole milk, dairy, or plant-based)
1 cup of milk (oat milk, dairy, or plant-based)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of maple syrup or honey, if you like.
1/2 cup chia seeds
Serve with fresh chopped strawberries or whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

A medium bowl should be filled with strawberries, milk (1 cup), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), yogurt (1 cup), and maple syrup (1/4 cup). Purée using an immersion blender up until it’s smooth. You can make use of a standing blender if there is no immersion blender.
Add 1/2 cup of chia seeds. Stir well to combine. Place the mixture overnight in the refrigerator or for at least 4 hours, or until the chia seeds have gelled and the mixture resembles thick pudding (see notes).
Serve with whipped cream and/or fresh strawberries or other fruit on the side if you like.

Nutrition