Fluffy Yogurt Chia Pudding (Print)

Light and creamy blend of yogurt, chia seeds, and vanilla bean, perfect for breakfast or snack.

# Components:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, full fat or low fat
02 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
03 - 1/4 cup chia seeds
04 - 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
05 - 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of fine sea salt

→ Toppings

07 - Fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
08 - Toasted coconut flakes
09 - Sliced banana
10 - Granola
11 - Additional honey or maple syrup for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, almond milk, maple syrup or honey, vanilla bean seeds, and salt until smooth and well combined.
02 - Stir in the chia seeds, mixing thoroughly to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
03 - Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to break up any clumps and ensure even hydration.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight until the pudding thickens and develops a fluffy consistency.
05 - Before serving, stir the pudding thoroughly. Spoon into individual glasses or bowls.
06 - Top with fresh berries, coconut flakes, banana slices, granola, or a drizzle of additional sweetener as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of actual work, then does the heavy lifting while you do literally anything else.
  • The texture is somehow both creamy and light, like eating a cloud that actually fills you up.
  • A real vanilla bean transforms it from basic breakfast into something that feels fancy enough for company.
  • It keeps in the fridge for days, so you can make it once and feel virtuous for a week.
02 -
  • The first time I skipped the 5-minute sit and second whisk, the chia seeds clumped into little balls that never fully incorporated, and the pudding turned weird and grainy instead of fluffy.
  • Don't use vanilla extract as a one-to-one swap if you have a vanilla bean, because extract is concentrated and 2 teaspoons tastes nothing like fresh vanilla seeds.
  • The texture keeps getting fluffier as it sits overnight, so if you're not patient enough to wait, you'll get something thinner and less satisfying.
03 -
  • Cold bowls and glasses make the pudding taste even creamier somehow, so pop them in the freezer while you're preparing everything else.
  • If your chia seeds are clumping no matter what you do, you might have old ones, because fresh chia seeds disperse much more smoothly.
  • The pudding thickens more as it sits, so if you like it looser, add a splash more almond milk before serving.
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