Easy, Dairy-Free Vegan Chia Pudding
Sweet, juicy cherries and toasted almonds make the perfect combination for a creamy Chia Pudding Parfait. Making chia pudding is as simple as combining chia seeds with plant-based milk. After 5 minutes, the mixture thickens for a rich, creamy treat. This dairy-free vegan snack makes a healthy substitute for traditional dairy yogurt and pudding.
Benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds are a healthy source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They also have iron, fiber, and plant-based vegan protein. Sometimes called a “superfood”, they’ve been shown to be a great source of antioxidants. Chia seeds originated in the Andes Mountains. History says they fueled Mayan warriors who ran miles along the Incan trail in Peru and Bolivia.
Chia seeds are gluten-free and grain free. Because they are plant-based, they can be used to replace traditional dairy thickeners like cream and yogurt. Chia seeds are also free of common allergens like nuts and eggs. Therefor, you can use them in recipes to replace these ingredients.
How to Use Chia Seeds
Besides pudding, there are a number of healthy ways to use chia seeds:
- Sprinkle over salads, grain bowls, and oatmeal
- Add to smoothies and pudding
- Add them to jam to act as a natural, whole food thickener
- Use them to replace eggs in plant-based, vegan recipes.
- Replace 1 egg with 1 tablespoon ground chia seed + 3 tablespoons warm water.
- You can use a blender or mortar and pestle to grind the chia seed first.
- Add chia seeds to baked goods and desserts like Poppyseed Bars and Quinoa cookies
Blend together chia seeds, plant-based milk, dates, and vanilla for an easy, plant-based vegan pudding 
Chia seeds and plant-based milk blend together to make a creamy, satisfying vegan pudding
You’ll love this Cherry Chia Almond Parfait. It is:
- Rich and Creamy
- Naturally Sweet
- Kid-Friendly
- A Good Source of Healthy Fats
Enjoy!
Chef Katie’s Healthy Cooking Tips for Cherry Chia Pudding Almond Parfait:
Meal Prep: This is a great recipe for weekend meal prep. Make a big batch on the weekend and portion into individual. You have grab-and-go breakfast for the week!
Nut-Free: Substitute with any plant-based milk, like soy or oat. Substitute the sliced almonds with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or hemp seeds.
Fresh vs Frozen Cherries: When fresh cherries are in season, use it them this recipe. However, frozen cherries work great year-round. They’re picked and frozen at the height of the season. Thus, they’re packed with sweet, juicy flavor.
Cherry Chia Pudding Almond Parfait – Healthy, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, No Refined Sugar or Syrup Vegan Snack Recipe from Plants-Rule
Other frozen fruit variations: You can use any frozen fruit for this recipe. Frozen blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries would all taste delicious!
Nut-Free: You can substitute a nut-free, plant-based milk for the almond milk. Soy milk, oat milk, and rice milk would work. Be sure to use plain, unsweetened milk for the best flavor.
Cherry Chia Pudding Almond Parfait
If you love this, you’ll also love: Chia Berry Almond Parfait, Chocolate Mocha Healthy Chia Pudding, and
- Easy
- Yield: about 5 1/2 cups
- Ready in: 15 minutes
Cherry Chia Pudding Almond Parfait
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup sliced almonds toasted
- 2 cup almond milk unsweetened, plain
- ½ cup pitted dates (packed, about 100g)
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups frozen pitted cherries
Instructions
- To toast the almonds: Preheat your oven to 350Place the almonds on a baking sheet or in a baking pan. Bake until golden brown 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- To make the Cherry Chia Almond Parfait: In a blender, combine the almond milk, dates, chia seeds, and vanilla. Puree until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Divide the chia pudding evenly between 4 serving glasses. Top each with ½ cup of the frozen cherries. Sprinkle on the almonds. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings 4.0 | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| calories 325 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 16 g | 24 % |
| Saturated Fat 0 g | 2 % |
| Monounsaturated Fat 5 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium 76 mg | 3 % |
| Potassium 437 mg | 12 % |
| Total Carbohydrate 41 g | 14 % |
| Dietary Fiber 13 g | 54 % |
| Sugars 25 g | |
| Protein 8 g | 16 % |
| Vitamin A | 1 % |
| Vitamin C | 8 % |
| Calcium | 46 % |
| Iron | 12 % |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Shopping and Gear List
- BetterBody Foods Organic Chia Seeds with Omega-3, Non-GMO (2 lbs.)
- 5 Pounds Of Dates Pitted (5lb)
41
20
20
20
