Have you ever wondered what to make with chia seeds or how to use them in your meals? I’ve rounded up 30+ dietitian-designed recipes that will show you easy and creative ways to use nutritious chia seeds in puddings, overnight oats, warm porridges, chia jams, breakfast smoothies, and snacks. Enjoy!
In this post, you’ll find 30+ simple, healthy recipes using chia seeds along with a breakdown of the nutrition benefits of chia seeds! Keep scrolling to explore all chia seed recipes, or click to go directly to the following sections:
What Are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are the tiny edible black or white seeds that come from a plant called Salvia hispanica. Chia seeds originate from Central America and are believed to be a stable food in the ancient Aztec diet.
A unique property of chia seeds is that they are hygroscopic, meaning that they attract and hold onto water molecules from their surrounding environment.
In fact, chia seeds will absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquid when soaked and develop a gel-like coating. This is what gives them their unique texture, and what makes them a great addition to the recipes listed below!
Chia Seed Nutrition & Health Benefits
Chia seeds are a popular ingredient for both their versatility, unique physical properties (described above), and impressive nutrition profile!
These little seeds are a source of dietary fibre, which helps with satiety, blood sugar balance, lowering cholesterol, and regulating your digestion. A standard serving of 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provides about 11 grams of fibre – 40% of your daily needs!
Chia seeds are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in heart health, brain health, and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
They’re also a source of plant-based protein, which provides the building blocks for your body’s tissues. 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provides 4 grams of protein!
Finally, just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provide plenty of essential vitamins + minerals, like:
- calcium (12% of your daily needs)
- iron (12%)
- magnesium (28%)
- phosphorus (18%)
- thiamin (20%)
- manganese (22%)
Chia Pudding Recipes
In this section you’ll find an assortment of delicious chia pudding flavours and ingredient combinations! When mixed with liquid and left to sit, chia seeds swell up into a gel-like texture. This is what helps to make them into puddings! I love chia puddings as is OR blended (blending can help make things smoother if you don’t like the texture of the seeds).
1) Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding
This chocolate banana chia seed pudding is such an easy, healthy breakfast or snack idea. It's just 7 ingredients and so simple to make! Recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
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2) Key Lime Pie Chia Seed Pudding
This key lime pie chia pudding is made with 5 simple ingredients for a healthier version of the classic dessert. It's super easy to make, and can even be enjoyed as a breakfast or snack!
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3) Chocolate & Ginger Chia Pudding
This delicious chia pudding is rich in fiber, omega-3s, and antioxidants! Nutritious, but good enough to eat for dessert? Yes, please!
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4) Maple Kefir Chia Seed Pudding
Chia pudding is an excellent omega-3 and fiber-rich breakfast option for when you're in a rush. Using kefir instead of other milk options is a great way to change things up and increase those good-for-the-gut probiotics. Have fun with the recipe and add toppings of your choice!
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5) Blended Raspberry Chia Pudding
Have you tried blended chia seed pudding before? Much smoother than traditional chia pudding, this is a great option for those who prefer a silkier texture. Make with your milk of choice and add toppings as desired for a simple, healthy, and fibre-rich breakfast or dessert!
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Overnight Oats With Chia
I love adding chia seeds to overnight oats to help give them a thicker texture (and add those nutrition benefits, of course!)
6) Mango Overnight Oats
These delicious mango overnight oats are made with chia seeds, greek yogurt, coconut, and fresh mint! They're a quick and easy healthy breakfast idea that is meant to be made in advance. This recipe has no added sugar, can easily be made gluten-free, and can even be made vegan.
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7) Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
These blueberry lemon overnight oats are made with just 7 ingredients, like chia seeds, greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, and lemon zest. It's such an easy, no-cook, make-ahead breakfast recipe that happens to taste DELICIOUS!
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8) Strawberry Overnight Steel Cut Oats
This Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal is an easy and nutritious grab-and-go breakfast option. No cooking necessary!
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Warm, Creamy Oatmeal With Chia
I can’t remember the last time I made warm oatmeal bowl WITHOUT chia seeds! They really help to make these warm porridges thick and creamy 🙂
9) Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal
This Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal is the yummiest way to get veggies in for breakfast. The recipe is easy, vegan, gluten-free, and can be made in a large batch for meal prep!
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10) Blueberry Steel Cut Oatmeal
This blueberry steel cut oatmeal is a delicious, healthy, and balanced breakfast! It's perfect for meal prep and uses pantry staples like frozen blueberries, steel cut oats, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Vegan and gluten-free.
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11) Chocolate Orange Oatmeal
This vegan chocolate orange oatmeal recipe is an easy, healthy, and delicious breakfast idea. It tastes like a comforting bowl of warm chocolate with a burst of orange flavour. Enjoy it hot off the stove or include it in your weekly meal prep for a simple, nutritious breakfast!
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12) Sautéed Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This healthy cinnamon apple oatmeal is beyond delicious and so easy to make – just 20 minutes. It's so flavourful and filled with healthy ingredients like chia seeds and rolled oats for a perfectly balanced, cozy breakfast.
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13) Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats With Caramelized Bananas
Creamiest. Breakfast. Ever. These steel cut oats are elevated by adding caramelized bananas, cinnamon, greek yogurt, and peanut butter – guaranteed to get you excited to get out of the bed in the morning!
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14) Gingerbread Steel Cut Oatmeal
This gingerbread steel cut oatmeal recipe is such a warming, cozy breakfast treat! It's vegan, gluten-free, and can be made in advance.
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15) Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal
This creamy pumpkin pie spiced steel cut oatmeal is the ultimate fall breakfast. With healthy ingredients, it's a great make-ahead option for meal prep! Recipe can easily be made vegan and/or gluten-free.
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16) Savoury Kimchi Oatmeal
This savoury kimchi oatmeal is a delicious vegetarian meal that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's easy, healthy, and ready in under 25-minutes!
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Chia Jam Recipes
Chia jams are an excellent healthy replacement for store-bought jams. They’re SO easy to make, you can customize the flavours and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.
17) Chia Jam: 3 Ways (Apricot, Raspberry, Blueberry)
You will love these delicious, healthy, and fiber-rich chia seed jams, three ways. Featuring apricot, raspberry, and blueberry!
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18) Ginger Pear Chia Jam
This easy Ginger Pear Chia Jam recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and made with only 5-ingredients. It's a delicious and seasonal, fall-spiced homemade jam with no added pectin. Enjoy it on top of toast, yogurt bowls, pancakes, oatmeal, and more!
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19) Strawberry Rose Chia Jam
This Strawberry Rose Chia Jam uses rose water and vanilla extract for a fun, flavourful twist on a classic strawberry chia jam! Recipe is gluten-free and vegan.
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Smoothies With Chia Seeds
If you’re sensing a theme here, chia seeds also really help to thicken up your breakfast smoothies! Their healthy fat and fiber content also help to make these smoothies more filling and satisfying.
20) Watermelon, Banana & Strawberry Smoothie
This nutritious watermelon smoothie is made with banana, strawberries, greek yogurt, and mint! It's super refreshing, easy to make, and filling enough to enjoy for breakfast.
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21) Lemon Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
This lemon blueberry avocado smoothie is such a delicious, easy, and filling breakfast idea! Touches of lemon zest, vanilla, and cinnamon add so much incredible flavour, while avocado and yogurt make the texture super creamy. Recipe is gluten-free, naturally sweetened only with fruit, and can be made vegan if needed.
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22) Banana Chai Smoothie
This vegan banana chai smoothie is made with vanilla, almond milk, and nut butter. An easy, healthy breakfast option packed with flavour!
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23) Ginger Pear Green Smoothie
This simple pear smoothie recipe is a delicious and nutritious green breakfast smoothie! It's made with healthy ingredients like ripe pears, ginger, spinach, avocado, hemp seeds, and chia seeds. As a dieititian, it's important to me that your breakfast smoothie provides you with balanced nutrition – and this flavourful smoothie delivers!
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24) Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie
This strawberry oatmeal smoothie is a healthy, filling breakfast that tastes like a strawberry milkshake! The addition of oats packs in a ton of nutrition benefits. Recipe is gluten-free and can easily be customized to use different fruits.
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25) Strawberry Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
This strawberry pineapple spinach green smoothie is packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, protein, healthy fats, and fibre. A creamy and filling breakfast!
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26) Cherry Smoothie With Yogurt
This easy cherry smoothie recipe is made with simple, healthy ingredients and flavours like vanilla, cinnamon, and fresh mint. Dietitian-designed, this breakfast smoothie is nutrient-dense and will keep you full all morning long!
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27) Chocolate Banana Avocado Smoothie
This healthy breakfast smoothie is made with spinach, peanut butter, chia, hemp seeds, and almond milk. Dietitian-designed, it’s full of nutritious ingredients for a filling breakfast. Vegan, gluten-free, and can be made-ahead!
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28) Simple Creamy Green Smoothie
This Simple Creamy Green Smoothie recipe is made with spinach, avocado, banana, chia, and hemp seeds. It's high in protein and healthy fats for a super satisfying breakfast. Gluten-free with vegan option available!
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Other Breakfasts & Snack Ideas
In this section you’ll find some more ideas for how to use chia seeds in other breakfasts and snacks!
29) Sourdough French Toast With Berry Compote
This sourdough french toast recipe may look decadent, but it's super easy to make and just 5 ingredients. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!
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30) Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites
These No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites are completely nut-free, gluten-free, and vegan, making them a suitable snack idea for many dietary restrictions! They're easy to make and filled with simple, healthy ingredients.
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31) Carrot Cake Energy Bites
A delicious and healthy snack! These carrot cake energy bites can be made gluten-free by using certified-GF oats. They can also be made vegan/dairy-free by omitting the optional greek yogurt topping.
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More Recipe Roundups To Explore
And there you have it – 30+ Easy, Healthy Recipes With Chia Seeds to make and enjoy. I so hope you found inspiration for some new and creative ways to use chia seeds!
If you make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
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30+ Healthy Recipes With Chia Seeds, Including Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding
This chocolate banana chia seed pudding is such an easy, healthy breakfast or snack idea. It's just 7 ingredients and so simple to make! Recipe is vegan and gluten-free. Plus more creative recipes using chia seeds!
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Refrigerate: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Whisk the dry ingredients (chia seeds, cacao powder, cinnamon) together in a large container or bowl.
Then, add the almond milk, vanilla, maple syrup, and mashed banana to the dry ingredients. Whisk everything together well.
Cover and refrigerate the container or bowl for a minimum of 2 hours (or overnight). The chia pudding will thicken during this time.
Once the chia pudding has thicken, pour it into your blender and blend until smooth. This step is optional, but I love how smooth it makes the pudding! Serve and add toppings as desired. Or, store to enjoy later.
*SERVINGS: this recipe will serve 2-4 depending on if you’re enjoying it for a meal (breakfast) or a snack (smaller portion)! And also on how hungry you are 😉
*STORAGE: Chia pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Simply portion out the serving you would like, then add toppings before eating!
*TOPPING IDEAS:
- a sprinkle of chopped nuts, like hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, or pecans
- a scoop of peanut or almond butter
- a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or cacao nibs
- extra banana slices or other fruit (like berries)
*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS:
- While I used almond milk for this recipe, you can use any milk or milk alternative that you’d like. My only suggestion is to choose one that’s unsweetened!
- If you can’t find raw cacao powder, cocoa powder will also work. Do note that it’s a bit sweeter though, so you may not need to add maple syrup to sweeten this recipe.
- Blending this chia pudding is optional! It’s a great way to get a smoother, more true-to-pudding texture, but not necessary. I make many chia seed puddings without the blender 🙂
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana, cacao powder, chia pudding, chia seeds
