4-Ingredient Kefir Chia Seed Pudding
This creamy 4-Ingredient Kefir Chia Seed Pudding recipe is packed with fiber and probiotics to support gut health. It’s an easy snack or make-ahead breakfast option. This recipe works all year long – just swap the fruits for something seasonal!
I am a huge fan of chia seed pudding as an easy grab-and-go breakfast option. It’s perfect for when you’re rushing in the morning, or when you just don’t feel like making anything.
Chia pudding is also an excellent, portable, and healthy snack or breakfast option if you have an office fridge available!
Today, I want to share a super simple 4-Ingredient Chia Seed Pudding, using only:
- chia seeds
- kefir
- maple syrup
- cinnamon
- plus toppings of your choice – you can easily change these up with what’s in season!
Want more inspiration for what to do with chia seeds? Check out my roundup of healthy recipes using chia seeds for more ideas!
Why Kefir?
Many chia pudding recipes call for using different plant-based milks (such as almond milk), but I love using kefir to switch things up!
Kefir is a fermented yogurt drink that is rich in good-for-the-gut probiotics. When paired with the high fibre and omega-3 content of chia seeds, this kefir chia pudding can help to promote gut health!
Texture wise – it’s also creamier and thicker than milks.
Love kefir? You may also enjoy my kefir overnight oats or this mango kefir smoothie!
How To Make Chia Pudding
Making chia pudding is SUPER simple!
To start, I like to mix the chia seeds and any DRY ingredient into a large bowl or jar.
By mixing the dry ingredients together first, it ensures that everything is evenly dispersed. For this recipe, that means mixing the chia seeds with the cinnamon.
Next, you’ll want to mix any wet/liquid ingredients together. For this recipe, that’s the kefir and maple syrup.
Once mixed, pour the wet ingredients over the dry, and stir everything together well.
Note: things will be really liquid and not pudding-like at this point – that’s normal! The chia seeds will absorb the liquid and swell up with time.
Then, cover your chia seed mixture and place in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight. I personally love doing this at night, so that you have chia pudding ready to go in the morning.
Allowing the chia seeds to sit in the liquid for 2+ hours is what’s going to let those chia seeds swell into a pudding. Don’t skip this step!
After you’ve let everything sit, remove the chia pudding from the fridge. Give everything a good stir, portion it out, and add toppings of your choice!
I love adding fruits (like the peaches and blueberries you see here), nuts, granola, or almond butter.
I encourage you to switch up the toppings with the seasons – chia pudding tastes great with any type of fruit!
Chia Pudding Ratio
There is a lot of internet debate over the best chia seed-to-liquid ratio for chia pudding.
In my opinion, the answer comes down to two things: personal preference (i.e. how thick or thin you like things) and the type of liquid you choose to use (i.e. a thicker or thinner liquid).
When I use kefir to make chia pudding, I like to do a 3:1 ratio. For example, 3 tbsp chia seeds to 1 cup kefir. This is because kefir is slightly thicker than other milks!
When I use other plant-based milks, I like to do a 4:1 ratio to achieve the same thickness. This means, 4 tbsp (or 1/4 cup) of chia seeds to 1 cup milk.
If you follow either of these ratios and find your chia pudding is too thick for your liking, simply add more liquid. If you find it too thin, add more chia seeds!
Chia Pudding Benefits
Chia seeds are great sources of:
- dietary fibre (10 grams in 2 Tbsps, or 40% of your daily needs)
- omega-3 fatty acids
- plant-based protein (4 grams in 2 Tbsps)
- minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron
What you top your chia pudding with often has health benefits, too. For instance:
- fresh fruit is rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants
- nuts and nut butters are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, plant proteins, and other micronutrients
Plus, the kefir that’s used as a liquid base in this recipe is full of good-for-the-gut probiotic bacteria.
As you can see, chia pudding is not only simple and delicious, but it’s full of good-for-you ingredients.
More Healthy Chia Seed Recipes
- Healthy Key Lime Pie Chia Pudding
- Coconut Chia Pudding With Honey & Lime
- Blended Chocolate Ginger Chia Pudding (Vegan)
- Blended Raspberry Chia Pudding (Vegan)
- Ginger Pear Chia Jam
- How To Make Chia Jam: 3 Ways (Vegan)
- Strawberry Rose Chia Jam (Vegan)
Did you give this 4-Ingredient Kefir Chia Seed Pudding Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, 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!
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Kefir Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
- 9 Tbsp chia seeds (or 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp)
- 3 cups plain kefir
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup (adjust depending on how sweet you want it)
- Toppings optional: fresh fruit, nut butter, nuts, cacao nibs, etc.
Instructions
- In a large jar or bowl, mix chia seeds with ground cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl or measuring cup, mix kefir with maple syrup. Pour over chia seeds and stir together well.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Once mixture has become a pudding-like texture, remove from fridge. Give everything a good stir, then portion into jars/bowls, and add toppings as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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26 Comments on “4-Ingredient Kefir Chia Seed Pudding”
This sounds so delicious! I can’t wait to make this kefir pudding at home. So good for the body!
Thanks Billy! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
I just love chia pudding. So healthy and also delicious.
Thank you Mariki! I feel the same way about chia pudding – I never tire of it! 🙂
I went through a Phase wHere i ate these literally 4-5 times a week for like 4 weeks straight. Its such a delicious (and asthetically pleasing breakfast, that makes you feel like youre waking up to room service in your beachside viLla on vacation). So good! Must try! (I sneak in various Treats for myself too, like some cinnamon, vanilla extract or whatever else i can find)
Aw this is so awesome Dorah!! Flattered you feel like this is beachside villa worthy <3. I love how you're customizing the base recipe with different flavours - keeps things fresh and exciting!!!
This recipe was so easy and so flavorful. Quick and tasty! Packed wIth nutrients and the perfect amount to pack in fhe frIdge for later for an on-the-go breakfast!
Hi Lizzy! Thank you so much for sharing this – I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this chia pudding!! It really is one of my favourite make-ahead, on-the-go breakfast options :). Take care xx
Thank you very much for sharing. I haven’t tried yet but for sure this weekend I will. It looks so yummy!!!
Hi Elmer,
My pleasure!! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I’d love to know how it turns out. Have a great weekend <3
Very yummy and I will certainly keep using it
Thank you for sharing your experience, Mary! I’m so happy to hear you enjoy this one 🙂
Great recipe! If you suffer from constipation this is really great to eat. You will drop a massive deuce if you eat enough of them!
Lol thank you, Sam! Happy to hear you enjoyed this one. All that fiber and probiotics can definitely help with regularity 😉
Recepty sú chutné a bez chyby. Chutia mi výborné
Had to translate this!! Thank you, Milan! I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Another delicious recipe! Ridiculously easy to make. I made this with coconut milk kefir, and it thickened beautifully. I’ve only ever used coconut milk with chia seeds; this is such a refreshing change!
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review – it’s so appreciated. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this one as well! Kefir is so great – I’m glad you found it to be a refreshing change for chia pudding 🙂
I´ve heard that is not recommended to add cinnamon for a fermented food, because it could kill beneficial bacteria o.o
Hi Chris! The amount of cinnamon you would need to have antimicrobial effects would be way more than what’s added to this recipe. I can only find one study that’s even looked at adding cinnamon to yogurt, and they found a limited positive effect on the microbial properties. I wouldn’t worry too much! You can leave the cinnamon out if you prefer 🙂
This is so delicious!
I cut the recipe into quarters to make just one serving.
I made this with 2
tablespoons cocoa powder (per each serving) as a delicious addition. If you use cocoa powder, mix the cocoa with a small amount of very hot water to liquify the cocoa into a thin paste for easier mixing.
I also substituted stevia for maple syrup to cut the sugar content.
I topped mine with blueberries and pistachios. So delicious!
Hi Jeanne! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! Love the additions you made here – yes to adding some cocoa powder for a chocolate flavour!! You may enjoy this chocolate ginger chia seed pudding as well if you like chocolate 🙂
I used 1/4 cup of Chai Seeds and 1 cup of oat milk, 1 tsp pure raw unfiltered honey, and fresh ground cinnamon. Let it sit overnight, then in the morning I added 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries, and 1/4 cup of diced fresh strawberries. It was a weird texture for me, but, surprisingly keep me satisfied until lunch.
Hi! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. So happy to hear that you found this recipe satisfying! The fiber, protein, and fat content of chia seeds is surprisingly filling, right?!
A tip: if you don’t love the texture of chia pudding, you are welcome to throw the finished recipe (before toppings) into the blender. It will blend the chia seeds up, resulting in a smoother pudding 🙂
Was looking for a yummy kefir/chia recipe because I want to start focusing more on gut health and I’m so happy I stumbled on this one! So tasty, versatile and EASY – my husband begged me to make him another bowl after he tried it because he loves it as much as I do. Added a little extra maple syrup to ours (1.5 – 2 tbsp total) to use it as an after dinner treat. Definitely give this a try!
Hi Gabby! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, it’s so appreciated. I’m so happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed this one as an after dinner treat!
PS. if you want more ways to use kefir, feel free to check out my kefir overnight oats or this mango kefir smoothie 🙂