Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding
on Feb 04, 2015, Updated Mar 26, 2026
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If you’re looking for an easy breakfast or snack that actually keeps you full, this blended chocolate chia protein pudding is a simple and satisfying option. It’s rich and chocolatey like a dessert, but also packed with fibre and protein to help support steady energy and reduce mid-morning or late-afternoon cravings.
This recipe requires just a few ingredients and no cooking, making it ideal for meal prep and busy mornings. You can prepare it in minutes, let it chill in the fridge and have a balanced, nourishing option ready to grab and go.
Chia pudding works well as a light breakfast, post-workout snack or healthier dessert. It’s naturally vegan, customizable with different toppings and easy to adjust based on your hunger levels or activity needs.
Top Review
This is the best chia protein pudding I’ve ever made! I used 35g of PBN Chocolate Casein and semi-skimmed milk and it came out super thick, smooth and very filling. I did add around 200ml of milk total to help it blend better and it still came out a bit thick so next time I might add more milk. A serving of this came to around 320 cals and 39g of protein, fantastic macros.
Why You’ll Love High-Protein Chia Protein
This chocolate chia protein pudding is creamy, satisfying and easy to prepare ahead of time. It’s a great option when you want something that feels like a treat but also helps support steady energy and fullness.
- High in fibre and protein to help keep you satisfied.
- Quick to prepare with no cooking required.
- No cooking required, just blend and let it sit!
- Perfect for meal prep and busy mornings.
- Dairy-free and vegan.
- Works as breakfast, snack or a healthier dessert.
- Customizable with a wide variety of topping options.
- Helps support balanced eating and stable energy.
- Kid-friendly and great for packed lunches.
For more pre-made breakfasts, this baked banana oatmeal and baked protein oatmeal are great too. These vegan protein pancakes are also a reader favourite and can be made ahead of time and reheated.
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 5 min
Chill Time: 60 min
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 278 calories | 29g protein | 15g fibre
Diet: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free.
Difficulty: Very easy
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is a quick overview of what you’ll need to make the recipe and any substitutions you can make. Use the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and measurements at the bottom of the post when you’re ready to make the recipe.
- Protein Powder: I use pea protein for this recipe and it works well for a thick texture. Readers have had success with whey protein but I haven’t tried it myself! You can also use vanilla protein powder but it won’t be quite as chocolatey!
- Chia Seeds: Any chia seeds work, just make sure they aren’t too old or they may not absorb the moisture well. Extra chia seeds? Use them in Mango Chia Pudding, Peanut Butter Jelly Chia Pudding and Peanut Butter Chia Pudding.
- Milk: You can use any dairy-free milk like oat milk, almond milk or soy milk, or dairy milk. Water also works but milk is creamier. You can also use light coconut milk or full-fat coconut milk, which is a little high-calorie for day to day but makes an extra decadent pudding. You can also make chia pudding with yogurt like in this yogurt chia pudding but I haven’t tried it in this recipe, I imagine it would be pretty delicious though! I would suggest half yogurt and half milk if you try it.
- Cocoa Powder: To double down on the chocolate flavour, the recipe calls for a little extra cocoa powder. You can use cocoa powder or raw cacao.
- Sweetener of Choice: With the extra cocoa powder, the recipe benefits from a small amount of added sweetener. You can use stevia or another sugar-free sweetener if you don’t want to add sugar, otherwise honey or maple syrup work well.
- Optional: Add a pinch of sea salt and 1 tsp vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate flavour. A dash of cinnamon could be nice too!
👉 Why Chia Pudding Is So Filling
Chia pudding can be surprisingly satisfying despite being light and simple to prepare. This is largely due to its combination of fibre, protein and slow-digesting nutrients that help support stable energy and appetite regulation.
- Chia seeds are very high in soluble fibre. When mixed with liquid, they form a gel-like texture that slows digestion and helps you feel full for longer.
- Adding protein further improves satiety by supporting muscle repair, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing cravings later in the day.
- This combination of fibre and protein makes chia pudding a practical option for balanced breakfasts, snacks or lighter meals.
For even better staying power, pair chia pudding with fruit, nuts or yogurt to create a more complete and satisfying meal.
FAQ
You can leave it out as the protein powder does add sweetness but I do usually add about 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey.
If you don’t have a blender you can make this recipe without one. To make without blending, whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined and refrigerate until set.
Yes, chia pudding can be frozen if you want to prepare it further in advance. Store it in airtight containers or freezer-safe jars, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality.
To use, thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before serving. The texture may become slightly softer or more separated after freezing, but this can usually be improved by stirring in a splash of milk or adding yogurt or fresh toppings.
Freezing works best for plain chia pudding without fresh fruit toppings. Add fruit, granola or nuts after thawing for the best texture.
Chia pudding keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days when stored in a sealed container. This makes it a convenient option for meal prep breakfasts or snacks. Be sure the container is tightly sealed and keep toppings off until just before eating for best results.
For sure! This recipe is made for protein powder but I also have a regular chocolate chia pudding recipe you can try.
I love PEScience vegan protein, Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Protein and Vega Sport protein powder. Any protein powder you enjoy works but I’ve had the most success with pea protein-based protein powders. Readers have used chocolate whey protein with success!
Overall calorie intake is most important if fat loss is a goal. Chia pudding can be a helpful option because it is high in fibre and can support fullness and appetite control. The soluble fibre in chia seeds absorbs liquid and forms a gel-like texture, which slows digestion and may help you feel satisfied for longer between meals.
Adding a source of protein, such as protein powder or yogurt, can further improve satiety and help support muscle maintenance while reducing overall calorie intake. Like any food, chia pudding can fit into a weight loss plan when portion sizes and overall daily calorie balance are appropriate.
Be mindful of adding calorie-dense toppings like nut butter or granola.
Chia pudding can be enjoyed at all times of day! It works well as a quick breakfast, a mid-morning or afternoon snack, a post-workout snack paired with fruit or a healthier dessert when you want a nourishing sweet treat.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pudding is too runny | Not enough chia seeds, old chia seeds or not chilled long enough | Stir in 1-2 tsp more chia seeds and let sit another 30-60 minutes |
| Pudding is too thick | Too many chia seeds or too little liquid | Add a splash of milk and stir until desired texture is reached |
| Texture feels slimy | Chia seeds not mixed well or personal texture preference | Stir twice during the first 10 minutes of soaking or blend for a smoother pudding |
| Protein powder clumps | Protein added directly without proper mixing | Blend chia and milk first, then blend into protein powder |
| Flavour is too bitter | Too much cocoa powder or not enough sweetness | Add a little maple syrup, dates or vanilla to balance flavour |
| Pudding tastes bland | Not enough salt, cocoa or sweetener | Add a pinch of salt or extra cocoa powder to enhance flavour |
| Pudding separates after storage | Natural settling or liquid variation | Stir well before serving |
Best Toppings for Chia Pudding
The pudding itself is delicious, thick and creamy but the best thing about it is it’s the perfect vessel for all your favourite toppings. You can use toppings to improve the balance of the recipe to suit your needs:
- For more healthy fats:
- Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds or cashews
- Cacao nibs or dairy-free chocolate chips
- Seeds like pepitas, hemp seeds or sunflower seeds
- Shredded coconut or toasted coconut flakes
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- For more energizing carbohydrates:
- Raisins or chopped dates
- Fresh or frozen fruit like peaches, blueberries, strawberries, banana, raspberries or mango
- Dried fruit like goji berries or chopped apricots
- Granola
- For more protein:
- Top with Greek yogurt or high-protein dairy-free yogurt
If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe, and I love to hear from you. Thanks for trying my recipes! – Deryn
Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, or other milk of choice
- 2 tbsp chia seeds, 24 g
- 1 scoop chocolate vegan protein powder, 30-40g
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 14 g
- 2 packets stevia or liquid stevia drops to taste, or 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Add the milk to the blender first, then add the chia seeds and blend for about 30 seconds.3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tbsp chia seeds
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender.1 scoop chocolate vegan protein powder, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 packets stevia or liquid stevia drops to taste
- Blend until very smooth and creamy, adding a bit of extra milk if it’s too thick to blend.
- Scoop the mixture into a container or bowl and place in the fridge for at least 60 minutes up to overnight.
Can this be made without the protein powder?
Hi Samantha, I haven’t tried this recipe without protein but you could just blend the chia seeds, liquid, cocoa powder and sweetener, you may need to adjust the amounts a bit. Add the chia seeds and cocoa powder and a bit of liquid, then adjust the sweetener to taste and add additional liquid as needed to create a thick texture. hope that helps!
Any idea on nutritional info?
I’m sorry, I don’t have it for this recipe but it should be easy to calculate by entering it into MyFitnessPal or other nutritional info calculator.
Delicious. This will be an all time favourite.
Hello! I’m not vegan and usually use whey protein powders, would those recipe work fine with a chocolate whey protein powder?
Thanks!
Yes, that will work fine. Enjoy.
Thanks! I ended up making it today and it tastes incredible, however my chia seeds didn’t go smooth like yours did even though I blended it… would using ground seeds make it more mousse like yours?
I used whole chia seeds in mine and it came out really smooth just with blending. It could be your blender maybe? I used a single-serve blender cup so it was really able to blend those seeds up! Ground chia would work I guess, but I haven’t tried them. You could always try just adding the chia seeds first and pulsing them a few times to break them down before you add the rest of the ingredients.
Mine had a really bitter taste! I remembered chia sometimes left a bitter taste in some of my other encounters, but I did a few different batches to make sure of the culprit….protein powder, cacao, or chia. Mine seems to be from the blended Chia. I tried several batches, the one where I didn’t blend them & just stirred them in at the end had no bitter taste. Maybe it’s the chia seeds I’m using (the Whole Foods 365 brand)…..Have you had the bitter problem?
Hmm, interesting. I’ve never had chia seeds be bitter before, whether I blend them or not. Are you using flavoured protein powder? If not, are you using a sweetener since cacao is very bitter?? I guess it could be the chia seeds, but I’ve never heard of that before. Anyhow..the recipe still works if you don’t blend it. Thanks!
I have had this problem, it means your chia seeds have gone bad and you need new ones.
My seeds did not swell are you suppose to soak first? Thanks
Nope. Just add all ingredients to the blender and mix until thick and creamy. Then let it sit for at least an hour or up to overnight.
Looks yummy! To be honest, I tried Vega recovery powder awhile back and hated the taste, so I’ve shied away from their protein powders as well… but maybe I’ll have to give it a shot!
Love that Vega One is soy-free! So many companies are selling-out and adding soy to their protein powders and fooling consumers because it’s way cheaper!
That’s for the recipe. I’ll have to try this really soon. I don’t have any Vega One, But I do have Nutivia and some Jarrows plant-based protein powders…. I may just have to add a little extra cocoa powder. 😉
I feel like I need to try this with the new mocha flavour!!
Need.to.try.chia.pudding….STILL!