The tiny seeds can expand to hold about 10 times their dry weight in liquid. When they absorb liquid, the seeds develop a gelatinous coating and swell into globules reminiscent of miniature tapioca balls and make a delicious and healthy pudding.
1/4 cup of chia seeds
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Stir (or shake) the mixture to ensure that all seeds are “wet.” Set the container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. It’s that easy!! Your chia seed pudding will keep for several days in an airtight refrigerated container.
There are a few tricks I've learned having made this a few times. (I may be late to jump on the chia pudding bandwagon, but I'm making up for lost time!) The seeds tend to clump at the bottom of the container as they expand. I find that if you stir the mixture after about the first 2 hours, it gives the seeds more room to swell and the pudding will be creamier and less dense. Also, be sure to give the pudding a good stir before topping it with fruit, granola or eating it plain.
If you like chocolate pudding, adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, a pinch of cinnamon, and dash more honey if needed makes a healthy dessert alternative (and disguises the sort of gray hue to regular chia pudding).
What are your favorite ways to serve chia seed pudding?