My Goodness Kitchen

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Contact
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • About
    • Contact
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home > Recipes > Vegan Breakfasts

    Chocolate Chia Bowl

    Updated: Feb 9, 2024 | Published: Apr 5, 2023 | by Amanda | 4 Comments

    Skip to Recipe

    Made with whole ingredients and no added processed sugars, this chocolate chia bowl is wickedly good for you.

    Make it in 5-minutes the night before, and have breakfast ready for the morning. Sweet.

    A bowl of pudding with fruit.

    This recipe was originally published on December 2, 2020 and updated on April 5, 2023 with new hero images, process images, recipe substitutions and step-by-step images.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love this Chia Bowl
    • Are Chia Seeds Really Healthy?
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make A Chia Bowl
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Looking for More Simple Breakfast Ideas?
    • Make This Recipe
    • Leave a Comment

    Why You'll Love this Chia Bowl

    • It's a healthy way to get your chocolate fix - this pudding is full of chocolate flavour but is made with whole ingredients
    • Make it ahead. A chia bowl is easy to prep the night before so you have breakfast ready to go first thing in the morning
    • It's so quick. This recipe only takes around 5 minutes to prepare
    • Chia seeds are naturally vegan and gluten-free
    • It's adaptable - swap out the nut butter, add a banana or throw in a pinch of cinnamon.

    Chia seeds are a great little powerhouse to keep in the kitchen. They are small but nutritionally mighty and a little goes a long way.

    Besides using them in puddings, I use chia seeds to thicken sauces like in my tomato spaghetti with olives and lemon and my vegan mushroom pasta. They are that versatile. I always have a jar in my fridge for a quick and easy protein boost.

    Chia seeds close up.

    Are Chia Seeds Really Healthy?

    Totally! Chia seeds are a considered a superfood because they are loaded with nutrients and offer a mountain of health benefits.

    • They are high in antioxidants essential to a healthy diet
    • Chia seeds are largely made up of fibre. In fact, almost all the carbs in chia seeds are fibre.
    • Chia seeds are a good source of high quality protein to help you feel fuller for longer. They contain all 9 essential amino acids making them a complete protein. These acids cannot be made by the body. 
    • They are high good fats, like omega 3 fatty acids. Chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids! Two tablespoons of chia seeds (28 grams) contain around 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, 7 grams of unsaturated fat, 18% RDA for calcium, and trace minerals including zinc and copper. 

    Source: Harvard School Of Public Health

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    This chia pudding is made from easy to find ingredients.

    Chia bowl ingredients in a grid with labels.

    Chia seeds. White, black or a combination works here.

    Coffee. Coffee enhances the flavour of the chocolate but you can skip it if you don't like coffee.

    Dates are a natural sweetener and they help to thicken this chocolate chia pudding but if you don't have any you can add 1 or 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. If your dates are a little "aged", give them a quick soak in warm water before bending them.

    Almond butter. You can swap out almond butter for a seed butter or cashew butter. I wouldn't use peanut butter as it will change the flavour completely.

    Salt. Always. Just a touch.

    Vanilla. For a little depth of flavour.

    How to Make A Chia Bowl

    You'll find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    Honestly, making this chocolate chia pudding is child's play. In 3 easy steps this decadent but healthy bowl is ready for breakfast. 

    Step 1.Blend the ingredients, except the chia seeds, in a blender.

    Two images with chocolate pudding in a blender.

    Step 2. Add the chia seeds and pulse to break them up a little

    Two images of blended pudding in a blender and jars.

    Steps 3 and 4. Pour the pudding into a jar or bowl and refrigerate for a few hours before serving with fresh fruit and dark chocolate shavings. 

    Pulsing the seeds with the other ingredients breaks them down a little, making the finished pudding smoother and creamier. A few quick pulses will do the trick.

    Close up of chia pudding texture with sprinkles.

    Variations

    The first time I made this chocolate chia bowl, I made it with a Mexican vibe. It goes a little something like this...

    A tiny touch of cinnamon (a quarter teaspoon) and the smallest pinch of cayenne pepper recreates the warning flavours of a Mexican hot chocolate.

    Otherwise...

    • Add a banana for potassium and a flavour twist
    • Swap the almond butter for peanut butter for a Reese's vibe.
    • Top with fresh cherries and coconut flakes for a Cherry Ripe.

    FAQs

    What kind of milk can I use?

    You can use soy, almond, cashew, coconut...any dairy-free milk you like.

    What's the best chia seed to liquid ratio?

    It's subjective, but a quarter cup of milk to every tablespoon of chia seeds results in a thick but still slightly loose pudding. I find this works for both Australian and US measures. If the texture is too thick for your liking after refrigeration, you can stir in a touch more milk to loosen it.

    How long will this chia pudding last?

    Chocolate chia pudding can be stored, covered, in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. This means you can make a larger batch and enjoy it throughout the week.

    I like to give my pudding a quick stir before serving.

    Can I freeze chia pudding?

    You can! You could freeze individual serving sizes in sealed freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 2 months. Pop each in the refrigerate to thaw overnight (6 - 8 hours) to serve.

    The pudding looks running before I put it in the refrigerator?

    That's OK. The chia seeds are going to absorb a heap of that liquid and turn in to a thick and wonderful chia pudding.

    Bowls of chocolate pudding on a wooden table.

    Looking for More Simple Breakfast Ideas?

    • A jar of oats with a spoon.
      Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
    • The Best Scrambled Tofu
    • A breakfast table setting with granola in a bowl.
      Budget Friendlier Grain-Free Granola
    • Fresh baked sweet buns with nuts and drizzle.
      Sweet Buns with Nut Streusel

    Sign up to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Insta for all the latest news. If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook "Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family" It's full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.

    Make This Recipe

    Chocolate chia pudding in a bowl with sprinkles.

    Chocolate Chia Bowl Recipe

    Made with whole ingredients and no added processed sugars, this chocolate chia bowl is wickedly good for you.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Chocolate
    Diet: Gluten Free | Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Refrigeration Time: 4 hours hours
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 347kcal
    Author: Amanda Logan

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cups dairy-free milk almond or soy
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa or cacao
    • 1 tablespoon almond butter
    • 2 medjool dates pitted and roughly chopped, or maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon freshly made black coffee (optional)
    • a good pinch of sea salt
    • 4 tablespoon chia seeds

    Instructions

    • Place all the ingredients, except the chia seeds, in a blender and blend until smooth
    • Add the chia seeds and pulse three or four times
    • Pour the mixture in to either two bowls or three glasses.
    • Cover with foil and place in the fridge to set overnight or for at least four hours. 
    • Serve with your choice of fresh fruit, dark chocolate shavings, granola or buckinis. For added indulgence, serve with whipped vanilla coconut cream. 
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    What kind of milk can I use?
    You can use soy, almond, cashew, coconut...any dairy-free milk you like.
    How long does chia pudding keep?
    Chocolate chia pudding can be stored, covered, in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. This means you can make a larger batch and enjoy it throughout the week.

    I like to give my pudding a quick stir before serving.
    Does chia pudding freeze?
    It does! You could freeze individual serving sizes in sealed freezer-proof containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Pop each in the refrigerate to thaw overnight (6 - 8 hours) to serve.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 747IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 476mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried It?I'd love to hear your feedback. Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below. Or you can tag @mygoodnesskitchen or hashtag #mygoodnesskitchen on Instagram.
    « Sweet Buns with Nut Streusel
    Sri Lankan-Style Tofu Curry »

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

      Questions or Comments? Drop them Right Here. Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. jacquie says

      May 04, 2017 at 5:25 pm

      just wanted to give a shout out to the 15 year and say she is way cool and so does not matter what foodgawker says (not that I know what foodgawker is anyway)

      and to the adult - I like the way the blog is now. please keep doing it this way.

      and to the bother you enjoy your pudding.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        May 04, 2017 at 9:57 pm

        Oh, thanks so much Jacquie. That's so kind of you. I like my fifteen year-old too. She worries too much about what others think but her intentions are good. Stay well and thank you again.

        Reply
    2. Quite Good Food says

      May 04, 2017 at 8:06 am

      I have to say, I adore your new photography style. It's understated and so lovely, who cares what Foodgawker thinks anyway 😉 keep doing what you're doing, it's fabulous x

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        May 04, 2017 at 8:15 am

        Thank you, my sweet friend. x

        Reply
    A woman eating a bowl of food with a dog next to her.

    Nice to Meet You!

    I'm Amanda and that's Scout with her eye on you.
    I believe you can make good food that's great tasting with simple, fuss-free ingredients. I will show you how to cook creatively even when you're on a budget or short on time.

    LEARN MORE

    Healthy New Year

    • A roasting tray with stuffed butternut squash.
      Stuffed Butternut Squash (GF)

    • A bowl of Dahl on a wooden box.
      Red Lentil Dahl (Masoor Dal) With Roast Eggplant

    • Green smoothies and limes on a table.
      Spinach and Pineapple Smoothie

    • A breakfast table setting with granola in a bowl.
      Budget Friendlier Grain-Free Granola

    • Make Your Own Vegan Kimchi

    • Coated and uncoated bliss balls on a white surface.
      Almond Butter Bliss Balls

    Slurp-Worthy Soups

    • A man holding a bowl of pumpkin soup.
      5-ingredient Pumpkin Lentil Soup

    • Bowl of soup with spoons on a wooden tray.
      Simple Butter Bean Soup

    • Bowls of soup on a pink background.
      Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    • A bowl of mushroom soup on a wooden table.
      The Creamiest Vegan Mushroom Soup

    • Bowls of zucchini soup on a grey background.
      3-Ingredient Zucchini Soup

    • A bowl of noodle soup on a rough white background.
      Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup

    Fresh Salads

    • Tofu and noodles in a bowl with greens.
      Lemongrass Tofu Salad

    • A white plate with tomatoes.
      Tomato and Onion Salad

    • A table setting with a large bowl of coleslaw.
      Healthy-ish Vegan Coleslaw

    • Kimchi Salad with Noodles

    • A bowl of cabbage and noodle salad on a rustic table.
      Chang's Crispy Noodle Salad

    • A large bowl of rainbow vegetable salad.
      Rainbow Salad with Orange Miso Dressing

    Footer

    Read

    Read Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Terms of Use

    Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    Join the cook's community and get your free vegan baking guide.

    Contact MGK

    Contact

    Copyright © 2025 My Goodness Kitchen

    By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies. Cookies provide you with a more personalised user experience and help this website run more effectively.
    .
    OK NoRead Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    This is an necessary category.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    Non Necessary
    This is an non-necessary category.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Powered by CookieYes Logo
    • 172

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.