Vanilla Coconut Milk Chia Pudding (Whole30, vegan, keto)

This 4-ingredient Vanilla Coconut Milk Chia Pudding is an easy breakfast, snack or dessert!

You just need coconut milk, chia seeds, vanilla and a little sweetener for a thick, creamy treat.

It can be made ahead of time so you can eat it throughout the week.

It’s dairy-free, vegan, Paleo and is easily made keto and Whole30* (see notes in post)!

vegan chia pudding in glasses topped with berries

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Coconut milk chia pudding

Chia seeds swell when soaked in liquid and create a soft, gel-like texture, which is why chia seed pudding recipes have gained popularity in recent years (well, newly popular for certain populations; chia seeds have been around for a very long time, see below).

So by mixing them with coconut milk, you get a rich, thick, creamy texture that’s just like tapioca pudding.

The recipe uses a little bit of sweetener (see below), but it’s not too sweet, making it perfect for breakfast or a snack.

 

What are chia seeds?

Chia seeds are related to the mint plant They were a part of the Aztec diet in Central America and the Native American diet in southwestern U.S. They were used as a source of energy and fuel – in the Mayan language, “chia” means “strength.”

And yes, they are the same seeds use in Chia Pets!

 

Are chia seeds healthy?

Chia seeds are high in fiber and protein. Just 2 tablespoons’ worth contains 11 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein.

Plus they’re a good source of antioxidants and nutrients like manganese, phosphorous and magnesium.

However, while they’re touted as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, they’re a type of omega 3’s called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Humans can’t convert ALA’s into a usable form of omega 3’s, and therefore chia seeds aren’t actually a good source of omega 3’s. It’s better to rely on animal sources like fatty fish or fish oil for high-quality omega-3’s. (source)

 

Are chia seeds keto?

Yep! One ounce (or 2 tablespoons) has 12 grams of carbs. However, 11 of those grams are fiber, which humans can’t digest. So really, one ounce of chia seeds has only 1 gram of carbs!

If you use a keto-compliant sweetener, you’re only getting carbs from the chia seeds and a little bit from the coconut milk.

This recipe has 37.5 grams of carbs and 32.5 grams of fiber. That comes to 5 grams of carbs divided by two servings, for 2.5 grams of carbs per serving.

So yes, this is a keto chia pudding.

keto chia pudding in glasses topped with berries

What you need for coconut milk chia pudding

Ingredients:

Equipment:

 

How to make coconut milk chia pudding

Shake the can of coconut milk to blend the cream with the water. (If it doesn’t blend in the can, that’s okay. You can blend them when you whisk everything together.)

Pour the coconut milk into a bowl or the container you want to store it in.

Whisk in the vanilla and sweetener, if using. If the coconut cream still isn’t blending in, use a blender or stick blender.

Whisk in the chia seeds to distribute them evenly.

Refrigerate for at least an hour so the mixture can set into a pudding.

coconut chia pudding on a spoon with berries

Make ahead instructions

  • This chia pudding recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • The pudding can be frozen in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

 

What about almond milk?

Not for this particular recipe. Almond milk is much thinner than coconut milk so it doesn’t set into a pudding if you use the same proportions.

 

Other ideas for coconut milk chia pudding

  • Top the pudding with fresh fruit or alternate layers of fruit and pudding
  • Use a different extract than vanilla
  • Add a pinch of your favorite spices: cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, etc.
  • Add citrus zest for a bright, tangy flavor
  • Add more sweetener if you want it sweeter

 

Other breakfasts and snacks:

 

coconut milk chia pudding in a glass and on a spoon, topped with berries
keto chia pudding in glasses topped with berries
Print Recipe
4.75 from 12 votes

Vanilla Coconut Milk Chia Pudding

Vanilla Coconut Milk Chia Pudding is a thick, creamy treat for breakfast, a snack or dessert! You only need 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to make this dairy-free, vegan, Paleo and keto recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
chilling time1 minute
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chia pudding, keto breakfast, keto dessert, keto recipe, keto snack, paleo breakfast, paleo snack, vegan breakfast, vegan dessert, vegan snack, whole30 breakfast, whole30 snack
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Don Baiocchi

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can of full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice (see notes)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Shake the can of coconut milk to blend the cream and water. Pour the coconut milk into a bowl or container (it's okay if it's not perfectly blended).
  • Whisk in the sweetener (if using) and vanilla until everything is smooth and blended. If the coconut cream still hasn't fully blended in, use a blender or stick blender.
  • Whisk in the chia seeds so they're evenly distributed.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge for at least an hour to set into a pudding. Give it one more stir, then serve.

Notes

Sweetener options:
Make ahead instructions
  • This chia pudding recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • The pudding can be frozen in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving ideas
  • Top the pudding with fresh fruit or alternate layers of fruit and pudding
  • Use a different extract than vanilla
  • Add a pinch of your favorite spices: cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, etc.
  • Add citrus zest for a bright, tangy flavor
  • Add more sweetener if you want it sweeter
Keto information: This recipe has 37.5 grams of carbs and 32.5 grams of fiber. That comes to 5 grams of carbs divided by two servings, for 2.5 grams of carbs per serving.

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