Creamy Chia Pudding
Creamy chia seed pudding recipe made with cashews, dates and vanilla! This blended vegan treat is much healthier than traditional pudding.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 1, 2024
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I met Amie Valpone in New York a few months ago, at the International Year of Pulses launch party. I was surrounded by people I didn’t know and feeling a little shy, and Amie bounded up and introduced herself, bubbling over with enthusiasm. I was so glad.
She kept referencing how sick she had been—a decade of chronic illnesses (lyme disease, hypothyroidism, leaky gut syndrome and more) slowed her down immensely. She is finally cured after seriously detoxifying her life, from the products in her home to the food she eats.
I had a hard time imagining this vivacious woman with glowing skin being sick and bedridden, but I could sense by the passionate tone in her voice that her illness and recovery were both very real. The motivation behind her website, The Healthy Apple, and her new book, Eating Clean, is to help others get better and feel better.
She sent me a copy of her book, which is full of solid information and practical advice for detoxifying our homes and diets. I like to think I run a pretty clean operation over here, but she has inspired me to do even better. I can’t wait to make her simple (and cheap) cleaning solution of orange-infused vinegar.
Her book offers over 200 simple and healthy recipes (that’s right, 200!). The chia seed pudding in the breakfast chapter caught my eye, and I enjoyed it so much I just had to share it. I’ve tried chia seed “pudding” before and just couldn’t get behind that oddly gelatinous texture. Amie’s version, however, is blended with cashews and dates for ultra creamy pudding. She added a swirl of chia gel to hers, but I think I like mine best all creamy. It’s up to you.
In case you aren’t familiar with chia seeds, they are the same seeds that grow long and green on Chia Pets. They’re a South American super food full of fiber, protein, Omega-3s and minerals. They plump up into little gelatinous balls when they rest in water. You can see them floating around in bottles of kombucha these days. This pudding is the first time I’ve ever truly enjoyed them, so thank you, Amie!
This pudding is energy dense, so it is a great breakfast option. It’s so rich, creamy and decadent, though, that I’d serve it for dessert, too. I loved it on its own, and with some leftover berries from a cookbook shoot on top. Any fruit with tropical vibes would be especially welcome.
I tried stirring in some cocoa powder and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (pictured in the last photo), and it reminded me of a Frosty crossed with the instant pudding cups of my youth. So good. If you (or someone you know) could benefit from cleaning up your diet and home, be sure to pick up a copy of Amie’s book, Eating Clean!
Creamy Chia Pudding
Creamy chia seed pudding made with cashews, dates and vanilla! This treat is much healthier than traditional pudding. Find a chocolate pudding option, too. Recipe yields 3 to 4 small servings.
Ingredients
Chia seed pudding
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 6 large dates
- ⅔ cup raw cashews (if you don’t have a high-powered blender, these will likely need to be soaked in water for 2 to 4 hours, then drained)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Optional toppings
- Fresh fruit: berries, sliced bananas, chopped pineapple, etc.
- Sprinkle of cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate, toasted coconut, cinnamon, etc.
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup, combine the water and chia seeds. Set aside until the mixture forms a gel, about 20 minutes.
- If your dates aren’t soft and plump, place them in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Set aside for up to 20 minutes, or until the chia seeds are ready. Drain.
- Pit the dates. In a blender, combine the pitted dates with the cashews, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Pour in half or more of the chia gel (I prefer chia seeds in their blended state, so I poured in almost all of mine). Puree until smooth. If your pudding gets warm in the process, you’ll need to chill it until cool.
- Serve individual portions of pudding with any remaining chia gel swirled in. Top with any garnishes you’d like. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Eating Clean, © 2016 by Amie Valpone. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Chocolate pudding option: Stir in cocoa powder, to taste (a little goes a long way). Add some mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate if you want to go all in!
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
This was my first time ever making Chia pudding! And it is so freakin’ awesome!! Thanks so much for finding and sharing this recipe!
Yay! So glad your first experience was a great one, Laura.
This is one of my fav chia pudding recipes – especially with summer berries! I’ve made this recipe multiple times as written, but was out of cashews today and tried it with what I had on hand – dry roasted and unsalted almonds – and it still came out great.
Thanks for sharing, Kate!
Wonderful! I’m glad the almonds worked well, Lauren.
I’ve made this once a week for the past 4 weeks, it is delicious and my husband also enjoys the flavor.
The only thing that I think is important for others is that you really need at least half of the soaked chia to achieve the smooth pudding flavor… even with a Vitamix. My husband and I actually like the texture of the chia ‘pearls’ but found that we are limited in how much can be leftover to stir in to the cashew/date/etc mixture.
Thoughts on blending all ingredients (including water) first and then stirring I’m the chia seeds to soak for anyone that prefers the chia non-blended? I may try that next time I make it as I used to just make chia pudding with unsweetened almond milk and chia seeds so seems like a similar concept but with a whole lot more flavor.
I’ve tried different recipes for chia pudding, and this one is my favorite (texture and flavour). Thank you : )
Hooray! Thanks, Christine!
I love this recipe! Now is my favorite way to prepare the chia It is so good! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the review.
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I had to substitute 1/2 cup raisins for dates as I forgot to buy dates. Also, I left out the salt and vanilla extract b/c I ran out, and it turned out so well! After blending soaked/soft nuts and raisins in the food processor, I transferred it to a blender and combined all of the chia seeds/gel and it whipped up like a smooth creamy dessert or breakfast treat. I love this recipe!
Thank you, Mariah for sharing! I appreciate the review.
This was soooo delish! Used almond milk instead of water and added 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut. Mmmmmm mmmmmm!
Great! Thank you, Jane.
Ok wow! I don’t normally comment on recipes but this tastes just like a yummy cookie dough! Creamy, but with a lovely texture. Not gelatinous at all like other chia pudding recipes I’ve tried – the cashews are brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing! This one is a keeper!
You’re welcome! It’s great breakfast, snack or even treat. :)
Hi, Looks yum but i only have chia powder in the cupboard. Can I use this instead?
I would stick with chia seeds! It really makes it.
Amazing! Added 2 Tb cacao powder and a bunch of chocolate chips and it tasted just like a dairy-based chocolate pudding!
Delicious, Mary! Thanks for your review.
I have never really enjoyed the texture of chia pudding, it never felt substantial enough to me. This, though, is creamy, dense (in a good way), and filling enough for breakfast. I added a little extra cinnamon, a wee bit of grated nutmeg and served it with toasted sliced almonds, banana slices and frozen wild blueberries. Its really really good.
This was so delicious! I cannot believe that this has these ingredients, it is the best healthy dessert I have had!
I’m glad you loved it, Emily!
what can I substitute cashew with in this recipe?
My family is allergic to all nuts and also dairy products. We are vegans.
I love pudding and am always up for new variations. My batch turned out grainy, and I am wondering whether I should have soaked my cashews more? I have a ninja blender, which I think is a pretty powerful blender….I did like the flavor, so would like to give it another go.
I’m sorry this didn’t get quite as creamy! I would recommend blending it a little more if you can. Or, if you feel like it needs just a tad more liquid. That could help.
Another great recipe! Was surprised how sweet it was and had a nice depth of flavor. Even my toddler enjoyed it and wanted more! And we finally ordered your cookbook, not sure what has taken us so long ;)
I’m glad you finally had it, Kate! Thank you for your review.
Love this recipe!! Reminds me so much of the rice pudding I had as a kid but healthier!
I love that, Christine!
Love this recipe! So yummy! We switched out some of the cashews for hemp seeds to get extra omegas and protein and reduced the dates to half and added some stevia to pump up the sweetness. Delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Also, I forgot to mention that we added maca powder and some Lucian powder as well. Yum!
That was supposed to say lucuma powder ;)
You’re welcome!
I used oats instead of nuts, and skipped every step except chilling (as in I blended everything and then chilled it, chia and water right into the blender ♀️) it was good and only took about 15 mins to set up in the fridge
I have to try with the cashews but I bet coconut milk would be yummy too (In place of the water and cashews)!
Just made it. Had a spoonful before I put it in the fridge. Nothing added in yet. SO GOOD. I poured all of the chia gel in and didn’t leave any out. It has the consistency of a lovely mousse. This will be making a regular appearance at my house.
I’m glad you loved it, Sarah! Thank you for your review.
Hi Kate! This looks delicious and I’ll be trying it this weekend! If I decided to sub the cashews for tahini, do you know how much tahini I should use?
Thank you!
Hi Jurry! I have never tried it, but I know a few readers have and liked the taste. However, I’m not sure how much to add without trying it myself.
Hello I want to try this but can eat dates is there a substitute to dates? That would work?
Hi Trinity! This one is centered around dates to help with the sweetness and the creamy texture too. I would suggest my favorite chia seed pudding instead. Let me know what you think!
Yummm I made this for one of our Thanksgiving desserts this year and can’t wait to make it again! Super easy and delicious. Thank you!
Hi Kate
Planing to take your recipes into my next level. My gurl has been doing this as a business, unfortunately she has left the world. She has left me some recipes to move on. Hanging on to the ledge dare not start. But I am prepared to start my journey with your recipes hope your fine with it
Hi Sush, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Please refer to my Photo and Recipe Sharing Policy about using my recipes.
This chia pudding was delicious! I’ve tried so many chia recipes and wanted to like it but just couldn’t get the ‘pudding’ consistency and taste. Topped with some coconut cream and it made for a decadent desert to settle my sweet tooth after dinner! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you loved it, Cat. Thank you for your review!
Must try this one thank you looks wonderful
Wendy in Bundaberg Australia
really tasty…just made it last night!
Great to hear, Mary! I appreciate you taking the time to review.
This is the best chia pudding recipe! I always add cocoa powder because, why not?
This is amaaaazing omg. I’ve made it twice recently; it’s now my go-to after dinner treat. I add ~2tsp of cacao in the blending process, and when serving up my little bowl add a diced strawberry and a sea of cacao nibs. Heaven. Wondering if soaking the cashews might make it even creamier? Probably!
I’m making more tomorrow.
You could try it! Let me know what you think, Elli.
I made this last night and it is delicious! Guilt free snack, thank you!
Finally leaving a comment after years of making this. It makes such a creamy and delicious pudding, people are shocked when I tell them the ingredients. Most of the time I add cocoa powder to make chocolate pudding, and its delicious!
I’m excited you have been making this recipe for so long! Thank you for your review, Alyssa.
wish i had a better blender so bit lumpy I used date syrup and cashew butter and some cacao which tastes great. always worried chia going to get down the drain when I clean up ….
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t love it, Audrey. I appreciate your review.
Can I use roasted cashews instead? Does it matter?
You won’t get the same creamy result. I recommend this best as written.