Raspberry Chia Pudding
By Danielle Shea-Tan, MS, CHHC
Functional Family Nutritionist
The littles will go gaga over this pudding while you rest easy knowing it’s nutritious!
If you haven’t slurped up some homemade chia pudding yet, you’re in for a real treat. Chia has come a long way since the infamous ch-ch-ch-chia pets of the 80s and 90s. These edible little seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family. They are very crunchy when dried, but once you add a bit of liquid the seeds plump up and become slippery - making them the perfect base for pudding! The best part is that these little seeds are loaded with nutritional goodness including lots of fiber to soothe and support the digestive tract and a good balance of calcium and magnesium for healthy bones. Danielle’s chia pudding recipe combines the slightly tart taste of raspberry with the natural sweetness of dates to create a yummy combination. Plus, it’s so easy to make you’ll never say no to pudding again!
Raspberry Chia Pudding
2 ¾ cups
N/A
2 hours
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened milk (almond, coconut, hemp or oat)
- ⅓ cup chia seeds
- 1 ½ cups frozen raspberries, divided (set aside ½ c for use as topping0
- 2 Tbs. hemp seeds
- 7 pitted dates
- 1 Tbs. sesame seeds (or more hemp seeds if not available)
- ¼ tsp Celtic sea salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Optional toppings for toddlers and grown-ups: Pure maple syrup, mini chocolate chips, raspberries
- Place all ingredients in high speed blender. Blend very well for at least 2 minutes. Occasionally during blending, use a rubber spatula to scrape down contents from sides of blending container.
- Transfer to glass container and let set in fridge for at least two hours. Pudding can be consumed immediately but texture will be more like a smoothie rather than a thick pudding.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature after set.
You can vary the texture of this pudding by increasing or decreasing the blending time. Make it interesting for your little ones by changing up the texture each time you make it!
For the ages
You’re little eater will thoroughly enjoy digging into this chia pudding. The red raspberry color makes it enticing and the dates provide natural sweetness.
Chia pudding, minced raspberries (optional)
If including minced raspberries, mix into pudding. Serve in tiny bowl for little ones to eat with tiny spoon or hands. Let baby eat as much or as little as she wants.
Your little one gets a healthy dose of calcium in this plant-based, delicious recipe!
Chia pudding, filtered boiling water
If pudding is too thick for your baby, mix in hot water (1 tsp. at a time) to thin to desired consistency.
Toddlers love pudding but typical store-bought brands contain too much sugar for regular snacking. This pudding is naturally sweetened and can be served anytime - day or night!
Chia pudding, raspberries (optional), mini chocolate chips (optional)
Serve pudding with toppings in happy bowl with toddler-sized spoon, or serve pudding in happy mat with toppings alongside the pudding. Allow toddler to feed himself with a spoon or hands. Let toddler eat as much or as little as he wants, adding more pudding (2 Tbs.) at a time to happy bowl or mat as needed.
Be brave - chia won’t bite! You can’t expect this pudding to taste like a snack pack because it’s made from real food. But, we promise you’re going to fall in love! Customize it with toppings that suit you.
Chia pudding, raspberries (optional), mini chocolate chips (optional)
Enjoy with toppings!
Happy Eating!
Danielle is passionate about helping families ditch processed foods and start making real, wholesome food that is both simple and delicious. She blows our minds with fascinating "nutritional nuggets" about foods and herbs. Danielle also recently wrote a book called "52 Small Changes for the Family," an inspiring guide that helps families make one small change each week to improve their overall happiness and health. You can learn more about Danielle at HealthyMamas.com.