Always running out of time in the morning? Meal prep a few servings of this Matcha Chia Pudding, and you won’t need to worry about making coffee or breakfast!
The morning rush, while still a fact of many people’s lives, is cliché at this point. We’re all in a hurry every morning, rushing to get kids (and ourselves) out of bed, deal with breakfast, let the dog out, and put everyone together enough to leave the house looking reasonable. Does it really have to be this way? Do we have to live inside a sitcom cliché every weekday of our lives until we’re retired? Is there ever going to be time to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning? There must be another way.
And truly, there is. Prepping a week’s worth of breakfasts on Sunday is such a time-saver, and no one ends up going hangry until lunch or needing to buy breakfast on the way to work. But what if I told you that you could cut yet another corner and add caffeine to your pre-prepped breakfast?
This matcha chia pudding is a little bit of breakfast with a little dose of caffeine to cheer you up! Nutritious chia seeds and almond milk create the creamy pudding, and the matcha provides a subtle green flavor, along with the little caffeinated pick-me-up we all need in the morning. If you have breakfast covered, you might even consider enjoying this pudding as an afternoon snack!
Is This Matcha Chia Pudding Healthy?
It doesn’t get much healthier than this! Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats, and they even give doses of iron and protein. Chia seeds need to be soaked in liquid before you eat them, and soaking makes them gelatinous, so they’re perfect for making thick, nutrient-dense pudding. Matcha powder is a form of green tea, and it’s high in antioxidants while giving you a small dose (relative to coffee, anyway) of caffeine. In addition, it gives you a dose of L-theanine, which is an amino acid that helps calm caffeine jitters, among other things, and many people find that it helps them focus.
Overall, this recipe is low in calories and gluten-free. If you use agave nectar instead of honey, it’s vegan, too.
Toppings And More
Most people like some additions to their chia pudding. Some typical favorites are sliced strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. These can all be stirred in as you eat the pudding, so you get some sweet berry flavor with every bite. Bananas and mangoes make perfect flavor complements to matcha, as do kiwi and lychee.
For toppings other than fruit, try dark chocolate (you can almost never go wrong with that!). Adding a teaspoon of vanilla to your pudding will bring a creamy flavor to the green taste of the matcha. Chopped or ground nut toppings, such as almonds or cashews, are good additions, especially with fruit.
Can I Prep This Ahead?
Absolutely, and I recommend doing so! Matcha chia pudding can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you add different toppings, store them separately, as they will have different storage requirements and shelf life. The pudding can also be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month and then thawed in the fridge prior to eating.
Serving Suggestions
This matcha chia pudding is a light breakfast on its own, but if you’re used to a heartier breakfast, you may want to add something more substantial to your plate. A healthy cookie, such as these Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Breakfast Cookies, will taste great with matcha chia pudding. You can also eat your pudding alongside traditional breakfast favorites, such as this Breakfast Sandwich or this Egg White Omelet.
For more chia-based breakfast or dessert inspiration, have a look at this Pumpkin Chia Pudding, this decadent Chocolate Chia Pudding, or this fiber-rich Chia Seed Oatmeal.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
- 1 cup almond milk
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ½ tablespoon honey or agave nectar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the matcha green tea powder and almond milk until the matcha is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the chia seeds and honey (or agave syrup) to the matcha mixture. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the chia seeds and to prevent clumping.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, allowing the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and the pudding to thicken.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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