This healthy Pumpkin Chia Pudding, packed with fiber and warming pie spices, is prepped in minutes and perfect for breakfast or dessert.
I’ll admit, I’m the new kid on the block when it comes to using chia seeds in my diet. Why? Well, they’re kind of strange, aren’t they? Everything they touch turns to jelly. Or, technically, every liquid that touches chia seeds turns the seeds into jelly. Chia seeds are a natural and easy thickening ingredient because of their little coats of goo (okay, scientists would call it “a mixture of insoluble fiber and mucilage”), which are activated by liquids. As humans, we see this and think, “crunchy pudding!”
Honestly, it took me awhile to get past the “mucilage” part in order to think of pudding. But now that I’m there, I have to confess, they are pretty cool to make pudding with, and they’re healthy as well. When it gets cold outside, my first breakfast craving is porridge-type dishes like sweetened oatmeal, but last week I thought, “Why not chia seed pudding?”
This pumpkin chia pudding is one of those dishes that’s healthy enough to eat for breakfast and makes you think you’re cheating when you eat it for dessert. The pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin purée are, of course, a great pairing, and the chia seeds add a thick lusciousness to the mixture and a surprising little crunch!
Is This Pumpkin Chia Pudding Healthy?
Yes! This pumpkin chia pudding is low in calories and contains healthy fats. Chia seeds have lots of fiber, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and contain moderate doses of protein and minerals like calcium and iron. Almond milk is rich in vitamin E and, if enriched, adds a bit of calcium to the pudding, while pumpkin purée is packed with vitamin A and fiber and contains some calcium, folate, and magnesium. Overall, this pudding is suitable for many diets, including vegan and gluten-free. You can cut the added sugar content by replacing the maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener of your choice.
A Word Of Caution About Eating Too Many Chia Seeds
Since I’m new to eating chia seeds, I’ve been reading lots about them lately and came across some info I’d like to share. Fiber is great for most people, but too much of it—especially for someone who doesn’t eat a lot of it regularly—can come with some side effects. Specifically, consuming more than an ounce (about two tablespoons) of chia seeds per day can give you a bit of stomach upset, gas, bloating, or other issues that arise from eating a lot of fiber. So, if you don’t regularly consume lots of fiber, you may want to take it slow on a new chia seed habit.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover pumpkin chia pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish!
Serving Suggestions
Pumpkin chia pudding is a nutritious grab-and-go breakfast but can also be a great addition to a full meal. For a bigger weekend morning breakfast, serve this pudding alongside Muffin-Tin Eggs or whip up some quick Soft Scrambled Eggs. If you are hosting a weekend brunch (or you just like to up your breakfast game whenever you have time), serve your pumpkin chia pudding in cute glass serving ramekins for individual portions. Add family-style dishes, such as this Bacon And Spinach Frittata or Crustless Quiche, a side of Hash Browns, and a decadent batch of this Brioche French Toast.
This pudding doubles as a light dessert, too. Try some whipped cream on top for even more of a pumpkin pie experience!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup pure pumpkin purée
- 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup chia seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt until smooth.
- Stir in the chia seeds until evenly distributed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the pudding has thickened and the chia seeds have absorbed the liquid. Serve chilled.
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.
Leave a Comment