This vegan chocolate chia pudding with pistachio is the perfect example of a delicious after-dinner treat that will satisfy you; it also makes a delightful breakfast. The chia seeds provide protein and fiber, while the cocoa powder and honey contribute antioxidants. And who can resist the sweetness and crunch of pistachios? Prepare this easy pudding for a special occasion or any day when you want something sweet.
This chia pudding isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it’s a smart choice when you need a little pick-me-up that feels indulgent yet is incredibly wholesome. Its creamy texture and deep chocolate flavor make it a favorite go-to after a decadent dessert or a luxurious snack. Easy to whip up and delightful to savor, this pudding keeps you coming back for more!
As a versatile breakfast option, this recipe draws inspiration from our beloved oats and chia pudding, seamlessly blending the best of both worlds. Utilizing the principles outlined in our chia pudding ratio post, this vegan pudding achieves the perfect balance of taste and texture, making it both nourishing and satisfying. It’s a fantastic way to start your day on a sweet note without compromising on health.
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💚 Why you will love it
- Quick preparation
- Nutrient-rich snack
- Versatile toppings
- Naturally sweetened
- Dairy-free delight
🧾 Ingredients
- chia seeds
- dark cocoa powder
- pistachio cream
- almond milk
- pure maple syrup
- nutmeg
Optional:
Crushed pistachio
🔪 Instructions
To make chocolate chia pudding:
Step 1: Combine the chia seeds with the almond milk, followed by the cacao powder and the other ingredients. Put the pistachio cream in a mason jar and let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight. Let it sit for a minimum of 2 hours.
Step 2: Add your favorite toppings. You can make a layered chia pudding by simply adding one tablespoon of pistachio cream to each chocolate chia seed pudding and optionally top with crumbled pistachio, unsweetened cocoa powder, cacao nibs, or vegan mini chocolate chips.
We also like using vegan yogurt flavored with vanilla or pistachio.
You can also top the pudding with fresh fruit, like fresh raspberries.
💡 Expert tips
Whisk the mixture thoroughly to prevent clumping. A vigorous whisk when you first mix the chia seeds with the liquid ensures an even distribution of the seeds, preventing them from clumping together at the bottom.
Allow proper setting time in the fridge. Although it might be tempting to shorten the wait, letting the pudding sit for at least 4 hours or overnight is crucial for achieving that perfect consistency. This patience allows the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and thicken to their fullest fully.
Taste and adjust sweetness before chilling. If you prefer your pudding a bit sweeter or if the cocoa's bitterness is too strong, adjust the sweetness by adding a bit of maple syrup or your preferred sweetener. It's easier to change the flavors before the pudding sets.
Use high-quality cocoa powder for a rich flavor. The cocoa powder significantly influences the taste of your pudding. Opting for a high-quality, dark cocoa powder will give your pudding a richer, more decadent chocolate flavor.
Experiment with toppings for variety. The beauty of this pudding lies in its versatility. Feel free to top it with fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, or even a dollop of vegan whipped cream. Each topping can turn the pudding into a new experience, so don't hesitate to mix and match according to your taste preferences.
📖 Variations
Pistacchio cream - we love using pistachio-flavored plan-based yogurt on top, which comes with extra protein and fewer calories. You can also use coconut cream.
Flavoring - instead of using pistachio, you could use your favorite nuts and nut butter, such as vegan Nutella chia pudding, peanut butter, or almond butter, then go for the alternative nuts, like crushed hazelnuts, peanuts, or almonds as toppings.
Plant milk - use your favorite non-dairy milk option; we like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, rice milk, and coconut milk. You can also use vegan chocolate milk and skip the cocoa powder as well.
Chia seeds - you could make a very similar recipe, a tapioca pudding, following exactly the same steps but using tapioca instead of chia seeds or a combination of the two.
Mocha - make a coffee chia seed pudding, a super yummy treat! Add espresso powder to the chia pudding mix.
Sweet flavor - instead of maple syrup, use agave nectar, stevia, coconut, or brown sugar. Pure maple syrup is our sweetener for making chocolate pudding, as it complies with a WFPB diet.
More protein - to make a high-protein chia pudding, you can add a scoop of vanilla-flavored, chocolate-flavored, or unflavored clean protein powder to the chia pudding mix before letting it sit in a mason jar.
❓ FAQ
Although a chia seed pudding is much better when fresh or stored only for a couple of days if you make a large batch as meal prep, you can freeze it in portions and thaw it overnight as needed.
🫙 Storage
This chocolate chia seed pudding can be stored for 2-3 days in mason jars in the fridge. Always put a lid on it. Otherwise, it will dry up.
💭 Calories in chia pudding
An almond chia pudding made with 3 tablespoons of chia seeds plus 1 cup of almond milk has 210 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of protein, 14 grams of fats, and 13 grams of fiber.
An oat milk chia pudding made with 3 tablespoons of chia seeds plus 1 cup of oat milk has 303 calories, 39 grams of Carbohydrates, 10 grams of protein, 14 grams of fats, and 14 grams of fiber.
📚 More healthy, sweet snacks
Hungry for more chia pudding recipes? Try our oats and chia pudding, 3-ingredient oat milk chia pudding, and creamy cardamom rice pudding, and soon will be sharing our raspberry chia pudding.
Do you want more healthy vegan chocolate recipes? Try out our Vegan Lava Cake and Nut Roman Cake, perfect for the holiday season.
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding with Pistachio Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons chia seeds
- 4 teaspoons cocoa powder organic dark
- 2 tablespoons pistachio cream or pistachio butter
- 1 ½ cups almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ sea salt fine
Optional toppings
- 2 tablespoon pistachio crushed
- 1 plant-based yogurt pistachio flavored
- chocolate chips sugar-free dark, or cacao nibs
Directions
- Mix. Mix all the ingredients but the pistachio cream in a mason jar and let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve. When ready to eat, add one tablespoon of pistachio cream to each chia pudding and optionally top with crumbled pistachio, yogurt, or cacao nibs.
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
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 Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Michelle
I make chia pudding often but this was next level!!
Gus
Hey Michele, I am very glad you liked the chocolate pudding! 🙂
nancy
this dark chocolate chia pudding with pistachio was delightful. It was super creamy and easy to make. i had no idea that chia seeds in my pudding would be so filling!
Melanie
Warm and chocolatey flavors make this a delightful treat any time of day! Yum!
Holly
Excellent flavor pairing! I served this pudding as a dessert and the family loved it!
Gus
That's great Holly! I am glad you all loved it! 🙂
Natalie
Your recipes always make me hungry guys! This is such a delicious pudding recipe, you are awesome!
Kushigalu
This pudding was amazing and super rich. Looks delicious and great pics.
Gus
I am glad you enjoyed the dark chocolate pudding, Kushigalu!
Irena
Looks like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant or cafe. Gorgeous colours and flavours!
Kris
This totally satisfied my cravings! Rich, flavorful and easy! Thank you. 🙂
Gus
I am glad you liked it, Kris! We love munching on a. nice chocolate chia pudding as a healthy snack!
Anjali
This pudding was so delicious and I loved that it was a healthy dessert too!!
Tara
Oh yum! So many delicious things packed into this pudding. It looks so good and I love the texture from the chia seeds.