This dark chocolate chia pudding with pistachio is the perfect example of a scrumptious after-dinner treat that will leave you feeling satisfied; plus, it also makes a delicious 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're in the mood for something sweet. Enjoy!

Have this fantastic treat as a healthy vegan breakfast or an easy vegan dessert. Same way as you would have our creamy pumpkin overnight oats or the blueberry version.
Ingredients
- chia seeds
- dark cocoa powder
- pistachio cream
- almond milk
- pure maple syrup
- nutmeg
Optional:
Crushed pistachio
Instructions
To make chocolate chia pudding mix the chia seeds with the almond milk, followed by the cacao powder and the rest of 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.
Let the chocolate chia pudding sit for a minimum of 2 hours
Add your favorite toppings
Serve. When ready to eat, you can make a layered chia pudding, 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 cocoa chia pudding with fresh fruit like fresh berries.
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.
If you love pistachios, check out our vegan pesto pistachio, de-li-cious!
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.
Vanilla extract and almond extract also pair very well with this chocolate chia pudding recipe.
Plant milk - use your favorite non-dairy milk option, we like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, rice milk, and coconut milk.
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 sugar, or brown sugar. Pure maple syrup is our sweetener of choice 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.
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.
Can you freeze chia pudding?
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.
Hungry for more chia pudding recipes? Try our oats and chia pudding, and creamy cardamom rice pudding, and soon will be sharing our raspberry chia pudding.
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, and 14 grams of fats, 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, and 14 grams of fats, 14 grams of fiber.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
Recipe
Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding with Pistachio cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons chia seeds
- 4 teaspoons organic dark cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons pistachio cream or pistachio butter
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ fine sea salt
Optional toppings
- 2 tablespoon crushed pistachio
- 1 pistachio flavored plant-based yogurt
- sugar-free dark chocolate chips 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
Food safety
We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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.
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Tara
Oh yum! So many delicious things packed into this pudding. It looks so good and I love the texture from the chia seeds.
Anjali
This pudding was so delicious and I loved that it was a healthy dessert too!!
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!
Irena
Looks like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant or cafe. Gorgeous colours and flavours!
Kushigalu
This pudding was amazing and super rich. Looks delicious and great pics.
Gus
I am glad you enjoyed the dark chocolate pudding, Kushigalu!
Natalie
Your recipes always make me hungry guys! This is such a delicious pudding recipe, you are awesome!
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! 🙂
Melanie
Warm and chocolatey flavors make this a delightful treat any time of day! Yum!
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!
Michelle
I make chia pudding often but this was next level!!
Gus
Hey Michele, I am very glad you liked the chocolate pudding! 🙂