Description
This Cherry Chia Pudding is a creamy, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened breakfast or snack option. Blended frozen cherries combined with dairy-free milk, maple syrup, almond extract, and whole chia seeds create a vibrant, nutritious pudding that thickens overnight. Easy to prepare and perfect for a quick, healthy meal packed with antioxidants and fiber.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cherry Mixture
- 1/2 cup (70 g) frozen cherries
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) dairy-free milk
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract, or to taste
Chia Seeds
- 3 tablespoons (30 g) whole chia seeds
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: To a blender, add the frozen cherries, dairy-free milk, maple syrup, and almond extract. Blend until smooth. Using a small personal blender like a Nutribullet is ideal for making this single-serving pudding.
- Combine with Chia Seeds: Pour the blended cherry mixture into a jar or container, then thoroughly stir in the whole chia seeds to ensure even distribution.
- Initial Rest: Let the chia pudding sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature, then stir again to break up any clumps formed during resting.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the chia seeds to fully absorb the liquid and thicken the pudding to the perfect consistency.
- Final Stir and Serve: Before enjoying, stir the pudding well. If you find it not sweet enough, add additional maple syrup to taste. Optionally, add your favorite toppings.
Notes
- No need to thaw the frozen cherries before blending.
- Using a small personal blender works best for single servings.
- Color vibrancy may vary depending on the brand of frozen cherries; lemon juice can retain color but may alter flavor.
- Only use sweet varieties of frozen cherries; sour cherries have not been tested and may affect taste.
- Use whole chia seeds rather than ground chia seeds for the best texture.
- Measure almond extract carefully as it can be overpowering if too much is added.
- Half a cup of frozen cherries weighs about 70 grams when loosely packed.
- Milk quantity may need adjustment (down to ⅓ cup) if the chia seeds do not gel as much to achieve a thicker pudding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 250 g)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
