Transform simple ingredients into nutrition-packed Coconut Chia Pudding. It’s a perfect kid’s breakfast or snack that parents will enjoy too!
Coconut Chia Pudding
I’m always looking for easy homemade breakfast and snack options that are nutritious and that the kids and I both like—this Coconut Chia Pudding is a favorite option. We’ve been making this recipe for years and love topping it with all sorts of fresh fruits.
Chia pudding—which is where chia seeds are soaked in a liquid and they turn into a sort of a thick, gel (which I realize sounds odd, but is what happens!)—is packed with healthy fats, fiber, and some protein.
It has a pleasant thick texture that’s similar to the consistency of pudding. And it’s a yummy way to offer up calcium to kids. (I also have a chocolate version.)
(You may also like Coconut Rice or Coconut Chips.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand.
- Canned coconut milk (full fat or light): This adds flavor and fats to the recipe (which helps us stay full).
- Whole milk plain Greek yogurt (or nondairy equivalent): To mix into the coconut milk and add calcium.
- Chia seeds: These thicken the mixture into a pudding-like consistency.
- Maple syrup: For a little sweetness, I add maple syrup. You can also do honey for kids over age 1.
- Vanilla extract: This adds another subtle flavor.
TIP: We like to top ours with fresh fruit for additional flavor, but that’s optional.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the basic method in this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full specifics.
- Add the ingredients to a bowl.
- Stir together.
- Add to airtight containers and store in the fridge to allow the chia seeds to plump and absorb the liquid.
- Top with fruit, granola, or any other desired toppers and serve. Note that this is meant to be served cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
This easy snack has a load of healthy omega fatty acids, plus protein and yummy flavor. So yes!
I like to store it for 3-5 days in airtight containers.
Sure! Use your favorite nondairy Greek-style yogurt.
Product We Love
Wee Sprout Storage Jars
These jars come in two sizes and are so great for storage.
How to Store
Store in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3-5 days. This is best served cold out of the fridge, so it’s perfect to make ahead and eat throughout the week.
Best Tips for Success
- Use canned coconut milk for the best coconut flavor in this chia seed pudding.
- Use regular milk or another dairy-free milk if you’re not into the taste of coconut.
- If your yogurt is lumpy and not stirring up well, use a whisk to make a smooth mixture.
- Top with fresh fruit, frozen berries like blueberries, granola, or other desired toppers.
- You can make this a little smoother by blending the mixture up in a blender before popping it into the fridge or using ground chia seeds.
- Store in individual snack cups, a mason jar, or another storage container.
- Try my Chocolate Chia Pudding for another yummy flavor option.
Related Recipes
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Quick Blueberry Chia Seed Jam
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How to Make Overnight Oats
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Easy Quinoa Pudding
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please leave a rating and comment below!
Favorite Coconut Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 14.5- ounce can coconut milk (full-fat or light)
- 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- Fresh fruit, shredded coconut, granola, sprinkles, or jam, as desired.
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl except the toppers. Stir together to make a smooth mixture.
- Add to airtight containers (I like to do small snack-size ones but you can do one larger container too) and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 3-5 days.
- Serve cold topped with desired toppings.
Video
Notes
- Store in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3-5 days.
- Dairy-free: Use nondairy Greek-style yogurt.
- Use canned coconut milk for the best coconut flavor.
- Use regular milk if you’re not into coconut.
- You can make this a little smoother by blending the mixture up in a blender before popping it into the fridge or using ground chia seeds.
- If your yogurt is lumpy and not stirring up well, use a whisk to make a smooth mixture.
- Top with fresh fruit, granola, or other desired toppers.
Nutrition
This post was first published February 2020.
I’m excited to make this! Can you freeze this in airtight containers?
I bet you can!
Such an easy recipe to make with kids and for kids! Mine love with peanut butter and strawberries on top
Love this recipe! My tweaks are that I divide it into four larger jars. I have had better results using Thai Kitchen’s coconut milk versus a generic brand (I used Target’s brand, and it was much thicker, which I didn’t care for). I also put half a cup of frozen wild blueberries in the bottom of the jar before putting the chia pudding on top. They defrost in the fridge and are perfect when it’s time to eat the pudding. I often put some unsweetened coconut on top. I love these for breakfast!
Blueberries on the bottom! Brilliant!
This was so easy and so delicious! It tasted so decadent – I enjoyed it as my own snack too!
The flavor is great and it’s so so simple, but I’m wondering if it’s turning out super thick for anyone else? Was hoping for a more “pudding” consistency, it turns out almost solid.
same for me, it was too thick.
I had better results with Thai Kitchen coconut milk. When I used another brand, the coconut milk was much thicker and so the pudding was far too thick for my taste. So now I stick with Thai Kitchen.
I use regular whole milk yogurt instead of Greek and sometimes add milk before serving.
Hi, can you add blended frozen fruit to the mix before setting, to sweeten and flavour, or must you add fresh fruit only when it’s ready to eat? Thanks
You can do frozen fruit before setting, sure.
I don’t want to rate this yet because I wonder that I did something wrong. It never set up for me and the chia seeds settled at the bottom or the top, so when I stirred it all together, they were in large clumps and kind of terrible to eat. I followed the recipe and substituted regular milk for the coconut milk, as suggested. Should I have used less than 14 ounces of milk, maybe? Help! I can tell it’s going to be great, if I can figure out what I need to adjust. Thanks for the help.
Hi- did the seeds plump at all? I wouldn’t think using regular milk would have caused that to happen since the seeds absorb much of the liquid to help make the thicker texture.
This is SO GOOD! My kiddo and I have made it at least 10 times so far. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for this great recipe!
Do you think this would keep in the freezer?
Hi-I haven’t tried freezing it but I don’t see a reason that it wouldn’t work!
Did you try freezing? Did it turn out?
I clicked on your link for 9-12 month recipes and found this recipe that looks great! However, I assume the honey is optional? I thought it was not recommended for babies under 1 year old. I will be trying this out with my little one.
Yes, skip the honey under 1 always. Sorry that wasn’t clear and I hope they enjoy it!
How do I know the chia seeds have plummed?
plumped? They thicken the mixture and are moist, not dry seeds.
Easy and yummy! My 9 month old and I both enjoyed it! I put some frozen fruit, banana, and spinach in a blender to add a little pizazz, and it turned out great! Would make again 🙂
I’m planning on making this for my 9 month old. Would you recommend eliminating the maple syrup?
Yes you could leave it out and serve as is or stir in a little fruit puree for additional flavor
This is sooooo yummy! By far the best chia pudding recipe I’ve come across! And I feel confident that all of Amy’s recipes are healthy and wholesome for the whole family!
This is a staple in the diet of my twin toddlers. They LOVE it! I also love this thick liquid texture for letting the kiddos practice getting better with spoons. Plus, I know they’re getting good fiber, protein, nutrients.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Is this okay for a 14/15 month old?
Yes
Love this – it’s so yummy! Love making chia jam to go on top too.
Omg i really love this!!! Thank you for sharing recipes that are easy to make, healthy and yummy! One question though, can i give this to my 19th month old tot?
Yes, it should be fine for that age! I’m glad you enjoy it.
Enjoyed the recipe! It’s tart on its own, but I also never eat plain yogurt (I just feed it to my son)! I defrosted frozen strawberries to mix in which was the perfect addition to it. Love the texture with the chia seeds. Love your site 🙂
I’m so glad!
This is so good! I’ve tried other chia pudding recipes before that were “blah”, but this one is perfect. We all loved it (18 month old and mom and dad). This will be a regular in our rotation. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this. The chia puddings I’ve made in the past haven’t had yogurt in them. I liked how this one felt thicker and creamier. The tang of the plain yogurt was surprising the first time I ate it (I didn’t bother to put toppings on) but by the second helping, I was hooked. This is the one I’ll continue to make.
I’m glad to hear that and thank you for the feedback!
There, Amy! I have a fantastic ginger molasses cookie, but it’s got a good amount of white sugar in it since it’s an “adult“ recipe…do you happen to have a toddler recipe for molasses cookies? Thanks in advance!