Protein Chia Pudding

by Kayla Berman on August 12, 2024 0 comments

Bring creamy, dreamy dessert vibes to your morning with my High Protein Chia Pudding recipe! This exceptionally delicious, endlessly customizable bowl of yum is made with just 5 simple ingredients with only 5 minutes of effort.

Looking for more chia pudding recipes? You’ll have to check out my oat milk chia pudding next!

Why You’ll Love This Chia Yogurt Pudding Recipe

Gloriously Simple – Grab 5 basic ingredients, whisk them together in a bowl, then pop it in the refrigerator—that’s it! This chia seed pudding couldn’t be easier if it tried.
Meal Prep Mastery – For all my planners out there, this one’s for you. One batch of this protein chia pudding makes enough for 3 servings (though you’re welcome to scale it up if you want), so your fridge will be stocked. 3 breakfasts in 5 minutes? Magic!
Super Satisfying – This yummy little number may taste like dessert, but it eats like a meal. As a bonus, the macros are on point! It’s the perfect healthy breakfast to get a good start on your daily fiber and protein intake goals.
Options for Days – There are literally dozens of ways to make this yogurt chia pudding your own, from swapping in new protein powder to getting creative with your toppings. You’ll never get bored! Hop on down to the “Optional Variations” & “Serving Suggestions” sections for all kinds of ideas to get you started.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Milk – You’re welcome to use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer. This recipe was developed with skim milk, so if you swap in another variety of milk, the nutritional stats may change.
Protein Powder – When you make chia seed pudding with protein powder, the powder will contribute a lot of the flavor. Make sure it’s one you really like! I like to do a vanilla protein powder so the creamy pudding is a blank canvas for all of my toppings of choice.
Chia Seeds – These tiny seeds are little nutritional powerhouses! They are packed with fiber (about 10 grams of fiber in 2 tablespoons!), protein, essential vitamins & minerals, and heart-healthy fats. They also act as a thickener to turn plain yogurt into a tapioca-like pudding. Brilliant!
Greek Yogurt – You’re welcome to use plain like I did, or whichever flavor you like. You can also use fat-free, low-fat, or full-fat yogurt. Skyr also works!
Vanilla Extract – The aromatic warmth of vanilla plays nicely with pretty much every dessert that ever existed. It’s an excellent addition whether your protein powder is vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry, or cake batter flavored.

Equipment

Measuring Cups & Spoons
Mixing Bowl
Whisk or Large Spoon
Mason Jars or Airtight Storage Containers

How To Make Protein Powder Chia Pudding

Step 1: Mix. Add the milk, greek yogurt, protein powder, chia seeds, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Give the ingredients a good stir to combine.

Step 2: Refrigerate. Transfer the chia seed pudding mixture to an airtight container. Place in the fridge until thickened to your liking. You could do anywhere from 20-30 minutes or overnight.

Step 3: Add your favorite toppings & enjoy! I like to top mine with fresh fruit, nut butter, honey, and granola, but you do you. 😉

large glass pyrex measuring cup with the protein chia seed pudding and a large mixing spoon.

flat lay shot of chia seed pudding in jars; the pudding is white with black chia seed flecks on a white table.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

As promised, there are approximately a gazillion ways for you to make this protein chia seed pudding your own. Here are a few ways to shake things up:

Blended – While I love the tapioca vibe chia seeds give off, I know the texture isn’t for everyone. Feel free to toss all your ingredients in a high-speed blender and blitz till totally uniform for a smooth, creamy consistency.
Vegan/Dairy-Free – Simply swap in your favorite plant-based, non-dairy milk and Greek yogurt substitutes and use a vegan protein powder.
Flavor Fun – Feel free to get creative with your choice of flavor extracts, protein powder flavors, and yogurt flavors to make your dream pudding. For example, you could use chocolate protein powder, a dash of cocoa powder, and add a splash of coffee extract (alongside the vanilla) for a mocha pudding. Or, use berry yogurt and peanut butter protein powder for a twist on a PB&J. Seriously, friends—there are so many ways to play! P.S. If you come up with an awesome flavor combo, lemme know about it in the comments below!

Expert Tips

Protein Power. For extra protein, use dairy milk. If you’re dairy-free, pea or soy milk is your best bet.
Choose Wisely. The protein powder you use will contribute a lot of the flavor and affect the texture of your pudding, so choose one you like. If it’s chalky as a drink, it’ll make your pudding kind of chalky, too.
Mix & Divvy. Make sure you combine all the ingredients really well so you don’t end up with pockets of powder or clumps of seeds—it’s not appetizing, trust me! Also, I recommend you pre-portion the 3 servings in mason jars for easy grab & go breakfasts.
Not Greek? If you have yogurt on hand that isn’t Greek yogurt, don’t fret. You can fix it! Simply line a mesh strainer with cheesecloth or paper towels and set it over a bowl. Spoon in the yogurt (you’ll need about 1 ⅓ of what the recipe calls for, as it’ll shrink), then place the bowl in the fridge. 12 hours later, the whey will have drained out, leaving you with beautifully thickened yogurt!
Transporting Add-Ins. Taking your chia protein pudding on the road? Don’t add the crunchy bits (e.g. granola or cereal) to the jar. Instead, repurpose an old fruit cup container! Fill the plastic cup with whatever your heart desires, pop it into the mason jar ring, then use the mason jar lid to keep things separate, together.

Serving Suggestions

Ready to take your chia pudding game to the next level? Here are some super fun and totally customizable ways to serve up this protein-packed treat. 🥄✨

Fresh Fruit Galore: Top off your pudding with vibrant fresh berries, banana slices, or tropical fruits like mango and kiwi. Perfect for a fresh, juicy, and totally Insta-worthy pop of yum.
Crunch Time: Add some texture with your favorite cereal, a handful of nuts, or even some mini chocolate chips because why not? More crunch, more fun!
Seed Sensation: Sprinkle on some extra chia, flax, hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nutritional boost that keeps you powered up all day.
Nut Butter Drizzle: Swirl in some almond, peanut, or cashew butter for a creamy and dreamy addition that’s both rich and filling.
Sweeten the Deal: A drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or agave can sweeten things up just right.
Perfect Parfaits: Layer your chia pudding yogurt with fruit or jam and your choice of carby goodness like cereal, granola, or even little cubes of coffee cake for a tasty and visually pleasing treat. As the French would say, “c’est parfait!”
Beyond Pudding: Think outside the bowl! Use your chia pudding as a topping for baked oatmeal, oatmeal porridge, or even smoothie bowls to add texture and protein.

Storage Instructions

This protein powder chia seed pudding needs a minimum of 20-30 minutes in the fridge to firm up when it’s first made.
After it’s done thickening, you can either eat it straightaway or let it hang in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To extend the shelf-life, you can also freeze chia pudding for 3-4 weeks. To serve, allow to defrost overnight in the fridge (or over the course of the day in your lunchbox).

FAQs

Does chia pudding have protein? Are chia seeds high in protein?

Yes! Chia seeds are about 19% protein by weight, and have all 9 amino acids, which makes them a “complete protein.” So, even without the protein powder, chia pudding has protein.

Can you add protein powder to chia pudding?

Heck yeah, you can! It makes for the perfect breakfast. Follow the recipe below to see how it’s done. 😉

Is chia pudding okay to eat every day?

I’m not a registered dietician, so if you’re concerned, you should consult with a professional. That said, generally speaking, this chia pudding with protein powder has all the hallmarks of a healthy breakfast—over 30 grams of protein and fiber, a good amount of fat, omega-3 fatty acids, and boatloads of antioxidants and other essential nutrients. It’s definitely in my regular breakfast rotation!

What is the best protein powder?

I use Clean Simple Eats, and am completely smitten with the Simply Vanilla, Cake Batter, and chocolate flavors.

Should I use almond milk or coconut milk to make chia pudding?

That’s up to you! Coconut milk will yield a creamier consistency, but has more fat and calories. Almond milk will taste less rich, but has fewer calories and grams of fat.

Related Recipes

More High-Protein Recipes

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Connect With Me!

If you make this protein pudding recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

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