Chia Pudding Base
Make-ahead breakfast that's actually pleasant to eat: creamy set, no clumps, customizable toppings.
6 min active, minimal dishes
Timing: 6 mins + 4h chill
Chia Pudding Base
Make-ahead breakfast that's actually pleasant to eat: creamy set, no clumps, customizable toppings.
6 min active, minimal dishes
Timing: 6 mins + 4h chill
Key move
Whisk twice--once now and once after 10 minutes--so chia hydrates evenly and sets creamy without clumps.
Cook mode keeps your place
Larger text, ingredients in reach, and saved step progress while you cook.
The Setup
- Jar or Airtight Container1 quart
- Whisk
The Mise en Place
5Your prep station before cooking begins
Seasoning (0/1)
The Pantry (0/1)
Other (0/1)
Optional (0/2)
My pudding is still too thin, even after chilling.
Don't worry, we can fix this. It just needs a little more time or a boost. Try chilling it for another hour. If it's still not quite there, stir in one more tablespoon of chia seed…
My pudding is full of lumps!
Ah, it looks like we missed that second whisk after 10 minutes.
Chef's Notes
Build ideas: Berry bowl (berries + nuts). Tropical (mango + toasted coconut). Savory (skip vanilla; top with cucumber + herbs + olive oil).
Refrigerate up to 5 days. Stir before serving.
The Method
WHISK
Prep aheadWhisk milk (2 cups), salt, vanilla (if using), and cinnamon (½ tsp) (if using) in a bowl or jar.
Uneven seasoning: Salt and spices will not dissolve once the chia gel forms; ensure they are fully integrated into the liquid first.
Seasoning evenly dissolved
STIR
Time-sensitivePrep aheadStir in chia seeds (½ cups) until fully dispersed. Wait 10 minutes, then whisk again to break any clumps.
Clump formation: Skipping the second whisk allows seeds to cluster into gelatinous pockets rather than a smooth pudding.
No floating clumps; seeds evenly suspended
CHILL
Prep aheadCover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight) until thick and spoonable.
Incomplete hydration: If the pudding is still runny after 4 hours, it lacks the necessary hydration time; return to the fridge.
Pudding holds a spoon trail
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