One thing I never regret prepping for the busy week ahead is snacks. I know if I can snack right then I am much more likely to choose other nourishing options throughout the day. My prep almost always includes this lemon chia pudding.
It’s just 4 ingredients, I can top it how I want, and I can make multiple servings in the same amount of time it takes to make 1 serving.
Use this strawberry chia pudding as a healthy snack for work or great snack for kids (it is so easy to add to a lunchbox!). Any snack that both I and my kids can enjoy is a major #momwin.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
This is an easy recipe to put together and a filling snack to enjoy. Here’s the base of my lemon chia pudding:
- Canned coconut milk: Unsweetened canned coconut milk provides a good, healthy fat base for this recipe. I love that it’s almost tasteless a gives this a pudding-like consistency.
- Chia seeds: this superfood ingredient has some crazy nutrients. Just 1 serving of chia seeds contain 5 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber!
- Fresh lemon juice: I love lemon, so I often double the amount of fresh juice I add… yet start with a little if tart is not your fav.
- Maple syrup: This is a natural sweetener that nicely balances out the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Vanilla extract: Just a bit of vanilla extract provides a lovely flavor that is enhanced when paired with the fresh strawberry topping.
4 ingredients create a unique and completely satisfying snack that I turn to again and again. Now let’s talk about what toppings to use!
Topping Options
I keep it simple with this easy strawberry chia pudding by adding fresh sliced strawberries and sliced almonds. They provide sweetness and crunch without adding a lot of unnecessary sugar. Here are some other great topping combos:
Blueberries + pecans: Blueberries and lemon are a classic pairing and would work great in this recipe as well.
Raspberries + sliced almonds: Raspberries will pick up on the tartness of the lemon and provide a bright finish.
Healthy granola: you can veer away from fresh fruit and try this easy granola mix for an even more filling snack or breakfast option.
Lemon Chia Pudding Recipe
One of the reasons I like making a big batch of this snack and keeping it on hand is the ease in making it. It takes about the same amount of time to make 1 serving or 5 servings!
- Decide on the kind of jar you want to store your strawberry chia pudding in then stir together all the ingredients except for the strawberries and almonds. Cover and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow thickening.
- When you’re ready to eat, remove from the refrigerator and add in fresh-sliced strawberries and sliced almonds. Enjoy!
This snack will last up to 5 days in the fridge in an air-tight container. If it’s a bit too thick when you are ready to eat, add just a bit more liquid (either a plant-based milk or water) and stir to loosen it all up.
Storage Tips
How you store your pudding depends on how you want to use it. You could get a large quart-sized mason jar (wide mouth) and make enough servings for a week of chia pudding for the whole family. When you’re ready for a snack, just scoop some out into a bowl and add toppings.
If you need individual servings for a quick grab n’ go, then place each serving in smaller 8-oz jelly jars. You can even prep berries ahead of time and place in small containers to grab when needed.
Strawberry Lemon Chia Pudding FAQs
Yes! Chia seeds contain iron and iron needs vitamin C to help your body absorb it. Since lemon juice is naturally high in vitamin C, it pairs perfectly with chia seeds.
There are no “miracle foods.” Yet if you can fuel your body with snacks and meals made with real, whole food ingredients, eat a lot of plants and snack conscientiously then you will definitely be doing your body favors. Chia pudding is a great, filling snack that provides nutrients, protein and healthy fat to help you get full and stay full, as well as provide energy that won’t fade in 30 minutes.
Chia pudding made with only whole food ingredients is a great, healthy snack that provides both healthy fat and protein. Use simple ingredients, no weird artificial sweeteners and stick with just the basics: coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
More Snack Recipes
I love a good snack yet I love it even more when it can give me lasting energy and not just act like empty carbs. Here are some snacks that will do just that… and give you the power to chase after your day:
Would you please rate & review this recipe once you make it? I want to know how it turns out for you!
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Stir together all ingredients except strawberries and almonds. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow pudding to thicken.
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Remove from fridge and add strawberries and almonds. Eat immediately.
- You can make this pudding ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I often double (or triple) the recipe to have several on hand for snacks.
- Use any berries in place of strawberries.
- Pecans, hazelnuts or hemp hearts can be used in place of sliced almonds.
- Canned coconut milk usually comes with a thick layer of cream on top and a watery layer on bottom. Either shake the can well before opening, or open and stir well to combine before measuring out the serving.
- You can use lite coconut milk or another dairy-free milk, just know that full-fat canned coconut milk will provide the thickest result.
Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Sodium: 88mg, Potassium: 122mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 13IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 160mg, Iron: 2mg
