Matcha Chia Pudding Recipe

Matcha Chia Pudding Recipe

Want a healthy AND delicious dessert packed with nutrients that you can make in a matter of minutes? Matcha chia pudding ticks all the boxes.

  • it’s healthier than classic puddings,
  • requires no cooking,
  • you can make it 100% vegan,
  • and serve with so many additional ingredients you’ll never run out of options.

What is matcha chia pudding?

Matcha chia pudding is an easy-to-make pudding that is not only a wonderful alternative to a regular pudding, but it’s also easier to make. This healthy treat with chia seeds has a slightly different consistency than regular pudding but is just as delicious.

Read more about health benefits of matcha tea here.

The texture of matcha chia pudding will depend on the chia seeds to milk ratio. The more seeds per cup of milk you use, the thicker the pudding will be.

A golden ratio for getting a perfect texture is about 4 tablespoons of chia seeds per cup of milk. Even if you are using a spoon of chia seeds less the consistency will change significantly. If you want a perfect cup of pudding with a good consistency, keep it to 4 tablespoons.

Chia seeds matcha pudding

 

Another benefit of making a chia pudding is that it’s literally impossible to ruin. If you are not happy with the consistency, you can add more chia seeds later on. There’s also no need to cook any ingredients or pay attention to the right temperatures.

So, what exactly are chia seeds and why are they good for you?

What are chia seeds?

Chia seeds are seeds from Salvia hispanica L. plant originating from South America [1]. They’ve been consumed for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until a few decades ago when they became popular worldwide. After being named a superfood, chia seeds became an important part of many diets, including keto, vegetarian and vegan.

Chia seeds belong to the same botanical genus as rosemary and sage.

Chia seeds are popular not only because of their nutritional profile, but their versatility too. They can absorb liquids and can be used as a thickening agent. They create a jelly like consistency around them, which makes them look like they are floating in a cup. That’s exactly why they are a perfect ingredient for making healthy homemade puddings. A classic pudding contains starches and milk, while chia pudding contains only milk and chia seeds. Besides, there’s no cooking involved.

Matcha and chia seeds

 

Benefits of chia seeds

Chia seeds are high in unsaturated fats (the good fats), protein and fiber and micronutrients potassium, magnesium and calcium. They are also one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid.

Many benefits in chia seeds come from omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. They may help to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides and promote weight loss, protect against heart disease, provide antioxidant activity [2] and help protect the brain from neurodegenerative and age-related diseases [3].

Nutritional value of chia seeds

Because of their nutritional value, chia seeds are suitable for keto diet and making keto puddings. For this recipe, you will use 50 grams of chia seeds, which will provide about 250 calories, plus additional calories from milk and a sweetener.

50 grams of chia seeds will meet well over half dietary requirements for fiber. In fact, most calories from carbs in chia seeds are fiber [4]. Chia seeds contain more fiber than flax seeds, and 3-4 times more than dried fruits like figs [5].

If you are preparing matcha chia pudding for breakfast, 4 spoons of chia may be a good measure. However, if you want to make a dessert, 4 spoons will be plenty to make 2 servings.

Homemade dessert with fruits

 

Ingredients for making matcha chia pudding

  • Chia seeds – choose whole chia seeds. There are two types of chia seeds available: white and black, both having same nutritional values. Black chia seeds are actually dark grey and will look visually more appealing in your matcha pudding.
  • Matcha green tea – to get the best flavor and benefits, choose only authentic Japanese matcha powders. Both ceremonial grade matcha and all-purpose matcha will be great for making matcha chia pudding. Always sift matcha before adding it to drinks or food.
  • Milk – based on your preferences or dietary requirements, you can use either regular whole milk or a milk alternative. Try it with a whole dairy milk, coconut milk or cashew milk. Barista plant-based milk will also give a nicer texture and consistency but may contain more calories.
  • Sweetener – chia seeds have a neutral flavor, and you will need to add a sweetener. Both sugar and honey are great options, but you can use a calorie-free sugar alternative as well. It’s likely you will need a sweetener for this pudding, even if you prefer drinking matcha pure.

Toppings and extra ingredients for matcha chia pudding

  • Fresh fruits – fresh fruits are a truly divine topping for a homemade matcha chia pudding. The grassiness and sweetness of matcha green tea and neutral milk and chia seeds flavor go well with both sweet and zesty fruits.
  • Dried fruits – dried fruits like cranberries, sultanas, apricots, dates and plums are a wonderful topping for chia matcha pudding, especially in wintertime. You can mix them into your chia pudding immediately before it sets and reduce the amount of additional sweetener.
  • Nuts – pecans, macadamia and peanuts are great for topping matcha chia pudding. Nuts will provide additional good fats and may be a great option if you are following a keto diet or watching your macronutrients because of training.  
  • Homemade granola – you can add a crunch to matcha chia pudding by topping it with homemade granola. A simple oat, honey and white chocolate granola will taste absolutely delicious.
  • Syrups and jams – if you are making matcha chia pudding for a dessert and don’t need to watch the calories, chocolate or caramel syrup or strawberry jam will make it super delicious. You can mix in sugar syrups instead of sweeteners or use homemade jelly or a jam as a bottom layer.
  • Food extracts – you can use natural food extracts such as vanilla, coconut or almond to add flavor in a matter of seconds, especially if you don’t have time for slicing fresh fruits. Start with ½ teaspoon per cup and add more if needed.

Matcha pudding recipe

 

Matcha Chia Pudding Recipe  

Utensils:

  • Sifter
  • Electric hand frother
  • Cup
  • Serving cup

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 cup cold milk – 200-220 ml
  • 1 teaspoon authentic all-purpose or ceremonial grade matcha powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons of honey

Instructions:

  1. Sift the matcha powder into a clean glass/cup.  
  2. Add 50 ml of milk and froth it well using a hand frother. It will become incredibly smooth and green. Froth until you can’t see any matcha particles or clumps.
  3. Add honey and stir well until it dissolves.
  4. Add 4 tablespoons of chia seeds, matcha and the rest of the milk into a clean serving glass and mix well.
  5. Let it soak for an hour or overnight in the fridge. After 15-30 minutes, stir it well one more time until you break all the clumps to improve the texture.
  6. Consume within 24 hours.

 Homemade matcha pudding with fruits

 

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926888/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6994964/

[3] https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/omega-3-and-dementia

[4] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170554/nutrients

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926888/

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