Mango Chia Pudding (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Wake Up to a Delicious Breakfast

It’s easier to start a day right when you get to wake up to a delicious and healthy breakfast – that’s already been prepared the night before!

Some of our favorite breakfasts include:

• Maple Oatmeal (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• 5-Minute Quinoa Porridge (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Creamy Breakfast Polenta (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

And to get you eating right, here’s where this creamy mango chia seed pudding comes in!

What are Chia Seeds?

Tiny, oval and gray with black and white spots, chia seeds are edible seeds that can absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquid, and form a gel-like structure when the liquids are absorbed.

Over the years, this superfood has become more and more popular, because of it’s nutrient profile – it’s rich in fiber, and an excellent source of omega-3s, which makes chia seeds a great ingredient to add to our diet.

While they can be eaten directly and sprinkled over smoothies, salads or yogurt, one other very delicious way to include chia seeds to your daily routine is making a mixed berry chia seed jam, or a tasty and filling chia pudding.

Ingredients You’ll Need + Notes/Substitutions:

Here’s an overview of the ingredients required for this mango chia pudding recipe.

(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

• Mangoes: I used fresh ripe mango, but you can definitely use other fresh fruits as well (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines). If you don’t have fresh fruit, frozen fruit is fine too.
• Almond Milk: I like using unsweetened almond milk, but you can use another dairy-free milk too (such as cashew milk, rice milk, tigernut milk, soy milk, oat milk, or light coconut milk). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal milk.
• Non-Dairy Yogurt: I used non-dairy yogurt to keep this recipe dairy-free and vegan. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal Greek yogurt as well.
• Chia Seeds: Since this is a chia seed pudding, chia seeds are essential, so make sure you include them in.
• Maple Syrup: I like using maple syrup as a natural sweetener and to keep the recipe vegan, but you can also agave nectar as your sweetener of choice. Alternatively, if you’re not vegan, feel free to use honey instead. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I strongly recommend using Lakanto maple-flavored syrup (a maple syrup substitute that is low glycemic-index and will not spike your blood sugar as much).
• Mint: I like garnishing this mango chia seed pudding with fresh mint, but feel free to leave it out if you don’t care about it.

How to Make Mango Chia Pudding (Step by Step):

1. Blend Mangoes and Milk

Combine one cup of fresh, sliced mangoes together with the almond milk in a the bowl of a high-speed blender, and then blend until well combined.

2. Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the mango-milk mixture with then non-dairy yogurt, chia seeds and maple syrup, and give it a good stir.

3. Chill Overnight

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or store the mixture in a sealed container) and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

(TIP: For best results, be patient and let the chia seed mixture sit at at least a couple of hours. The longer the mixture sits, the creamier it gets.)

4. Garnish and Serve

Divide manage chia seed pudding evenly into two bowls and garnish with fresh mango chunks and mint leaves.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Fresh or Frozen Fruit Works: Feel free to use whichever seasonal fruits you have on hand. While I like using fresh fruit when I have access to them, you can definitely substitute fresh fruit with frozen fruit too.
• Double or Triple Recipe: This mango chia pudding recipe makes 2 servings, but can be easily doubled or tripled depending on how many servings you wish to make.
• Prepare Individual Servings: This recipe calls for letting the chia seeds absorb the liquids all in one large bowl, but you can also divide the chia pudding mixture into regular mason jars and take out one mason jar whenever this delicious pudding is ready.
• Optional Toppings: Go ahead and top this delicious chia seed pudding with your favorite toppings (e.g. nuts, seeds, dried fruit, granola).

Recipe FAQs: