Chia seeds used to be a bit of an oddity. On the one hand they are this almost unparalleled nutritional powerhouse packing more goodness gram for gram than anything else I can think of.

However these tiny, flavourless, black seeds just aren't quite sexy enough to ever really get the media attention they deserve. As a result the humble chia seed was for quite some time in a sort of superfood limbo for a long time, far too good to die but not quite glamorous enough to grace the covers of Superfood Magazine (which of course is a thing).

That is until people started to discover the wonders of Chia Pudding, which is not only Instagram pretty, but tasty, easy and healthy to boot! 

The Basic

Chia Pudding in it's simplest form has only two essential ingredients, requires zero cooking and almost no preparation. Making it the perfect breakfast, snack or dessert for those who like to keep it simple.  

1. Add 30g of chia seeds and 1/2 cup (or 250ml) of dairy or plant milk to a jar
2. (Optional) Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and some sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, agave nectar etc.) for a basic vanilla flavour.
3. Stir.
4. Cover the jar and throw it in the fridge, ideally overnight but for at least an hour.
5. Stir your chia pudding before serving and if you are feeling fancy add any toppings that you like.

While super nutritious and a cracking pre run breakfast the plain chia pudding base can be a tad bland. Which is a blessing in disguise as it it makes it super easy to customise and experiment with!

Here are three of our favourite Chia Pudding varieties.  

PB & J 

There is something about the combination of peanut butter and strawberries that I just can't seem to get over. And I don't think I'm alone with this love either if the popularity of our PB & J flapjacks are anything to go off. 

• Mix together your chia seeds and milk in a jar, but this time add a teaspoon of peanut flour, a couple of sliced strawberries and a little drizzle of honey. Mix it all together. 
• Leave the peanut mix on the counter for 10 minutes, then come back stir the pot a few times before refrigerating it overnight. 
• The next day, add a dollop of peanut on top and either another dollop of strawberry jam or more sliced strawberries.

Chia seeds available in the Chia Charge shop

Choc Delight 

This recipe is purely for the chocoholics, all that chocolatey taste but without a fraction of the bad stuff and none of the guilt of eating chocolate cake for breakfast.

• Mix 30g chia seeds, 200ml unsweetened almond milk, 3 tbsp cacao powder, 2 tbsp maple syrup, ½ tsp vanilla extract and a sprinkling of cacao nibs together in a jar or bowl. 
• Leave it for ten minutes, give it a quick stir and pop it in the fridge overnight. 
• Give it another quick stir and serve with a little grated dark chocolate and any fresh fruit you like  

Banana 

Bananas are awesome, they have plenty of carbs, taste awesome and like chia seeds are full of goodness. So just imagine how much goodness you get if you mix chia seeds and banana together!

• Mix together your chia seeds and milk in a jar along with a little drizzle of honey. 
• Leave the mix on the counter for 10 minutes, then come back stir the pot a few times before fridging it overnight. 
• The next day, give the mix a quick stir and pour half of it out into a seperate jar. Carefully spoon on top half a mashed banana, before pouring on the rest of the mix. Top with half a chopped banana and another drizzle of honey.  

If you try any of these, or put your own spin on them, please tag us on any posts and let us know how you got on!