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Chocolate cherry chia pudding is an easy, delicious way to use those summer cherries! This vegan breakfast recipe also works great as an easy no bake snack or dessert. Add whipped cream if you’d like!

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I’ve had this vegan cherry chia seed pudding recipe done and photographed for weeks, and I’m finally happy to be sharing it with you.

There’s no denying that we all need a go-to chia pudding recipe and this chocolate chia pudding with cherries is my top recommendation.

When I meet with clients, I’m often sharing easy recipes with them when they feel stuck. When people are craving chocolate, but want something healthier, this chocolate chia pudding is what I share. Another fun option is my dairy free chocolate pudding.

Now I understand how delicious and refreshing the FRESH summer cherries are, especially in cherry chia pudding or cherry overnight oats.

And cherries pair perfectly with chocolate and whipped cream in this vegan chia pudding recipe! Doesn’t everything, though?

In terms of nutritional content, sweet cherries have a similar profile to that of tart cherries – great for endurance runners!

I’ve used tart cherry juice in my tart cherry gummies, and dried cherries in my no bake vegan protein bites and oatmeal cherry muffins.

It was time for me to experiment with fresh cherries, and mixed in with this chocolate cherry pudding seemed perfect. And to have it be a no bake recipe…even better!

Ingredients for Cherry Chia Pudding

This chocolate cherry chia pudding is SO SIMPLE.

• Coconut milk – If you don’t have coconut milk, you can substitute with another milk. To keep this as vegan chia pudding, opt for a coconut milk chia pudding or almond milk chia pudding. 
• Chia seeds – The secret ingredient. Chia seeds offer antioxidants, protein, iron, calcium, omega 3-fatty acids and more.  
• Cocoa powder or cacao powder – Full of health-promoting antioxidants! 
• Quality maple syrup – For natural sweetness
• Cherries – Cherries are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory (especially if you find some tart cherries). 
• Whipped cream – Optional, but highly recommended.
• Optional Add Ins – Collagen powder or protein powder can help increase the protein content! Also, adding flax seeds or hemp seeds can boost the nutrition content as well.

Chia seeds are one of my favorite foods for kids, as discussed in these recipes on chia seeds for kids.

Fresh cherries have such a short season, so if you want to make this in the fall, winter or early spring months, frozen or dried cherries work just as well in this cherry chia seed pudding.

Now that you have your ingredients for this paleo chia seed pudding, let’s talk about how EASY it is to make this chocolate chia pudding recipe.

How to Make Cherry Chia Pudding

To keep this chia pudding recipe vegan, stick with coconut milk, almond milk or even soy milk.

Add all of your ingredients to a medium or large mixing bowl or put them right in your overnight oats jars or storage container.

Add your liquid and let the ingredients gel and “firm up.” 

I have had the most success with using 1  1/3 cups of milk and 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp of chia seeds as the liquid:chia ratio.

Usually, I recommend 4-5 hours for the chia seeds to soak up the liquid and “firm up,”, but it’s easiest to make overnight chia pudding so you can enjoy it in the morning. 

Then, top with your favorite toppings and enjoy. 

I hope this chocolate coconut chia pudding shows you how versatile chia seeds can be.

Some other ways to use chia seeds are in banana chia bread or cranberry strawberry chia jam, which makes a tasty topping for toast!

I also love adding them to lemon blueberry overnight oats and homemade yogurt pouches for extra nutrition!

Storage

This basic chia pudding will last 3-5 days properly stored in the refrigerator. I love to store them in these overnight oat jars or a small tupperware.

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Servings 2 servings

Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

Chocolate cherry chia pudding is an easy, delicious way to use those summer cherries! This vegan breakfast recipe also works great as an easy no bake snack or dessert. Add whipped cream if you'd like!

4.80 from 15 ratings

Print Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Resting Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/3 cup coconut milk can also swap with another type of milk
• 6 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup add more per sweetness preference
• 1/4 cup cherries , sliced and pitted
• 1/4 cup vegan whipped cream , optional, but highly recommended

Instructions 

1. Mix all ingredients in bowl and divide into 2 jars or serving cups.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 4+ hours or overnight.
3. Top with extra cherries and whipped cream!

Equipment

Healthworks Cacao Powder (16 Ounces / 1 Pound) | Cocoa Chocolate Substitute | Certified Organic | Sugar-Free, Keto, Vegan & Non-GMO | Peruvian Bean/Nut Origin | Antioxidant Superfood

Coombs Family Farms Maple Syrup, Organic, Grade A, Dark Color, Robust Taste, 32-Ounce Jug

Viva Naturals Organic Raw Chia Seeds (2 LB)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 17gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 330mgIron: 4mg

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!