We are in the thick of pumpkin season. And we are celebrating with pumpkin chia pudding! Super creamy, full of pumpkin spice, and tastes just like pumpkin pie! Except no baking is required.
If you are not familiar with chia seeds, they are small white or black edible seeds with a mild and slightly nutty flavor. They are crunchy as it, but my favorite way to use them is making chia pudding. When soaked with liquid, they absorb the liquid, soften, and turn into a pudding-like consistency. The texture is thick and creamy, almost like a tapioca pudding.
I like to enjoy this pumpkin chia seed pudding for breakfast, a snack, or after dinner as a healthy dessert. It makes for easy meal prep and feel free to even double the recipe to have some on hand all week!
Why we love this pumpkin pie chia pudding
- tastes just like pumpkin pie without all the baking and is lightly sweetened!
- packed with fiber – each serving has 8 grams of fiber
- loaded with vitamins and minerals – full of vitamin A needs, vitamin K, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to name a few
- macro-balanced – a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats for stable blood sugar and energy levels
- great for meal prep – make a batch at the beginning of the week for an easy and healthy snack or dessert
Is chia seed pudding good for you?
Chia seed pudding is a great healthy and nutrient-dense snack to add to your diet. Chia seeds are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, loaded with antioxidants, and full of protein, fiber, iron, vitamin K, and calcium. And chia seeds are super absorbent – they can absorb up to 9x their weight in water. Mixed with fruit, spices, and liquid, chia seed pudding can make a filling and satisfying food.
Ingredients
- pumpkin puree
- pecans – toasted and then blended into the pudding that really elevates this chia pudding to taste like pumpkin pie
- almond milk
- pumpkin pie spice
- maple syrup – for a touch of sweetness
- collagen – optional, but gives it a little more protein
- salt – just a pinch to help bring the flavors together
How to make pumpkin chia pudding
- Toast the pecans. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat and let it get hot, about 30 seconds. Add pecans and toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown. The toasting step is optional, but I find it adds great flavor and is so easy to do.
- Blend ingredients. Add almond milk, toasted pecans, pumpkin, collagen, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to a high-powered blender or food processor. Process until smooth and all ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.
- Let rest. Transfer to a medium-sized resealable bowl or large jar. Whisk in chia seeds until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
- Enjoy! Eat as is or top with desired toppings. Enjoy!
How long should chia seeds soak for pudding?
When making chia seed pudding, it doesn’t take that long for the chia seeds to start absorbing liquid. Usually, 2-3 hours is enough for the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and form a gel-like consistency, but you can let them sit longer, up to overnight. Although, the more time you give the chia seeds to absorb the liquid, the thicker it gets.
Storage
- refrigerator – store in a sealable airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Substitutions or additions
- pecans – walnuts or almonds would work well instead of pecan. Leave out the nuts or substitute with sunflower seeds to make it nut-free. You can use a tablespoon or two of nut butter if you don’t have nuts on hand.
- milk – any kind of milk will work (cashew milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or even whole milk).
- maple syrup – honey will work instead of maple syrup. Add more if you want it sweeter.
- pumpkin pie spice – a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves will work instead of pumpkin pie spice. You will need 1 1/2 teaspoons total.
And here are some additions:
- boost the protein – add in more protein or even flavored protein powder.
- vanilla extract – add a teaspoon for a little more vanilla flavor.
More healthy pumpkin recipes
- pumpkin chocolate chip protein muffins
- pumpkin protein bars
- vegetable and pumpkin quiche
- paleo pumpkin protein pancakes
- pumpkin pie butter
- pumpkin pie milkshake
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced bowl, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Pumpkin Chia Pudding
ingredients
- 1/4 cup raw pecans (30 grams)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 serving unflavored collagen (optional)
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- optional toppings: whipped cream, fresh fruit, nut butter, cinnamon…
instructions
- Toast the pecans. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat and let it get hot, about 30 seconds. Add pecans and toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown. The toasting step is optional, but I find it adds great flavor and is so easy to do.
- Blend ingredients. Add almond milk, toasted pecans, pumpkin, collagen, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to a high-powered blender or food processor. Process until smooth and all ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.
- Let chill. Transfer to a medium-sized resealable bowl or large jar. Whisk in chia seeds until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
- Enjoy! Eat as is or top with desired toppings.
Amber says
Made a bunch of this as a grab and go meal prep breakfast for the week and it was perfect! Teenager and boyfriend approved.
Tastes just like pumpkin pie, super good and is actually filling.
I did swap the collagen for vegan vanilla protein powder. Worked fine.
Kelly says
So glad everyone enjoyed it! I bet the vanilla protein made it even better. Thanks, Amber!
Sam says
Super easy, delish and gives you all the fall feels.
Kelly says
Glad to hear it, Sam, thanks for trying it!
Lisa Parsons says
So easy and delicious!Tastes just like pumkin pie!
Kelly says
So happy to hear it, Lisa, thanks for trying it!
Amber Sandhoff says
This was perfection! It will definitely stay in my rotation of fall treats and I will make this for myself instead of GF/DF pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving because I honestly found this to be more satisfying!
My kids even loved it as an after school treat and asked for a second helping!
Kelly says
I love hearing that! And happy to hear the whole family loved it too. Thanks for trying it, Amber!
Nancy says
Exceptionally creamy and excellent!
Kelly says
Thanks, Nancy, glad you enjoyed it!
Dan says
Taste fantastic just like pumpkin pie
Kelly says
Glad you liked it so much, and it really does!
Lauren says
How many calories and ounces is each serving?
Kelly says
Hey Lauren! I am working on updating my old recipes with all the nutritional information, but don’t have it right now. I hope to have it soon.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Kelly says
Hey Vanessa! It should keep for a week in a tightly sealed glass container in the fridge.