Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding: My Go-To Healthy Treat

I’m sharing my favorite healthy indulgence—Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding. It’s creamy, rich, and loaded with chocolate and peanut butter flavor, yet packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3s. The best part? It takes just 5 minutes to prep and sets overnight into a decadent breakfast or snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how this pudding feels like dessert but fuels my day. The chia seeds thicken into a silky texture, the cocoa satisfies my chocolate craving, and the peanut butter adds richness and protein. I can customize it with toppings or mix-ins, and it’s perfect for meal prep. Whether I eat it chilled from the fridge or dressed up with fruit and nuts, it’s always a win.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Base (for 2 servings):

• ¼ cup chia seeds

• 1 cup milk (I use almond milk, but any milk works)

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (drippy kind)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Tiny pinch of salt

Optional mix-ins:

• 1 tablespoon chocolate protein powder

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Topping ideas:

• Sliced banana

• A few extra chocolate chips

• Drizzle of warmed peanut butter

• Chopped peanuts

• Sprinkle of sea salt

• Fresh berries

• Dollop of Greek yogurt

directions

1. I whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla, and salt in a bowl or jar until smooth.

2. I stir in the chia seeds, making sure they’re well dispersed to prevent clumping.

3. If I’m using protein powder, cinnamon, or chocolate chips, I mix those in now.

4. I cover the bowl or seal the jar and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.

5. By morning, the mixture thickens into pudding. I give it a good stir before serving.

6. I top it with sliced banana, a drizzle of peanut butter, and a few chocolate chips—or whatever I’m craving.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 2 servings.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Chill Time: 4 hours to overnight

• Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

storage/reheating

I store the pudding in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days. It keeps well, so I often double the batch for quick breakfasts. No reheating needed—just stir and enjoy straight from the fridge.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different nut butter?

Yes—almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work just as well and bring a unique flavor twist.

2. How do I make it sweeter or less sweet?

I adjust the maple syrup or honey to my liking—or add a mashed banana to naturally sweeten it without extra sugar.

3. Why didn’t my pudding thicken?

Sometimes the chia seeds settle too quickly—so I stir the mixture again about 10 minutes after it goes in the fridge to help distribute them evenly.

4. Can I blend it for a smoother texture?

Absolutely—I blend the set pudding for a mousse-like consistency, which is great if I don’t like the tapioca texture of whole chia seeds.

5. Is this recipe good for kids?

Yes—it’s a fun, healthy snack that tastes like dessert. I sometimes serve it with extra berries or yogurt for a kid-friendly twist.

6. Can I make this high-protein?

I add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to the mix—or top it with Greek yogurt or hemp seeds for even more protein.

7. Can I meal prep this for the week?

Definitely—this keeps great for several days, and I portion it into individual jars for grab-and-go breakfasts.

8. Is this recipe vegan?

Yes—if I use plant-based milk and maple syrup instead of honey, it’s fully vegan.

9. What’s the best cocoa to use?

I like using high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for rich flavor, but Dutch-processed cocoa works too for a smoother taste.

10. Can I use a sugar-free sweetener?

Yes—I substitute maple syrup with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener if I want a low-carb option.

Conclusion

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding is one of my all-time favorite treats—it’s creamy, nourishing, and full of deep chocolate flavor with that peanut butter magic. I love that I can prep it in minutes and wake up to a ready-made breakfast or satisfying snack. It’s healthy indulgence done right

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