Creamy Pumpkin Chia Pudding

I love chia puddings, not only are they healthy but they are very filling and easy to make. In the summer I make overnight oats a lot with chia and oats to get the best of both worlds. I can’t tell you how many times I has made chia pudding and the girls will try it but aren’t fans of the texture. There has been times my youngest will eat it but then turns around and will have the same thing and hate the texture. One day, over a year ago, I thought why not blend it like I do a shake and make a creamy chia pudding. It was one of those moments where I wanted to smack myself on the head and say “why didn’t you think of this sooner”. I had done it before but often with my protein shakes and layered cereal bowls but in my mind I hadn’t connected the two to make the girls a pudding. Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding is still one of my favorites. It is pumpkin season and with everything pumpkin I recently took RumChata Pumpkin Pie Pudding Cups to a friends birthday party. When I was making them the girls asked if they could have pudding. I told them they couldn’t have those but I would make them some pumpkin pudding and made this Creamy Pumpkin Chia Pudding. The recipe below makes one serving but for the girls I split it into two and it is just right for them.  This pudding is so healthy, even with a little Coco Whip, you can even enjoy it for breakfast! Yes we love our “desserts” for breakfast! For a really rich treat try it with So Delicious Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk or add a few tablespoons of dark chocolate chips!

Are you a chia pudding fan? What is your favorite pie or dessert to enjoy for Thanksgiving?

Creamy Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Makes 1 serving, or 2 smaller kid size servings

1c coconut milk* (So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk, So Delicious Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk)

2 TBSP chia seeds

1 TBSP pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/3c pumpkin puree

coconut whipped cream, optional (used So Delicious Coco Whip Lite)

dash of cinnamon

*If you want it really thick use 3/4 cup of milk. If you want to add protein to it use 1 1/4 cups of milk (I like to use Vega One Vanilla Chai in this one). For a real treat use So Delicious Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk, I omit the maple syrup when making it with Pumpkin Spice Milk as it is sweet enough.

Chocolate Chip Creamy Pumpkin Chia Pudding, add in 1-2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate bar and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

In a jar or bowl stir together milk and chia seeds. Place in the refrigerator overnight or for a minimum of 20 minutes, the longer it sits the thicker it gets so I like doing this the night before I plan to enjoy it. In a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, blend together chia mix, syrup, spices, and pumpkin and blend smooth. Alternatively you can just stir everything together without blending. Pour into a bowl or jar and top with optional coconut whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon. Enjoy!