Fluffy Yogurt Chia Vanilla (Printable Version)

A light, creamy blend of yogurt, chia seeds, and vanilla bean, perfect chilled with fresh toppings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, full fat or low fat
02 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
03 - 1/4 cup chia seeds
04 - 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey, to taste
05 - 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of fine sea salt

→ Toppings

07 - Fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
08 - Toasted coconut flakes
09 - Sliced banana
10 - Granola
11 - Additional honey or maple syrup for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, almond milk, maple syrup or honey, vanilla bean seeds, and salt until smooth and well combined.
02 - Stir in the chia seeds, mixing thoroughly to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
03 - Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to break up any clumps and ensure uniform texture.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the pudding reaches a thickened and fluffy consistency.
05 - Before serving, give the pudding a thorough stir to refresh the texture. Spoon into individual glasses or bowls.
06 - Top with your choice of fresh berries, coconut flakes, banana slices, granola, or an additional drizzle of sweetener as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but actually fuels your body with real protein and omega-3s, so you won't crash an hour later.
  • Zero cooking means you can make it while your coffee brews, or prep it the night before and sleep in.
  • The vanilla bean adds a sophistication that makes you feel fancy eating breakfast in your pajamas.
02 -
  • If you skip that 5-minute sit and second whisk, you'll end up with little chia seed balls suspended in liquid instead of a creamy pudding, which I discovered the hard way.
  • The pudding will continue thickening as it sits, so if you make it the night before, it might be thicker than you expect—just add a splash of milk to loosen it before serving.
  • Don't use boiling hot ingredients or stir vigorously right before chilling, as this can cause the mixture to separate slightly during refrigeration.
03 -
  • Splurge on real vanilla bean if your budget allows—the flavor is so much more complex and aromatic than even quality extract, and it makes you feel like you've done something restaurant-worthy.
  • Whip a bit of heavy cream and fold it in just before serving if you want an extra-luxurious texture that's almost cloud-like in your mouth.
  • Make it vegan by swapping Greek yogurt for coconut or cashew yogurt and using maple syrup instead of honey—nobody will miss the dairy once you taste how creamy it becomes.
Go Back