Cherry Chia Pudding
Cherry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits are creamy chia seed pudding layered with an easy homemade cherry compote. They’re a great dairy-free breakfast, snack or dessert!
I’ve discussed with you at length how I’m typically behind when it comes to getting into the latest trends. Chia seeds took me quite a while because, while I did want to experiment with them, I’d only seen them in gigantic bags for about $1,000.
Actually, it was more like $13, but to me, $13 is an expensive experiment.
I finally found them in bulk bins and bought just enough for a few recipes. While they added a nice boost of nutrition to them, I couldn’t really tell they were there.
Chia seed pudding? Now that’s what chia seeds are all about.
Chia seed pudding is a lot like tapioca pudding to me, which I love. It’s not a smooth pudding — there’s plenty of texture. Those little chia seeds soak up all the liquid overnight, and they thicken up and get nice and soft.
I was quite skeptical that I would really like this stuff, but I’m totally loving this trend.
Chia pudding is a blank canvas — you can use whatever type of milk you have on hand whether it be dairy or non-dairy. I loved it with the coconut milk, which gave it plenty of richness and flavor despite the fact that it was light. I sweetened it with agave syrup, but you can use honey, maple syrup, or even a simple syrup. This pudding is highly adaptable. 🙂
As for the compote, it couldn’t get easier. Toss your ingredients in a pan, cook them down for a few minutes, and you’ve got yourself a lovely tart-sweet cherry compote. I mixed some of the cherry juice into some of the chia pudding to make it a red color for a nice layering effect, but you can assemble these any which way you like. Like I said, it’s highly adaptable!
I layered these little chia seed pudding parfaits in the morning to have for breakfast and they came together in a snap. And you have to understand that eating anything that resembles pudding for breakfast — in a pretty parfait no less — is a special thing. 🙂
Here’s to all the trends that I’m late getting into, and better late than never! I can’t wait to try about a bazillion flavor combinations with chia pudding, and needless to say, it’s going to be a staple in these parts.
More chia seed recipes:
- Almond Coconut Granola
- Blueberry Overnight Oats
- Chocolate chia pudding
- Chia jam overnight oats
- Chia seed jam
- Chocolate peanut butter chia pudding by Crumb Top Baking
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Cherry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits {Dairy-free, Vegan}
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 2 cups coconut milk sub with your favorite milk
- 8 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup sub with your favorite sweetener
For the compote:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries thawed if frozen
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- toasted coconut for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the pudding:
- Place the coconut milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup in medium bowl and stir until combined.
- Let stand for 10-15 minutes until the chia seeds thicken a bit, then stir well once more.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
Prepare the compote:
- Place the cherries, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cherries soften and the juices thicken up slightly, about 10 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cool completely. The compote will thicken as it cools.
Assemble the parfaits:
- Give the pudding a good stir in the morning. If you'd like different colors of pudding, add some of the cherry juice to half of the chia pudding. Layer in jars or glass dishes, alternating with the compote and pudding. Top with a bit of compote and toasted coconut flakes, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- I don’t like my compote to be terribly sweet, so taste it and add more sweetener if desired.
- The compote will sink into the pudding a bit when layering.
- To toast coconut, place coconut flakes in a skillet over medium low heat and stir until golden brown and toasted, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
35 Comments on “Cherry Chia Pudding”
I use chia seeds all the time yet have never made chia pudding – nuts right?? I need to get on this! These look delicious! LOVE the sound of that cherry compote! Hope you’re having a great weekend Marcie!
It took me a while to try this and I’m so glad I did — I love how easy it is! And pudding for breakfast…yes! Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday!
It took me a while to try chia seeds, but now that I did, I’m hooked! I love that you can sneak them into salads, cookies, granola, pretty much just about anything! This chia pudding looks delicious, Marcie! I love the cherry and coconut flavor. So fresh and fruity! Pinned!
I really need to try chia seeds in cookies and salads! Thx for the ideas, Gayle, and hope your having a great weekend!
Cannot wait to try this! I have all the ingredients so I think I’ll prepare it tomorrow night for the next morning 🙂 Sounds so good. I love chia seeds.
Thank you, Aimee, and I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
So cute and healthy! Love that these are vegan 🙂
Thank you, Medha!
I love sneaking chia seeds into everything and adore chia pudding! These parfaits look so pretty and I love the cherry coconut combo! The cherry compote sounds so delicious!
Thank you, Kelly! I still haven’t bought a huge bag of chia seeds yet, but I’m certainly ready to do it now. 🙂
I soooo want to try these!!!
It doesn’t get much more fun than a fruity parfait! 🙂
I have to admit, I’ve never had tapioca pudding. And I’ve definitely never had chia seeds. But they are on my list of things to try soon! I will have to add this pudding to my list!
It’s surprisingly delicious and SO easy! 🙂
I haven’t tried chia seeds yet and the reason is same as yours. I really want to sample a little to see if I like it or not but all I can see is these huge packets in the grocery stores. The parfait looks great, I want to dig in a spoon right now! Pinned.
I hope you can find the bulk bins of chia seeds so you can buy just want you want to start with, Manali! I still do that because I don’t know how fast I will go through a giant bag. If I keep making this pudding regularly it won’t be tough!
Yes! I love the combo of coconut and cherry! This is on my must make list!
I could cherries and coconut with almost anything! haha Thanks, Annie! 🙂
I love how creamy coconut milk makes everything, and this was definitely no exception! 🙂
I just love chia puddings! So delicious, and yet still so healthy. Loving this cherry coconut version!
Thank you, Natalie! I was really surprised how much I loved this!
There is just something about the way chia seeds look that I find interesting. And I am loving the flavor combination here. Cherry coconut sounds like just the thing to me this time of year!
Chia seeds are interesting, aren’t they? They really do remind me of tapioca pearls. Thanks, Renee!
I’ve been on the chia seed bandwagon for a while, but I haven’t yet gotten on the chia PUDDING bandwagon yet! It’s totally intriguing to me though! Yours sounds awesome, I love the cherries!
Since you love chia seeds already, you’ll love the pudding! And it’s so easy it’s ridiculous! haha
Haha, I’m the same way Marcie!! I have yet to try chia seeds and one of the reasons is because they are always so expensive!! I will have to look for them in the bulk section though because these parfaits looks so good! I love the cherry and coconut combo in these 🙂
The bulk section is where it’s at…especially when you’re kind of noncommittal about something. haha Hope you find them, Izzy! 🙂
I can’t wait to try more varieties of this pudding! Thank you, Stacy, and hope your week is off to a great start! 🙂
I still get cheap about spending that much on a bag, so thank heaven for the bulk bins! haha
WOW!! This looks amazing!! HOW pretty and fun… and healthy!! Such a win 🙂 Great recipe!
Thank you, Cailee! Anything with fruit and pudding has to be good! 🙂
Came over from Buzzfeed–nice! I have chia pudding a lot, but I never tried it with coconut milk. I’m going to do this. Also, I bought a lot of cherries and this will be a good way to use them. Thanks!
Thank you for stopping by, Mabel, and I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Looks amazing!! What kind of coconut milk do you use? Like the canned stuff? Thank you!
Hi Mel! Yes, I like to use full fat canned coconut milk for my chia pudding.