chia bowl with yogurt, cherries and almonds

This creamy, tangy chia bowl is made with Greek yogurt, almond milk and maple syrup. Top with your favorite fresh fruit and granola. It’s the easiest make-ahead breakfast, and always a crowd pleaser!

Chia bowls are some of my favorite make-ahead, weekday breakfasts. They’re quick to throw together the night before, they’re healthy enough, and the bowls are infinitely adaptable with whatever fruit and nuts we have on hand. And the kids love them.

Chia seeding pudding with yogurt is a great variation from standard chia seeds in milk— it adds a tang and creaminess that we love. You can use any yogurt you have in the fridge, but if you’re heading to the store, get full-fat, plain Greek yogurt. It’s rich, flavorful, thick and has the strongest "tang" of any yogurt. Using greek yogurt with chia seeds is the best way to maximize the yogurt flavor and texture.

what you need to make a chia yogurt bowl:

• Greek yogurt
• Almond milk
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Chia seeds

What makes this the best chia bowl?

• Greek yogurt: The sharp tang of Greek yogurt is key in this chia bowl. It helps the chia pudding maintain the yogurt flavor, despite being thinned with almond milk.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup sweetens the chia bowl, it adds a soft caramelized flavor and it easily dissolves in the cold yogurt mix.
• Almond milk: The creamy, mild flavor of almond milk is just so delicious with the fresh cherries. I use it to thin the consistency of the chia pudding so that it’s spoonable and not too stiff or dry. It also gives enough liquid to the chia seeds so they plump up and soften. Make sure to use unsweetened almond milk (or use less maple syrup) so the chia pudding doesn’t get too sweet. 
• The mix-ins: I love the flavor combination of cherries, almonds, maple and pear. Together, they make this chia seed pudding with yogurt taste extra cozy and inviting. If cherries aren’t in season, you can always thaw frozen cherries or use blueberries instead. 
• Salt: Always use a pinch of salt! It doesn’t take much to make all of the flavors pop, even in a chia breakfast bowl.

how to make a chia bowl:

1. Whisk together Greek yogurt, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla and salt.
2. Whisk in chia seeds.
3. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
4. Divide into bowls.
5. Top with fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts and granola.

Take it to the next level with a drizzle of warm granola butter!

other toppings for chia breakfast bowls:

• Fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• Tropical fruit (mango, pineapple, figs, papaya, kiwi)
• Stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots)
• Dried fruit (mango, banana, pineapple, pear, tart cherries, apricots, dates, figs, raisins, cranberries)
• Toasted nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios)
• Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds)
• Other: dried coconut, granola, puffed rice
• Nut butters or nut-free spreads (granola butter)

answers to common questions about chia bowls:

how do you eat a Chia Bowl?

You can eat a chia bowl as a breakfast, topped with fresh or dried fruit, nuts, a sprig of mint and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. I love to add extra crunch with a sprinkle of granola or puffed rice. 

To make life even easier in the morning, you can divide the chia seed pudding into 4 small jars. Top with desired fruit and nuts, cover, and store in the refrigerator until breakfast.

Chia bowls also make a great mid-morning snack. Oh yeah, and babies love it.

can you just add chia seeds to yogurt?

For chia yogurt bowls, I prefer to thin the mixture with milk. This way, the chia seeds have enough moisture to fully hydrate and the mixture stays soft and spoonable. Without adding liquid, the yogurt with chia seeds will be very stiff, thick and dry.

how long should chia seeds soak in yogurt?

Chia seeds need at least 4 hours to fully plump up and hydrate, which is why chia bowls are fantastic make-ahead breakfasts. They can be mixed up the night before and are ready in the morning. 

do I need to soak chia seeds before adding to yogurt?

Nope! If you add enough milk (see recipe), the chia seeds will have enough liquid to hydrate, gel and lose their crunch.

how much chia seeds should I put in my yogurt?

I like to use ⅓ cup chia seeds in 1 ½ cups yogurt + 1 cup of liquid (the milk of your choice). We prefer the consistency of chia seeds that have been soaked in this mixture, which has more liquid than just Greek yogurt by itself. 

how long do chia bowls keep?

Chia seed pudding will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

can I freeze this chia seed pudding?

Yes! Chia seeds in yogurt freeze incredibly well. You can store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight or set out at room temperature for about an hour.

other breakfast bowls and chia seed puddings to try!

overnight chia pudding with maple butter blueberries

banana smoothie bowl with tahini and honey

Print