I recently made a high protein chia pudding without protein powder or yogurt; it’s one of the best recipes for a clean-eating meal plan.
And also a great way to enjoy a protein-rich breakfast or snack without using expensive protein supplements.
How to Make High Protein Chia Pudding Without Protein Powder or Yogurt
This is a high Protein Chia Pudding without protein powder or yogurt. It is a creamy, filling, and protein-rich recipe made using chia seeds, almond milk, nut butter, and hemp hearts.
Ingredients
Here are all the ingredients that you will need to make this high-protein chia pudding recipe without yogurt or additional protein powder.:
- Chia Seeds – 4 tablespoons: This is the base of this homemade high-protein chia pudding, they are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and a good source of plant-based protein.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – 1 cup: It’s light, dairy-free, and works well with chia seeds. However, you can also try soy milk if you want even more protein.
- Nut Butter – 1.5 tablespoons (almond, peanut, or cashew): This is going to be the protein booster (as you’re not including additional protein powder).
- Hemp Hearts – 2 tablespoons: They have around 6g of protein per two tablespoons.
- Maple Syrup or Honey – 1 to 2 teaspoons (optional):
- Vanilla Extract – 1/2 teaspoon: It is important to round out the flavors and give your high-protein chia pudding a more dessert-like taste.
- Pinch of Salt: You just have to add in a very small amount to enhance everything.
Optional Add-ins:
- Mashed banana/Mango or any other fruits (1/2 medium banana): It will add natural sweetness and texture to your high-protein chia pudding. Plus, it’ll be thicker.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1 tablespoon): it’s good if you want a chocolate version of chia pudding.
- Coconut Cream (1 tablespoon): If you want an extra creamy texture, you can include it. However, it’ll add some fats, too.
How to Make High Protein Chia Pudding without Protein Powder or Yogurt
Step 1: Mix the Base
To make your protein chia pudding without yogurt or protein powder you want to take a medium-sized bowl or jar and then combine all these ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1.5 tablespoons of nut butter
- 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds
- It’s optional: mashed banana, mango, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla.
After adding them all to a bowl, you want to mix them well using a fork. However, you want to ensure that chia seeds aren’t clumped at the bottom.
My Pro Tip: You have to stir it well for at least 30 seconds, as nut butter takes time.
Step 2: Let It Rest, Then Stir Again
Once you’ve prepared the base and you notice that everything is properly mixed, then keep it at room temperature for 10 minutes to give it a rest.
After 10 minutes, you need to stir it again to break up clumps. This process will make sure that your chia seeds are starting to expand properly.
This second stir is important: After preparing the base, you must wait for 10 minutes to stir again; it’s not optional but important.
This will help prevent weird layering or dry spots in your pudding.
Step 3: Cover and Chill
Once you stir after 10 minutes, you want to seal the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and then keep it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Btw, that’s the minimum time, but I made it in the evening so that I could keep it in the refrigerator overnight. And I consider it better.
When we keep that mixture overnight, the chia seeds will absorb the liquid, and your pudding will be thick and ready to eat in the morning, like breakfast.
Step 4: Stir and Serve
When you’re serving that high-protein chia seeds pudding recipe, make sure to give it a final stir.
If you find the pudding is too thick for your taste, you can add a little almond milk and mix again.
Then top with your favorites toppings and enjoy.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don’t have all the ingredients that I have mentioned above, or you just want to play with this recipe, then here is what you can change:
- Nut Butter: You can use seed butter like sunflower seed butter or even tahini if you’re allergic to nuts. These swaps will keep your protein chia pudding recipe high in nutrition.
- Almond Milk: Soy milk will increase the plant protein amount, and oat milk will give your pudding more creaminess — both are great for making a high-protein pudding without yogurt.
- Hemp Seeds: Use ground flaxseed if unavailable, but remember that protein content will be lower.
- Maple Syrup: You can replace it with dates (blended into milk) or stevia if you want sugar-free options; stevia leaves are also good to use.
Topping Ideas for Extra Protein and Flavor
Without adding any extra material like toppings, the pudding is complete on its own.
However, these toppings can turn your chia pudding from a simple snack into a nutrient-dense, high-protein breakfast without powder.
- Fresh Berries: You can try blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds; I’ve also tried it with pistachios as it’s one of my favorite nuts.
- Cacao Nibs: This is good for a crunchy and chocolate flavor.
- Coconut Flakes: You can use both toasted and raw
- Granola: If you want crunch, it works well too.
- Sliced Banana or Apple: Adds natural sweetness and also gives a different texture.
- Dash of Cinnamon or Nutmeg: I haven’t tried it with chia pudding, but I’m sure they’re good.
So you can now choose your favorite combos based on what taste you like: sweet, crunchy, fruit, etc.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
The good thing about this high-protein chia seed pudding is that you can make it in advance and eat it later.
For example, if you are a busy mom, you can make it on weekends or on Sundays and keep eating for the next few days.
Here are some things you need to keep in mind:
- Fridge: You can store high-protein chia pudding in an airtight container; it’ll be safe and ready to eat for up to 4-5 days.
- Mason Jars: it’s perfect for single-serve meal prep.
- Shake Option: You can put everything in a jar and then shake it instead of whisking, then chill.
Nutrition Info (Approximate for 1 Serving):
This chia pudding recipe is full of protein and other nutrients; let’s have a look at what you will get in one serving:
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 20-26g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 4-6g (depending on the sweetener used)
Btw, if you want to add more protein to this pudding, you can swap almond milk for soy milk or add extra hemp hearts. Each tablespoon of hemp will have around 3g more protein.
Why This Recipe Works (Without Powder or Yogurt)
Powder or yogurt are not the only two protein sources; there are too many, so I’ve included the best one that suits the chia pudding recipe.
- Chia Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Nut Butter
These are real, whole ingredients that are not only good in protein but also in fat and natural fiber.
So, you’re not only getting protein; you’re getting energy that lasts, with a texture that’s creamy and satisfying.
Plus, it’s plant-based and customizable.
What is the Best Time to Eat Chia Pudding?
- Breakfast: I prefer eating a good amount of food in the morning for whole-day energy.
- Post-Workout: You can eat that with bread, a banana, or something else you like to refuel and support your muscle recovery.
- Afternoon Slump: It’ll quickly fill you up and keep you from grabbing junk.
- Dessert: Especially if you make the chocolate version using cocoa powder. It’ll taste like a healthy mousse.
What to Serve with High Protein Chia Pudding
Here are some more delicious ideas from you can pair well with this high-protein chia pudding — especially if you want a balance of nutrition and taste:
- If you have no problems with eggs, you can serve them with pudding, especially if you’re a gym-goer and want to boost protein intake. A whole egg will have around 6g of protein.
- Alongside your chia pudding, you can have a bowl of cottage cheese, which you can also top with sliced fruits or some honey.
- Smoked Salmon or Turkey are both good options, too.
- 3-ingredient vegan coconut macaroons: It is light and chewy, perfect with this creamy chia pudding.
- Bakery-style oatmeal chocolate chip muffins: if you’re looking for a breakfast with more texture and fiber.
- Chocolate-covered dates with almond butter: It is a nutrient-packed sweet that will complement the mildness of chia pudding.
- Chocolate protein pudding with Greek yogurt: Especially if you are okay with dairy and want to try a variation.
However, I have personally tried this chia pudding for breakfast. I had two boiled eggs (I didn’t remove the white part) along with some nuts like pistachios, almonds, etc.
Final Thoughts
This high-protein chia pudding recipe without protein powder or yogurt is easy, clean, and full of flavor and nutrition.
You don’t have to buy supplements like protein powder to add it to any of your recipes, like the chia pudding, to increase the protein amount.
You just have to add other protein-rich ingredients that I discussed, plus you’ve to serve it with the right stuff, as I said, whole eggs.
However, you can make it once and keep it in your fridge for 4 to 5 days. And, the next time you feel hungry or in need of a healthy snack, you can eat that high-protein chia pudding recipe.
Besides this, you can also customize it according to your taste buds and flavors, and add your favorite toppings.
FAQs about High Protein Chia Pudding without Protein Powder
Here are some questions about this high-protein pudding and their answers:
Can I blend it instead of eating it as-is?
Yes, this is the good thing about this high-protein Chia Pudding Recipe.
You can blend it to give it a smooth and mousse-like texture. However, you need to do it after chilling it in the fridge for a few hours.
How can I make a high-protein chia pudding without protein powder or yogurt?
When you want to make a high-protein chia pudding and don’t want to use protein powder or yogurt, you will need to use plant-based ingredients.
For example, along with chia seeds, you can use nut butter, hemp hearts, almond milk, etc.
They are rich in protein, even you can also top your pudding with protein-rich dried fruit like
almonds, raisins, cashews, etc.
Is protein chia pudding healthy without protein powder?
Of course, this pudding is healthy, because other ingredients like chia seed, almond milk, hemp seed, and toppings like almond, cashew, etc. are healthy and nutritious.
So, naturally, this chia seed pudding is healthy without protein powder or yogurt.
Can I add oats to make it thicker?
Yes, you can add oats to it or any other thing like mashed banana or something else that you personally like.
However, anything extra that you add to your chia pudding will change its texture. And if you are oats, I would recommend you try rolled oats before soaking them. One tablespoon is okay.
Is this okay for kids?
Yes! This chocolate chia pudding is okay for kids!
But I have a tip for you:
You might want to dial back the sweetness if you’re making chia pudding just for your kids.
As sugar isn’t good for our health, I don’t promote it, and since you have kids, it’s a good idea to help them avoid sugar addiction from an early age.
If you’re looking for alternatives, I’d recommend fruit-based sweeteners like mashed banana or stevia leaves.
Can I make it nut-free?
Yes, you can make it nut-free. You’ll have to use seed butter like tahini, coconut milk, or oat milk instead of almond milk.
High Protein Chia Pudding Without Protein Powder or Yogurt
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1.5 tbsp nut butter almond, peanut, or cashew
- 2 tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup or honey optional
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ medium mashed banana
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp coconut cream
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Base
- Take a medium-sized bowl or jar and combine:
- 4 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1.5 tablespoons of nut butter
- 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds
- (Optional) mashed banana, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla
- Mix them well using a fork. Make sure chia seeds aren’t clumped at the bottom. Stir it well for at least 30 seconds — nut butter takes time.
Step 2: Let It Rest, Then Stir Again
- Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Stir again after 10 minutes to break up clumps. This step is important to avoid dry spots and layering.
Step 3: Cover and Chill
- Keep in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Stir and Serve
- Give the pudding a final stir before serving. If too thick, add a little almond milk and mix again. Add toppings if desired and enjoy.
Notes
I’m a self-taught home cook who turns everyday ingredients into comforting, café-style recipes. I test everything in my own kitchen (sometimes more than once), tweak flavors how I like them, and share only what I actually enjoy.
Most of my recipes are chocolate-based or have a creative twist, and I keep them preservative-free, beginner-friendly, and fun to make.
If you love cozy drinks, healthier desserts, or bold flavor combos — you’re in the right place. [Read full story]
I swapped almond for soy milk to up the protein and added extra hemp hearts