I had some leftover cottage cheese in the fridge, and I was trying something quick and protein-rich, so I made chocolate pudding with cottage cheese and chia seeds.
Besides them, I just added a few ingredients like cocoa, sweetener, etc., and blended them. By doing so, I got the creamy, thick, chocolatey pudding.
In this post, I will share my exact cottage cheese chocolate pudding with chia seeds recipe.
And I will also share how you will customize it, like with different toppings, make it vegan or low carb, and many more things.
Why Should You Try This Chocolate Cottage Cheese Chia Pudding Recipe?
There are quite a few things that make this cottage cheese chocolate pudding recipe unique.
First of all, this pudding is ultra creamy and thick like chocolate mousse — but instead of heavy cream, you will have to use high-protein cottage cheese and fiber-rich chia.
Second, it’s sweet enough to taste like dessert, but you can easily use stevia or monk fruit to make it sugar-free or low-carb if you’re on a keto-style plan or following a weight loss goal.
And third, this isn’t a typical “bland chia pudding,” which feels like you’re chewing frog eggs. Nope.
The process you will follow to make this cottage cheese pudding will make it silky, with no weird texture, no aftertaste, and no dairy-y flavor, too, so only pure chocolate bliss.
Also, you can eat this cottage cheese chocolate pudding cold or warm, serve it like a mousse, or layer it in a parfait; it is just impressive.
One more thing, this cottage cheese chocolate pudding with Chia seeds recipe can be made within 5 minutes or even less than that.
Also read: Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding with Almond Milk Recipe
All Ingredients You’ll Need (with Quality Options + Swaps)
To make this chocolate pudding with cottage cheese and chia seeds, these are the ingredients I used when I made pudding with leftover cottage cheese.
Most of these ingredients are kitchen staples, but down below I will also give you my favorite brands or substitutions so that you can use them depending on what you’ve got at home.
1 cup cottage cheese
This is gonna be the base, and you can use full-fat if you want extra creaminess or use low-fat if you’re on a weight loss goal.
For this cottage cheese chocolate pudding, my personal favorite is Good Culture and Nancy’s Organic. You can use any of them.
I like them because they are thick and not overly salty.
However, you can also use other brands that are available in your neighboring grocery store, just avoid watery ones.
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Consider using high-quality cocoa powder like Valrhona, Ghirardelli, or Guittard Cocoa Rouge.
You will instantly taste the difference. If you like a mild flavor, you can also try cacao powder.
1 tablespoon chia seeds
This will make your cottage cheese chocolate pudding with chia seeds thick. Plus, it will add more fiber and omega-3s.
But which chia seeds…
You can go with any black or white chia seeds, both work fine, just the color is the main difference to me.
Speaking about brands, I would recommend you try the Navitas Organic or Terrasoul brands.
However, you wanna eat it, sit for 10 to 15 minutes after blending to help it thicken more.
2–3 tablespoons milk of choice
You would want to start with 2 tbsp and add more if needed for smoother blending.
Whole milk will make the pudding rich, but unsweetened almond milk or oat milk work great too.
However, for a creamier texture, you can use ripple milk or oat barista milk.
1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
Sweetener totally depends on your preference and how sweet your chocolate is.
Btw, I prefer using real maple syrup or raw honey, but for low-carb, you can also use liquid stevia, monk fruit, or allulose syrup.
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
It will add depth and give your cottage chocolate pudding a dessert-like flavor.
If you want, you can also skip it, but if you use it, then you can go with Nielsen-Massey Madagascar vanilla.
Pinch of sea salt
You will add just a tiny bit, but it will make the chocolate flavor pop, so I won’t recommend skipping it.
Also read: No-Bake Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie Recipe
How to Make Cottage Cheese Chocolate Pudding (with Chia) – Step-by-Step Guide
This chocolate chia seed pudding with cottage cheese is too easy.
It doesn’t even feel like a recipe.
You just need a blender and a bowl.
Step 1: Add All Ingredients to the Blender
You want to take a blender or mini food processor, add the following ingredients:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp milk (start low)
- 1–2 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener
- Vanilla + pinch of salt
Step 2: Blend Until Completely Smooth
Now you have to blend everything on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or till it completely becomes a smooth, thick pudding.
If needed, you can add 1 more tbsp of milk to loosen it up, but don’t overdo it for a mousse-like consistency.
Note: If your blender isn’t powerful, then you should pause and scrape down the sides once.
Step 3: Let It Sit or Chill
Once blended, everything.
You want to let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, the chia seeds will absorb and thicken the pudding naturally.
You can also refrigerate it for an hour or overnight if you want a denser texture.
Or eat it right away, I like both, but I keep most pudding in the fridge, mostly overnight, and some for a few hours, depending on the types of pudding.
Step 4: Top and Serve
You can pour this chia seed pudding with cottage cheese into a small glass jar or bowl, and top with whatever you love.
Flavor Customizations & Add-ins
One of the best things about this chia cottage cheese chocolate pudding is that you can make it with different flavors.
And you just have to tweak one or two ingredients. Here are some recommendations:
- Mocha Style: Add 1 tsp of instant espresso or coffee powder.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: Add 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter while blending.
- Spicy Mexican Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon + cayenne for a bold flavor twist.
- Mint Chocolate: Add 1 or 2 drops of peppermint extract.
- Nutella Style: Add 1 tsp hazelnut butter + a little vanilla.
- Banana Chocolate: Add half a ripe banana if you like the sweetness and banana flavor.
They are simple variations, but each one of them will give you a new vibe.
So if you’re prepping meals, you can split the base into jars and flavor all of them differently.
Also read: Vegan Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Chia Pudding Recipe
Toppings I Recommend (Optional But Worth It)
You can eat the pudding as it is, or level it up with toppings. Here are a few combos that I really like and recommend:
- Cacao nibs + shredded coconut
- Chopped dark chocolate + almond slivers
- Peanut butter drizzle + granola
- Berries + dark chocolate chips
- Sea salt + caramel drizzle
- Greek yogurt swirl + chopped figs or dates
Also, you can add layers like parfait, like the pudding + granola + fruit, and store them in jars.
What to Serve With Chocolate Cottage Cheese Pudding
I had this pudding for breakfast, but you can also have it for a snack, post-workout, or even dessert.
Here are some things I recommend serving it with, depending on the time of day.
For Breakfast
- Toast with almond butter
- Smoothie or fruit bowl
- Cold brew coffee with oat milk
- Protein waffles or pancakes
For Snack or Dessert
- Apple or pear slices
- Dark chocolate squares
- Energy bites or protein bars
- Crispy coconut chips
For Fancy Dessert Vibes
- Serve in mini glass cups with whipped coconut cream
- Add dark chocolate curls or mint leaves
- Pair with biscotti or shortbread cookies
Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving – Approx)
Here is the approximate breakdown for one serving (entire blended pudding):
- Calories: 250–300
- Protein: 20–25g
- Fat: 10–15g
- Carbs: 15–20g (depends on sweetener)
- Fiber: 5–7g
- Sugar: 5–10g (adjustable)
Note: This is high in protein and fiber, low in sugar (just make sure to use monk fruit or stevia). Besides this, cottage cheese can be made keto-friendly and vegetarian.
Conclusion
This Cottage Cheese Chocolate Pudding with Chia Seeds recipe. It’s creamy, it’s healthy, and it’s not like your regular chia pudding at all.
You won’t even notice it has cottage cheese in the pudding, especially if you blend it well.
Plus, you can customize it based on what you’re craving, for example, sweet, spicy, nutty, fruity, or even mocha style.
And it’s also perfect for meal prep, too, so you can make a few jars and keep them ready for the week.
You can eat the pudding for breakfast, a snack, or a dessert; this pudding will surprise you every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few questions and their answers regarding the cottage cheese chocolate pudding with chia seeds recipe.
Can you make chia pudding with white chia seeds?
Yes, you can use white chia seeds. They also work like the black one works.
They will soak up liquid and turn into the same gel and texture. I mean, there is no big difference that I notice, except for the color.
You should use white seeds if you want your pudding to look cleaner. Or… More chocolate forward, without dark spacks.
Does the cottage cheese taste come through in this pudding?
No, not at all. You just need to blend it properly. The cocoa powder and sweetener will completely mask the cottage cheese flavor.
It’ll taste rich and creamy, just like chocolate mousse.
Even if you don’t like cheese—or if someone in your family doesn’t—and you give them this pudding, they won’t even realize there’s cottage cheese in it.
How long can I store this pudding in the fridge?
You can store this chocolate cottage cheese chia pudding in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Besides this, it will thicken as long as it continues to sit in the fridge.
So, later, if you find your pudding has gotten too thick, you can add a little bit of milk and loosen it up, and then eat.
Can I make this recipe completely sugar-free?
Yes, you should skip maple syrup or honey and use stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol.
By doing so, your pudding will still be sweet, but without extra sugar. It’s perfect if you are on a low-carb diet or following a diabetic diet plan.
Cottage Cheese Chocolate Pudding with Chia Seeds
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
- 1 cup cottage cheese use full-fat for creamy or low-fat for lighter option
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 –3 tbsp milk of choice start with 2 tbsp
- 1 –2 tbsp maple syrup or honey or use stevia/monk fruit to make sugar-free
- ½ tsp vanilla extract optional
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
Step 1: Add All Ingredients to Blender
- Add cottage cheese, cocoa powder, chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract (if using), and sea salt into a blender.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
- Blend everything on high speed for 1–2 minutes until thick and smooth. Scrape sides if needed. Add 1 more tbsp milk only if required.
Step 3: Let It Sit or Chill
- Let the pudding sit for 10–15 minutes so chia thickens. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight for best texture.
Step 4: Top and Serve
- Spoon into a bowl or jar and top with cacao nibs, nuts, peanut butter, coconut, or fruit.
Notes
As a passionate home cook and food enthusiast, I’m specialize in recreating popular café and restaurant-style chocolate recipes at home. I have experience in testing and customizing various chocolate-based dishes, I focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make preservative-free, delicious treats. My goal is to help chocolate lovers enjoy their favorite recipes with a homemade touch and personalized twists.
