Berry Chia Pudding

No-cook chia pudding layered with fresh berries and yogurt.

10 min preparation + 2 hr chilling · Total: 2 hr 10 min · 4 servings

Ingredients

• 80 g chia seeds
• 240 ml milk or fortified oat milk — Dairy milk contains milk; check fortified oat milk labels for allergens.
• 180 g plain yogurt — Contains milk; use unsweetened dairy-free yogurt with oat milk for a dairy-free version.
• 240 g fresh mixed berries
• 2 tsp honey (optional) — Do not serve honey to children under 12 months.

Instructions

1. Whisk the chia base

   In a clean bowl, whisk 180 g plain yogurt with 240 ml milk or fortified oat milk and the optional 2 tsp honey until smooth. Stir in 80 g chia seeds so all seeds are wet and evenly dispersed. Do not use honey if serving a child under 12 months.

2. Chill and stir once

   Cover and refrigerate at 4°C or below for 2 hours. After the first 10 minutes, stir thoroughly to break up seed clumps, then return to the refrigerator for the remainder of the 2 hours. The chia should be fully hydrated and the pudding thick enough to hold a spoon trail; do not serve with dry seed pockets.

   Thick, evenly hydrated, and gelled, with no dry seed pockets.

   Chill chia pudding: 7200 seconds

3. Layer with fresh berries

   Wash and dry 240 g fresh mixed berries. Spoon the set chia pudding into four clean jars, alternating with the berries. Serve chilled, or cover and refrigerate promptly at 4°C or below; use within 48 hours. Discard if left unrefrigerated more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 32°C.

   Four chilled jars with berries distributed through the set pudding.

Tips

• Stir after the first 10 minutes to prevent dry chia clumps.
• Keep the berries separate until serving if preparing the base ahead.

Common mistakes

• Too much milk can leave the pudding runny; use the measured 80 g chia to 240 ml milk and 180 g yogurt.
• Skipping the second stir can leave dry seed pockets.

Substitutions

• For a dairy-free version, use the fortified oat milk option with 180 g unsweetened dairy-free yogurt; check both labels for allergens.

Storage

Cover and refrigerate at 4°C or below; use within 48 hours. Discard after more than 2 hours unrefrigerated, or 1 hour above 32°C.

Reheating

Serve chilled; do not heat.

About this recipe

This is a contemporary make-ahead pudding, not a traditional regional dish. Chia seeds have a much older Mesoamerican food history.

Editorial approval does not establish independent kitchen testing. Check allergens and follow safe food handling.