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Lemon Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

4.7 from 111 reviews

Lemon Chia Seed Pudding is a refreshing and nutritious no-cook dessert made with creamy coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, and nutrient-packed chia seeds. This easy-to-make pudding offers a bright citrus flavor with natural sweetness from maple syrup or honey, making it a perfect healthy treat or breakfast option. It requires minimal prep and sets in the refrigerator to develop a creamy, spoonable texture, ready to be topped with your favorite fresh fruits, coconut flakes, or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups full-fat coconut milk (from a can, well stirred)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chia seeds
  • Pinch of sea salt

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/16 teaspoon ground turmeric (for natural yellow tone)
  • 12 drops yellow gel food coloring (for enhanced vibrancy)

Suggested Toppings

  • Extra lemon zest curls
  • Coconut flakes
  • Fresh berries
  • Whipped cream or coconut yogurt

Instructions

  1. Whisk the Base Together: In a mixing bowl or large jar, combine the well-stirred coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, finely grated lemon zest, maple syrup or honey, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, and optional turmeric. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. If using yellow gel food coloring for vibrancy, whisk it in evenly at this stage.
  2. Add the Chia Seeds: Stir in the chia seeds thoroughly to ensure even distribution and prevent clumping. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, then give it another good stir to break up any seed clumps as they start absorbing the liquid.
  3. Chill to Set: Cover the mixture tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. During this time, the chia seeds will swell and absorb the liquid, transforming the mixture into a creamy, pudding-like consistency.
  4. Stir and Serve: Before serving, give the pudding a final stir to even out the texture. Portion into serving jars or bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as lemon zest curls, coconut flakes, fresh berries, or dollops of whipped cream or coconut yogurt.

Notes

  • Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or honey according to your taste preference.
  • The optional turmeric adds a subtle yellow color without affecting flavor significantly.
  • If you prefer a more vivid yellow appearance, add a drop or two of yellow gel food coloring.
  • This pudding can be prepared up to one day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
  • For a thicker pudding, increase chia seeds by a tablespoon or two.
  • Make sure to stir the pudding a couple of times during the first 10 minutes to prevent chia seeds from clumping.
  • Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture; canned coconut milk is best.

Keywords: lemon chia pudding, chia seed dessert, vegan pudding, coconut milk pudding, healthy dessert, no-bake pudding, gluten free, dairy free