Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding
A rich and creamy vegan dessert featuring cacao, chia seeds, and warming cinnamon, perfect for a healthy treat. This vegan-inspired desserts (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 10 minutes layers unsweetened almond milk, chia seeds, unsweetened cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 3, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp (optional, for garnish) dark chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup chia seeds, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
- Step 2: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight, stirring once after 30 minutes to prevent clumping until it thickens into a pudding consistency.
- Step 3: Before serving, give the pudding a good stir and divide into serving cups. Garnish each with 2 tbsp dark chocolate shavings if desired for extra richness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cinnamon-Spiced Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
