Who doesn’t love puddings? They are smooth, silky, and sweet. A pudding is usually served as a dessert, but it is a very versatile term. You can enjoy it for breakfast as well! You just have to know your ingredients!

On a busy day, if you crave something sweet yet healthy and vegan, I recommend you try Mango Chia Pudding. Not a lot of foods check all of those boxes! And this dish is just perfect. It is the right combination of ingredients, flavors, and textures.

Plus, it is super easy to make. Mango Chia Pudding is such a quick dish and very visually pleasing while also being tasty and a solid breakfast. Plus, it’s not just perfect for breakfast by literally any time of the day.

Since you can store it for up to 3 days, you can enjoy these puddings whenever you want! I love a quick pudding like this one on busy mornings. Some of my other favorite breakfast puddings are my Raspberry Banana Chia Pudding, Black Rice Pudding, and Instant Pot Brown Rice Pudding.

Let’s discuss this delicious and simple pudding in detail.

Mango Chia Pudding

You can use coconut milk or almond milk for this pudding.  If you would like, you can make your own Almond Milk or Coconut Milk, or you can use store-bought.  If you use coconut milk, you may add a little maple syrup if you desire, but it is not necessary at all.

Remember the television commercial- Chi Chi Chia, chia pet in the USA? Chia seeds have so many health benefits, who would have known that these tiny seeds are such a power-house of nourishment?

Everything you need to know about a pudding

When you hear the word “pudding,” you instantly think of a dessert. Well, puddings are quite popular desserts. However, a pudding can also be savory. In fact, a pudding is very versatile. You might like black pudding etc., which is a savory dish. However, we are going to talk more about the sweet version of a pudding or a dessert.

Pudding was invented somewhere in the 10^th century in the Arabian part of the world. However, you can also find its traces and different recipes throughout the centuries. Different cuisines have different recipes for puddings. The most popular ones are rice or bread pudding.

Now mostly puddings are made from eggs, dairy milk, and sugar. The process requires cooking. However, with time, puddings have changed a bit. They are not just used as desserts anymore but as snacks as well. Above all, these can also be made without cooking. Yes! That’s right. All you have to do is use different ingredients like this vegan recipe!

What is Mango Chia Pudding?

A Mango Chia Pudding is probably the simplest and easiest pudding you can ever make. Here is everything you need to know about this pudding:

• As the name indicates, It is made from two main ingredients, i.e., mango and chia. Mango is a tropical fruit that is sweet. At the same time, chia is seeds that are often referred to as superfoods.
• As for the pudding part, since it is a vegan recipe, we are going to use the main ingredient without which a pudding can’t be made, i.e., plant-based milk. You can use coconut milk or almond milk for this pudding. If you would like, you can make your own Almond Milk or Coconut Milk, or you can use store-bought. If you use coconut milk, you may add a little maple syrup if you desire, but it is not necessary at all.
• It is super easy to make. That’s mainly because it requires no cooking. You just have to mix everything and voila!
• It is utterly delicious! It is rich, wholesome, and very filling.
• You can make it in advance! It is the perfect fuel to keep you moving throughout the day. So, you can have some for breakfast and snacks as well.

What are Chia Seeds, and Where Do they come from?

You might have heard a lot about chia seeds. They are kind of emerging foods that have taken the world by storm. However, they are quite an ancient ingredient. It is believed that chia seeds were a staple in the Aztec culture and civilization of Mexico for thousands of years. And we know the reason! Chia seeds make their place known among the superfoods. They qualify for the term because their nutrients are so densely packed in such a tiny package, making it literally super-powered food. They are unbelievably nutritious.

Chia seeds are tinny seeds that are either black, white, or gray in color. These come from a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family.

Chia seeds actually don’t have a flavor of their own. They are bland. It’s the texture that is different. They have a grainy and slippery texture. Because they don’t have a flavor, you can add them to smoothies, puddings, cakes, cookies, soups, bread, salad dressings, jams, whole, or ground. They are very versatile.

Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and fiber. A mere one-ounce serving of chia seeds has a significant amount of many vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body to function, along with fiber, protein, and omega-3s, while only being under 140 calories. To make it even better, the seed’s walls are thin enough for your body to absorb what it needs without you needing to grind them up, making it truly as easy to eat as it gets.

What Are Chia Seeds Good For?

Since chia seeds are a superfood, they have many health benefits. Here are a few prominent reasons why you should include chia seeds into your daily diet:

• The first and foremost reason is that these seeds are highly nutritious. As I have mentioned before, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and fiber. But that’s not all. They are also rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Not to forget vitamins as well.
• Since they are rich in antioxidants, they eliminate free radicals in the body, which otherwise have harmful effects and cause chronic diseases like cancer.
• These little seeds can be very helpful as a part of a weight loss regime. When chia seeds are mixed with water or milk, the seeds swell in size and become gel-like. The seed’s protein and this fiber-filled gel are digested slowly, which makes you feel full quicker, and keeps you full for longer, while also keeping your blood sugar stable.
• As I mentioned before, chia seeds are high in fiber, so they act as a broom while passing through the colon. Their fiber content also helps to prevent or alleviate constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and diverticulitis.
• The soluble fiber and antioxidants also prevent heart diseases by controlling the cholesterol level in the blood. They also control high blood pressure.
• Thanks to the abundant minerals, they also promote bone health and keep your bones strong and healthy.
• They also aid in controlling diabetes by regulating sugar levels in the blood.
• Chia seeds, when grounded, can be substituted in baked goods for eggs, oil, or butter, similar to flaxseeds. This not only adds extra nutrition but also causes your recipe to contain less fat. So, it is very easy to use, and you can literally add it to any dish you want.

Read more about chia seeds’ nutrition and health benefits here.

What Is In Mango Chia Pudding?

Mango chia pudding is super easy and simple. You can effortlessly make it using five simple ingredients. The ingredients are not over the top, and you can find them in your vegan kitchen pantry! Here is what you will need to make this mango chia pudding:

• Non-Dairy Milk: A non-dairy milk is a plant-based milk. You can find a few types like coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, or cashew milk. I have used almond or light coconut milk; use your favorite! If you particularly want thick pudding, I recommend you use coconut milk as it has that thickness and smooth texture you desire. Otherwise, any plant-based milk will work.
• Chia Seeds: One of the star ingredients is chia seeds. It is not only used for its nutritional value, but it also helps in thickening the pudding. So you get the thick and rich texture because of chia seeds.
• Maple Syrup: My favorite sweetener for puddings, you don’t have to add this unless it is not sweet enough for your liking or you are using unsweetened milk. Maple syrup has a sweet, caramel-like, warm flavor which I absolutely adore. If you don’t want to add maple syrup, you can simply add sweetness by using sweetened non-dairy milk or add agave syrup.
• Banana: Banana is the perfect breakfast fruit. I love adding it because it adds consistency to the pudding. Plus, it is a great ingredient for natural sweetness.
• Mango: The flavorful star of the show, who doesn’t love mangoes? This tropical fruit is the king of all fruits, and it has a sweet and delicious flavor that everyone ones. See Benefits of Mangoes.

How To Make Mango Chia Pudding?

Like I said before, making mango chia pudding is effortless. Here are a few simple steps you have to follow:

Step 1: Stat by Combining your almond or coconut milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup in a glass jar, and stir until fully combined.

Step 2: Cover the jar and allow it to sit refrigerated for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This will allow the chia seeds to soak up the milk, and you will get the thick texture you like.

Step 3: Prepare the banana and mango puree by adding both ingredients to a blender and mixing until fully incorporated. You can either use frozen bananas or mangoes, but I prefer you thaw them first and them blend them. This way, your pudding won’t get runny.

Step 4: Once the chia pudding is set, take it out of the refrigerator and start Layering the chia mixture and mango banana puree alternately in containers of your choice.

Step 5: Garnish with extra mango chunks. Serve immediately.

How to store Mango Chia Pudding?

The good news is that you can make this mango chia pudding in advance and store it for later use as well. Once you have made it and added layers of the fruit puree and the pudding, place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Thus, it is your perfect snack any time of the day.

Variation ideas

Mango, chia, and banana make up the best vegan pudding. However, there are always so many amazing ingredients available that you should try! Who knows what amazing flavor combinations you find. Here are a few ideas you can try to change this delicious pudding a bit:

• Coconut: When you are using coconut milk, add coconut flakes or desiccated coconut to it as well. The rich flavor and texture will make this pudding more tasteful and tropical.
• Peaches: You can use peaches instead of mango and turn this pudding into the peaches chia pudding. It will still taste delicious and perfect for summer.
• Carob: If you are a carob lover, add carob chips or a melted carob bar in between each layer. A little carob always makes things better. A little carob powder also does the trick.
• Nuts: Adding chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc., add extra crunch and nutrients to this pudding. You can use them for garnish or add them between layers of fruit and pudding.
• Berries: You can use your favorite berries as well. Blend berries like strawberries or raspberries and layer them with chia pudding. It is visually very appealing, and the colors just pop out. It looks so delicious.
• Jelly: It might be a different idea but try a few vegan fruit jellies in between the layers of fruit and pudding. Jellies especially taste very delicious and refreshing during summer. You can elevate your dessert and make it more visually appealing and tasteful by adding another tasty element.

Other Vegan Breakfast Recipes

1. Vegan Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
2. Vegan Sausage Patties
3. Granola
4. Tofu Scramble
5. Granola Bars
6. Strawberry Oat bars 
7. Jamaican Banana Fritters
8. Antioxidant Smoothies
9. Moringa Smoothie
10. Strawberry Breakfast Cake
11. Vegan Sausage Gravy

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few questions that arise in your mind when making this delicious pudding!

Are Chia Seeds Gluten-Free?

Yes, Chia seeds are naturally free of gluten. Since they also are high in fiber, which is amazing for your digestive tract, this makes them even more beneficial for those on a gluten-free diet, many of whom have digestive issues.

What do chia seeds taste like?

As I have mentioned before, chia seeds are bland. They don’t have a flavor of their own. That’s what makes them very versatile. You can use them in both sweet and savory recipes. They are a great ingredient for your desserts, cookies, and cakes. Plus, you can also use them in soups, stews, and salads.

How to fix runny chia pudding?

One of the main reasons that your mango chia pudding is runny and not set properly is that you have used more milk than required or the fruits were frozen. If the pudding turns out to be runny, don’t worry. You can fix it quickly by adding more chia seeds to it. You can either soak them first and then add them or add them directly to the pudding if you haven’t layered it yet. Either way, you can easily fix this problem and get the perfect result you desire.

Can Dogs Eat Chia Seeds?

There is absolutely nothing toxic to dogs in chia seeds, meaning if they accidentally get a taste, you have nothing to worry about. There is actually a good chance chia seeds are, in fact, great to supplement your dog’s diet!

The fiber and protein content in chia seeds is great for a dog who loves to eat and seems to be constantly hungry, making them fill full quicker. Once you are sure they are getting the nutrition they need otherwise, and just like to constantly eat, then adding a little chia seed to their diet might help them not go begging for food as much throughout the day while keeping their caloric intake quite low.

Dogs also need omega-3 fatty acids just like us, and most kibbles and other preserved dog foods tend to only be a good source of omega-6 fatty acids.

Most recommend soaking the chia seeds and adding them as a kibble topper or using them to make your own dog treats.

If you do add these to your dog’s diet, be sure to only add a few tablespoons as a supplement to their diet, not a replacement. As with all advice I give to humans with the disclaimer of checking with your medical provider, also do please check with your veterinarian for your pets.

How Long Do Chia Seeds Last?

The dry seeds are a great staple that you can buy in bulk and keep around for a long time, anywhere from 2-5 years. All you have to do is place them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

However, the soaked seeds need to be refrigerated. Soak them in water so that they fluff up. You can keep them refrigerated for no more than 5 days in an airtight container.

If you enjoyed this post about Mango Chia Pudding recipe and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!

Get discounted copies of my cookbook here.

Fortunately, because of the Ads on our website, readers and subscribers of Healthier Steps are sponsoring many underprivileged families.