Disclaimer:   This post contains referral links.  By clicking on them I am eligible to receive credits to my account. I make this recipe for myself all the time!  All thoughts and opinions in this post and all other posts at Hungry Hobby are my own.     Happy Tuesday out there! Did you know that Chia seeds left to soak overnight become a delicious healthy pudding?  There are probably a million recipes out there to try, but sometimes I just prefer simple vanilla or chocolate.  The way I make my chia pudding has changed a little bit over the last year, so I wanted to share my new and improved simple recipe!   My plan was to take some awesome photographs of it too, but apparently it’s really hard to take photos of chia pudding (at least in these glasses).  I figured it would be like a smoothie, done in 10 minutes… 2 hours of attempted editing later and still not what I wanted. I know, complain complain complain… whoas of a food/health/nutrition/fitness blogger I guess.  What you should know is that this chia protein pudding is simple and DELICIOUS.  Personally, I like it better than regular pudding.  The combination of the hydrating chia seeds and recovery protein powder make it the perfect after workout snack or filling breakfast. It makes a pretty delicious treat too, I ate it for dessert Sunday night (while I was cursing it’s photographs)! My original chocolate or vanilla versions were definitely tasty, but this version is much more pudding like.  (Compared to the frog egg consistency thing that tends to happen with chia pudding.) The secret is adding xanthan gum in right before you’re ready to eat it.  It gives it the perfect pudding consistency without changing it’s nutritional value or taste at all. (Xanthan Gum is really awesome  gluten free way to thicken up smoothies too if you need another reason to purchase some.)   I also really like the Formulx Protein Powder, it gives the pudding such a rich and lightly sweet taste without having to add too much of anything else.

Version 1:  Vanilla Creme Chia Protein Pudding:

–  3/4 scoop of Vanilla Formulx Recovery Protein Powder (or protein powder of choice)

–  3/4 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

– 2 Tbsp Chia seeds

–  3-4 drops of stevia

-1/4 tsp xanthan gum

Version 2:  Double Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding:

–  3/4 scoop of Chocolate Formulx Recovery Protein Powder (or protein powder of choice)

– 1T unsweetened chocolate powder

–  3/4 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

– 2Tbsp Chia seeds

–  3-4 drops of stevia

-1/4 tsp xanthan gum

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients except xanthan gum in blender bottle and shake well to combine.  (Alternatively whisk all ingredients until well combined.)

2.  Refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

3.  When ready to eat, mix in xanthan gum until desired consistency is achieved.  (I only needed 1/4 tsp.) Let me know if you try it! For one serving

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 Of possible interest:

–  Benefits of Chia Seed

–  Sun Butter Chia Pudding

–  Butterfinger Chia Pudding 

PS I loved reading all your comments on the Formulx giveaway about all your favorite post workout meals! Definitely gave me some new ideas to try!  (Also, the winner of the giveaway has been notified.)