I’ll be honest, if you had told me years ago that a bowl of gloopy oats and tiny seeds would save my weekday mornings, I’d have laughed and reached for the cereal. But here we are. I’ve made this chia oat pudding half awake, in full mum mode, with Paw Patrol blaring and sticky fingers tugging on my pyjama trousers. It’s become my go-to trick for mornings when everything feels sideways. Why? It’s full of the good stuff from oats and chia seeds, but ridiculously easy. The sort of “simple” that saves you when you realise you’ve wiped jam off the dog’s ear before the clock even says 7.
This isn’t some high-maintenance Instagram breakfast either. It’s just a mix-it-up, leave-it, then scoop-and-eat kind of thing. Seriously, my five-year-old, Ellie, has helped with every step—except for the bit where she eats all the berries before they hit the bowl. And it’s flexible. If you run out of walnuts, throw whatever is rattling around in your pantry. If Muffin (my dog, legendary banana hater) steals a coconut flake, just top it with an extra scoop of yogurt instead. I promise, it’s almost impossible to mess up—though if you use dodgy old chia seeds, it will go weird. Ask me how I know.
The best part? You can make it the night before, shove it into whatever clean jar is left (I use empty pasta sauce ones) and grab it on your way out. Suddenly, breakfast isn’t a mad scramble—it’s a small moment of peace you can actually enjoy. It’s not just chia oat pudding. It’s breakfast that doesn’t judge if you’re still wearing yesterday’s jumper.
To make the Chia Oat Pudding, you will need the following ingredients:
In a jar or cup, add 3 tablespoons quick oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and ⅓ cup milk. Stir to combine. Let stand for at least 10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
Stir again and top with ⅓ cup Greek yogurt.
Add 1 teaspoon maple syrup.
Top with berries, walnuts and coconut flakes.
Serve and enjoy.
Right, tools. Grab a sturdy spoon, or honestly, I just use whatever’s clean, even the kid’s dinosaur fork when it comes down to it. Got an empty jar or random container with a lid? That’ll do—bonus points if it doesn’t smell faintly of yesterday’s curry. You’ll need a fridge to chill the pudding while you sleep (or while you binge cartoons with your kid, no judgement). That’s it, no gadgets, no fuss.
Swap in coconut milk, top with fresh mango and pineapple, and sprinkle over some toasted coconut flakes. Voila! It’s basically a little beach holiday in a bowl. My five-year-old reckons it tastes like an ice lolly for breakfast, and frankly, I agree.
If I had to choose only one version for the rest of my life, it would be chocolate. Stir in a big teaspoon of cocoa powder and a pinch of espresso powder if you’re feeling fancy. Shower it with chocolate chips (or proper dark chocolate shavings if you want to seem grown-up) and a scant pinch of sea salt. Honestly, my kid thinks she’s having dessert. I’m not correcting her.
Go wild with a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top—especially on days when the rain won’t let up. Pairs beautifully with herbal tea, or, if you’re running on fumes, whatever coffee is left in the pot. For a proper fancy moment, slap it next to a croissant (if you happen to have one) or, in our house, a slice of whatever bread isn’t crusty enough to scare the children. Hosting brunch? Build a top-of-your-own pudding bar for everyone. Pick and mix toppings galore: berries, nuts, seeds, and maple syrup. The kids go bonkers for it, and adults like to pretend it’s healthy.
There you go. This isn’t fancy or fussy. You’re just trying to get breakfast on the table before the chaos hits. If it goes wrong, laugh it off, grab a spoon, and have another go. You are feeding a family, not auditioning for MasterChef. Cheesy line coming up: you’ve got this.
If you’re on the hunt for a tasty and healthy option that the whole family will enjoy, you’ve got to try this easy Chia Oat Pudding! It’s great for busy mornings or even as a satisfying snack. I love making a batch and keeping it in the fridge so I can kick off my day with a wholesome breakfast. Plus, with the added crunch of toasted walnuts and coconut flakes, it turns healthy eating into a fun treat for both you and the kids!
Have you made this recipe? Share your opinion. Your review will help others learn about the quality of this recipe!
