Easy Salted Caramel-Date Chia Pudding (Just 1 Serving)

Make this caramel-date chia pudding for the perfect make-ahead breakfast, no-bake dessert, or snack. It is effortless, nutrient-dense, and loaded with yummy flavors and silky textures.

I love chia seed pudding because it’s so versatile and packed with protein. If you haven’t added chia seed pudding to your meal prepping yet, this is your sign. The rich, tacky dates give the recipe a caramel-like dessert taste, together with the vanilla and chocolate.

This recipe is a single serving, but you can double or triple it to make extra portions for the rest of the week. Store it in jars for a grab-and-go snack or breakfast.

What’s so Great About Chia Seeds?

A lot! Firstly, they keep me feeling full, which is not always the case with a smoothie. Chia seeds are loaded with fiber and have a little protein, too. Try them to boost your system with extra Omega 3’s.

They are taste-neutral, which means they work with any flavor combination – think chocolate, matcha, berries, other fruit, vanilla, and cinnamon. The list is endless. There are both black and white chia seeds available for you to use. Both will work perfectly well.

You’ll also love their addictive texture; jelly-like and creamy. They’re SO good.

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, gather up these tools:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or a spoon
• Blender ( handheld or tabletop are both great)

Ingredients and Substitutions to make caramel-date chia pudding

Here’s what to round up for this recipe:

• Chia seeds: These tiny seeds make up the base of this recipe. They soak up the milk to form a jiggly, silky texture in minutes. They are also rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. I don’t recommend trying this recipe with any other type of seed.
• Almond milk: This milk is both nutritious and light in consistency. Make it with any milk – rice, soy, or regular whole milk works well, too.
• Medjool dates: Your natural sweetener in this recipe. Medjool dates, specifically, are soft and blend easily. Don’t forget to remove the pits!
• Tahini: This is a sesame paste with an earthy, nutty taste. It has loads of healthy fats. You can swap it with almond butter or peanut butter for a different flavor profile.
• Maple syrup: Adds more sweetness. You can switch it with honey or agave syrup.
• Vanilla extract: It’s optional, but I wouldn’t skip it.
• Sea salt: Adding a little salt balances out the sweetness and richness.
• Chopped pistachios: For color and crunch. Try using other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
• Dark chocolate chips: These add some extra indulgence. You can also use milk or white chocolate chips.

Variations of this Recipe

There’s so much you can do with this recipe. Tweak the ingredients or add others to make it a little different:

• Berry pudding: Blend some frozen berries and drizzle them through or over the pudding. You can also top the pudding with a tablespoon of fresh berries.
• Coconutty: Use coconut milk and add in diced mango or pineapple. I love this version in the summertime.
• Chocolate protein: Mix through a tablespoon of chocolate protein powder.
• Extra nutty: Toast your pistachios for extra rich nutty goodness.

How to make Caramel-Date Chia Pudding

This make-ahead pudding is incredibly simple to make; here’s how to do it:

1. Make the chia pudding base: Combine the chia seeds and almond milk in a small bowl. Set this in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
2. Make the caramel date sauce: Add the pitted dates, tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Assemble the pudding: Stir or lightly whisk the chia pudding to break up any lumps. Swirl the caramel sauce into the pudding and enjoy it topped with the nuts.

Tips and Tricks

Honestly, this caramel date chia pudding recipe is so simple it’s crazy. Having said that, there are a few things I do to get great results:

• Let it set properly: Don’t skip ahead and use it under-set. The consistency just won’t be the same.
• Prevent lumps: If you want to avoid lumps, stir the mixture after about 15 minutes before letting it set the rest.
• Adjust the level of sweetness to suit you: Play around with the amount of maple syrup and dates you use.
• Soften dates: If you can’t find soft Medjool dates, use regular ones and soak them for 15 minutes in hot water.

FAQs

Just skimming through? Here are a few key highlights you don’t want to miss:

What is the ideal ratio of chia seeds to liquid in general?

1 part chia seeds to 4 parts liquid is the typical ratio. 3 or 4 tablespoons of seeds to 1 cup milk is another good guide.

My chia pudding is too thick. What should I do?

Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk and whisk through. Add more if needed.

My chia pudding is too thin. What should I do?

Add in another teaspoon or 2 of chia seeds. Stir through and leave to set again.

How can I make a low-sugar version of this recipe?

Use 1 date instead of 2, and use stevia or monk fruit instead of maple syrup.

Storage Notes

Store leftover caramel-date chia pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. I recommend storing it in glass containers versus plastic because glass is less absorbent.

If you want to add fresh fruit toppings, I suggest adding them just before you eat the pudding. The same goes for the pistachios. This keeps the toppings fresh!

Other Recipes to Try

If you love this caramel-date chia pudding recipe as much as I do, try a few of my other breakfast recipes:

• A creamy breakfast millet recipe
• My savory, easy vegan buckwheat pancakes
• Simple breakfast beans – creamy and filling

If you try this recipe for this Salted Caramel-Date Chia pudding, feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating. And if you share a photo of your healthy and delicious soup on Instagram please tag me at @_pronounced_ and use hashtag #pronounced as I LOVE seeing your remakes! HAPPY COOKING 🍽️!

💡FUN FACT

Did you know chia seeds were once considered ancient superfoods? The Aztecs and Mayans valued them for their energy-boosting properties, and today, they’re popular for their versatility and nutritional benefits. These tiny seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, making them great for hydration and thickening recipes like this caramel-date chia pudding. Rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants, they’re a nutritional powerhouse in every spoonful!

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