Cocoa Chia Pudding

Cocoa chia pudding is a simple and nutritious dessert, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Chia seeds are rich in fiber, proteins, and omega-3s, and they absorb a lot of liquid and form a gel when soaked. Here’s the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 240 ml (1 cup) of almond milk or any other plant-based milk, for a more local touch you could use hazelnut milk
• 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup, or another sweetener of your choice
• 1 pinch of salt
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• For serving (optional): Dollops of whipped cream, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, chopped hazelnuts

Preparation

1. In a medium bowl, add the chia seeds and cocoa powder.
2. Warm the almond milk slightly, then mix it with the cocoa powder and chia seeds in the bowl. Make sure to break up all the cocoa clumps with a whisk or spoon.
3. Add the sweetener, a pinch of salt, and if desired, some vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
4. Mix all the ingredients well. Let the mixture rest for a couple of minutes, then stir again to ensure the chia seeds haven’t settled at the bottom.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. The chia seeds will expand and absorb the liquid, creating a thick and creamy pudding.
6. Before serving, stir the chia pudding to ensure it’s creamy and lump-free. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more milk to reach the desired consistency.
7. Serve the chia pudding in glasses or bowls with your favorite toppings, such as whipped cream, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, or chopped hazelnuts for a crunchy touch.

Fun Fact

Chia seeds were very important to the Aztec and Maya civilizations, and “chia” is the Mayan word for “strength”. These seeds have been rediscovered in recent times as a superfood due to their numerous nutritional properties. Chia pudding has become a simple and tasty way to incorporate these seeds into the daily diet.