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You are here: Home / Recipes / Breakfast / Creamsicle Chia Seed Pudding

Creamsicle Chia Seed Pudding

February 20, 2019 by Marisa Moore

16.2K shares
creamsicle chia pudding in jars

Go back to your childhood with this dairy-free creamsicle chia seed pudding. Made with fresh oranges, creamy coconut milk, chia seeds and a splash of vanilla, it’s an easy dessert or slightly decadent snack or breakfast.

Jump to Recipe

creamsicle chia pudding in jars with oranges in background

Chia seed pudding is perfect for breakfast or a healthy dessert. This one is made with a crave-worthy orange vanilla flavor combination!

Old-School Creamsicles

Did you grow up eating creamsicles from the ice cream truck? I did. There’s something about that bright orange flavor against creamy, vanilla ice cream. I remember sipping orange floats with my Grandpa. It was one of my favorite things growing up and I still get a hankering for it at times. When I’m being super nostalgic, I’ll go buy a single can of orange soda and pour it over vanilla ice cream.

But most days I won’t do that. In comes this creamsicle chia seed pudding. The orange vanilla combination really shines with bright citrus flavor and a touch of creamy decadence from coconut milk.

creamsicle chia pudding in jars with spoon and napkin

What you need for this recipe

To make this creamsicle chia pudding recipe, you only need 4 ingredients: super sweet navel or mandarin oranges, coconut milk (I used canned for ultimate creaminess), chia seeds, and vanilla extract.

You can also add honey to sweeten it up and make it more like a dessert. Decide on this after you taste your oranges and adjust according to the sweetness.

Go back to the flavors of your childhood with this Creamsicle Chia Seed Pudding! #easyrecipes Click to Tweet

NOTE:: In the photo, I simply pureed extra oranges in the blender to top the chia seed pudding. This an easy way to add some extra color, fun, and extra flavor to the recipe!

Chia seed pudding texture

A few years ago, you couldn’t convince me to eat chia seed pudding. The texture was just not for me. But I’ve really grown to love it for a quick and easy snack that’s super satisfying. If you don’t like it, that’s cool But before deciding that you don’t, make sure you make it right.

How to make good chia seed pudding

Get the liquid to seed ratio right. If you miss on this, the pudding won’t gel and you’ll end up with a soupy mess.

Use any kind of milk but make some adjustments. Regular (dairy) milk and creamier non-dairy ones like coconut or cashew milk work in a 1 cup milk to a ¼ cup of chia seeds ratio. Thin liquids like rice milk may need more chia seeds to create a more rich and luscious texture. I have not tried that one and I would not try this with oat milk.

Give it a final stir. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before you put it into the refrigerator to set. When exposed to water, chia seeds tend to clump together. Stir the pudding to make sure the seeds stay evenly distributed. This will help the chia pudding thicken properly and prevent clumping.

Consider a blend. If the appearance turns you off, try white chia seeds or blend them in. White chia seeds would be perfect in this creamsicle chia pudding. 

creamsicle chia pudding in jars

What’s the best milk for chia pudding?

You can use regular dairy milk, coconut milk, or most non-dairy milk to keep it vegan. I wouldn’t attempt one with oat milk nor rice milk. Here’s why…

Oat milk has a tendency to get gummy – that’s due to the soluble fibers naturally present oats. Leaving the milk to sit with chia seeds doesn’t bode well. But if you try it with success, let me know!

Rice milk is super thin and watery. I just don’t see it providing the type of creamy texture you want from a pudding. I’d skip it.

Make your chia seed pudding

The easy recipe is just below. It takes just 5 minutes to prep but you’ll need to refrigerate the pudding for at least 4 hours before serving.

Chia pudding is perfect for your weekend meal prep. Try it for breakfast, as a snack, or a healthy dessert. 

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More chia pudding recipes

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orange vanilla chia seed pudding in jars with spoon 2
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Creamsicle Chia Pudding

This healthy pudding is an easy make-ahead breakfast. Made with coconut milk, fresh oranges, chia seeds and a splash of vanilla, it tastes like a creamsicle! You can also enjoy it as a healthy dessert. 
Prep Time5 mins
Resting Time6 hrs
Total Time6 hrs 5 mins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chia seed pudding
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 189kcal
Author: Marisa Moore

Ingredients

  • 1¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk (refrigerated, not canned)
  • 1 cup orange segments, pith removed (plus more for topping)
  • ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Puree the coconut milk, orange segments, vanilla extract, and honey (if using) in a blender until smooth. 
  • Stir the orange puree and chia seeds in a medium bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir again to make sure the chia seeds are evenly distributed.
  • Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. Once the pudding is set, stir in the orange zest or use it for garnish. Portion into individual jars for easy grab and go breakfasts, snacks, or healthy desserts.

Notes

NOTE: In the photo, I simply pureed extra oranges in the blender to top the chia seed pudding. This an easy way to add some extra color, fun, and extra flavor to the recipe!

How to make good chia seed pudding

Get the liquid to seed ratio right. If you miss on this, the pudding won’t gel and you’ll end up with a soupy mess.
Use any kind of milk but make some adjustments. Regular (dairy) milk and creamier non-dairy ones like coconut or cashew milk work in a 1 cup milk to a ¼ cup of chia seeds ratio. Thin liquids like rice milk may need more chia seeds to create a more rich and luscious texture. I have not tried that one and I would not try this with oat milk.
Give it a final stir. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before you put it into the refrigerator to set. When exposed to water, chia seeds tend to clump together. Stir the pudding to make sure the seeds stay evenly distributed. This will help the chia pudding thicken properly and prevent clumping.
Consider a blend. If the appearance turns you off, try white chia seeds or blend them in. White chia seeds would be perfect in this creamsicle chia pudding. 

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 47.9mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 1.6mg

16.2K shares

Filed Under: Blog, Breakfast, Dessert, Recipes, Snacks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam Greer

    February 21, 2019 at 8:43 am

    5 stars
    Oh yes, I remember running out to the ice cream truck! The creamsicles were my favorite! This pudding brings back such wonderful memories, I love that it’s healthier!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:08 am

      SOmething about that orange vanilla combo that’s really stuck with me. Ahhh memories…

      Reply
  2. Demeter

    February 21, 2019 at 8:45 am

    5 stars
    This is like a ray of sunshine! So perfect to start the day!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:07 am

      It’s definitely a ray of sunshine. I made it after we’d seen rain for a couple weeks straight!

      Reply
  3. Julia

    February 21, 2019 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for all the tips on how to make a good chia pudding!Really helpful!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:07 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply
  4. Sues

    February 21, 2019 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    Oh yum this is such a good idea!! I love chia seed pudding and i love creamsicles, so this is most definitely up my alley!! Plus, it’s such a gorgeous color!

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:06 am

      I fell in love with the colors too!

      Reply
  5. Annemarie

    February 21, 2019 at 9:53 am

    5 stars
    Creamsicles were one of my childhood favorites too! It’s great how you took those flavors and found a way to incorporate them into a healthy diet. And thanks for the great tips on making chia seed pudding! I’m never quite sure about it.

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:06 am

      Yes. Making chia seed pudding can be tricky but nothing that a stir, or little more seed or time can’t fix.

      Reply
  6. Leslie

    January 24, 2022 at 3:13 am

    Can you add protein powder to this pudding ? Thanks

    Reply
    • Marisa

      January 24, 2022 at 8:39 am

      Yes. I’d stick to not more than 1-2 tablespoons but should work out great!

      Reply
  7. Rodney W Winn

    February 22, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    I made my 1st Chia seed and fruit pudding the other night. I used extra creamy “oat milk” and it turned out fine! I too remember eating the popsicle, but we called them dreamsicles.

    Reply
    • Marisa

      February 22, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      Great to know you were able to make the oat milk work! And they were quite dreamy 🙂

      Reply
  8. Cyndi

    June 16, 2022 at 2:26 am

    5 stars
    I made this with unsweetened canned coconut milk and it was dreamy!

    Reply

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Marisa Moore

Hi! I'm Marisa, a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Atlanta, GA. I use this blog to share (mostly) vegetarian recipes, credible nutrition information and a peek into my Southern roots and travels!
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