This wholesome Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding is great for breakfast or a snack! It’s full of fiber & healthy fats and so easy to make! Read on for the recipe and the health benefits of sweet cherries.
In partnership with Northwest Cherry Growers.
Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding
As some of you may know, I’m in school for my master’s degree in nutrition. One of the most valuable experiences in this process so far has been sitting in on nutrition counseling appointments and observing the dietitian. It’s one thing to read about what to do in a client session in a textbook—it’s another thing to watch it live.
Two of the most common things I heard people say in sessions was something like, “I don’t really snack,” and later, “I can’t stop eating at night.”
I’m here to tell you EMBRACE THE SNACKS! Because snacking when we’re hungry throughout the day keeps our hunger and satiety cues in check and helps us from feeling ravenous when we get to dinner.
In every snack, I try to include fiber and healthy fats. This combination keeps me satisfied until my next meal, and it usually looks like fruit and nuts or seeds. My favorite fruit for snack time right now is sweet cherries!
I’m excited to partner with Northwest Cherry Growers to tell you all about sweet cherries! They are the perfect summertime snack—but the fresh season is short (sweet Northwest-grown cherries are typically only available from June until late August) so grab ‘em while you can!
Right now my favorite way to enjoy cherries is on top of a chocolate chia pudding! It makes for a delicious snack that can be easily meal prepped to keep on hand in the fridge all week long!
Health Benefits of Cherries
Sweet cherries, as the name suggests, are sweet—which is why we don’t need any added sugar in this Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding! Sweet cherries actually have a low glycemic index, which means glucose is released slower and you feel full longer. That’s what we want in a snack!
Sweet cherries also contain a host of health-promoting compounds, including anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Anthocyanins work just like ibuprofen to reduce tissue inflammation—crazy! Ellagic acid may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
If all of that isn’t reason enough to enjoy sweet cherries this summer, here’s another fact: cherries contain melatonin, which regulates our sleep. Your new bedtime snack = sweet cherries.
Visit NWCherries.com for more information about sweet cherries!
Whether you grab a handful of sweet cherries for a snack, blend them in a smoothie, or make this Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding, find a way to enjoy sweet cherries this summer! They are nature’s summertime candies.
How to Make Chocolate Chia Pudding
We only need a handful of ingredients to make this delicious chocolate chia pudding! It all gets topped off with halved pitted cherries for a delicious snack or breakfast.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Chia seeds. Of course!
- Cocoa powder. Using a cocoa powder will give us a deep chocolatey flavor. You could also use a chocolate protein powder for an added nutritional boost, but I’d still recommend adding a bit of cocoa powder to keep the flavor rich.
- Non-dairy milk. You can use any variety you’d like. I recommend using unsweetened milk.
- Sweet cherries. If it’s cherry season when you’re reading this, go for fresh cherries, but you can also totally thaw some from frozen.
Simply combine your chia seeds, milk and cocoa powder and let it sit overnight to make the chocolate chia pudding. Then when you’re ready to enjoy, top it off with your cherries and any other toppings you like such as shredded coconut or chocolate chips.
More Chia Seed Pudding Recipes
Chia pudding is a staple in my fridge because it’s easy to prep, super nutritious and can be made in a ton of different flavor varieties so that you never get bored! If you’re looking for more flavor combinations, try out these other chia seed pudding recipes.
- Matcha Chia Pudding
- Key Lime Pie Chia Pudding Parfaits
- Beet Strawberry Chia Pudding
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
- Carrot Cake Chia Pudding
Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding
This wholesome Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding is great for breakfast or a snack! It’s full of fiber & healthy fats and so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1/2 cup sweet cherries, pitted and halved
Instructions
- Mix the chia pudding. To a bowl or jar, add chia seeds and cocoa powder; stir to combine. Add non-dairy milk; stir.
- Let sit overnight, or at least 2 hours.
- Build your chia pudding bowl. When ready to eat, add sweet cherries and any other toppings you’d like.
Thanks to Northwest Cherry Growers for sponsoring this post! I love working with brands whose products I really love and would honestly recommend.
