Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
As an Amazon Associate, Kids Eat in Color® earns from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.
Share
+
Chia puddings are having a moment right now–and for good reason! This version with mango is not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also a tasty, tropical delight. Chia puddings make a great breakfast, snack or lunch side for kids. They’re also a perfect sweet treat.
Chia puddings are so versatile, and therefore are a great option for kids, toddlers and picky eaters. You can get creative with what you add to them and make the consistency just how you like it by adding more or less liquid.
One great thing about these is that you can taste test the puddings as you make them before you place them in the fridge. You don’t need to worry about temperature or uncooked ingredients, you can try it as you go!
They’re loaded with fiber and protein so this pudding is a snack that will keep you and your little one feeling satisfied and make your body feel good, light and fresh.
Chia seed puddings are completely customizable from the milk you use to the sweeteners and fruit you add. Want to try a different fruit? Any chopped fruit will make a delicious addition, like in this recipe for strawberry chia seed pudding.
You can also use any milk. Try your family’s regular milk or switch it up and try non-dairy milk, like soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk or oat milk. (Note: Got questions about raw milk for kids? We’ve answered them!)
To sweeten the pudding, you can try maple syrup, date syrup, dates, honey, coconut sugar, cane sugar, stevia and more.
Keep in mind, chia seeds expand over time when added to liquid. When you taste the pudding just as you make it before letting it sit, the little seeds have a crunch similar to poppy seeds. As the pudding sits in the fridge, the seeds soak up the liquid and each seed creates a gel-like coating which makes them taste more like tapioca pearls with a bit more texture and a tiny crunch.
Kids will love this pudding, especially if they get to choose the flavor! If you have kids who are weary about certain textures, try starting them with a chia pudding with extra liquid, that way the seeds have room to expand, but there is also more “pudding” than chia seeds.
Although many times parents avoid having to make two separate dishes for the adults and kids in the family, this is something that can be made in minutes to fit everyone’s taste and it’s such a handy snack or lunch addition to have ready in the fridge!
Keep these puddings on hand in containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Making a basic chia pudding is easy! You just mix all the ingredients together and then let them sit to thicken.
Add all the liquid ingredients together, including any flavorings, sweeteners and fruit. These ingredients are blended together to create a smooth, tasty milk.
Transfer ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Then, add in the chia seeds. Stir well to ensure there are no large clumps of seeds.
Place your bowl in the fridge to set for several hours or overnight.
Alternatively, instead of blending the fruit into the milk, the fruit can be added before serving as a topping.
This dish is great for breakfast. You can use it as an alternative to cereal, oatmeal or overnight oats. Serve this for breakfast with some fruit or even a waffle for a more filling breakfast–and maybe some coffee for mom and dad!
Chia puddings are also great as a post-lunch dessert or after-school snack. The protein from the chia seeds will keep you full until dinner. Want a dairy-free chia pudding? Coconut milk works great as a dairy-free option.
If your little one is new to eating chia seeds, make a pudding with a thinner texture by adding more milk and liquid ingredients and fewer chia seeds. Chia seeds expand and absorb the liquid they’re mixed with. Adding more milk helps thin out the pudding, adding less milk or more chia seeds will thicken the texture.
This chia pudding with mango is not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also a tasty, tropical delight for kids. Chia puddings make a great breakfast, snack or lunch side.
Place an empty blender on a digital scale and tare to zero. You’ll be adding each ingredient directly into the blender.
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients, except for the chia seeds. Tare between each weighted ingredient. Blend until ultra smooth.
Transfer the mix to a large container with a lid.
Gently stir in the chia seeds. Make sure there aren’t any clumps and the seeds are well distributed.
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to set.
Notes
For a looser pudding, use less chia seeds.
Do not freeze.
We like to use this pudding as a side dish in lunches. It’s great for those who are unable to purchase commercial puddings.
Ingredients with a “W” next to them are WIC-eligible items. WIC is the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children in the United States. It provides food to families with pregnant or postpartum women and young children. WIC-eligible items will vary based on location.
Did you make this recipe?Tag us with your recipe @kids.eat.in.color and follow for the best positive help for feeding babies, picky eaters, and all kids
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Kathlena has over 200 food allergies and intolerances. Several of her allergies are life threatening, and she can’t drink most water. She has a handful of safe foods to eat, and one source of safe water. Additionally, most of the members of her household also have food allergies and special diets, none of them the same. After being given 30 days to live, she made it her mission to help the food allergy and special diet communities thrive. Although she can’t eat the food, she helps people find safe & delicious options. Kathlena and her team have published cookbooks, started a bakery, launched local and nationwide outreach, and more.
This free veggie exposure shopping list and menu planner will give you ideas for bringing more veggies into your home (AND help you get your little one closer to eating them!).
Chia puddings are having a moment right now–and for good reason! This version with mango is not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also a tasty, tropical delight. Chia puddings make a great breakfast, snack or lunch side for kids. They’re also a perfect sweet treat.
Mango chia pudding for kids and toddlers
Chia puddings are so versatile, and therefore are a great option for kids, toddlers and picky eaters. You can get creative with what you add to them and make the consistency just how you like it by adding more or less liquid.
One great thing about these is that you can taste test the puddings as you make them before you place them in the fridge. You don’t need to worry about temperature or uncooked ingredients, you can try it as you go!
They’re loaded with fiber and protein so this pudding is a snack that will keep you and your little one feeling satisfied and make your body feel good, light and fresh.
Related: End whining with this simple snack hack for kids.
Customizing the ingredients in chia seed puddings
Chia seed puddings are completely customizable from the milk you use to the sweeteners and fruit you add. Want to try a different fruit? Any chopped fruit will make a delicious addition, like in this recipe for strawberry chia seed pudding.
You can also use any milk. Try your family’s regular milk or switch it up and try non-dairy milk, like soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk or oat milk. (Note: Got questions about raw milk for kids? We’ve answered them!)
To sweeten the pudding, you can try maple syrup, date syrup, dates, honey, coconut sugar, cane sugar, stevia and more.
Related: Read our tips for managing sugar with kids.
Tips for making chia puddings kids will love
Keep in mind, chia seeds expand over time when added to liquid. When you taste the pudding just as you make it before letting it sit, the little seeds have a crunch similar to poppy seeds. As the pudding sits in the fridge, the seeds soak up the liquid and each seed creates a gel-like coating which makes them taste more like tapioca pearls with a bit more texture and a tiny crunch.
Kids will love this pudding, especially if they get to choose the flavor! If you have kids who are weary about certain textures, try starting them with a chia pudding with extra liquid, that way the seeds have room to expand, but there is also more “pudding” than chia seeds.
Although many times parents avoid having to make two separate dishes for the adults and kids in the family, this is something that can be made in minutes to fit everyone’s taste and it’s such a handy snack or lunch addition to have ready in the fridge!
Keep these puddings on hand in containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Related: Toddler refusing to drink anything but milk? Here’s what to do.
How to make the best chia seed puddings
Making a basic chia pudding is easy! You just mix all the ingredients together and then let them sit to thicken.
Alternatively, instead of blending the fruit into the milk, the fruit can be added before serving as a topping.
Related: Learn how to get your toddler to eat dates.
How to serve this pudding to kids
This dish is great for breakfast. You can use it as an alternative to cereal, oatmeal or overnight oats. Serve this for breakfast with some fruit or even a waffle for a more filling breakfast–and maybe some coffee for mom and dad!
Chia puddings are also great as a post-lunch dessert or after-school snack. The protein from the chia seeds will keep you full until dinner. Want a dairy-free chia pudding? Coconut milk works great as a dairy-free option.
Related: Need more ideas for breakfast? See all our kid-friendly breakfast recipes.
Picky eater tip
If your little one is new to eating chia seeds, make a pudding with a thinner texture by adding more milk and liquid ingredients and fewer chia seeds. Chia seeds expand and absorb the liquid they’re mixed with. Adding more milk helps thin out the pudding, adding less milk or more chia seeds will thicken the texture.
Related: Is your child a picky eater? Learn 11 picky eating tips from experts.
Mango Chia Pudding
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition