23 Chia Seed Recipes So Easy You’ll Want to Make Them All Right Now
Chia seeds are not only packed with nutrition but also equipped with unique traits that make them a versatile feature in many of your meals. These chia seed recipes are perfect for digestive and heart health thanks to healthy fats and inflammation reduction. To learn more about the benefits and uses of chia seeds, keep reading. Plus, try some of our favorite chia seed recipes that are so simple and delicious.
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Nutritional Benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds, otherwise known as Salvia hispanica, have roots in southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia is grown for its seed due to their concentrated health benefits. In fact, “chia” is the Mayan word for strength.
Chia seeds are filled with amazing nutrition. For instance, only one ounce of chia seeds contains 138 calories, 9 grams of fat, 11 milligrams of potassium, 10 grams of dietary fiber, nearly 5 grams of protein, 17 percent of the RDA of calcium, 12 percent of the RDA of iron, and 23 percent of the RDA of magnesium. Their also gluten-free and are high in antioxidants.
The chia seed’s most promising feature, though, is its fat content. Each seed is between 25 percent to 40 percent oil, with 60 percent of its oil content comprising the omega-3 alpha-linoleic acid and 20 percent of the omega-6 linoleic acid, both of which can help reduce inflammation1.
A proper balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is essential in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases that are prevalent in the U.S2. Meanwhile, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have neuroprotective properties, boosting brain function and preventing neurodegenerative and neurological disorders3.
There are many health benefits when consuming chia seeds, though. Chia seeds have also been shown to maintain a balanced serum lipid profile in the body effectively4. The serum lipid is a fat-like substance in the body that includes cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids,
To reap the benefits of these amazing seeds, we have a variety of chia seed recipes that’ll make you fall in love. They’re the perfect addition to your morning oats, in a smoothie, or even in yogurt. But for heartier, more delicious ideas, check out all these creative ways to use chia seeds.
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1. Chocolate Paleo Powerballs
Energize throughout the day with these chocolate paleo powerballs. They’re sweetened with honey and full of healthy fats from almond butter and chia seeds. They’re also packed with fiber from the gluten-free oats.
2. Honey-Sweetened Plant-Based Chia Seed Yogurt
Who needs hard-to-digest, cow milk-based yogurt in the diet when it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to whip up a plant-based alternative? This plant-based yogurt recipe relies on almonds, sunflower seeds, probiotics, and the gel-like effects of chia seeds to create a creamy, animal-friendly yogurt. This chia seed recipe calls for local raw honey, but if you wish to make it completely vegan, swap it out for mineral-rich maple syrup or your sweetener of choice.
3. Chocolate Chia Pudding with Raspberries
This recipe had me at dark chocolate. Indulge with natural, whole foods with this cashew milk-based pudding recipe sweetened with dates and maple syrup. The best part? All flavors find perfect balance thanks to the tartness of raspberries and the decadent sweetness of dark chocolate.
4. Chia Seed Pudding
This chia pudding recipe is one of the easiest to whip up. Without the bells and whistles, you can achieve a tasty chia seed pudding but save time in your kitchen. All you need is chia seeds, maple syrup, and the milk of your choice. Master this recipe and then venture on to more exotic combinations like pumpkin and red velvet chia seed pudding.
5. No-Knead Spelt Bread
This bread is based on spelt, which is an ancient superfood grain. Dried fruits, nuts, and chia seeds bulk up the mixture and make for a more satisfying (and healthier) bite.
6. Muhammara Recipe with Toasted Chia Seeds
Chia seeds aren’t relegated to sweet concoctions only. In this Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, chia seeds provide a nutty accent to the dense walnut, red pepper, and tomato-heavy Muhammara dip.
7. Mexican Chia Fresca
This traditional fruit becomes more satisfying with the addition of chia seeds. Combine coconut water, honey, and lemon juice with chia seeds. The result is a refreshing, citrusy beverage that will boost your energy levels.
8. Quinoa Energy Bars
Nothing spells boosted energy quite like chia seeds do. In this chia seed recipe, dates, walnuts, pistachios, quinoa, coconut, figs, and white grape juice come together to make a chewy energy bar whose flavors are augmented by the addition of chia seeds.
9. Chia and Pea Smoothie
In this recipe, chia builds texture so you get more satisfaction from your morning fix of greens than you normally would. This smoothie is one of the best chia seed recipes that feature bananas, peas, spinach, chia seeds, dates, soy milk, and Greek yogurt for the ultimate fiber and protein-packed breakfast or midday snack.
10. No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
These aren’t your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. They are a no-bake vegan version of the classic, based on almonds, sunflower seeds, dates, and cocoa powder. Mix in chia seeds for an added chew and nutritional punch.
11. Strawberry Chia Jam
You don’t need store-bought jam; the homemade version is so easy (and much healthier) to put together. Chia binds the strawberries, water, lemon, and maple syrup, resulting in a few-ingredient jam that tastes just as good as any manufactured alternative, only without the sugar and excessive processing. It’s so healthy you can eat it like you would a smoothie bowl, as seen above.
12. Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding
Chia’s rightful place is in a pudding. Without using an artificial thickening agent or dairy yogurt, you can achieve a thick, creamy texture with the swelling nature of chia seeds. In this pudding recipe, you get the comforting and grounding effects of pumpkin and almond essence, sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup.
13. Simple Chocolate-Coffee Energy Bites
For a boost of energy throughout the day, try one of the best chia seed recipes. Energy bites can be whipped up in under 5 minutes and will give you that much-needed morning dose of energy and welcome chocolate fix. Only a handful of ingredients, including dates, almonds, cocoa powder, and chia seeds, make these delicious bites possible.
14. Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie
Cool down and energize up with this smoothie recipe. Combine watermelon, strawberries, bananas, lime juice, ginger, and chia seeds in a blender for a smooth, creamy drink. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for added refreshment.
15. Plant-Based Peanut Butter Granola
What isn’t in this granola recipe? Dairy-free and sweetened with maple syrup, this granola is full of wholesome ingredients, including oats, amaranth, quinoa, and, of course, peanut butter. Mix in a tablespoon of chia seeds for even more texture and nutrients.
16. Probiotic Matcha Nice Cream
Ice cream is elevated to superfood status in this “nice cream” recipe, which includes maca powder, probiotic powder, matcha powder, and chia seeds. The base is a combination of frozen banana and mango, making for the perfect lightly-sweet treat.
17. Superfood Granola with Kale
Follow the suggestion of this recipe and add chia to the already superfood-heavy formula, making it one of the best chia seed recipes around. Kale, dried cranberries, seeds, nuts, and dates come together to do the seemingly impossible: turning granola green.
18. Green Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are incredibly convenient for those among us with busy mornings. A little foresight the night before is all it takes to wake up to a breakfast that is ready for munching. This green overnight oats recipe is a simple take on overnight oats, only with the nutritional boost offered by fresh spinach and chia seeds.
19. Raw Vegan Linzer Cookies
These classic cookies are good enough to warrant a more prominent place in your diet; however, it’s hard to justify unless they get a healthier twist. This vegan linzer cookie recipe is fuss-free, even eliminating the need to bake. Chia seeds are essential in firming the raspberry jam filling.
20. Energizing Smoothie with Maca and Cacao
This smoothie is full of whole-food nutrition, including chia seeds, frozen cucumbers, cacao powder, avocado, dates, maca root powder, coconut water, and coconut milk. The decadent chocolate shake is perfect for an energy boost for a midday snack.
21. Black Bean Brownies
What if I told you that you could have brownies every day for breakfast? These gluten-free and egg-free black bean brownies make it possible. Black beans make for a unique base to this recipe that doesn’t offer any discernible taste. Sweetened with maple syrup or agave, these brownies also avoid white, refined sugar. Chia seeds help to firm the batter and unsweetened cocoa powder dominates the flavor profile in an entirely welcome way.
22. Vegan Mango Chia Pudding
Add a tropical touch to your breakfast with this mango chia pudding recipe. Sweetened with agave, textured with chia seeds, and based in coconut milk, the dish is vegan and full of sweet, creamy flavor.
23. Egg Substitute
Vegan cooking is a realm characterized by loopholes of creativity. You can substitute eggs in many baked recipes with a simple mixture of chia seeds and water. Chia has a binding effect similar to eggs and makes for the perfect egg alternative. Try it out next time you want to bake something fresh.
Read More on Organic Authority
7 Impressive Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
The Real Reason Chia Seeds are Hotter than Flax or Hemp
3-Ingredient Raspberry Jam Recipe (With a Chia Seed Healthy Hack)
Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Recipe: Start Your Day With This Delicious Superfood Breakfast
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