Whether you are looking to improve your digestive health, boost metabolism or add another source of healthy fatty acids to your diet, chia seeds have you covered. And these chia seed recipes are the perfect place to get those benefits and more.
There is a lot to love about “superfood” chia seed recipes: their high source of fiber, ability to help keep you full, the benefits they provide for cardiovascular and digestive health.
Another great thing about using chia seeds in your homemade desserts, snacks and side dishes? They are low in calories — especially when you consider all of their benefits — and are now available at almost all major supermarkets.
If you’ve been struggling to find ways to use that big bag of chia seeds you recently bought, here are some awesome chia seed recipes that you can turn to over and over again in order to get these healthy seeds into your diet each and every day.
I recommend using natural sweeteners like raw honey, real maple syrup or organic coconut palm sugar to get the most nutrients out of these chia seed recipes. Also, it’s best to substitute in grass-fed dairy or goat milk, replace table salt with sea salt or kosher salt, and replace canola and vegetable oil with coconut oil or ghee.
Chia seed recipes: Breakfast and snacks
1. Strawberries and Cream Chia Pudding
“Chia pudding” is a perfect swap for sugary, processed bread or rice puddings that are loaded with refined carbs and empty calories. Chia seeds have the ability to soak up water and form a gel-like substance, which closely resembles other dessert-like puddings that may be some of your childhood favorites.
The sky is the limit when it comes to chia seed recipes for making healthy breakfast puddings, but this combination of coconut, strawberries and lime is a perfect mix of sweet and decadent, while still staying light and fresh thanks to the acidity of the lime.
Photo: Strawberries and Cream Chia Pudding / The Kitchn
2. Coconut Chia Protein Pancakes
Pancakes made using coconut flour and topped with a bit of unsweetened coconut flakes add something different in terms of taste than your usual plain or blueberry pancakes.
The addition of high-quality vanilla whey protein and chia seeds boosts the satisfying protein and fiber in this breakfast, so you stay full and focused until lunchtime.
These would be a great way to sneak some chia seeds into your children’s day as well. What kid doesn’t like pancakes?
Photo: Coconut Chia Protein Pancakes / Dr. Axe
3. Quinoa Chia Seed Protein Bars
Many packaged protein bars contain a laundry list of processed ingredients that commonly cause digestive problems and more. Make your own protein bars instead, so you always have a healthy breakfast-on-the-go option or something you can keep in your bag as a filling afternoon snack.
Replace the agave in this recipe with raw local honey, one of my favorite ingredients for reducing inflammation, providing vitamins and minerals, and appeasing a sweet tooth in a healthy way.
Photo: Quinoa Chia Seed Protein Bars / Wendy Polisi
4. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Adding chia seeds to your oatmeal is one of the easiest ways to incorporate them into your breakfast.
Pumpkin and chia seeds make this breakfast a great source of fiber, which helps keep your digestive system operating smoothly. Plus cinnamon, along with the high amount of fiber, both work to keep your blood sugar stable as the morning goes on.
Make sure you add a bit more water than you normally would when preparing your oats with chia seeds, since the chia seeds will soak up a good amount of liquid and make your oats more dense. You can make similar oatmeal and chia seed recipes by adding in other fruits, nuts or healthy toppings of your choice.
5. Orange Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding
Oranges and other citrus fruits should be staples in every kitchen. They are some of the foods that is highest in vitamin C, which boosts immunity, helps treat infections and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Citrus fruits are even great for your skin, so this orange-infused oatmeal will help you keep your “glow” all winter long, while oranges are usually at their peak of ripeness and availability.
Vanilla extract makes a great addition to any chia pudding because it’s shelf-stable, low in calories but very high in flavor. (A little goes a long way.)
Vanilla beans or pure vanilla extract bring out sweetness in chia seed recipes without needing to add any extra sugar.
Photo: Orange Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding / One Ingredient Chef
6. Lemon Muffins with Chia Seeds and Honey Glaze
If you love lemon poppy seed muffins, then this chia seed recipe for healthy breakfast muffins has your name written all over it. Remember to use coconut palm sugar in place of regular white sugar and to substitute sprouted ancient grain or your favorite gluten-free or grain-free flour.
And don’t be shy with adding plenty of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Lemons are full of benefits, such as boosting immunity, helping reduce allergies and more.
Lemons and high-quality raw honey are two one of my favorite detox ingredients and a great way to fight off colds and other illnesses.
Photo: Lemon Muffins with Chia Seeds and Honey Glaze / Pinch of Yum
7. Apple Mug Muffins with Chia Seeds
This egg-free chia seed recipe uses coconut flour over processed flours, which makes this recipe both gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan-friendly.
Apples are an excellent addition to any muffin recipe thanks to their high level of fiber and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, they contain a special compound called pectin, which is great for the digestive tract.
Photo: Apple Mug Muffins with Chia Seeds / Civilized Caveman Cooking
8. Blackberry Chia Jam
Skip the overly sugary, jarred jams that you buy in most grocery stores, and make your own upgraded version instead using plenty of actual berries and chia seeds. The chia seeds help create a perfect jelly texture and importantly keep your blood sugar stable.
Blackberries and other berries are some of the healthiest fruits you can add to any breakfast chia seed recipes, so start by spreading this jam on sprouted ancient grain toast, an English muffin or in oatmeal.
Thanks to their high level of antioxidants, berries help fight free radicals and are great for reducing symptoms associated with aging — plus they are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Photo: Blackberry Chia Jam / The Kitchn
9. Toasted Oatmeal with Strawberry Chia Jam and Coconut Whipped Cream
Instead of relying on baked goods like store-bought muffins or pastries, make your own “toasted oatmeal” instead, which will give you the same hearty texture you’re looking for with a fraction of the calories and sugar.
Oats are an excellent source of fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings thanks to its ability to make you feel full and satisfied. Fiber also plays a very important role in digestive and cardiovascular health.
Oats also provide important minerals and complex carbohydrates, which are especially useful for athletes, making them a great pre- or post-workout snack.
Coconut whipped cream is a perfect silky-smooth substitution for flavored, sugar-loaded yogurts.
Between the chia seeds, berries, oats and coconut, you’ve got a breakfast that offers antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, loads of fiber and some serious staying power.
Photo: Toasted Oatmeal with Strawberry Chia Jam and Coconut Whipped Cream / Cookie and Kate
10. Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries
Here’s another great example of how to please the whole family on “pancake Sunday” while still giving everyone a healthy meal. Use oat flour or sprouted ancient grain flour instead of whole wheat in this recipe, and swap in coconut palm sugar for regular sugar.
Strawberries, and all other berries, are excellent when combined with water-absorbing chia seeds, making the perfect topping for simple oats. Along with strawberries, try adding blueberries as well.
Blueberries contain a whole range of important nutrients — plus they taste great. All berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins K and C.
Photo: Chia Seed Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries / Two Peas and Their Pod
11. Berry Chia Seed Smoothie Bowl
Breakfast bowls are popular for a reason: They’re filling, delicious and don’t take much time to make. This berry chia seed smoothie bowl is no exception.
This colorful chia seed recipe combines bananas, dates and blueberries with coconut milk yogurt or Greek yogurt, coconut water, and of course the chia seeds.
To up the ante, you can top this bowl with hemp seeds, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries or any other healthy superfood of your choosing.
12. Gut-Healing Smoothie
Having a smoothie for breakfast is common these days — so why not start your day with a gut-healthy meal in a cup?
While the greens — namely kale and spinach — provide the color, this smoothie makes the list of chia seed recipes because the seeds are added among the likes of avocado, bananas, ginger, bee pollen, hemp hearts, honey, and your choice of collagen or whey protein powder.
That’s a superfood concoction that both tastes great and boosts overall health. Talk about a great way to start your day!
13. Hydrating Watermelon Smoothie with Strawberries and Banana
Another fruit-forward smoothie on the chia seed recipes list? That’s right, this hydrating watermelon, strawberry and banana smoothie also includes chia seeds and maple syrup as optional (but definitely encouraged) ingredients.
Combined with the coconut milk yogurt, this is a refreshing and energizing recipe that’s perfect for kicking off your morning.
14. Low-Carb Chia Breakfast Egg Muffins
Organic, cage-free eggs are a great way to start out a busy day or even a good addition to lunch or an afternoon snack. Eggs provide not only protein, but also importantly Vitamin D, iodine, choline and iron too.
Be sure to find the best quality eggs you can (organic and cage-free) in order to get more omega-3s and nutrients and to decrease the risk for things like salmonella contamination. Look for them at farmers markets or your local health food store.
Chia seed recipes: Desserts
15. Peach Cobbler
If you have a weakness for warm cobbler topped with cold vanilla ice cream, then you need to try making this healthy version at home! Chia seeds, coconut flour and almond flour all give this dessert plenty of healthy fats, which help keep your blood sugar level stable when you eat sweets, like fruit.
Peaches, while they have a short season, can be found in organic frozen varieties in most grocery or health food stores, allowing you to make this healthy dessert year-round. Try the same recipe using fiber-rich apples too.
Photo: Peach Cobbler / Dr. Axe
16. Mocha Chocolate Chunk Chia Brownies
Luckily for us, high-quality dark chocolate in the form of unsweetened cocoa is very high in antioxidants and flavanols. Flavonols may help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain and heart.
Cocoa is also a great source of magnesium, which is a mineral that many people are deficient in.
Cocoa gives you a nice energy boost without any jitters and helps with focus, attention and athletic training, making it on of the most popular “superfoods.”
For this particular recipe, use coconut palm sugar as your sweetener, and also replace regular butter with grass-fed butter or coconut oil in order to give these brownies plenty of healthy moisture.
17. Chai Spiced Chia Pudding with Pomegranate
This is not your average chia seed pudding. This one features a unique sweet and spicy flavor thanks to the mix of pink peppercorns and pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranate is a great antioxidant and a perfect addition to any of your favorite chia seed recipes.
What makes pomegranates even more impressive? They were actually one of the foods mentioned in the Bible and have been eaten for thousands of years around the world for their health-promoting abilities.
Pomegranates are a great skin-boosting fruit, since they have a natural ability to help the skin protect itself from sun damage and age-related wrinkles and fine lines.
Photo: Chai Spiced Chia Pudding with Peppercorns and Pomegranate / Wholehearted Eats
18. Grain-Free Thumbprint Cookies with Chia Berry Jam
Try making these grain-free cookies made with almond meal in place of processed flour and lots of different antioxidant-packed berries. Blueberries are a great choice, for example, because they contain gallic acid, which is a special protective antioxidant that is linked with antifungal, antiviral and immune-boosting benefits.
Other berries to incorporate could include raspberries, blackberries, and even dried superfood berries like goji or mulberries, which you could easily fold into your chia jam.
Photo: Grain-free Thumb Print Cookies with Chia Berry Jam / Savory Lotus
19. Honey Lime Chia Dressing with Fruit Salad
I love the simplicity of having a fresh fruit salad after dinner, especially when it has the extra benefit of omega-3-rich chia seeds added to it.
Honey and lime, along with chia seeds, make an impressive dressing that is a good source of vitamin C, essential fatty acids and has the ability to boost immunity. At the same time, the different fruit and berry varieties that you choose to use add to your fruit salad pack antioxidants and fiber into to this dessert.
Photo: Honey Lime Fruit Salad with Chia Dressing / Food for My Family
20. Creamy Chocolate Hazelnut Shake with Chia
This creamy smoothie is naturally sweetened with dried dates and gets its decadent flavor from blended hazelnuts and chia seeds.
Whenever you want to add heart-healthy nuts to your smoothies, it’s a good idea to soak them overnight in water beforehand — this way they blend easily and you wind up with an extra smooth smoothie.
Cocoa powder, a type of healthy chocolate used in this particular recipe, is a fantastic superfood that’s rich in numerous trace minerals. Look for high-quality, organic and raw cocoa powder whenever possible to get the most benefit out of using it in desserts, smoothies and more.
Photo: Creamy Chocolate Hazelnut Shake with Chia / Detoxinista
21. Chia Seed Wafer Cookies
I can’t think of a better way to use chia seeds in a healthy dessert than to add them to cookies! Try using coconut flour or oat flour in place of regular all-purpose flour and swapping in pure maple syrup or honey instead of the agave nectar.
Photo: Chia Seed Wafer Cookies / Savvy Naturalista
22. 3-Ingredient Chia Seed Pudding, with a Compote
Believe it or not, you can make this pudding in just minutes, and the only ingredients are coconut milk, chia seeds and vanilla extract. Really.
To take it up a notch, however, you’ll want to make the accompanying compote, but don’t worry — this is ready in minutes as well.
The combo of rhubarb, strawberries, maple syrup and shredded toppings really turns this pudding into one of the easiest yet delicious chia seed recipes around.
23. Paleo Raspberry Linzer Cookies
This one is a bit more time-consuming than many of the other chia seed recipes here, but boy is it worth it. These raspberry cookies have the perfect balance of sweet yet tart, and since they’re homemade, they only use the healthiest ingredients you can find in a cookie.
The chia seeds are mixed with raspberries, maple syrup and lemon juice for the jam, and the cookies use a combination of Paleo flour, coconut sugar, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extract, baking soda, and arrowroot starch and coconut sugar as a powdered sugar substitute.
Chia seed recipes: Savory entrees and side dishes
24. Cheesy Bread
If a good piece of bread is your weakness, this chia seed recipe is made for you. Chia seeds help give the bread a good, hearty texture but also keep your blood sugar stable, which is important any time you are eating carbohydrates.
The high-quality raw cheese, kefir and cage-free eggs in this recipe give the bread a high amount of protein as well, which will keep you way more satisfied than your average piece of processed bread. Using almond flour instead of regular refined flour makes this suitable for those avoiding gluten as well.
Photo: Cheesy Bread / Dr. Axe
25. Quinoa Salad with Chia Chipotle Dressing
The combination of quinoa and chia seeds has a list of health benefits that could fill this entire page! Both are high in protein, gluten-free, and provide numerous benefits related to keeping blood sugar stable and a healthy weight in check.
Quinoa is also high in fiber, full of antioxidants and trace minerals, and has been shown to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Chia seed recipes for making homemade salad dressings sound like the perfect way to easily add some to a whole range of meals that you’re already preparing, from simple salads to veggie-filled grain dishes.
26. California Avocado Toast with Cashews, Chia and Craisins
If you aren’t already into using nutrient-packed avocados in all sorts of new ways (like on toast with various toppings), you need to give this one a try. Together with chia seeds, the avocado in this recipe adds even more filling fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, iron, copper and more.
For this recipe, use ancient grain sprouted bread or even completely grain-free bread (such as Paleo bread). Also consider using actual cranberries or sliced grapes for even more filling volume.
Photo: California Avocado Toast with Cashews, Chia and Cranberries / I Wash You Dry
27. Cauliflower Medallions with Chia Seeds
What could be better than combining two of the healthiest foods in cauliflower and chia seeds? This simple side dish is made using eggs, almonds and, of course, chia seeds, which means they are actually a good source of protein in addition to many other minerals.
Use organic mozzarella cheese, or try goat cheese or organic, grass-fed Greek yogurt for an even more healthy protein added to this cauliflower and chia seed recipe.
