14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (2024)

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Kristy Alpert

14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (1)

Kristy Alpert

Kristy is a freelance travel and food writer with bylines in Food & Wine, Cosmopolitan, and more.

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Updated on February 2, 2021

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (2)

Chia is a nutty, ancient grainlike seed packed with fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They're naturally gluten-free and contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also they're super fun to eat! Add them to smoothies, sprinkle them on salads, or use them to thicken sauces and jams. For a dessert-like chia pudding recipe plus healthy chia seed recipes starring savory ingredients, check out these recipes using chia seeds.

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Basic Chia Pudding

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (3)

The toppings are the stars in this chia pudding recipe, where a basic base of milk, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds comes together in just 2 hours in the refrigerator. Top your chia pudding with fresh fruit, toasted coconut, or homemade granola.

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Chocolate Bread Pudding with Mocha "Cream" Sauce

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Chia seeds add unexpected fiber and protein to this melt-in-your-mouth, slow cooker chia pudding recipe. A splash of your morning coffee livens up the mocha sauce and makes it totally justifiable as a breakfast dish!

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Maple Brunch Cake with Apples and Cranberries

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This brunch-perfect apple cake comes together in your slow cooker. Stir a scoop of chia seeds into the brown sugar-based batter to help soak up some of the sweet maple goodness.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Granola Bars

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This healthy chia seed recipe is loaded with plant-based protein to keep you fuller longer. Featuring salted pretzels, crunchy chia seeds, honey, and chocolate, these homemade bars have everything you crave in a snack.

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Blueberry and Oat-Chia Seed Muffins

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Sprinkling ground chia seeds into this blueberry-chia muffin recipe gives the muffins a delightful boost of fiber. Add in the rolled oats and fresh blueberries and you'll see why this healthy chia seed recipe is one of our go-to breakfasts.

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Berry-Chia Seed Jam

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (8)

All the magic of a chia seed pudding in a delicious and fruity spread! Chia seeds act as the thickener for this quick chia jam recipe, loaded with fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Spread it on your morning bagel and freeze any leftovers for up to a year.

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Red Rice Pudding with Almond Milk

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (9)

This slow cooker breakfast recipe comes together like chia seed oatmeal and will brighten your day with tender red rice and warm almond milk. Embellish this chia pudding recipe with comforting stir-ins, such as chewy dried fruit, apple pie spice, and orange peel.

Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies

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This tropical and creamy chia seed smoothie gets its signature green hue from heaps of fresh spinach. This recipe makes enough for three smoothies, so it's perfect for sharing or storing in the fridge with your other quick and healthy breakfast recipes.

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Strawberries and Cream Pancakes

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Two tablespoons of chia seeds mix right into the batter for these tasty chia seed pancakes. Smear the golden cakes with whipped Greek cream cheese, then top with fresh strawberries.

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Chia-Crusted, Oven-Roasted Tuna with Mango Fruit Salsa

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (12)

Chia seeds make the nutty and crunchy coating for this fork-tender tuna recipe. Serve over balsamic glaze, then top with mango-lime salsa for an invigorating finish for this chia seed recipe.

Buy It: Monari Federzoni Balsamic Glaze ($6, Target)

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Kiwi-Pineapple Smoothies

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (13)

Not all chia seed drink recipes are as packed with flavor and fiber as this kiwi-pineapple chia seed smoothie. Blend a handful of fresh produce—spinach, kiwi, banana, and pineapple—with yogurt, OJ, and some chia seeds for an ultrathick and creamy drink.

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Lemon-Strawberry Chia Seed Muffins

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The chia seeds are ground in this chia muffin recipe to give the muffins a binding boost of fiber. Sweet strawberries and just a touch of tart lemon peel add a fresh punch to the hearty rolled oats in these nutritious muffins.

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Coconut-Chia Oat Crisps

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Top these lightly sweet oat crisps with jam or eat them plain to get a protein-packed crunch, filled with fiber and healthy omega-3s. This healthy chia seed recipe includes oat bran and almond butter, so expect these chia crackers to fill you up.

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Chia Pudding with Fruit

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Unsweetened coconut milk and nonfat Greek yogurt get a sweet boost with fresh berries and pure maple syrup for this simple stir-and-chill chia pudding recipe.

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14 Chia Seed Recipes That Raise the Bar on Healthy Eating (2024)

FAQs

What happens when you start eating chia seeds everyday? ›

Although chia seeds offer a variety of health benefits, eating too many may lead to complications: Digestive issues. Because of their high fiber content, eating too many chia seeds may cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.

What is the most nutritious way to eat chia seeds? ›

Because they quickly swell after absorbing liquid, it is advised to eat chia seeds that have already been soaked in liquid or are served with a moist food, such as oatmeal or yogurt. Do not eat dry chia seeds by themselves.

What is the best combination with chia seeds? ›

Simply combine chia seeds with your choice of milk (dairy or plant-based), add a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight. The result is a creamy, nutrient-dense pudding that can be topped with fruits, nuts, or spices for added flavor and health benefits.

Is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds a day too much? ›

These tiny seeds can provide fiber that helps lower cholesterol, boost your heart health and reduce your risk of developing chronic disease. That said, because chia seeds are packed with fiber and are calorie dense, stick with no more than 2 tablespoons per day.

What not to mix with chia seeds? ›

Omega-3 fatty acids: Chia seeds contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. It is known that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is advised to avoid taking chia seeds with foods or supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

What is the benefits of chia seeds for females? ›

The nutritional value of chia seeds can help individuals keep their blood sugar levels in check, improve digestion, improve skin and hair, manage weight, and aid heart health.

Is it better to eat chia seeds in the morning or at night? ›

Consuming chia seeds with water in the morning helps in giving your digestive system a boost and improves bowel movement. Healthy digestion is a prerequisite to weight loss. The best time to eat chia seeds is when you wake up. Consumption of chia seeds aids in a feeling of fullness and thus a reduced calorie intake.

Are chia seeds good or bad for gut health? ›

Chia seeds are good for gut health because they contain fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can increase the number of good bacteria, reduce the number of bad bacteria, and improve the gut lining. This prevents harmful bacteria from entering the body.

Can I put chia seeds in yogurt? ›

For raw chia seeds, you can soak chia seeds with warm water first and then use them or sprinkle a spoonful of chia seeds directly into yogurt, wait 15-20 minutes for the chia seeds to bloom and then use. Can be used with many other fruits such as watermelon, strawberry, mango, ... to make the dish more attractive.

Can I put chia seeds in oatmeal? ›

Chia seeds absorb water or milk, so they're a great way to thicken up a bowl of oatmeal while also adding some filling fiber. You can mix a tablespoon of seeds directly into your cooked oats, or “gel” them first by allowing them to soak up ¾ cup of milk or almond milk.

Is it OK to eat chia seeds everyday? ›

Chia seeds may provide several benefits as part of a healthy diet. There is no RDA for chia seeds. Still, they can be safely eaten in amounts of 50 grams daily, which is about five tablespoons. The chia plant is a member of the mint family.

Does chia seeds good for hair growth? ›

Chia seeds are bursting with essential amino acids and they do some great work from inside the scalp. They inhibit hair fall and give a boost to new hair growth. They also help fight inflammation. Zinc and copper prevent thinning of hair, thus helping hair growth.

Is chia seeds good for kidney and liver? ›

Because flax seeds and chia seeds are low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, they are healthy for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: CKD/Transplant. Hemodialysis (3 times/week) Daily Home and Nocturnal Hemodialysis/Peritoneal Dialysis.

Do chia seeds cause constipation? ›

Yes, excessive intake of chia seeds can lead to digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating and stomach ache. Over a period of time excessive intake of fiber can worsen gut health. Thus, it is advised to take around 1 ½ tablespoon twice a day or around 20-25 grams along with an ample intake of water.

Is it OK to eat chia seeds every day? ›

Chia seeds are highly nutritious, boast a long list of health benefits and can be a healthy dietary addition for most. However, moderation is key, as eating too many may cause side effects. To prevent this, start with 1 ounce (28 grams) daily and assess your tolerance before slowly increasing your intake.

Is it good to eat chia seeds everyday? ›

Limited research in animals and humans has found that taking chia seeds daily can lead to greater weight loss and bone mineral content ( 14 , 24 ). That said, eating too many can cause some side effects, so start with a small dose, like 1 oz (28 g) daily, and make sure to drink plenty of water.

How long does it take for chia seeds to work? ›

When chia seeds come in contact with liquid, they expand and form a gel. This makes them easier to digest. Chia seeds do not need to be soaked for a long time. In just five minutes, they have absorbed liquid, but we prefer to soak them for 20 minutes to achieve a pudding-like texture.

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