You guys! @Olivia.Adriance and I got back in the kitchen together again, and dare I say we outdid ourselves with this one? I’m talking about our latest creation and obsession: our Dirty Chai Chia Pudding.

Filled with protein, the perfect amount of chai spice, and a little bit of caffeine, this super delish pudding is going to wake, and fill, you up, just the right amount.

If you need a new breakfast meal prep item, this is it. But honestly, don’t hesitate to enjoy this as a sweet little snack any time of day. It’s pudding perfection, if you ask us!

A FALL FAVORITE PUDDING

When Olivia and her husband recently came to visit, the guys went golfing, and Olivia and I found ourselves in our happy place, creating foodie content for you all. And whoa, did we impress ourselves with this one.

File this Dirty Chai Chia Pudding under your new favorite fall breakfast, or snack.

It has caffeine, is packed with protein and all the cozy fall spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, and honestly tastes like the ultimate chai latte.

Olivia said it best, “the fact that my mouth waters every time I think about this…” Chai is just such a fun flavor in chia pudding, and I mean, sign me up for anything with caffeine these days (new mom here 😊).

DIRTY CHAI CHIA PUDDING PERFECTION

When we say you need this pudding in your life, we mean it. Not only because it tastes so good, but beacuse it’s good for you too.

Chia seeds may be small little seeds, but they’re a nutritional powerhouse. One serving (about 2.5 tablespoons) has 5 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber, and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

We’re all already pretty familiar with the importance of a high-protein style of eating, but I get more into why fiber is essential for gut health in this blog post.

Add in a protein + flavor boost with vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, some espresso (or coffee), your favorite nut milk, sea salt, and the antioxidant-packed chai spice blend, and you’ve got the yummiest base for your Dirty Chai Chia Pudding.

And of course, don’t forget to naturally sweeten it with a little bit of maple syrup, and top with some coconut cream and a cinnamon stick. It really is pudding perfection!

**Adds all ingredients to cart immediately**

I’m going to make more this week, and I think you should too. Let me know how yours turns out, hope you love it!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:

• Chia seeds
• Vanilla protein powder (click here for a list of my favorites)
• Vanilla extract
• Maple syrup
• Nut milk or water (option to try with my Homemade Cashew Milk)
• Espresso/coffee
• Sea salt
• Chai spice (see recipe below)

Chai Spice (makes enough to store leftover):

• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice
• Ground cardamom

To Top:

• Coconut whipped cream (or canned coconut cream)
• Ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon stick, optional

HOW TO MAKE DIRTY CHAI CHIA PUDDING

Chai Spice:

Make the chai spice by adding all ingredients to a small bowl or jar and stir to combine.

Note: there will be leftovers, which you can store in an airtight container in your pantry. Depending on the earliest expiration date of the spice ingredients you use, this spice mix can last up to 2 years.

Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:

Add the chia seeds, nut milk (or milk of choice, or water), espresso/coffee, vanilla extract, maple syrup, vanilla protein powder, chai spice, and salt to a bowl and whisk until well combined.

Let the mixture settle for 5-10 minutes and then whisk again until there are no clumps.

Cover and store in the fridge overnight, or for at least 3 hours until it thickens.

To Serve and Store:

Serve topped with coconut cream, a dash of ground cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

For any leftovers, or if you’re prepping a double batch: store in an airtight container (either portioned out in separate jars, or in one big bowl/container) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a good stir before serving, and also be sure to hold off on any toppings until serving.

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

Feel free to use your favorite vanilla protein powder. I recommend using one that’s made with high-quality ingredients (and without dairy, if you’re lactose-intolerant like me), like one of my 6 favorite protein powders, which you can find HERE.

If you’re caffeine sensitive, or don’t have on hand, you can easily omit and add more nut milk or water instead. For the nut milk, option to use your favorite kind (avoiding one made with additives, preservatives and fillers), or regular dairy milk if no dairy sensitivities.

If you are opting for nut milk, I have a few recipes if you want try making it homemade: Cashew Milk, 2-Minute High-Protein Almond Milk, and How-To Make Nut Milk Four Ways.

Honey instead of maple syrup could work, but we haven’t tested it, so let us know if you try. For the chai spice, if you have a store-bought version, that totally works too, but it’s definitely a key ingredient in this recipe, so you don’t want to skip out on it!

IS IT GOOD TO EAT CHIA SEEDS EVERY DAY?

Chia seeds pack a nutritional punch. They’re great for digestion, brain-health, and glowing skin because of the omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Paired with fruits and a sprinkle of nuts, chia seeds make for a satiating snack or meal. They have many uses in both baking and cooking, so they’re great to keep on hand.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAI AND DIRTY CHAI?

The main difference between chai and dirty chai is that dirty chai includes the addition of espresso. Hence, why we include espresso (or coffee) and have called this one Dirty Chai Chia Pudding. What also helps put the “chai” in this one is the homemade chai spice we’ve included. It’s so good!

MORE PUDDING RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

Warming Chocolate Oatmeal Pudding

High-Protein Banana Pudding

Coconut Mango Chia Pudding

Creamy Coconut Chia Pudding  

Cashew Chia Pudding

Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂