Description
This Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Seed Pudding is a creamy, nutritious dessert that perfectly balances the tanginess of cottage cheese and Greek yogurt with the natural sweetness of strawberries. Blended with almond milk and enhanced with vanilla and sugar, this pudding is thickened by chia seeds to create a delightful, textured treat that feels indulgent yet is wholesome. Perfect for a make-ahead breakfast or a healthy snack, it requires just a few minutes of prep and then sets overnight for a luscious consistency.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy & Dairy Substitutes
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese (I prefer Good Culture for a thicker texture)
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup almond milk
Fruits
- 1/2 cup strawberries (hulled and halved for blending)
- 1/2 cup strawberries (diced into 1/4-inch pieces for even distribution)
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the blended base: In a blender, combine 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup hulled and halved strawberries, 3/4 cup almond milk, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tsp sugar. Blend thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture with no visible chunks of strawberries or cottage cheese.
- Add chia seeds: Pour the blended mixture into a mixing bowl or large jar, then stir in 3 tablespoons of chia seeds evenly to ensure proper hydration and thickening without clumps.
- Incorporate diced strawberries: Gently fold in 1/2 cup diced strawberries (cut into 1/4-inch pieces) for texture and bursts of fresh fruit flavor throughout the pudding.
- Refrigerate to thicken: Cover the pudding and place it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. During this time, the chia seeds will absorb the liquid, expanding and creating the pudding’s characteristic thick and creamy texture.
- Serve and enjoy: After chilling, stir the pudding gently once more, then portion into serving bowls or jars. Enjoy chilled as a nutritious breakfast or healthy dessert.
Notes
- For a thicker texture, use a higher-fat Greek yogurt or full-fat cottage cheese.
- Adjust sweetness by increasing or reducing sugar according to taste or substitute with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- This pudding can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Feel free to swap almond milk for any other plant-based milk or dairy milk as preferred.
- For a completely dairy-free version, replace cottage cheese and Greek yogurt with silken tofu or coconut yogurt.
- Mix well before serving if the pudding has been sitting to redistribute chia seeds evenly.
