Coconut Chia Pudding with Pomegrante – A super creamy and light vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar free dessert. Naturally sweetened and ready in minutes. A guilt free dessert, packed full of hidden nutrients. You know what one of my favorite parts of traveling is? Learning about local cuisine and discovering the uses of local regional ingredients.
Now I knew my all time favorite quinoa hailed from South America – specifically Peru and Bolivia, but I had no idea this was home to chia seeds as well. What seems to have become a bit of a fancy, food craze style ingredient, most often found in expensive health focused grocery stores in the US is sold by little old ladies right on the side of the street in tons of villages and cities in both Peru and Bolivia.
Not just chia either. Think maca, flax, you name it, there are women sitting by the road side with entire sacks full of these magical healthy ingredients. This was simply fascinating for me.
And so I obviously had to buy a bag of chia seeds, knowing that eventually I would rent an apartment with a blender so I could whip up an awesome coconut chia pudding recipe.
Chia pudding, love it or hate it? I love it, but with a line of fine print.
That fine print is that the chia seeds need to be completely blended into a smooth consistency. I’m not a huge fan of the gelatinous goo that chia seeds + liquid becomes. Something about that texture doesn’t work for me.
But, rich and smooth, perfectly blended chia pudding makes for one of my new favorite desserts. I wanted to make a coconut chia pudding and used both coconut milk (light, or regular diluted with water) along with shredded coconut.
I wanted a proper coconutty taste. To avoid adding refined sugar, for sweetening I used both dried apricots and bananas. Bananas can sometimes be too sweet and bananay in a dessert for me so I wanted to balance that out with the gentle sweetness of apricots.
It works perfectly (though if you need your dessert super super sweet, I won’t judge if you add in a couple tablespoons of maple syrup).
For serving pomegrante aerials and shredded coconut are simply magical. The sweet and tart pomegranate pops in your mouth and blends with the creamy chia pudding.
And since I’m feeling chipper about this dessert and Mother’s Day is coming up I’m happy to announce my latest giveaway!
Enter to win a Vitamix 5200 blender (retail price $449). This would make for the perfect Mother’s Day gift or check out this Vitamix Mother’s Day guide for more ideas. The Vitamix is my dream blender, and while I do not own one yet, I will certainly be investing in one if the future.
This pomegranate and coconut chia pudding would come together marvelously in that super powerful Vitamin, don’t ya think?
This giveaway is a group project by the following lovely bloggers. Please be sure to pay them a visit as well:
greenhealthycooking.com | leelalicious.com | simplyfreshdinners.com | bbritnell.com
theblenderist.com | mycaliforniaroots.com | rhubarbarians.com | seductionmeals.com foodfashionandfun.com | wholesomelicious.com | platingsandpairings.com veggiebalance.com |
Looking for other pudding-like desserts? Check out these:
- 10 Delectable Gluten-Free and Vegan No Bake Desserts
- Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta with Strawberry Mousse and Puree
- Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
- Smooth and Creamy Panna Cotta Blueberry Sauce Recipe {GF}
How to Make Coconut Chia Pudding
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried apricots soaked in hot water for a few mins and drained
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 banana
- optional: 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- For serving:
- 1/2 cup pomegranate aerials
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
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In a blender combine almond butter, shredded coconut, dried apricots, chia seeds, coconut milk and banana.
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Blend for a couple minutes until mixture is completely smooth.
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Split the mixture between 4 ramekins and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
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Serve garnished with shredded coconut and pomegranate aerials.
*This giveaway has been sponsored by Vitamix
This giveaway is open to residents of the continental United States and Canada (void in Quebec) who have reached the age of majority at the time of the contest in the state, province or territory in which they reside. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway will run from Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 12:01am to end on Sunday, May 07, 2016 at 11:59pm. Winner is chosen at random via Rafflecopter. Winner will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to respond. If not, a new winner will be chosen. Winner’s name will be displayed on Rafflecopter widget. Email address will never be given out to any third party or anyone for that matter.
Lorena says
This looks absolutely delicious Vicky and I envy you so much for you are currently in such amazing countries!! I’ll have to go back soon.
Vicky says
Thanks so much! It has definitely been incredibly interesting traveling through Colombia, Peru and Bolivia!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
Hi Vicky,
I just love the ingredients you’ve included in this yummy dessert. And how impressed would guests be with this little bowl of goodness! Anything that’s this easy is always on the top of my list 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks so much!
Darcy says
Great dessert recipe, sounds light and refreshing. Will make for my daughter and I, she enjoys trying new recipes too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vicky says
Thanks! Hope you and your daughter enjoy the recipe!
ann thompson says
Looks and sounds delicious. Will have to try.
Vicky says
Thanks so much!
April Mon says
I’d love to make this and so many more things with this.
Vicky says
Thanks so much!
amy@wholesomelicious says
I love chia puddings Vicky!! I’ll have to try with pomegranate….. genius!!
Vicky says
Thanks! The pomegranate definitely adds a nice burst of flavor!
Regina says
This chia pudding sounds delicious! I am the same with regular chia pudding – the texture is just not for me. Blending everything up sounds like a perfect solution
Vicky says
Thanks! Yea there;s just something about that texture when the chia is whole that I don’t particularly like but when it’s smooth and blended I’m happy!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
What a delicious and healthy sweet treat! I love pomegranate and I’ve been obsessed with apricots lately – love how you snuck those in to help balance the flavors 🙂 Plus, ALL that coconut? This is going to be a tasty dessert for sure! Pinned and yummed and can’t wait to try it 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks so much! thanks for sharing! If you love pomegranate you’ll love this : ))
Phil says
Thanks so much for the great recipe
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I looks luscious! I love the pop of color from the pomegranate seeds!
cristina says
I’ve been wanting to try using chia more…what a tasty and healthful dish to try it with. So pretty with the bright colors of the pomegranate arils. 😉
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
What a wonderful combination of ingredients and flavors and I love how vibrantly colorful it is!
rosemary says
wow
Vicky says
Thanks!