Vanilla Chia Smoothie Cups | RECIPE

Chia pudding is like a healthy take on rice or tapioca pudding.

Haven’t tried it before? Basically it starts with chia seeds, aka little teeny seeds that are packed with omega-3’s, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Add a vanilla shake to it that’s also packed with the goods (hello potassium and protein)! And YUM.

It makes for the perfect breakfast or dessert, and some of it can be even prepped the night before! We love a time-saver.

Let's get into it.

Serving size: 2

Prep time: 2 hours (initially, but can be made in advance!)

INGREDIENTS

Chia pudding

• 1 cup non-dairy milk (I prefer a creamy milk like oat milk. Coconut milk is delicious too!)

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey, if you do that)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or the center of half of a vanilla bean

Vanilla shake

• 1 1/2 or 2 cups unsweetened plant milk (again, I love oat milk)

• 2 small frozen RIPE bananas (or 1 1/2 large banana)

• 1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder (I use Orgain, but if you don't like the taste of stevia, then Arbonne’s is great too)

• Optional: 2 tablespoons natural salted peanut butter (or sub almond butter or seed butter

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix together the chia seeds and the 1 cup of milk in a glass or bowl. After mixing, let the mixture sit covered for 2 hours. If you're prepping for breakfast tomorrow, let it sit overnight in the fridge.

2. Blend all shake ingredients together. Distribute between two glasses and set them in the freezer while the chia seeds are still soaking. If you're making this for breakfast tomorrow, make the smoothie fresh in the morning.

3. When two hours pass, mix in a dash more milk to the chia seed pudding if it feels clumpy. You want it to be smooth. Then take the smoothie cups out of the fridge and add the chia pudding layer.

4. Top with your toppings of choice! Fruit, nut butter, seeds, etc. and enjoy!

All the cozy morning vibes,