Mango Chia Pudding

A Quick Look at the Recipe

✅ Recipe Name: Mango Chia Pudding Recipe
🕒 Ready In: ~7 minutes plus soaking time
👪 Serves: 2 servings
🧑‍🍳 Main Ingredients: Fresh mango, chia seeds, coconut milk, sugar and ground cardamom
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian and vegan option
📌 Difficulty: Easy, no cooking or baking

1. Chia seeds - Chia seeds expand into a gel-like substance when wet, serving as a natural thickener for puddings. With no distinct taste, they offer endless possibilities. Both white and black seeds will work for this mango chia pudding recipe.
2. Mango - Sweet, ripe and juicy mangoes are ideal for all mango recipes. Did you know that the outside color is not any indicator of ripeness? When shopping for mango, give the fruit a gentle squeeze and it should give slightly. Give a sniff test: It should be sweet and aromatic near the stem end.
3. Coconut milk - I prefer to use full fat canned milk for this mango chia pudding recipe, for a super creamy texture. Feel free to use low fat variety or better yet make your own coconut milk using fresh coconut (check instructions here)
4. Sweetener - White granulated sugar offers a neutral taste and let the flavor of other ingredients shine!
5. Flavoring - I highly recommend using freshly ground cardamon. Refer notes to make easily at home.

Substitutions & Variations

• Don't like coconut milk? You can use regular dairy milk or vegan milk like almond or oat milk instead.
• Don't like mangoes? Use peaches! Peel the skin of fresh peaches, blend and use instead of mango puree.
• Switch up flavorings and use vanilla extract or ground nutmeg.
• Give it more texture by stirring in chopped toasted almonds or pistachios.
• Don't like chia seeds? Try this creamy mango rice pudding without chia seeds.

Tips for Success

• Use sweet mango - Select a sweet, ripe and delicious tasting fresh fruit.
• Cardamom - Use freshly ground cardamom instead of store bought. Refer to our blog post on how to make cardamom powder.
• Milk - Try using regular milk or almond milk instead.
• Quantity of sugar - It depends on the sweetness of the fruit used. Use as much or as little you like.
• Let set overnight for the best ultra creamy pudding like texture.
• Use fresh chia seeds - This will ensure your seeds plump up in the milk.
• Storage - Keep leftovers stored in the fridge where they will stay good for 4-5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Leave overnight in the fridge to thaw.

Tip: Taste and adjust sweetness as needed! Mango sweetness varies, so adjust sugar accordingly.

Pro tip: How long does it take to thicken? The seeds absorb liquid quickly, forming a gel-like texture within hours. Refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight, perfect for meal prep.

Serving Suggestions

When you are ready to eat the mango chia pudding, top with your favorite toppings and enjoy cold! My favorite ways to top with more diced mangoes, coconut flakes and chopped pistachios or toasted almonds and then a sprig of mint leaf for a stunning look.

Coconut or almond granola also adds a punch of flavor and texture. Pumpkin seeds or toasted white sesame seeds will bump up the nutritive value, or a fresh cherry in the peak of summer will add a lovely contrast.