Overnight Chia Yogurt ~ this easy healthy breakfast can be jazzed up with all sorts of fruits and nuts, or just enjoyed with a drizzle of honey.
So what are chia seeds, and why should you care about them? Don’t feel bad if you haven’t tried them yet. I’m only just getting around to it myself. Chia are the little black seeds of a plant that grows in Mexico and Central America. They’ve been cultivated as a food crop for centuries, and for some reason that’s really important to me, like, this isn’t just a crazy fly by night fad, this is one of those superfoods, like quinoa, that’s being rediscovered. And like so many seeds, they pack a ton of nutrition in that teensy tiny package. But probably the most interesting thing about chia seeds is that they absorb 12 times their weight in liquid! So when you add them to, say, milk, you will get a kind of ‘pudding’, thickened by the seeds themselves as they expand and take on a sort of gelatinous texture.
You’ll see them added to smoothies and energy drinks a lot, but I thought it would be especially great in my morning yogurt. When you serve it like I do with citrus sections and wheat germ, you’re looking at possibly the healthiest breakfast on the planet.
Just stir the seeds into your yogurt, add a little honey or vanilla if you like, and then cover it tightly and let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours, or overnight. The seeds will expand and give it an almost tapioca like effect.
You can expect to feel fuller, and get an energy boost, along with a dose of protein, omega 3s, and vitamins. There is no taste that I can detect, it’s all about the texture with this overnight chia yogurt.
You should be able to find chia seeds in your regular grocery story, check in the health food section, or with the grains. You can always find them on Amazon, as well, here. And if you discover you love these little guys, try my CHIA COCONUT PUDDING POPSICLES, you can have them for breakfast too!
TIP:Â Be careful not to add too many seeds to the yogurt because it will become overly thick. This is especially true if you are using Greek yogurt, which is already thick.
Minimal Monday: Overnight Chia Yogurt
Ingredients
- Plain or Greek yogurt, one cup per serving (or coconut, soy, or almond milk yogurt)
- chia seeds, 2 Tbsp per serving
- honey or vanilla extract, if desired
toppings
- orange sections
- wheat germ
- honey
Instructions
- Stir the seeds into the yogurt. Add the honey and vanilla, if using.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap, or mix it in a mason jar.
- Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Serve topped with orange sections, a sprinkling of wheat germ, and a drizzle of honey.
Make it your own ~
- Use any type of yogurt for this, including almond or coconut.
- Use your chia seed yogurt to make a smoothie
Don’t forget to pin this Overnight Chia Yogurt!
Will this help lose weight?
It is low in calorie, for sure.
These super foods aren’t being rediscovered. They’ve been used for centuries all over the world. It’s just that whitecentric societies are finally venturing out with their palates.
Can I mix chia seeds with coconut water, and let it soak overnight? 1 tbsp is OK?
You can definitely make it with coconut water, or coconut milk…it will depend on how much liquid you are using…start with about 1-2 Tbsp per cup, but you can add more, or less.
Will using 2 tablespoons of chia seeds in 8 ounces of greek yogurt make it too thick (or do you recommend using just one tablespoon)?
I find that different brands of chia seeds expand differently, Maryann, so you can experiment to see what you prefer.
Great, Thanks Sue. I’m thinking, even a little cocoa would be fabulous…
Do you know how long it will stay good in the refrigerator? I was thinking that I might want to make a double or triple batch? Sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing…
It will stay fresh as long as your yogurt usually does, Elly.
How many ounces of yogrt, for this recipe?
I suggest one cup per serving, Alexandra.
Thanks for an easy recipe. Will be making this for tomorrow’s breakfast!
oh the seeds make it so crunchy and perfect with the creaminess of the yogurt. I love that this is an overnight recipe!