You guys! @Olivia.Adriance and I teamed up in the kitchen again and created something we can’t stop making: Dirty Chai Chia Pudding.
This creamy pudding is packed with protein, warm chai spices, and a touch of caffeine—enough to wake you up and keep you satisfied. It’s a perfect meal-prep breakfast but also a delightful snack any time of day.
A FALL FAVORITE PUDDING
When Olivia and her husband visited, the guys went golfing and Olivia and I spent the day testing recipes and taking photos. This Dirty Chai Chia Pudding was an immediate hit and quickly rose to the top of our fall favorites list.
It delivers cozy autumn flavors—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg—along with the comforting aroma of chai and the gentle boost of espresso or strong coffee. Olivia summed it up perfectly: “my mouth waters every time I think about this.” New moms and busy mornings, this one’s for you.
DIRTY CHAI CHIA PUDDING PERFECTION
This pudding is more than delicious—it’s nutritious. Chia seeds are small but mighty: roughly 2.5 tablespoons provide about 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and a source of omega-3 fatty acids, supporting digestion and fullness.
To build the pudding, we combine chia seeds with a scoop of vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, brewed espresso or strong coffee, nut milk (or water), a pinch of sea salt, and our chai spice blend. A little maple syrup sweetens it naturally. Finish with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a comforting touch.
Trust me—you’ll want to add everything to your cart and make a batch this week. Let me know how yours turns out!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:
- Chia seeds
- Vanilla protein powder
- Vanilla extract
- Maple syrup
- Nut milk or water
- Espresso or strong coffee
- Sea salt
- Chai spice (recipe below)
Chai Spice (makes extra to store):
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground allspice
- Ground cardamom
To Top:
- Coconut whipped cream or canned coconut cream
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon stick (optional)
HOW TO MAKE DIRTY CHAI CHIA PUDDING
Chai Spice:
Combine the ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom in a small bowl or jar. Stir well to blend. Store any leftovers in an airtight container; the mix will keep for months, depending on the spices’ freshness.
Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:
In a bowl, whisk together chia seeds, nut milk (or water), espresso or coffee, vanilla extract, maple syrup, vanilla protein powder, chai spice, and sea salt until smooth. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes, then whisk again to break up any clumps.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight, until thickened.
To Serve and Store:
Top each serving with coconut whipped cream, a dusting of ground cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick if you like. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving and add toppings just before eating.
RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS
Use any high-quality vanilla protein powder you prefer—plant-based options work well if you avoid dairy. If you need to skip caffeine, simply omit the espresso and increase the nut milk or water.
Swap in your favorite nut milk or use dairy milk if you tolerate it. Homemade nut milks are a great option if you prefer to control ingredients. Honey can replace maple syrup, though it may slightly change the flavor.
If you have a store-bought chai blend, it will work in place of the homemade mix, but don’t skip the chai entirely—it’s central to the pudding’s flavor.
IS IT GOOD TO EAT CHIA SEEDS EVERY DAY?
Chia seeds are nutritious and versatile: they support digestion, provide omega-3s and antioxidants, and add fiber for satiety. Enjoy them regularly as part of a balanced diet, paired with fruits, nuts, and other wholesome ingredients.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAI AND DIRTY CHAI?
Dirty chai includes espresso or coffee in addition to the chai spices, which is why this pudding is called “Dirty Chai.” The espresso adds a bold coffee note that complements the warm spice blend.
MORE PUDDING RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:
Warming Chocolate Oatmeal Pudding
High-Protein Banana Pudding
Coconut Mango Chia Pudding
Creamy Coconut Chia Pudding
Cashew Chia Pudding
Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂
Dirty Chai Chia Pudding
You’re going to love this creation—filled with protein, the perfect chai spice, and a little caffeine. It tastes like the ultimate chai latte. Pudding perfection!
Ingredients
Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:
- 6 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 1/4 cups nut milk (or water)
- 2 ounces espresso or coffee
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 tablespoon chai spice
Chai Spice (makes extra):
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
To Top:
- Coconut whipped cream (or canned coconut cream)
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
Chai Spice:
- Combine all chai spice ingredients in a small bowl or jar and stir to blend. Store leftovers in an airtight container; the mix will keep depending on the spices’ freshness.
Dirty Chai Chia Pudding:
- Whisk chia seeds, nut milk (or water), espresso or coffee, vanilla extract, maple syrup, protein powder, chai spice, and salt together until smooth.
- Let sit 5–10 minutes, then whisk again to remove any clumps.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 3 hours or overnight until thickened.
To Serve and Store:
- Top with coconut cream, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Stir before serving and add toppings when ready to eat.