C’mon, girls. I think by now we have all learned to accept that the best things in life most certainty come in small packages. And whilst chia seeds may be minuscule in size, they pack an almighty nutritional punch. In fact, these seeds are like a powerhouse of vital antioxidants, Omegas 3 and 6, essential amino acids and not to mention a surprising hit of both protein and fiber.
When you first buy chia seeds you may be a little underwhelmed as they don’t look like much, I’ll admit. Then there’s the fact they don’t really taste of anything. But when you add chia seed with liquid, they swell up to almost three times their size and become these gelatinous sponge balls that morph to taste what they’re paired with. So you can make your chia seeds taste like whatever you fancy.
Intrigued? Good, because I’ve found ten different yet delicious recipes to help inspire you when it comes to using chia seeds. Whether you’re a pancake lover, you’re looking for a dessert or you’re looking to ditch the dairy (yes, chia seeds really can make ‘chia eggs’ for cooking, cool huh?) there will be something here to tickle every taste buds.
1. Fruity Chia Seed Water
I think by now we all know the importance of our H20. And first thing when we wake up is when our body is craving hydration the most as we’ve fasted during our sleep. So, this is a super fun way to get packing chia seeds into your diet. This water is fruity, detoxifying and the additional lemon will not only do wonders for the skin but will have your breath smelling great!
Get the recipe here.
2. Serrano Pineapple & Papaya Chia Smoothie
When a smoothie like this looks like captured sunshine in a glass – sign me up! This just oozes the tropics, right? Well, if you like your smoothies with a little somethin’ somethin’ then you’re going to love this recipe because there’s a little twist in the form of serrano chile pepper and freshly grated ginger.
Get the recipe here.
3. Vanilla & Almond Chia Breakfast Pudding
When it comes to chia seed pudding, you can be as creative as you like. But one of my go-to recipes is this vanilla and almond recipes. I love the combination of the two, and it’s not too overpowering that I can’t throw on an assortment of toppings. I love fresh berries, fruit and homemade granola.
Get the recipe here.
4. Oatmeal Chia Cookies
Oatmeal cookies have always been a favourite of mine. They go so well with a cold glass of almond milk or a warm coffee. But those pre-packaged cookies are made with shed loads of sugar and nobody needs that! So take the time to make a batch of these oatmeal-chia cookies and you’ll never look back.
Get the recipe here.
5. Spicy Pineapple & Pepper Chia Seed Jam
When we think of jam, we tend to think of the sweet type that goes oh so well on freshly baked bread. However, this spicy pineapple and pepper jam is a real game changer. It’s savory with a little bit of sweetness and spice going on. Make and serve as you please. Personally I can’t wait to dunk some crackers into a jar of these!
Get the recipe here.
6. Spinach & Chia Seed Pancakes
Not everyone has such a sweet tooth, so when the savory craving strikes why not whip up these pancakes? You can either make one or two or cook up a whole batch and eat them as a stack. And they’re loaded with spinach so they’re a delicious way of packing in a few sneaky greens!
Get the recipe here.
7. Grain-Free Chia Buckwheat Pizza
When life gives you chia seeds . . . make pizza. This chia seed and buckwheat recipe creates a delicious, crisp base for your pizza that looks pretty fancy when baked. And what’s almost as good as fresh pizza? Leftover pizza the next day, if you can make it stick around long enough.
Get the recipe here.
8. Sweet Potato, Beetroot & Chia Falafels
A great falafel recipe is a must have in your cooking repertoire. Why? Firstly, they taste so great. Secondly, they’re pretty versatile. You can play around with the ingredients to suit your taste preferences, and once made they store pretty well in your fridge to use throughout the week. So make these sweet potato based falafels and throw them into a wrap or a salad and enjoy!
Get the recipe here.
9. Thick & Creamy Chocolate Pistachio Chia Shake
It may be called a shake but this is more like soft serve ice cream so you can also enjoy this as a sweet treat. The frozen bananas lend their creaminess whereas the dates add a caramel-like sweetness. The best part? Choosing the toppings. Cacao nibs and crushed pistachios are a winner.
Get the recipe here.
10. Chia Seed Pudding
Hands up if you ever just fancy something indulgent and totally delicious? When those sugar cravings for knocking you don’t have to be unhealthy to enjoy some naughty treats. This chia seed pudding is the perfect example: it’s rich, it’s chocolatey and it’s topped off with a creamy coconut whipped cream.
Get the recipe here.
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