Chocolate Almond Coconut Chia Berries (Printable)
Protein-packed chia cream with chocolate, almond, coconut and fresh berries for a nutritious treat.
# List of ingredients:
→ Chia Cream Base
01 - ¼ cup chia seeds
02 - 1½ cups unsweetened coconut milk (or almond milk)
03 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
04 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - Pinch of sea salt
→ Chocolate Almond Protein Layer
06 - ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
07 - 1 scoop (about 30 g) chocolate protein powder (plant-based or whey)
08 - 2 tablespoons almond butter
09 - 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
→ Toppings
11 - ½ cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
12 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
13 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
# Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the chia seeds, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes, then stir again thoroughly to break up any clumps. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the mixture achieves a thick, pudding-like consistency.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk, chocolate protein powder, almond butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Whisk or blend until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
03 - Once the chia cream has fully set, gently fold half of the chocolate almond protein mixture into the chia pudding to create a marbled effect. Alternatively, keep the layers separate for a clean visual contrast in the serving glasses.
04 - Divide the mixture evenly among four serving glasses or jars, spooning carefully to preserve the layered presentation.
05 - Garnish each serving with mixed fresh berries, sliced almonds, and unsweetened shredded coconut. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The chia cream thickens into something genuinely indulgent, almost like a mousse, but it takes zero cooking skill.
- You can assemble everything in ten minutes, forget about it, and wake up to a breakfast that feels like dessert.
02 -
- Stir the chia mixture twice in the first twenty minutes, or you will find rubbery islands of clumped seeds that no amount of whisking can fix later.
- The pudding keeps thickening over time, so if it seems too loose at hour four, just give it another hour and it will come together beautifully.
03 -
- Use a mason jar for the chia mixture and shake it vigorously instead of whisking, which saves time and gets rid of clumps faster.
- Toasting the sliced almonds in a dry pan for two minutes before sprinkling them on top makes the flavor exponentially better.