Cottage Cheese Chia Pudding

Welcome to your new weekly grab-and-go routine! This chia pudding is straightforward to stir collectively, made with actual substances, and offers you one thing recent and engaging to seize from the fridge everytime you want it: Whether or not you take pleasure in it very first thing within the morning or as a day snack, it’s the sort of recipe that helps you are feeling nourished and prepared for regardless of the day brings.

Why My Recipe

• Cottage cheese provides a naturally excessive protein enhance to each serving.
• Countless topping choices so it by no means will get boring.
• Straightforward to prep forward for fast breakfasts or snacks all week.

What makes this chia pudding particular is the cottage cheese. For me, it’s about having the protein to gas your muscle tissue (your mind being the biggest one!) and somewhat fats to provide you power to gas the day. From there, you’ll be able to take it in any route you need. Pile on recent berries, sprinkle in nuts, or change it up each week so it by no means feels repetitive. It’s simple, versatile, and one thing you’ll truly sit up for consuming. We’re sort of obsessed!

Ingredient Notes

• Cottage Cheese: Use full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free primarily based in your desire. For those who favor a smoother texture, mix it earlier than mixing. Small curd blends extra simply than giant curd. I personally just like the chunk and nourishment of the full-fat complete curd.
• Milk Of Selection: Dairy milk works nice, however almond, coconut, soy, or oat milk can all be utilized in the identical quantity. If utilizing canned coconut milk, be certain it’s properly stirred earlier than measuring.
• Agave Syrup: Supplies a easy sweetness. You’ll be able to substitute with the identical quantity of honey or maple syrup.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract provides one of the best taste.
• Salt: Only a small pinch enhances the general taste.
• Chia Seeds: Ensure to make use of complete chia seeds, not floor. You’ll be able to normally discover them close to the oats, well being meals part, or baking aisle.
• Contemporary Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries all work. Use about 1/3 cup per serving. Contemporary is finest right here. Frozen berries can be utilized, however thaw and drain first to keep away from additional liquid.
• Chopped Walnuts: I like the crunch these add, plus they are surely essentially the most nourishing of the nuts. Pecans or sliced almonds can be utilized as properly.

Taste Variations

Among the finest elements about this recipe is how simple it’s to alter it up so it by no means will get outdated or boring. We’ve been consuming this in our family day-after-day for months and haven’t gotten bored but! Use what you’ve gotten, what’s in season, or no matter sounds good that week.

Tropical Vibes: Diced mango with a sprinkle of shredded coconut is at all times a favourite. You’ll be able to swap the mango for diced pineapple too for a similar tropical vibes.

Blueberry Pomegranate: Blueberries and pomegranate arils are a traditional combo for a purpose. End with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for crunch. The crunch is one in all my favourite elements!

Apple Pecan: Diced apples with chopped pecans are so good, particularly while you need one thing somewhat totally different. If you’re prepping forward, soak the diced apples in a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice for about 3 to five minutes. Drain and pat dry earlier than including so they don’t brown within the fridge.

Banana Lovers: Bananas are nice right here, however solely add them recent proper earlier than serving. They brown rapidly, so they aren’t ultimate for jars that may sit for a couple of days. Bananas go properly with both pecans or walnuts.

Different Concepts: It’s also possible to drizzle nut butter on prime, swirl in a spoonful of jam, or add mini chocolate chips if you wish to maintain issues attention-grabbing.

Prep Forward for the Week

If you’re making an attempt to make mornings simpler, that is such a easy solution to do it. They’re nice for breakfast or for a high-protein snack.

Divide the combination into 12-ounce jars. That’s my private favourite dimension as a result of it leaves sufficient room for toppings with out overflowing. Ten-ounce jars additionally work if you’d like a barely smaller portion.

Fill every jar about three-quarters full. Add fruit instantly on prime of the pudding, then add nuts on the very prime. Retaining the nuts above the fruit helps them keep crunchy as a substitute of getting mushy.

They’ll final roughly 4 days within the fridge. I normally make a batch on Sunday to get us by way of the week. In actuality, we like them a lot that I usually make one other batch midweek so we’ve got them for the weekend too.

That is a type of small habits that makes a giant distinction. When one thing good is already ready within the fridge, you’re more likely to seize it.

Chunky or Easy

This one is completely as much as you. For those who like somewhat texture, simply whisk all the things collectively and go away the cottage cheese as is. You will notice small curds all through and that’s completely effective.

For those who favor it completely easy, mix the cottage cheese, milk, agave, vanilla, and salt first. Then stir within the chia seeds. It turns right into a extra traditional pudding texture as soon as it chills.

Each variations thicken the identical approach within the fridge, so you actually can’t mess this up.

Adjusting Thickness

Chia pudding can differ barely relying in your milk and the chia seeds you employ.

If it feels too thick after chilling, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk till it reaches the consistency you want.

If it feels too skinny, stir in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and let it sit within the fridge for one more half-hour.