• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Food
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • About

nomadic nutritionist

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • About
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Work With Me
    • About
  • ×

    Home » Ingredients

    Published: May 13, 2022. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Chia Gel for Puddings and Smoothies

    Chia gel is easy to prepare and use for chia pudding, breakfast bowls, smoothies and more.

    A glass bowl of chia gel with a small spoon scooping some of the chia gel out.

    about chia seeds

    Chia seeds are tiny black, brown or white seeds that are often referred to as a superfood. They are quite bland in taste which means they readily take on the flavour of whatever you put them in.

    Small wooden bowl of chia seeds with a few chai seeds spilling out onto the table.

    When put into liquid like water, juice or a smoothie, chia seeds absorb the liquid and a gelatinous coating forms around each seed creating a chia gel that can be used in a variety of ways.

    These gluten-free seeds are rich in omega-3, protein, fibre (soluble and insoluble) plus vitamins & minerals including calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

    Up close shot of black, brown and white chia seeds.

    making chia gel

    I like to have some chia gel in the fridge to use for a quick chia pudding, to add to smoothies and breakfast bowls. I prefer to use water instead of milk, non-dairy or juice so it has a neutral flavour and lasts a bit longer.

    Time needed: 20 minutes.

    How to make chia gel

    1. Add ¼ cup of chia seeds to 1 cup of water and stir. Chia seeds in a bowl of water

    2. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb some water, then stir.

      Some of the chia seeds may float and form a raft or crust on the top. When you stir the mixture this will break up.Chia seeds in a bowl of water

    3. Let the mixture sit for 10 more minutes and then stir.

      The chia seeds will continue to absorb the water and create a gel coating on the outside of each seed.A bowl of chia seed gel in a glass bowl

    4. After about 15 minutes your chia gel will be ready to use.

      The chia seeds will continue to absorb water and the gel will thicken up. The gel is ready to use or be stored in the fridge.A glass bowl of chia gel with a small spoon scooping some of the chia gel out.

    How can you use chia gel?

    Chia gel can be used in a variety of ways:

    • To make chia pudding
    • Added to smoothies, chia gel will help thicken the smoothie without changing the flavour
    • For a natural energy drink like Chia Fresca, a popular drink in Central America. Chia is added to a mixture of water, lemon or lime juice and a sweetener.
    • Including chia gel into the liquid of a smoothie bowl will make it more hearty and filling.

    More Ingredients

    • What is Culantro? Learn about this Caribbean Herb
    • Simple way to peel cassava (yuca)
    • Kaniwa vs Quinoa
    • An overhead shot of a pomegranate with the top cut off exposing the arils
      How to deseed a pomegranate

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear from you. Leave a question or comment below. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Hema! I'm a Toronto-based nutritionist, workshop facilitator, wellness educator, speaker and part-time traveler. Join me to learn simple recipes, be introduced to new foods and food experiences.

    More about me →

    Recipes you might like

    • Homemade Granola Butter
    • Lacto-Fermented Carrots (food preservation)
    • A small jar of roasted tomatillo salsa with a blender in the background
      Tomatillo Salsa (3 ways)
    • Crunchy Air Fryer Channa (Chickpeas)

    Food & Travel

    • The marsh filled with cranberries with tress in the background on an autumn day.
      Fall Cranberry Harvest in Bala, Ontario
    • Beyond Kensington Food Tour in Toronto
    • Quebec City Walking Food Tours
    • A Francesinha in Porto, Portugal

    Are you looking for something specific?

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Disclosure
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

    Social

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Work With Me

    • Work With Me
    • Nutrition & Wellness Workshops
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 Nomadic Nutritionist

    • Pin It
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email