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 contemporary and attractive 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 type of recipe that helps you’re 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.
• Simple 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 muscular tissues (your mind being the biggest one!) and a bit fats to offer you vitality to gas the day. From there, you may take it in any route you need. Pile on contemporary berries, sprinkle in nuts, or swap it up each week so it by no means feels repetitive. It’s straightforward, versatile, and one thing you’ll truly stay up for consuming. We’re type of obsessed!

Ingredient Notes

• Cottage Cheese: Use full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free based mostly in your desire. If you happen to desire a smoother texture, mix it earlier than mixing. Small curd blends extra simply than massive 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, ensure that 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: Be certain to make use of complete chia seeds, not floor. You’ll be able to often 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 greatest right here. Frozen berries can be utilized, however thaw and drain first to keep away from further liquid.
• Chopped Walnuts: I like the crunch these add, plus they are surely probably the most nourishing of the nuts. Pecans or sliced almonds can be utilized as properly.

Taste Variations

Among the best components about this recipe is how straightforward it’s to alter it up so it by no means will get outdated or boring.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

Tropical Vibes: Diced mango with a sprinkle of shredded coconut is all the time 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 basic combo for a motive. End with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for crunch. The crunch is considered one of my favourite components!

Apple Pecan: Diced apples with chopped pecans are so good, particularly if you need one thing a bit completely different. In case you are 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 contemporary proper earlier than serving. They brown shortly, so they aren’t very best for jars that may sit for a number of days. Bananas go properly with both pecans or walnuts.

Different Concepts: You can too drizzle nut butter on prime, swirl in a spoonful of jam, or add mini chocolate chips if you wish to preserve issues attention-grabbing.

Prep Forward for the Week

In case you are attempting to make mornings simpler, that is such a easy option 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 measurement as a result of it leaves sufficient room for toppings with out overflowing. Ten-ounce jars additionally work if you would 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 an alternative of getting mushy.

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

That is a kind 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. If you happen to like a bit texture, simply whisk all the pieces collectively and go away the cottage cheese as is. You will note small curds all through and that’s completely positive.

If you happen to desire 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 basic 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 utilize.

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.