I love chia pudding. It requires no cooking ... just assembling ... and the chia seeds provide important nutrients including fiber and omega-3 fats. As for the cherries, they contain fiber, antioxidants, and melatonin, a bioactive that laboratory research shows may help to prevent cancer.
Ingredients
1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk*
1½ cups frozen cherries, partially thawed
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
⅓ cup chia seeds
¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
2 Tbsp. toasted unsweetened coconut
1 tablespoon chocolate shavings, or more as desired
Mint sprigs, optional
Instructions
Place milk, cherries, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla in a blender and process until smooth.
Place chia seeds in a mixing bowl. Pour liquid mixture over seeds and whisk until well combined. Let sit 10 minutes and whisk again. Cover, transfer to refrigerator, and allow chia seeds to absorb liquid overnight.
When ready to serve, transfer mixture into four small bowls, parfait glasses, or jars.
Notes
* May use milk of choice. * Chia pudding is set when the seeds swell to almost double their size.