Flaxseed pudding makes a healthy (high in fiber and protein) and satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert. Nuttier and milder in flavor compared to chia pudding, it's a cheaper alternative that's also vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly. Just 4 simple ingredients and it's ready in 30 minutes - it makes a great on-the-go breakfast!
If you like chia pudding, you're going to love creamy flaxseed pudding. It has a nuttier and milder flavor, and it's not as "seedy". It's ready in 30 minutes and is great for meal-prep when you need a healthy on-the-go breakfast or snack.
Just 4 simple ingredients are needed and you can top it with berries, nuts, yogurt, or granola.
This creamy pudding is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, with countless health benefits, like being high in dietary fiber, protein, and omega-3's.
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⭐️ Why This Recipe Is the Best
- Makes a healthy and delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert
- Vegan/dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly
- Easy recipe that's ready in 30 minutes
- Full of dietary fiber and plant-based omega-3's (healthy fats)
- Customizable - add your favorite fruit, nuts, spices, yogurt, etc.
- Kid-friendly
- Excellent meal-prep option for an on-the-go breakfast or snack
💬 What is Flaxseed?
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant which gets harvested and added to a variety of foods for extra fiber, like salads, energy bars, overnight oats, and smoothies. It can also be ground into flaxseed meal, which is used by vegan/plant-based folks to replace eggs in recipes like gooey vegan blondies and fudgy vegan pumpkin brownies.
Flaxseed (also known as "linseed") has a mild and nutty flavor and a texture that turns from crunchy when dry to gelatinous when wet (which helps to act as a thickening agent for things like oatmeal and pudding). If you've tasted chia seeds, flaxseed has a similar flavor and texture, but is more affordable.
The health benefits of flaxseed are numerous - it's loaded with dietary fiber, protein, and plant-based omega-3's (healthy fats). It's also high in thiamine, copper, and lignans, which contain a cancer-fighting property.
🍽 Ingredient Notes
- Flaxseed - Acts as a thickener for our flaxseed pudding while providing numerous health benefits (see above)
- Plant-based milk - Use your favorite plant-based milk, like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
- Maple syrup - Adds subtle sweetness without using refined sugar
- Vanilla Extract - Gives our pudding a richer, deeper flavor
📝 Variations & Substitutions
- Honey can be used as a substitute for the maple syrup, or see my list of the best maple syrup substitutes.
- Thicker and sweeter. Add one mashed banana for a sweeter, thicker pudding.
- Chocolate. Add one tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor (you may need to add more sweetener to counteract the bitter cocoa flavor).
- Nut butter. Add two tablespoon of your favorite nut butter for more protein and rich creaminess.
- Nutella. Stir in one or two spoonfuls of vegan nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
- Yogurt. Swirl in a few spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt for extra protein and creaminess.
- Spices. Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or cloves for warm spiciness.
🥄 How To Make Creamy Flaxseed Pudding
Combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Scoop into glasses for serving and add your favorite toppings. Serve and enjoy!
🍓 Topping Suggestions
- Fresh fruit. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and plums are all great options.
- Dried fruit. Raisins, figs, and dates are all delicious alternatives when fresh fruit isn't available.
- Nuts. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans all add a crunch factor as well as additional protein and healthy fats.
- Chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Sprinkle on top for a crunchy, chocolatey experience.
- Granola. Add a handful of granola for a salty-sweet crunchy topping.
👩🏼🍳 Expert Tips
- Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make your own flaxseed meal. Place flaxseeds in a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or food processor, and pulverize for around 30 seconds, until a fine meal-like texture is achieved.
- Serve as a healthy snack, dessert, or breakfast.
- For a brunch gathering, pair with goat cheese frittata and cinnamon raisin scones.
- Make-ahead: Prep the night before and store in the refrigerator for a quick breakfast that you can take on the road!
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Chia seeds and flax seeds are both powerhouses of nutrition and similar in flavor and texture. They are high in fiber, protein, and omega-3's. However, flax seeds have a nuttier flavor and contain more antioxidants.
The possibilities are endless! Sprinkle flaxseed onto any salad, grain bowl, or sandwich; mix it into your yogurt, smoothie, or oatmeal; add flaxseed meal (ground) into baked goods for extra fiber and protein.
While there are no specific guidelines for flaxseed, 1-2 tablespoons a day is considered a healthy amount. Furthermore, ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal) is easier for your body to digest and absorbs more nutrients than if eaten whole.
🍽 Related Recipes
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📖 Creamy Flaxseed Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup flaxseeds, ground (flaxseed meal)
- ¾ cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Scoop into glasses for serving and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make your own flaxseed meal. Place flaxseeds in a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or food processor and pulverize for around 30 seconds, until a fine meal-like texture is achieved.
- Serve as a healthy snack, dessert, or breakfast.
- For a brunch gathering, pair with goat cheese frittata and cinnamon raisin scones.
- Make-ahead: Prep the night before and store in the refrigerator for a quick breakfast that you can take with you on the road!
Barbara Haner
Looks interesting! And as always, great pictures!
MaryAnne
Thank you! I hope you give it a try! 😊