We’re taking chia seed pudding to a whole new, gut-healthy level with our Blended Blueberry Probiotic Chia Pudding that is creamy, filling, tastes incredible, and is packed with probiotics and protein! Made with Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese, this chia seed pudding has an even better texture than most recipes since we blend the chia seed pudding before letting it set up in the fridge.
While it might seem like a simple step, blending the chia pudding before letting it set gives it a richer, denser texture that’s simply unbeatable. It’s also gentler on your stomach compared to eating the seeds whole, since blending the chia seeds ahead breaks them down and requires less work for your stomach during the digestion process. Blended chia pudding has a similar consistency to a mousse and other rich desserts you won’t believe can be so good for you!
Speaking of good for you…
Chia seeds are packed with nutrients for your health; these include magnesium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, calcium, and they’re a complete source of protein containing all the essential amino acids. These tiny seeds are most well-known for their fiber content, however, because they’re loaded with it containing 9 grams per 3 tbsp. serving. This makes chia seeds the perfect pairing to Lifeway Kefir for your microbiome since fiber and probiotics work in tandem for optimal gut health.
Lifeway Kefir is also a complete source of protein, and it contains billions of live probiotics for gut health and immune system support, along with calcium, vitamin D, potassium, vitamin B12, selenium, and magnesium that are all critical for optimal health.
And let’s not forget blueberries! These blue gems are remarkable fruits to eat for good health; including brain, heart, and metabolic health, plus they’re packed with fiber for digestion and offer a large amount of antioxidants per serving.
Making chia pudding with Lifeway Kefir is a complete game-changer because it’s the best-tasting creamy base that packs in protein and probiotics for better digestion. So for this recipe, we blended chia seeds and Lifeway Kefir with some blueberries, vanilla, and cinnamon for the blue layer. Then, we layered this mixture in jars creating a healthy crust at the bottom made out of almond flour which has a nutty flavor similar to graham crackers without the gluten. For more protein and extra creaminess, we blended Lifeway Farmer Cheese and a little raw honey together to create a cloud-like white layer that makes the pudding extra decadent and filling.
The result is a pillowy delight of sweet, fruity, fiber-rich goodness that’s healthy enough to be a breakfast or an indulgent afternoon snack. Prep these probiotic-packed jars ahead of time for effortless morning meals all week long (or for snacks!), and you’ve just made taking care of your gut one step easier, all in one nutritious recipe. The recipe makes four servings, but feel free to double it if you want extras!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 5 mins + Overnight to Set Servings: 4Ingredients
- 1/3 cup almond flour (or chopped/sliced almonds, walnuts, or pecans) for the bottom of the jars
For the White Layer:
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 2 tsp. raw honey
- juice of a lemon
For the Blue Layer:
- 2 cups Lowfat Blueberry Kefir
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. alcohol-free vanilla
- Topping: extra blueberries, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, or any other toppings you want
- optional: raw honey for drizzle on top
Directions
- In the bottom of 4 mason jars or other glass jars, add 1 1/2 tbsp. or so of almond flour or use crushed almonds, walnuts and/or pecans.
- Next, blend Lifeway Farmer Cheese, raw honey, and the lemon juice together; this gives it a cheesecake-like texture. Layer on top of the almond flour in the jars (or crushed nuts).
- For the blue layer, blend the chia seeds, Lifeway kefir, frozen blueberries, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor, or you can use a small blender like a Nutribullet. Divide the mixture evenly amongst the 4 jars, placing this layer on top of the white layer in each jar.
- Set these in the fridge overnight for best results so the pudding thickens the best with a minimum of 6 hours set time. The next day, add more blueberries on top and an extra drizzle of raw honey if you want it sweeter. You can also add any other toppings you want, such as crushed nuts/seeds, and/or granola or shredded coconut. Enjoy!
