Flaxseed pudding is a delicious make-ahead breakfast, snack or dessert. It only takes 5 minutes hands-on time to make this nutritional powerhouse in a cup. And, it's suitable for vegan, gluten free, low carb, keto and paleo diets.
If you're looking for a great breakfast or snack that can be meal prepped ahead of time, you can't do better than flaxseed pudding. It's rich in nutrients and super easy to make.
When flaxseeds combine with milk, you get a creamy, satisfying pudding consistency. Add whatever toppings you like for a customizable treat that's healthy, vegan and gluten free.
Top Tip: If you want a high protein make-ahead breakfast, be sure to check out my High Protein Overnight Oats.
💚Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
💚Flaxseeds are nutritional powerhouse! They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.
💚Flaxseeds may also be beneficial for blood sugar control as they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and keep you feeling full longer.
💚Due to the high-fiber content and ability to keep you feeling full, flaxseed pudding may be helpful for weight loss.
💚Flaxseed pudding takes only 5 minutes hands on time to mix up.
🩺Flaxseed Health Benefits
Flaxseeds offer a range of impressive health benefits that make them a valuable addition to your diet.
They're an abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids, which possess anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to heart and brain health. Their high dietary fiber content, including both soluble and insoluble fiber, supports digestion, regulates bowel movements, and aids in weight management.
Flaxseeds also contain antioxidants called lignans, which safeguard cells from oxidative stress and are associated with a lowered risk of certain cancers. Furthermore, their potential to promote hormonal balance, regulate blood sugar levels, and enhance skin health adds to their appeal.
🛒Ingredients
- Ground Flaxseeds (aka flaxseed meal): You'll need ground flaxseeds for this recipe, otherwise known as flaxseed meal. If all you have is whole flaxseeds, just grind them up in your food processor or blender. The whole seed will not form the gel needed to make flaxseed pudding.
- Plant Based Milk: I used almond milk, but you can use the plant based milk of your choice. Soy milk and oat milk are both good choices.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is what adds sweetness to this pudding. You could also use agave nectar, coconut sugar or plain brown sugar. If you want to make this recipe Whole30 friendly, swap maple syrup for a mashed banana or some applesauce.
- Vanilla: Vanilla is optional, but I highly recommend it. Use a high quality vanilla extract. You'll really notice the difference in flavor.
- Sea Salt: Sea salt makes all the other flavors pop. You can skip it if you're on a low salt diet.
👨🍳How To Make Flaxseed Pudding
- Combine all your ingredients in a bowl. Stir to ensure it's thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the flaxseed pudding into a pudding jar or cup and put it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. I usually mix everything up the night before, pop it in the fridge, and it's ready in the morning.
- Please note, if you intend to make layers, you'll need to let the bottom layer chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, before adding fruit or other toppings. Save some additional pudding in the bowl to add another layer of flaxseed to the top.
💡Variations
Remember, this is only a template recipe. You can get creative with your flaxseed pudding. In fact, you can even mix it up and use chia seeds. I'm loving this vegan almond milk chia pudding. Here's a few more suggestions to jazz up your breakfast pudding:
Turmeric Flaxseed Pudding
Add a pinch of ground turmeric to the mixture for a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant golden hue. One option is to make and freeze turmeric shots in an ice cube tray. Then, all you need to do is drop a cube into your turmeric pudding.
Raisin & Cinnamon
Mix in a handful of raisins or sultanas along with a dash of cinnamon.
Vanilla Almond
Mix in crushed or chopped almonds along with the vanilla for a yummy crunch and nutty essence.
Berry Flaxseed Pudding
lend fresh or frozen berries directly into the pudding mixture for a uniformly fruity consistency.
Coconut Milk Pudding
Use coconut milk instead of almond milk for a richer coconut flavor throughout the pudding.
🫐Optional Toppings
There's so many different creative topping you can add to flaxseed pudding. If you have a favorite that I haven't mentioned, be sure to let me know in the comments below.
- Fresh Fruit: Berries, sliced banana, or diced apple are all great options for adding sweetness and flavor. You could also add a layer of pineapple jam.
- Nuts and Seeds: Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds add a crunchy texture and a boost of healthy fats and protein.
- Nut Butter: A spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter can add creaminess and flavor.
- Chocolate chips or cocoa powder: For a chocolatey twist, add a sprinkle of chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder.
- Coconut flakes: Unsweetened coconut flakes add a nice texture and a subtle sweetness.
- Vegan Yogurt: Top with a creamy layer of vegan yogurt. You can even blitz some berries with a few tablespoons of yogurt to give it additional sweetness and flavor.
- Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract can add a warm and comforting flavor.
- Protein Powder: Add a hit of protein, by mixing your favorite protein powder into the mix.
❄️Storage Instructions
Flaxseed pudding should be stored in the refrigerator. It's best consumed within 3-4 days of preparation. As time passes, the texture and flavor might start to change, so it's ideal to enjoy it while it's at its freshest.
When you're ready to eat the stored flaxseed pudding, give it a good stir. This helps distribute any settled ingredients and ensures a consistent texture and flavor.
🙋Frequently Asked Questions
Flaxseed and flaxmeal are made from the same ingredient, flax seeds. The difference is in how the seeds are processed. Flaxseed is the whole seed, while flaxmeal is made by grinding the whole seeds into a fine powder. Flaxmeal can be used in baking and cooking as a substitute for some of the flour in a recipe, while whole flaxseed is typically used as a topping on cereal or yogurt, or added to smoothies.
Flaxseeds are a good source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. They also contain lignans, which have been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Flaxseed meal should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain its freshness and prevent it from going rancid. Flaxseed meal is made from ground flaxseeds and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can go rancid quickly when exposed to light, heat, and oxygen. When stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer, flaxseed meal can last for several months.
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
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📖 Recipe
Healthy Flaxseed Pudding
Ingredients
- ¼ cup flaxseeds
- ½ cup plant based milk I used almond milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Stir to ensure it's thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the flaxseed pudding into a pudding jar or cup. Put it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. Please note, if you intend to make layers, you'll need to let the bottom layer chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, before adding fruit or other toppings. Save some additional pudding in the bowl to add another layer of flaxseed to the top.
- Top with fruit and berries. Or, see optional topping suggestions in the notes below.
Notes
- Fresh fruit: Berries, sliced banana, or diced apple are all great options for adding sweetness and flavor.
- Nuts and seeds: Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds add a crunchy texture and a boost of healthy fats and protein.
- Nut butter: A spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter can add creaminess and flavor.
- Chocolate chips or cocoa powder: For a chocolatey twist, add a sprinkle of chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder.
- Coconut flakes: Unsweetened coconut flakes add a nice texture and a subtle sweetness.
- Vegan Yogurt: Top with a creamy layer of vegan yogurt. You can even blitz some berries with a few tablespoons of yogurt to give it additional sweetness and flavor.
- Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract can add a warm and comforting flavor.
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