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 provides you one thing recent and engaging 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 form 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 increase to each serving.
• Countless topping choices so it by no means will get boring.
• Straightforward 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 muscle tissue (your mind being the biggest one!) and somewhat fats to present you power to gas the day. From there, you possibly can take it in any route you need. Pile on recent berries, sprinkle in nuts, or swap it up each week so it by no means feels repetitive. It’s simple, versatile, and one thing you’ll really stay up for consuming. We’re form of obsessed!

Ingredient Notes

• Cottage Cheese: Use full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free primarily based in your desire. If you happen to favor a smoother texture, mix it earlier than mixing. Small curd blends extra simply than giant curd. I personally just like the chunk and nourishment of the full-fat complete curd.
• Milk Of Alternative: Dairy milk works nice, however almond, coconut, soy, or oat milk can all be utilized in the identical quantity. If utilizing canned coconut milk, make certain it’s nicely stirred earlier than measuring.
• Agave Syrup: Supplies a clean sweetness. You possibly can substitute with the identical quantity of honey or maple syrup.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract provides the perfect taste.
• Salt: Only a small pinch enhances the general taste.
• Chia Seeds: Make sure that to make use of complete chia seeds, not floor. You possibly can normally 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 essentially the most nourishing of the nuts. Pecans or sliced almonds can be utilized as nicely.

Taste Variations

Among the best components about this recipe is how simple it’s to vary it up so it by no means will get previous or boring. We’ve been consuming this in our family day-after-day for months and haven’t gotten bored but! Use what you will have, 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 possibly can swap the mango for diced pineapple too for a similar tropical vibes.

Blueberry Pomegranate: Blueberries and pomegranate arils are a traditional combo for a motive. End with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for crunch. The crunch is one in all my favourite components!

Apple Pecan: Diced apples with chopped pecans are so good, particularly whenever you need one thing somewhat 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 recent proper earlier than serving. They brown shortly, so they don’t seem to be splendid for jars that can sit for a number of days. Bananas go nicely with both pecans or walnuts.

Different Concepts: You may as well drizzle nut butter on prime, swirl in a spoonful of jam, or add mini chocolate chips if you wish to hold issues fascinating.

Prep Forward for the Week

In case you are making an attempt 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 in order for you a barely smaller portion.

Fill every jar about three-quarters full. Add fruit immediately on prime of the pudding, then add nuts on the very prime. Holding the nuts above the fruit helps them keep crunchy as an alternative of getting tender.

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

That is a type 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 Clean

This one is completely as much as you. If you happen to like somewhat texture, simply whisk every part collectively and depart the cottage cheese as is. You will note small curds all through and that’s completely fantastic.

If you happen to favor it completely clean, mix the cottage cheese, milk, agave, vanilla, and salt first. Then stir within the chia seeds. It turns right into a extra traditional pudding texture as soon as it chills.

Each variations thicken the identical manner within the fridge, so you actually can not mess this up.

Adjusting Thickness

Chia pudding can differ barely relying in your milk and the chia seeds you employ.

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 an additional half-hour.