Cottage Cheese Chia Pudding

Welcome to your new weekly grab-and-go routine! This chia pudding is simple to stir collectively, made with actual elements, and provides you one thing recent and attractive 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.

What makes this chia pudding particular is the cottage cheese. For me, it’s about having the protein to gasoline your muscle groups (your mind being the most important one!) and somewhat fats to offer you power to gasoline the day. From there, you possibly can take it in any path you need. Pile on recent berries, sprinkle in nuts, or change it up each week so it by no means feels repetitive. It’s simple, versatile, and one thing you’ll really look ahead to 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 want a smoother texture, mix it earlier than mixing. Small curd blends extra simply than massive curd. I personally just like the chunk and nourishment of the full-fat entire 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, ensure that it’s properly stirred earlier than measuring.
• Agave Syrup: Supplies a clean sweetness. You may substitute with the identical quantity of honey or maple syrup.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract provides the very best taste.
• Salt: Only a small pinch enhances the general taste.
• Chia Seeds: Ensure to make use of entire chia seeds, not floor. You may often discover them close to the oats, well being meals part, or baking aisle.
• Recent Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries all work. Use about 1/3 cup per serving. Recent is finest right here. Frozen berries can be utilized, however thaw and drain first to keep away from additional 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 properly.

Taste Variations

Among the best components about this recipe is how simple it’s to alter it up so it by no means will get outdated or boring. We’ve been consuming this in our family on daily basis for months and haven’t gotten bored but! Use what you’ve gotten, 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 may swap the mango for diced pineapple too for a similar tropical vibes.

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

Apple Pecan: Diced apples with chopped pecans are so good, particularly whenever you need one thing somewhat completely different. If you’re 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 rapidly, so they don’t seem to be perfect for jars that can sit for a couple of days. Bananas go properly 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 maintain issues attention-grabbing.

Prep Forward for the Week

If you’re attempting to make mornings simpler, that is such a easy solution 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 if you’d like a barely smaller portion.

Fill every jar about three-quarters full. Add fruit straight 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 gentle.

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

That is a kind 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 Easy

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

If you happen to want 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 method within the fridge, so you actually can’t mess this up.

Adjusting Thickness

Chia pudding can fluctuate barely relying in your milk and the chia seeds you utilize.

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.