Cottage Cheese Chia Pudding

Welcome to your new weekly grab-and-go routine! This chia pudding is straightforward to stir collectively, made with actual components, and provides you one thing contemporary 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 type of recipe that helps you are feeling nourished and prepared for regardless of the day brings.

Why My Recipe

• Cottage cheese provides a naturally excessive protein enhance to each serving.
• Infinite 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 muscular tissues (your mind being the most important one!) and somewhat fats to present you vitality to gas the day. From there, you may take it in any route you need. Pile on contemporary 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 sit up for consuming. We’re type of obsessed!

Ingredient Notes

• Cottage Cheese: Use full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free based mostly in your choice. In case you choose 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 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, be sure it’s nicely stirred earlier than measuring.
• Agave Syrup: Supplies a easy sweetness. You’ll be able to 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: Make certain to make use of complete chia seeds, not floor. You’ll be able to 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 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 alter it up so it by no means will get previous or boring. We’ve been consuming this in our family day by day for months and haven’t gotten bored but! Use what you may have, what’s in season, or no matter sounds good that week.

Tropical Vibes: Diced mango with a sprinkle of shredded coconut is at all times a favourite. You’ll be able to swap the mango for diced pineapple too for a similar tropical vibes.

Blueberry Pomegranate: Blueberries and pomegranate arils are a basic combo for a purpose. 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 while you need one thing somewhat totally 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 contemporary proper earlier than serving. They brown shortly, so they aren’t splendid for jars that may sit for just a few days. Bananas go nicely with both pecans or walnuts.

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

Prep Forward for the Week

If you’re making an attempt to make mornings simpler, that is such a easy strategy 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 dimension 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 straight on high of the pudding, then add nuts on the very high. Conserving 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 the week. In actuality, we like them a lot that I usually make one other batch midweek so now we have them for the weekend too.

That is a type of small habits that makes an enormous 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. In case you 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 high-quality.

In case you choose it completely easy, mix the cottage cheese, milk, agave, vanilla, and salt first. Then stir within the chia seeds. It turns right into a extra basic 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 one more half-hour.