First Watch Chia Pudding Bowl (Superfood Recipe)

Move over acai bowl, this chia pudding bowl is way better – and better for you!

If you’ve ever had an A.M. Superfoods Bowl at First Watch, you know that it’s packed with simple ingredients and big flavor that are guaranteed to start your day off right. 

This First Watch chia pudding recipe is a delicious breakfast option for busy mornings.

I’ll show you how to whip it up and build an epic bowl filled with fresh berries and tasty granola. 

Ingredients for this First Watch Chia Pudding Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need for this chia seed pudding recipe:

• Coconut milk. Use the kind you find in a can vs. the kind in a carton. Canned coconut milk has a lower water content, which will yield a creamy chia pudding. 
• Chia seeds
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract

To round out the rest of this healthy breakfast recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Granola. If you’re inclined to make homemade granola, there are many recipes out there. It’s on my list of things to do, but for now, I’m grabbing my favorite store bought granola. 
• Mixed berry jam. First Watch uses what they call a “mixed berry compote”, which is very similar in texture to jam. 
• Banana
• Blueberries
• Strawberries

How to Make this First Watch Chia Pudding Recipe

Make the Coconut Chia Pudding

It’s way easier to make chia pudding than other creamy puddings like rice pudding. You don’t need to cook anything!

First, combine the coconut milk, honey, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a bowl. Then, stir in the chia seeds. 

For best results, allow the mixture to sit out on the counter for 10-15 minutes. This will prevent the pudding from becoming clumpy once you refrigerate it. 

Give it a good stir before you put it in the fridge. Then, let it chill for about 45 minutes.

Take it out, stir it again, and place it back in the fridge for another 45 minutes. Then, your chia pudding will be ready to eat! 

Assemble the Bowl

You can do this any way you want, but here’s how I do it: 

Place the chia pudding into a serving bowl. Then, dot the mixed berry jam onto the pudding and use a knife to swirl it around. 

Now, arrange the granola and the fresh fruit toppings on top. Slice the banana and strawberries and place the blueberries around them. 

Variations and Substitutions for this Chia Pudding Recipe

• Tropical Chia Pudding Bowl: Add sliced fresh fruits like kiwi, mango, pineapple and banana to give this bowl a tropical twist. Sprinkle some coconut flakes on top for a pretty finish.
• Nutty Chia Pudding Bowl: A handful of nuts, like almonds or walnuts, add healthy fats and protein to this chia pudding recipe. You could also add a dollop of natural peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter. 
• Seedy Chia Pudding Bowl: A sprinkle of hemp seeds or flaxseeds on top will add nutritious Omega-3s and extra fiber. 
• Sweeter Chia Pudding Bowl: Drizzle a little honey, maple syrup or agave nectar over the finished bowl for a little extra sweetness. 
• Plant-Based Chia Pudding Bowl: Experiment with other types of non-dairy milk in this recipe to find your favorite! Unsweetened almond milk is a great option. You could also try another plant-based milk like cashew milk or soy milk. 

What does it mean to be a Superfood? 

There are two main components of this First Watch chia pudding recipe that have earned “superfood” status: the chia and the berries. Let’s dig a little deeper:

Why is Chia a superfood? 

Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants. What does that mean to us?

• Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “healthy fats” that promote heart health. More specifically, they are linked to lowering triglycerides. Our bodies don’t make Omega-3 fatty acids, so it’s important to include them in our diets. 
• Fiber. Just a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds will deliver about 10g of fiber to your daily requirement. Fiber is an important part of gut health, helping to reduce constipation and aid in digestion. Fiber also has been shown to help control blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. 
• Protein. Two tablespoons of chia seeds have almost 5g of protein. While this isn’t a huge amount, it will still contribute to your daily requirement. Protein is essential for muscle building and cellular repair. 
• Antioxidants. Chia seeds actually contain more antioxidants than blueberries per serving! Antioxidants are big in terms of heart disease prevention and the prevention of certain cancers by reducing oxidative stress on our cells. 

Why are blueberries a superfood? 

Blueberries are a powerhouse of antioxidants, potassium and Vitamin C. And this is true for most berries as well! 

• Antioxidants. Blueberries are thought to have the highest concentrations of free radical-fighting antioxidants of any other fruit or vegetable. We need antioxidants to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. It’s also been shown that berries can help reduce blood pressure. 
• Potassium. We need it for healthy muscle function and to help move nutrients around the cells of our bodies. 
• Vitamin C. Essential for healing, boosting collagen and immunity, Vitamin C is found in abundance in both blueberries and strawberries. 

How does Chia work? 

Chia seeds are fascinating. They can absorb up to 10 times their weight in water! This is why we can create that nice, thicker pudding texture without any cooking.

This absorption ability also slows down digestion, which can prevent blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full longer. 

Also, like quinoa, chia seeds are a complete protein. This means that they contain all nine essential amino acids, which is somewhat rare for a plant-based food.

So, don’t ever feel bad about going for a second helping of this nutritious pudding! 

How to Store this First Watch Chia Pudding Recipe

Chia pudding is a nutritious breakfast that you can store easily, making it a good option for meal prep too.

Portion it out into individual servings and store them, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator. Or, store a whole batch in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Chia pudding will stay fresh in the fridge for about 5 days. If it becomes too thick, just give it a splash of milk or plant-based milk to thin out the consistency. 

When you make this First Watch chia pudding recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more healthy recipes, try these:

• Healthy Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten Free Dairy Free)
• Healthy Mediterranean Shrimp Salad Recipe (Low Carb)
• Low Carb Chicken Muffins Recipe (Easy and Healthy)

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