Wondering what to do with these tiny but mighty seeds? Check out 30 easy vegan chia seed recipe ideas!

By Lora O’Brien

Chia seeds may be tiny,  but don’t judge these beauties on their size – they pack an almighty nutritional punch!  They contain vital antioxidants, Omegas 3 and 6, fibre, essential amino acids, and even a decent portion of protein.

But, how can you actually eat them, you ask? Well, pretty much any way you like, really! They’re perfect for sprinkling on just about anything, from cakes and toast to soups and salads. As they have practically no flavour, they’ll take on whichever taste you add to them.

Since they absorb 10 times their weight in liquid, they become tapioca-like when soaked in something like a smoothie or juice, but they are a bit crunchy when in their dry state. Their ability to thicken liquids make them a fantastic egg substitute in recipes for things like pancakes or muffins, too.

Yep, there’s plenty you can do with this newfound superfood, which actually hails from that culinary darling of a country, Peru. In fact, I’ve found 30 vegan chia seed recipe ideas for you to try.

Whether you decide  to add them to your breakfast porridge, base your dessert around them, or add them to your pancake mix, you’ll soon be finding you need chia seeds in your kitchen at all times!

30 Easy Vegan Chia Seed Recipe Ideas

1. Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding

What a way to start the day! Vegan yogurt and a plethora of juicy, ripe fruits meet our favourite healthy seeds. I love the touch of mint, too!

Get the recipe here.

2. Chai Spiced Banana Smoothie

Who knew? Chia spices work brilliantly with the sweetness of bananas, especially when enhanced with a little maple syrup. Again, adding chia seeds to your smoothies will help fill you up faster and for longer, meaning you won’t be ravenous half an hour later.

Get the recipe here. 

3. Chia Oat Banana Pancakes

Going vegan doesn’t mean missing out; it just means finding alternatives to your favourite recipes. I remember how long it took me to make successful vegan pancakes, and when I first discovered a ‘chia egg’ it was a lifesaver. It allows you to make fluffy pancakes like these – noms!

Get the recipe here.

4. Peanut Butter Banana Chia Oatmeal

Peanut butter and bananas were simply made to go together – the combo is heavenly! The ripened banana slices in this recipe add a natural sweetness, whilst chia seeds pack in a ton of nutrition whilst also helping to make the oats nice and fluffy. Tip: Struggling to make your peanut butter runny enough to drizzle over your oatmeal? Add 1/2 teaspoon of melted coconut to 2 tbsp of peanut butter and it’ll be the perfect consistency!

Get the recipe here.

5. Pumpkin Spice Chia Seed Pudding

Who said pumpkin was just for fall? I love to make pumpkin infused recipes all year round, and this chia seed pudding is the bomb! A gooey chia pudding base that’s topped off with maple toasted walnuts and jammy figs? It will feel as though you’re having dessert for breakfast – it’s that good.

Get the recipe here.

6. Super Seedy Granola Bars  

It’s important to always have healthy snacks on hand to stop you from reaching for the junk food. So why not turn your love of granola into some handy snack bars? Packed with 4 different kinds of seeds: hemp, sunflower, flax and chia, these bars are healthy and won’t leave you feeling sluggish. Enjoy them after a workout, at work, or just as a weekend snack.

Get the recipe here.

7. Lemon & Chia Seed Muffins

Tangy sponge, delicate frosting and a bit of crunch–who wouldn’t love these muffins? I was delighted to find this healthified version of traditional poppy seed muffins that use Omega rich chia instead.

Get the recipe here.

8. Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls

These lemon energy balls are packed full with delicious citrusy flavours, whilst infused with the healing spice that is turmeric,as well as the superfood that is chia seeds! Not only do these taste the bomb, they’re immunity boosting, refined sugar-free, rich in fibre and offer some plant-based protein. Perfect for snacking on.

Get the recipe here.

9. Raw Hemp & Chia Seed Bars

Upgrade your snacking routine with these delicious hemp and chia seed bars! They’re packed full of nutrients, flavour, and amazing textures. Make these at the beginning of the week to ensure you’ll snack healthy throughout the week – they’re also perfect for sneaking into lunchboxes.

Get the recipe here.

10. Five Ingredient Spelt & Chia Seed Banana Bread

I love banana bread, but sometimes it can be packed full of sugar, so it really feels more of a sin than a treat. Chia seeds work as the egg in this recipe thanks to their gel-like consistency, and zero sugar has been added. Make sure your bananas are super ripe and spotty before making this bread so they’ll naturally sweeten it.

Get the recipe here.

11. Kale & Rosemary Super Seed Crackers

These super seed crackers aren’t only healthy, they’re packed full of nutritious ingredients, too. They’re also gluten free, so are great for anyone with allergies. They taste fab on their own, or you can enjoy them with your favourite vegan dip or spread (like the chilli jam above).

Get the recipe here.

12. Mixed Bean Salad With Tomato Vinaigrette

This is a super easy salad to whip up at a moment’s notice, and even works well as a side dish. This recipe uses mixed beans, but you could use whatever beans are available or in season when making this. Chia seeds will work to thicken the dressing.

Get the recipe here.

13. Sweet & Spicy Golden Chia Pizza

Why order a bland, boring, doughy pizza when you can make your own? Especially when it’s as vibrant and yummy as this? The crispy crust is topped with a sweet, spicy and slightly sticky sauce, and then you can pretty much top it off with whatever takes your fancy.

Get the recipe here.

14. Chia & Fennel Green Pizza

Looking for a dinner recipe with a clean and green vibe? This recipe is perfect if you like your pizza on the light side, too. Fennel seeds work brilliantly with the garlic infused pesto sauce, and if you can’t get hold of fresh artichokes, then buy marinaded ones and throw them on top. Game. Changer.

Get the recipe here.

15. Flourless Zucchini Chia Savory Breakfast Muffins

Muffins don’t need to be sweet, right? These savory zucchini muffins are the perfect brekkie if you’re not to keen on sweet stuff. The texture of these is surprisingly soft & fluffy, and they’re perfect for anyone avoiding gluten.

Get the recipe here.

16. Curried Carrot Chickpea Chia Burgers

Who doesn’t love a hearty vegan burger? And this recipe is everything that makes a burger a success: crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside. These patties are made with carrots, chickpeas and chia seeds, and are infused with an exotic curry aroma. They’re then topped with a silky smooth and creamy dill-lime cashew cream. Per-fection!

Get the recipe here.

17. Easy Vegan Meatballs

These are so delicious, no one will even guess that they’re not only healthy, but made with just lentils, veggies and a little chilli sauce. Serve these bad boys with pasta, tossed through a salad or even in a wrap!

Get the recipe here.

18. Roasted Garlic & Chia Guacamole

If you’ve never roasted a garlic before, you have to go do it, like, ASAP! It’s a game changer! Once roasted, the garlic becomes thick and creamy, making it the perfect temperature to cream into some guac. Just mix in some lime zest and a sprinkle of chia seeds, and you’ve got a killer dip recipe.

Get the recipe here.

19. Sweet Potato Latkes with Spiked Apple Sauce

Surprisingly, these chia seed infused latkes actually go super well with a little applesauce. That’s because thanks to the sweet potato, they’re a little sweet and a little savory. Combined, they’re a whole lot of yum!

Get the recipe here.

20. Blueberry Chia Seed Fruit Roll Ups

I’m thrilled to have found a healthy version of those delicious fruity roll-ups that have pretty much become a lunchbox staple. Even if you’re not a fan of fruit, give these a try – they’re more like a dessert, but way healthier than most.

Get the recipe here.

21. Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Like most vegan cheesecake recipes, the crust here is made from walnuts and dates, and the filling itself is made from a creamy cashew mixture. But the difference here is that this cake is then infused with a sweet, gooey chia jam. Yum!

Get the recipe here.

22. Chocolate & Coconut Chia Seed Mousse

The usual chia seed dessert is some kind of parfait or mousse, but this one is truly exceptional. It’s light and fluffy, and comes with a contrastingly crunchy coconut topping.

Get the recipe here.

23. Jam & Granola Crumble Bars

The base of these bars is sweet biscuits that are bound together with sweet, sticky dates. The middle layer is chia seed berry jam, and they’re then topped off with delicious granola. You can keep it simple and use a granola you already have on hand, or if you’re feeling super snazzy, why not make your own?

Get the recipe here.

24. Chocolate Orange Chia Pudding

The combination of chocolate and orange is both indulgent and refreshing at the same time. This chia pudding can be made on a whim – it’s that easy. And the end result? A rich, creamy chia dessert that’s secretly pretty damn healthy!

Get the recipe here.

25. Coffee & Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Calling all coffee lovers! This is one of the best vegan chia seed recipe ideas for you! This recipe is super easy to make with minimal ingredients, and the rich, adult flavours of chocolate, coffee and coconut really shine through.

Get the recipe here.

26. Chia & Beet Mousse Parfaits

How stunning are these? These parfaits are one of the best vegan chia seed recipe ideas to make an impression for guests! Not only does beetroot add a wonderful, vibrant hue to this recipe, it’s also great for lowering blood pressure and boosting your immune system. Tip: Not keen on the earthy taste of beets? Swap out beetroot for beetroot powder for a more mild flavour.

Get the recipe here.

27. Fudgy Vegan Brownies

These dessert bites are crispy on the outside, and soft and gooey on the inside – the way every brownie should be in my humble opinion. If you love chocolate, you’ll love these; they’re rich, they’re decadent and they’re quick to bake, meaning you have just enough time to make yourself a coffee before they’re out of the oven and ready to be wolfed down!

Get the recipe here.

28. Chocolate Chia Ice Cream

Love chocolate ice cream? You’ll adore this chocolate-chia ice cream recipe. It’s super rich, and is made sweet natural sources such as medjool dates. Make a batch of this and pop it into your freezer so you have chocolate ice cream on hand whenever the sweet tooth strikes.

Get the recipe here.

29. Peach & Blueberry Chia Granola Cups

A crunchy granola base is stuffed with a creamy chia pudding, then topped with juicy peaches and fresh blueberries. How could you say no?

Get the recipe here.

30. Tropical Chia Protein Parfait

Looking for the ultimate protein hit? This parfait is just oozing with the stuff! Not only from the chia seeds, but also from the addition of a vegan protein powder. Definitely one of the best vegan chia seed recipe ideas to make after a workout!

Get the recipe here.

See the main image credit and recipe here.