Cooking with Chia Seeds

Cooking with Chia Seeds
Cooking with Chia Seeds

Chia is a superfood seed which derives from Salvia Hispanica, a desert plant natively grown in South America. These tiny seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch, with one ounce containing roughly 139 calories, four grams of protein, eleven grams of fiber, nine grams of fat, and not to mention antioxidants and a healthy dose of calcium, manganese, and omega-3s. Unlike flax seeds, chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be easily absorbed by the body. Cooking with chia seeds is easy and effortless, since they lend well to cooked and raw foods, especially raw puddings. Their mild flavour makes them an ideal versatile ingredient to add to foods or beverages.

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What are the health benefits of chia seeds?

  • Provides energy
  • Boosts strength
  • Improves endurance
  • Levels out blood sugar
  • Aids with intestinal regularity
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Helps reduce acid reflux

How to incorporate chia seeds into recipes?

  • Add to yogurt, fruit purees, rice dishes, salads and salad dressings.
  • Use as a substitute for eggs in vegan recipes by mixing with water (1 tbs. chia seeds : 3 tbs. warm water). Let sit for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
  • Add to drinks and smoothies for a denser consistency.
  • Add a tablespoon or two to baked goods, such as muffins, breads, etc.
  • Sprinkle on cereals or mix into granola or energy bars.

Try these nutritious and delicious chia seed recipes:

Chia Seed Pudding with Date Paste
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Coconut Chia Pudding with Caramelized Pears

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Blueberry Chia Jam

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3-Ingredient Fig Chia Jam

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Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding

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Raspberry Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait

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Toasted Coconut & Chia Muffins

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Banana Peach Chia Smoothie

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Chocolate Chia Oatmeal Cookies

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Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Pudding

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62 thoughts on “Cooking with Chia Seeds”

  • BohemianBabushka 9 years ago

    Can’t get the Chia pets out of my mind, so thanks for posting so many yummy looking recipes; it’ll help Babushka have a different outlook. The muffins and chocolate chia oatmeal cookies look unbelievable, will be pinning this one! Gracias & BB2U.

  • I’ve heard a lot about chia seeds but haven’t tried these!! I would love to try these soon!!

  • Stephanie Pass 9 years ago

    I didn’t realize how many benefits chia seeds had. I just bought a package of them to incorporate into smoothies and other foods. I can’t wait to try.

  • Prairie Gal Cookin’ 9 years ago

    I never realized how much you could do with Chia seeds! We use them in smoothies mainly, but these ideas look so yummy – Thanks for sharing!

    I also wanted to mention that I’m having a link-up this Sunday (Sunday’s Simple Homemaker) on my website and would love if you drop in to link up – Each link gets a comment and I’ll be giving away a week of free advertising as well!

  • Cathy McInnes 9 years ago

    A friend introduced me to chia seeds! I love using them in my yogurt smoothies!
    Cathy

  • I got a bag of chia seeds from Trader Joe and I have been using them a lot in my smoothies. I really want to try the coconut muffins.

  • I have been putting Chia seeds in my food for quite some time now. I have them in my smoothies and yogurt but have yet to try baking with them.

  • Kristen Dann 9 years ago

    I’ve heard a lot about chia seeds but haven’t tried them yet. The Raspberry Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait sounds amazing!

  • I’ve still not tried Chia, but judging from my current headache I could use some. I’m a muffin kind of girl so that is a great way for me to give them a try.

    • They’re really easy to incorporate into recipes, especially baked goods. You can use them as a substitute for eggs as well (1 egg = 1 tbs. chia seeds + 3 tbs. warm water)

  • I want to try Chia seeds. I just don’t want to pay for a huge bag/box and I end up not liking them.

  • Miles Basilio 9 years ago

    I read many benefits that be derived from Chia seed. I should really give this a try.

  • Refresh Restyle 9 years ago

    I really need chia seeds in my life! I didn’t realize all the benefits and the recipes look amazing! We do 1-2 smoothies a day and this would be a great addition!

  • Travel blogger 9 years ago

    I have heard such great things about chia seeds but I had no idea how to prepare them. Thanks for the recipes!

  • Jeannette 9 years ago

    I am just starting to experiment with chai seeds but they are seriously amazing! I especially love them in smoothie bowls!

  • I love adding chia seeds to my smoothies and desserts. I’d love to try that recipe for chia seed pudding. It looks so delicious!

  • Oooh, I’d love to start using Chia seeds more often. These are some delicious recipes to start with!

  • Dina Demarest 9 years ago

    I need to get on the chia seed bandwagon. We eat smoothies so I know it’d be good to put them in there.

  • Alyssa Johnson 9 years ago

    I recently started putting chia seeds in my smoothies, and was really surprised at how much more full they kept me. I did learn that if I don’t soak them long enough, I need to bring floss with me because they always get stuck in my teeth. 😉

  • Alli Smith 9 years ago

    The Raspberry Pudding Parfait looks delicious! I’ve never cooked with chia seeds. I have tasted them and they taste great.

    • Thanks! I actually find that they don’t have very much flavour at all..which is good because they won’t alter the flavour of the recipes you put them in!

  • Lynn Dee 9 years ago

    Everything in here looks good especially the Chocolate Chia Oatmeal Cookies. Yum! I have to try chia seeds one of these days.

  • Kathy 9 years ago

    These looks like some wonderful recipes. I’ve never cooked with chia seeds before. I know they taste great though.

  • Ann Bacciaglia 9 years ago

    I have been interested in trying chia seeds. They are so good for you. I did not know there were so many ways to make them.

  • Christie @ Raising Whasians 9 years ago

    It’s a really great source of energy for everyone. It’s sometimes tough to get past that texture though. Great ways to cook with them

  • Kelli @ 3 Boys & a Dog 9 years ago

    What a great additive to put into your daily recipes! Sometimes it is hard to find the balance on all the nutritional factors we need for our bodies. This is a great answer and one we will be looking for in the next grocery trip! Thanks for sharing!

  • Ryan Escat 9 years ago

    Chia Seeds is new to me, but I found it interesting. It looks like healthy.

  • John Lopez 9 years ago

    I’ve never heard of Chia seeds, I guess I’m living in a cave. I would love to try this sometime soon.

  • Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey 9 years ago

    I’ve never really tried so much with chia seeds but I do know that it’a a superfood. I have to try some of these recipes.

  • chubskulit 9 years ago

    My kids love chia seeds on yogurt. I sometimes add this when I make energy bars.

  • victoria 9 years ago

    I never heard and cook about chia seed and it looks interesting for me, Gonna check this out

  • Gwen Mulholland 9 years ago

    I have never eaten chia seeds but after seeing these recipes I am going to have give it a try. My favorite is the cheesecake chia pudding, because I love cheesecake.

  • I have been eating chia seeds for quite a while now. The recipe strawberry cheesecake chia pudding looks so yummy!

  • Maggie Branch 9 years ago

    I love chia seeds in my morning smoothies but have never cooked with them. This was a great read!

  • I haven’t cooked with chia seeds before. I usually just add them to my yogurt. I will have to start cooking with them now.

  • Sara-Jayne Jones 9 years ago

    We’ve actually started to include many more chia seeds in our diet – I only noticed them about two months ago, but my boys seem to love them!

    • My kids love pudding and they love chia pudding. I’d much rather spend money on chia seeds and make my own pudding as opposed to buying sugary packaged puddings.

  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle 9 years ago

    I love this collection. Who would have thought that all of those little animals and heads that we used to grow were actually filled with healthy seeds!

  • Robin Rue 9 years ago

    I have never cooked with them, so I really had no idea how many things they could be used in. Good to know!

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