Chia seeds are an excellent source of a number of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and adding them into your diet can be easy and super tasty, too. They have virtually no flavor, so you can toss them in just about anything to instantly boost the nutritional value.
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In some dishes, you don't even notice their texture, which is similar to that of a poppy seed. But they can also be used to completely transform certain foods from simple ingredients into an impressive and healthy meal, snack, or condiment. When soaked, they serve as a thickener, so they can turn things like milk or yogurt into a rich pudding or custard. You can even use them to turn a simple fruit puree into a spreadable jam. So cool!
Click through our gallery to see 41 of our favorite chia smoothies, drinks, treats, snacks, and more.
These chia crackers provide the perfect crunch.
Seedy chia crackers are full of protein and nutrients and offer the perfect crunch for sweet or savory dishes. Crumble them on your yogurt or smoothie, spread them with cream cheese, or dip them in your favorite soup.
Get the full recipe from Bon Appétit.
Try adding chia to your water.
One of the easiest ways to get the benefits of chia seeds is to simply add a spoonful to your water and drink up. Water infused with fruit and fortified with chia seeds is a great option for staying hydrated.
Get the full recipe from The Skinny Fork.
This peanut butter chocolate chia pudding looks decadent.
Chia pudding is a popular "clean" dessert and can be made with any kind of milk and chia seeds, but the incredible combo of chocolate and peanut butter gives this healthy treat an instant upgrade.
Get the full recipe from A Saucy Kitchen.
Let chia seeds boost up your breakfast with this coconut lime chia pancakes recipe.
If you don't like the seedy texture of chia seeds, but still want the benefits, pancakes are a great way to consume them. You won't even notice them in these flavor-packed coconut lime chia pancakes.
Get the full recipe from Divalicious Recipes.
No-bake chia energy bites are a great healthy snack.
These no-bake chia energy bites are a great quick, easy, and healthy snack to have on hand. Make a batch or two at once and you can snack on them all week.
Get the full recipe from My Fussy Eater.
You can make these chocolate peanut butter chia bars with just five ingredients.
These vegan chocolate peanut butter chia bars are naturally sweetened with dates and have a rich chocolate flavor profile.
Get the full recipe from My Sequined Life.
This strawberry chia jam is so easy to make!
This strawberry chia jam has only three all-natural ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Get the full recipe from Well Plated.
A cucumber-lime chia agua fresca sounds super refreshing.
This cucumber lime agua fresca with chia seeds sounds like the most refreshing drink for a hot summer day. It's mostly fruit and vegetable juices with a little sugar and a nutritional boost from the chia seeds.
Get the full recipe from Onion Rings and Things.
Strawberry chia fruit leather is perfect for kids.
Serve your niños this strawberry chia fruit leather for a snack and they'll think you're giving them candy, but it's literally just fresh strawberries and chia seeds. Nothing else!
Get the full recipe at Super Healthy Kids.
Coffee chia pudding sounds like an excellent afternoon pick-me-up.
I love combining my afternoon caffeine fix with my snack, and this coffee chia seed pudding sounds like a great way to do it. Or, serve it with whipped cream and call it dessert.
Get the full recipe from Nutritionist Meets Chef.
This chocolate orange chia pudding would make an elegant dessert.
The dark chocolate and fresh orange flavor profile of this chia pudding makes it seem elegant enough to serve to guests.
Get the full recipe at A Saucy Kitchen.
These lemon chia pancakes are light and healthy.
These gluten-free lemon chia pancakes are made with oat flour, fresh lemon juice, and maple syrup, making them a healthy, filling breakfast option.
Get the full recipe from Whitney E. R.D.
This beet and strawberry chia pudding packs a nutritional punch.
The gorgeous color of this beet and strawberry chia pudding isn't the only thing it has going for it. It's full of vitamins and minerals that will help you feel good all day.
Get the full recipe from Emilie Eats.
This honeydew chia smoothie would make a great summer snack.
This honeydew chia smoothie is light, refreshing and hydrating. It would also be a great way to use up any leftover melon before it goes bad.
Get the full recipe from Cooking LSL.
This coconut chia smoothie tastes like a milkshake.
This coconut chia smoothie is made with coconut milk and Greek yogurt and is sweetened with an apple, so it's actually low in calories.
Get the full recipe The Diary of a Debutante.
This chocolate avocado chia pudding is more like a mousse.
This ultra-creamy chocolate avocado chia pudding is packed with superfoods like coconut oil and raw honey.
Get the full recipe from The Iron You.
Coconut Chia pudding with mango puree is a tropical treat.
This simple coconut chia pudding is topped with a fresh mango puree for a refreshing and healthy tropical-inspired treat.
Get the full recipe from Choosing Chia.
This pistachio chia smoothie sounds more like a dessert.
This delicious pistachio chia shake has the texture of a milkshake but all the nutrition of a smoothie.
Get the full recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.
Up your protein intake with this delicious chocolate chia protein pudding.
The addition of protein powder makes this chocolate chia protein pudding an excellent option for a post-workout breakfast.
Get the full recipe from Running on Real Food.
These peach mango coconut chia smoothies look so yummy!
My kids would go nuts for this fruity peach mango coconut chia smoothie.
Get the full recipe from The Roasted Root.
This lemon turmeric smoothie is incredibly good for you.
The lemon-turmeric combination of this chia seed smoothie means it's absolutely brimming with health and detox properties.
Get the full recipe from Evolving Table.
Cardamom and rose make this chia pudding unique.
If you love unique flavors, this cardamom and rose chia pudding is a must-try. Plus, it's made with real cream and vanilla, so it's really luxurious.
Get the full recipe from The Macadames.
Try this easy Almond Joy flavored chia smoothie.
To make this Almond Joy flavored chia smoothie, you just need a few basic ingredients like almond milk, banana, and shredded coconut.
Get the full recipe from Grain Crazy.
This hybrid detox smoothie/chia pudding is so beautiful!
This detox smoothie/chia pudding is so pretty you almost don't want to eat it. But … you should. It's packed with nutrients from chia seeds, avocados, beets, and strawberries.
Get the full recipe from Alpha Foodie.
This chia acai breakfast jar is a perfectly balanced option.
Thanks to healthy doses of chia, berries, almond butter, and bananas, this layered breakfast jar is a complete meal.
Get the full recipe from The Awesome Green.
Try this supergreens chia pudding to add more veggies to your diet.
This chia pudding is made hearty and nutritious with the additions of spinach and Greek yogurt.
Get the full recipe from Poppies and Papayas.
This cherry berry chia smoothie is as tasty as it is pretty.
This cherry blueberry chia smoothie uses coconut water instead of milk or yogurt, which not only makes it vegan, but low-calorie as well.
Get the full recipe from The Wholesome Dish.
Blueberry and vanilla make this chia pudding super-flavorful.
Topped with granola and fortified with protein powder, this vanilla blueberry chia pudding is a perfect breakfast.
Get the full recipe from All Good Health.
I could drink this refreshing pina colada smoothie every day.
Coconut milk and pineapple make this chia seed smoothie creamy and incredibly flavorful, but it's also super easy to throw together.
Get the full recipe from The Suburban Soapbox.
The tropical flavors in this mango kiwi chia seed smoothie bowl are mouthwatering.
This mango kiwi chia seed smoothie bowl is a fun and beautiful way to get in your fruit servings for the day. It's even vegan and gluten free.
Get the full recipe from Beaming Baker.
This peanut butter banana chia smoothie is a kid-pleaser.
This low carb peanut butter banana chia smoothie uses banana extract instead of actual bananas, which makes it a great option for diabetics or anyone watching their sugar intake. But the flavor profile is still kid-friendly, and thanks to the peanut butter and Greek yogurt, it has plenty of protein.
Get the full recipe from A Sweet Life.
This watermelon smoothie has the flavor of an agua fresca, without the added sugar.
This summery watermelon strawberry chia seed smoothie combines a classic agua fresca flavor profile with almond milk and a banana to create a creamy, refreshing snack.
Get the full recipe from Minimalist Baker.
You probably already have everything on hand for this strawberry banana chia smoothie.
This strawberry banana chia smoothie is simple, but creamy, filling and flavorful.
Get the full recipe from Joy, Love, Food.
Try this antioxidant-rich blackberry chia smoothie.
This blackberry smoothie is easy and quick to make, and is full of antioxidants and vitamin C.
Get the full recipe from Del's Cooking Twist.
Jazz up the standard banana smoothie with this chai and chia version.
If you're bored with your typical banana smoothie, try adding chai spices, protein powder and chia seeds to it for a tasty switch up.
Get the full recipe from Whole and Heavenly Oven.
This layered berry smoothie chia pudding would make a filling breakfast.
This beautiful layered berry smoothie/chia pudding combo, uses a basic chia pudding recipe as a nutritious and textural layer between two filling smoothies that use oats and yogurt for staying power.
Get the full recipe from Baking-Ginger.
This chocolate chia smoothie is good enough to be dessert.
Did we mention this is actually a green smoothie? That's right, with this chocolate chia smoothie you can get your chocolate fix and your veggies in one.
Get the full recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
A banana mango chia smoothie is perfect for breakfast.
This banana mango smoothie with chia seeds uses just five ingredients, including orange juice and almond milk. It would be awesome for a quick, flavorful breakfast.
Get the full recipe at Family Fresh Meals.
Drink this triple berry chia detox smoothie to get your diet back on track.
This triple berry detox smoothie with chia seeds uses frozen berries, so you can make it any time of year and still get all of the nutritional benefits.
Get the full recipe from The Scrumptious Pumpkin.
This raspberry almond chia smoothie is the prettiest color.
The stunning pink color of this raspberry almond chia smoothie is special, but so is the drink itself. It's packed with nutrition from almonds, chia seeds, Greek yogurt and beautiful bright raspberries.
Get the full recipe from Delightful E Made.
Drink this detox green smoothie with chia seeds to help you slim down.
This healthy detox green smoothie with chia seeds features an entire cup of spinach in each serving, with banana and pineapple to add creaminess and flavor.
Get the full recipe from Ally's Cooking.
