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Chia seeds are an incredibly adaptable ingredient. There are countless dishes you can work this superfood with…besides just pudding!
These recipes involving chia seeds allow you to fully experience their taste and texture. Read on!
BREAKFAST: Sweet Potato Toast With Chia
You may be well aware of the sweet potato toast, which followed the successful sweet potato chips rage. Today, sweet potato toast has many new takes, some sweet, some savory.
If you love savory sweet potato recipes, try something sweet for a change for your breakfast—with some chia to take things up a notch. This recipe is a combination of almond butter and banana on top of your sweet potato toast. Since the ingredients have nutty and mild flavor profiles, you don’t have to worry about your toast being unbearably sweet. The addition of chia seeds gives it that crunchy and nutritious twist. It’s a recipe that might just appease even those in your home who are usually skeptical about sweet potato!
To make your toast, toast the sweet potato in the toaster or under the grill. Make sure it is perfectly cooked, let it cool for a bit, and spread almond butter on top. Chop up a ripe banana and layer it over the almond butter. The final touch is a generous sprinkle of chia seeds.
It’s a simple and quick recipe overall. You’ll love the blend of flavors that this unique breakfast offers, as well as enjoy the texture thanks to the chia seeds.
MID-DAY SNACK: Chia Chocolate Truffles
Indulge in the fudgy, chocolaty goodness of these delectable chocolate truffles with chia seeds. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but are also vegan, free of refined sugar, nutritious, and convenient to carry.
Whether you’re health-conscious or simply looking for a quick energy boost, these truffles are the perfect go-to treat. Best of all, everyone in your household, from kids to elders, will love this treat. Whether you need a quick on-the-go snack or a treat for your child’s school lunch, these truffles have got you covered.
Added bonus: when you’re hit with those uncontrollable chocolate cravings, this is a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite sweet treat.
This recipe for healthy chocolate chia truffles is fairly simple. All you need is sugar-free melted chocolate, deseeded and softened dates, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, and chia seeds. Mix it all up by hand, shape it into balls, roll these around in cocoa powder or desiccated coconut, and you’re good to go.
Consider this recipe a lifesaver; you get to indulge your sweet tooth without going overboard on carbs or sugar. The additions of chia seeds mean you get plentiful protein, fiber, and omega 3s. It’s a total win-win!
LUNCH: Baked Chia & Chickpea Falafels
When it comes to vegan recipes, falafels make the top of the list of deliciousness. With a chia twist to a traditional recipe, i.e. the one that calls for presoaked chickpeas instead of precooked ones, these falafels reach a whole new level of texture and taste.
Not only are they incredibly yummy, but they’re also packed with nutrients. You’ll find that these falafels are even healthier than the traditional version. To create a batch of these chia falafels, gather dried chickpeas, garlic, red onion, cumin, cayenne, parsley, salt, baking powder, and of course, the star ingredient—chia seeds. After soaking the chickpeas overnight, toss them into a food processor along with the other ingredients. Blend until you have a rough paste resembling couscous. Pop the mixture in the fridge to chill.
You have two options for cooking the falafels. Either fry them, following the traditional method. If you want to keep things healthy, go for baking instead. Don’t forget: if you choose to bake the falafels, add a couple of teaspoons of oil while kneading the mixture. Whichever method you choose, the result will be a plateful of perfect, yummy and super-nutritious falafels perfection.
WORKOUT SNACK: Chia Energy Gel
Do you need a healthy energy gel to boost your strength and stamina while you’re training for a sport? This recipe for chia seed gel is appealing as well as economical when you compare it with any store-bought chia gel. The purpose of adding this chia seed gel to your workout routine is that it improves your hydration levels. Plus, there’s no refined sugar and an electrolyte balance—the perfect combination to keep your energy up.
Mix together a cupful of coconut water, a pinch of salt, and a spoonful of honey. Add a couple spoonful of chia seeds, mix well, fill up a jar, and put in the refrigerator overnight to let the chia seeks soak up the liquid.
Whenever you want to consume the gel, take out and have a spoonful. You can even put the gel in a small container or bag to take with you, but make sure you have it within a few hours for maximum freshness.
DINNER: Hummus With Chia Seeds
Nearly every other hummus recipe has it served as a dip with pita bread or veggies. However, it has so much more potential!
You can use hummus as a base for curries for dinner. Using the right ingredients, it can even be the highlight of a dish!
Today, we’re doing a chia hummus, which you can whip up a batch of in less than 15 minutes. It’s easy enough to prepare: combine tahini, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in your food processor. Then, blend until everything comes together nicely. Add boiled/dried chickpeas and continue processing until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
This is the best part—drizzle some olive oil, sprinkle a little paprika, and generously sprinkle chia seeds on top. This addition of chia seeds won’t interfere with the taste of hummus, but elevate it with that superb texture!
Don’t worry about leftovers, as you may make lots of hummus in one go. You can store your chia hummus in an airtight container for up to a week. That way, you’ll have an appetizing snack at hand for the coming days!
Final Note…
In each of these recipes, use the right amount of chia seeds. Too much or too little may keep you from truly enjoying the taste and texture. Also, don’t hesitate to add chia seeds to other dishes to make your daily meal much more interesting!
