Tropical Green Chia Pudding with Coconut Crunch (gluten-free, vegan)

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect the whole chia pudding trend to last as long as it has.  However, I think I cast that judgement before I actually TRIED chia pudding!  Super healthy, yummy, easy to make and incredibly versatile, it’s no wonder that it’s had such staying power.

I love green smoothies (another trend that I hope never goes away) and still have a ‘thing’ for chia pudding, so I figured, why not mix the two?  And while I’m at it, why not top it all off with a ridiculously delicious coconut crunch… because life is simply too short to eat healthy food that doesn’t actually taste good!

Now I know that there’s a small percent of the population that doesn’t like coconut.  If you fall into this category (I will never understand how someone can’t like coconut for the record), stop reading now. Seriously, this one is jammed with coconut everything!

I’ve been using the Genuine Health products for a while now, and have found that I like to mix it up by incorporating the green supplement products into other foods.  A smoothie is an obvious one (see my 10 Day Smoothie Challenge from this year and last year for some smoothie inspo), and I’ve also made these delicious Date Power Bars that taste SO decadent but are packed with healthy ingredients.  This time I wanted to make a chia pudding that was a bit unique but still easy to make.  After a few tries I created this superfood-packed pudding with layers of pretty goodness at every bite!

Chia seeds are of course rich in fibre and healthy plant protein, and when mixed with coconut milk and almond milk (it’s less rich this way), it provides a perfect base to add layers of anything your little heart desires.  Like this green superfood ‘smoothie’ layer that is absolutely loaded with nutrition to supercharge your day thanks to the spinach, avocado (healthy monounsaturated fat), tropical fruit rich in vitamin C and fibre and of course the Genuine Health fermented whole body nutrition with greens+.  I appreciate that Genuine Health uses fermented antioxidant-rich ingredients such as spirulina, beets, carrots and broccoli to increase the absorption of the nutrients and help nourish our gut bacteria, and that this product also contains 13 grams of plant based protein in every 2 scoop serving to help keep you fuelled.

I love chia pudding but I confess that I usually find myself tiring of the texture after a few bites. Problem solved with the addition of a bright layer of tropical green smoothie, piles of fresh berries and a generous spoonful of coconut crunch to top it off.  I added coconut extract to the crunch and pudding layers to give it an extra boost of coconut flavour, but you don’t have to add it!  Assuming that you use certified gluten-free versions of the ingredients here, the pudding is gluten-free, and can be made vegan easily by substituting maple syrup for the honey.

Makes 3-4 servings

Coconut Chia Pudding

• 400ml can of coconut milk
• 250ml vanilla almond milk
• 1-2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup*
• ½ tsp. coconut extract (optional)
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 c. chia seeds

*depending on how sweet you like it, you can also leave it out entirely: use maple syrup if you want to make it vegan

Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Stir well and leave in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.  Make the coconut crumble and superfood layer below while the pudding firms up.

 

Coconut Crunch

• 1 c. large flake oats
• ¼ c. hemp seeds
• ½ c. shredded coconut, unsweetened
• ½ c. ribbon coconut, unsweetened
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ¼ tsp. coconut extract (optional)
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• ¼ c. melted coconut oil
• generous pinch of sea salt

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl and spread on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake until the mixture is golden brown, for approximately 20 minutes, stirring half way through.  Set aside to cool.

 

Green Tropical Superfood Layer

• 2 scoops Genuine Health fermented whole body nutrition with greens+, unflavoured
• 1 c. chopped peeled kiwi (2 kiwis), plus extra for garnish
• ½ large banana
• 1 c. chopped fresh pineapple
• ½ medium avocado
• ½ c. water or coconut water
• 1 c. loosely packed spinach leaves

PLUS 1 c. of your favourite fresh berries to top the pudding

Blend all of the ingredients except the berries together in a blender until smooth.

To assemble, place thin slices of peeled kiwi fruit on the inside of the glass as shown.  Layer the chia pudding in a short clear cup followed by a layer of the green superfood and another layer of the chia pudding to fill the cup to the 3/4 mark (depending on the size of your cup).  Top with the coconut crunch and a pile of fresh berries.

This post was sponsored by Genuine Health, all opinions are my own!  Please consult a physician prior to using the fermented whole body nutrition with greens+ product if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any of the conditions listed here.