We have all heard the saying… “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” and while I believe it, I don’t always wake up with a desire to make myself something. Having something that is both nutritious, delicious and all ready to go is perfect for the mornings when I am running late or just feeling uninspired.
These berry chia parfaits are quite simple to bring together. We are combining fresh berries, almond milk (or your favorite milk) and chia seeds to create a naturally sweet chia pudding that will be layered with greek yogurt and more berries.
The layers are beautiful, the flavors are fresh and the ingredients are full of so many health benefits to get your day started right.
If this sounds like something you would love for breakfast then let’s get started…
The first step is to make the berry chia pudding. This step needs to happen a few hours to the night before you want to assemble the parfaits.
Chia seeds technically begin to expand within 20 minutes or so, but the longer they soak, the more nutrients will be activated in them. I like to make the pudding the night before, because the next morning I have a thick, creamy pudding with fully puffed chia seeds and this is really what we are looking for.
To make the pudding, blend 6 ounces of fresh berries with 2 cups of almond milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until the berries are nicely broken down. We will be adding more berries into the parfait, so leaving texture in the pudding is not necessary. Whisk 1/2 cup of chia seeds into the mixture and chill the pudding for a minimum of 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
Once your chia pudding has thickened, grab some greek yogurt (plain, vanilla or even a berry flavored yogurt will work great here), more fresh berries and I love adding some granola for a bit of crunch.
When it comes to layering your parfait, there is no wrong order of go. Whether you start with the berry chia pudding, the yogurt or the berries, just keep creating thin layers until you are happy with your creation.
This recipe will make 4-5 parfaits, depending on how big of a breakfast you prefer.
I like to have some of the fresh berries, granola and even some extra raw chia seeds on the very top of each parfait. There is something about opening those little jars and seeing something brightly colored and beautiful that makes me want to dig in every morning.
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- Berry Chia Parfait
If you are looking for a healthy breakfast that you can meal prep in advance then I would love for you to give these beautiful berry chia parfaits a try.
They are high in plant based protein, full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They have lots of wonderful flavors and textures with no chemicals, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, so you will be starting your day in a truly nutritious way.
Berry Chia Parfait
Ingredients
Berry Chia Pudding
- 6 ounces of fresh berries
- 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk (or your favorite milk)
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of chia seeds
Parfait Assembly
- 2+ cups of greek yogurt (plain, vanilla or berry flavored)
- 2+ cups of fresh berries
- granola or additional chia seeds (for garnishing)
Instructions
- Blend 6 ounces of fresh berries with 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk until smooth and transfer into a bowl
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 cup of chia seeds and mix until well combined
- Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours (preferably overnight)
- Divide and layer the berry chia pudding with greek yogurt and berries in 4 or 5 airtight dishes
- Chill for up to 5 days
