Strawberry Crumble Chia Pudding (Printable)
Luscious layered dessert with creamy chia, fresh strawberries, and crunchy oat topping
# What You'll Need:
→ Chia Pudding
01 - 1 2/3 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
02 - 5 tablespoons chia seeds
03 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Layer
05 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1–2 tablespoons sugar or maple syrup, to taste
→ Crumble Topping
08 - 2/3 cup gluten-free rolled oats
09 - 1/4 cup almond flour
10 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
12 - Pinch of salt
# How-to Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then whisk vigorously a second time to break up any clumps and ensure even gelation.
02 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight, until the mixture thickens to a smooth, pudding-like consistency.
03 - Combine the diced strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar or maple syrup in a bowl. Toss gently to coat and set aside to macerate while you prepare the crumble topping.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
05 - In a bowl, combine the gluten-free rolled oats, almond flour, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and salt. Mix until the mixture forms coarse, crumbly clusters. Spread evenly across the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the crumble turns a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the sheet to maintain its crunch.
07 - Spoon a layer of chia pudding into the bottom of each serving glass or jar. Add a generous spoonful of macerated strawberries over the pudding, then sprinkle with crumble topping. Repeat the layers as desired, finishing with the crumble on top.
08 - Serve immediately for the best textural contrast, or cover and chill until ready to enjoy. The crumble will soften over time if stored assembled.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- The contrast of creamy pudding, saucy berries, and crunchy crumble makes every spoonful feel like three desserts in one.
- It is genuinely easy to assemble, and you can prep every component ahead of time for effortless entertaining.
02 -
- That second whisk after 10 minutes is the single most important step, because once chia seeds clump together they are nearly impossible to separate later.
- The crumble loses its crunch quickly once assembled, so if you are prepping ahead store each component separately and build the jars right before serving.
03 -
- Toast the crumble a minute or two longer than you think you should, because that extra color translates to dramatically better flavor and crunch.
- Adding a tiny pinch of salt to the chia pudding itself, not just the crumble, creates a subtle complexity that makes people wonder what your secret is.