How To Use Chia Seeds – The Ultimate Guide

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How to Use Chia Seeds – The Ultimate Guide

By Jessica Hoffman

Updated Apr 05, 2022, Published May 08, 2020

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Chia seeds are a powerhouse superfood with many nutritional perks, from calcium for bone strength to fibre for optimal digestion. This Ultimate Guide to Chia Seeds explains how to eat chia seeds, how to use chia seeds, why they are so beneficial, and what to look for when buying them!

What are Chia Seeds?
Where to buy Chia Seeds
How to use Chia Seeds
Chia pudding ratio
How to eat chia seeds
White vs black chia seeds
Chia seed troubleshooting
Are Chia Seeds Good for You?
Chia Seeds FAQ
Chia Seed Recipes to try

What are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are small black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, and they’ve around for hundreds of years! Chia seeds have a variety of health benefits, different uses in baking and cooking, and are known for the energy they provide!

They contain all of the Omegas (3, 6, and 9), an impressive amount of protein, fat, and fibre, and are easy to prepare and add to various recipes!

Where to buy Chia Seeds

Nowadays, you can buy chia seeds in any grocery store. Just look in the health food aisles, or near the nuts and seeds. Most bulk grocery stores have them in the self-serve aisles as well.

How to use Chia Seeds

Chia seeds can be prepared in many different ways, but the most common way is to soak them. By soaking them in different kinds of milk, fruit juices, or sauces, you can make Vanilla Chia Pudding, Chia Seed jam, or Chocolate Chia Mousse.

Chia seeds can expand 10x, absorbing both the liquid and the flavour that they’re sitting in. The more chia seeds you add, the more liquid you need to add – if you add more chia than liquid, some will remain raw and crunchy.

It’s okay to eat them raw, but if your goal is to make them soft and gel-like, more liquid will help. To soak chia seeds, the chia-to-liquid ratio depends on your desired texture.

Chia pudding ratio

For a runny consistency, you’ll need 6 parts of liquid per 1 part chia
- Ex: 1/4 cup chia, 1 1/2 cup liquid
For a thicker consistency, you’ll need 4 parts of liquid per 1 part chia
- Ex: 1/4 cup of chia, 1 cup liquid

chia seeds and almond milk in a mixing bowl with a blue whisk

How to eat chia seeds

Here are all the different ways chia seeds can be eaten or enjoyed

1. Baked goods, granolas, energy bites

If you’re not a fan of chia pudding don’t worry. Chia seeds can be enjoyed in baked goods by adding some to recipes like these Healthy Lemon Muffins, Banana Bread Granola and no-bake snacks like Key Lime Energy Bites. The chia seeds will be pretty undetectable when you use them in these types of recipes.

2. Puddings

I already mentioned that chia pudding is one of the most popular ways to enjoy chia seeds! It’s tasty and perfect to enjoy for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert. There are so many different types of flavours you can try from Blueberry Chia Pudding to Mango Chia Pudding, and you can add any of your favourite fruits, nuts or seeds on top.

3. Savoury recipes

Chia seeds are often thought to be used in sweet recipes and breakfast recipes, but did you know you can add chia seeds to your favourite savoury recipes? Try sprinkling some chia seeds in a superfood salad, or using them in place of flax seeds in recipes like this vegan lentil loaf.

4. Drinks

Add 1-2 tsp of chia seeds to your Healthy Breakfast Smoothies in the morning for an extra nutrition boost, or try a Chia Fresca for an afternoon pick me up!

5. Sprinkle

Chia seeds make a great “sprinkle” that can be added on top of any sweet or savoury recipe that you would add some seeds or nuts too. Try sprinkling some chia seeds on your smoothie bowls like this Strawberry Smoothie Bowl, Fruit and Yogurt Parfait or Buddha Bowl Recipes.

White vs black chia seeds

When shopping for chia seeds, you may notice that there are two different kinds, black and white. Black chia seeds are a lot more common than white chia seeds, but honestly, there aren’t that many differences.

Black chia seeds have slightly more protein content, whereas white chia seeds have slightly more Omega-3’s.

However, try to avoid brown chia seeds if you happen to find them. True chia seeds are black or white in color, and brown seeds won’t have the same nutritional value.

Chia seed troubleshooting

If you’ve tried cooking with chia seeds before, but aren’t sure how to use them, it can be a little frustrating! Here are some common issues that come with using chia seeds, and how to fix them.

Why aren’t my chia seeds gelling?

Time: Gelling chia seeds takes time! Recipes like chia pudding are best when chia sits in liquid for a few hours, or even overnight. If you want your chia seeds to have that gel-like consistency, they need to sit for a minimum of 20 minutes to absorb the liquid. Be patient!
Liquid: If there’s not enough liquid in the bowl with your chia seeds, not all of them will gel! Make sure that you have enough liquid for all of the seeds to absorb, at least 4 parts liquid for every 1 part chia seeds.
Quality: If your chia seeds are old, they might not absorb liquids that well! Check your expiration dates, and make sure to store your chia seeds in a cool, dry place.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating chia seeds?

Digestion: Because chia seeds are so high in fibre, some people can get stomach pains after eating them. Your stomach may not be used to digesting chia seeds yet, so start consuming them in small quantities. Soaking them also helps ease digestion, rather than eating them raw.
Quantity: When it comes to fibre, too much can be detrimental to your day. Eating too many chia seeds can put a strain on your gut, and cause bloating or “movement” issues if you catch my drift. Try not to eat more than 2 Tbsp of chia seeds a day (that’s 2 Tbsp before soaking) for optimal digestion if you’re struggling to digest chia seeds.

Are Chia Seeds Good for You?

Chia seeds are a total nutrition powerhouse. Each tiny seed packs in a lot of nutrients! The standard serving size is two tablespoons, which gives a lot of chia once they’re soaked. Chia seeds are loaded with health benefits like fibre, protein, healthy fats, calcium, and antioxidants. The healthy fats are protected by antioxidants, so they don’t go rancid while sitting at room temperature.

Chia seeds are also loaded with Omegas 3, 6, and 9, but mostly Omega-3’s. Their vitamins and nutrients help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce risk against heart disease and diabetes, and contain elements like calcium and phosphorous to keep your bones strong and healthy.

Chia Seeds FAQ

Can you eat raw chia seeds?

Yes! Raw chia seeds carry the same health benefits as soaked chia seeds. They’re a great option to cook with or add to no bake granola bars!

What’s a good substitute for chia seeds?

Texture-wise in baking, flaxseeds are a good substitute for chia seeds. However, flaxseeds do have a more earthy flavour and don’t gel like chia seeds do.

What do chia seeds taste like?

On their own, they’re pretty bland, so they will adapt to the flavour of whatever you’re cooking them with.

Can chia seeds help you lose weight?

Chia seeds are high in fibre and Omega-3’s, so they could help with weight loss! Also, because chia expands in your stomach and when in contact with liquid, they make you feel fuller for longer.

Can I add chia sees to water and drink it?

Yes!

The best way to do this is to add 1-2 tbsp of chia seeds to 500ml of water and let it sit for at least an hour to gel. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavour.

How many chia seeds should you eat in a day?

It’s recommended to eat 20 grams (about 1.5 tablespoons) two times per day, or 40 grams (3 tablespoons) once per day.

Chia Seed Recipes to try

If you’re ready to try using chia seeds, here are some great recipes you’ll love. They all use chia seeds in unique ways, so from pudding to bread, grab your bag of chia seeds in your pantry and start cooking!

Classic Vanilla Chia Pudding
Snickers Chia Pudding
Quick & Easy Chia Seed Jam
Golden Milk Latte Chia Pudding
Superfood Granola Bars
Whole-Grain Buckwheat & Chia Bread
Vegan Double Chocolate Chia Mousse
Tropical Coconut Chia Pops
Maple Pecan Granola
Chai Latte Chia Pudding
Cinnamon Apple Chia Pudding

Hi, I'm Jess!

Choosing Chia is a blog all about healthy vegetarian recipes that are easy to follow, taste delicious and focus on wholesome ingredients. I started the blog after a spontaneous trip to India where I studied the practice of yoga and wellness.

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6 Comments

Can you mixe seeds with bread crumbs to cook chicken or fish Anastasia H
Reply
1. Hi Anastasia, you can definitely mix in about 1 tbsp of chai seeds breadcrumbs as a coating.
  Reply
I have used chia seeds before, but the ones I have now won’t gel, regardless of how long I leave them in liquid or how much liquid I use. Do I need to toss or can I use them some other way ? Thank you! Love your site!
Reply
1. Hi Gail! I’ve heard of this happening for some people with certain chia seeds. I’ve never had this issue myself but it’s likely the chia seeds are stale. I’d recommend trying a different brand in this case!
  Reply
I bought chia seeds in amazon after 24 hours of soaking its size is not increased can i ate them is it harmful duplicate product
Reply
1. Hi Hema, if you’re chia seeds you bought aren’t gelling they are probably stale. I’d buy some new ones!
  Reply