By Jennifer Whitmire, MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP

This dairy free cinnamon pecan chia pudding/mousse is one of those recipes I rely on when I want something that feels comforting, and steady without requiring much effort. As a matter of fact, I have been making it daily for over a week, and if you know me, you know I very rarely repeat recipes.

This dairy free pudding works equally well as breakfast or a simple dessert. The ingredients are simple, the method is fast, and the result is creamy and supportive for blood sugar and digestion.

Unlike traditional chia pudding that relies on whole seeds soaking overnight, this WFPB version is fully blended. Blending the chia seeds creates a smooth, mousse-like texture that is easier to digest and more appealing for people who do not enjoy the gelled texture of soaked chia. It also allows the flavors to blend more evenly, creating a pudding that feels comforting.

This is a plant based recipe that demonstrates how whole food plant-based meals can be comforting, filling, and practical. There is no oil, no refined sweetener, and no unnecessary ingredients. Everything in this bowl serves a purpose.

Cinnamon Pecan Chia Pudding Mousse  

This recipe makes two generous servings and comes together in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons chia seeds

1¼ cups water

½ ripe banana, or 1 date or 1-2 teaspoons monk fruit extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup lupini flakes or a clean, single-ingredient protein powder

¼ cup raw pecans+ more for topping

1 teaspoon vanilla

Optional additions (choose based on what you need):

½ cup cooked chickpeas  

2 tablespoons almond butter  

1 avocado

Toppings

Berries, Hemp seeds, Pecans, yogurt, …

Instructions

1. Add the water, chia seeds, ½ banana, cinnamon, additional protein source (lupini flakes, protein powder, chickpeas, …), pecans, and any optional additions to a high-speed blender. 
2. Blend until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. The mixture should be thick, creamy, and spoonable, similar to a mousse.
3. Divide the pudding evenly between two jars or bowls. While it can be eaten right away, the texture improves if it rests in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the chia to fully hydrate and the flavors to settle.

Topping Ideas

I like to top this pudding with a dollop of homemade, unsweetened plant-based yogurt for a tart contrast and creaminess. Frozen berries, because that’s one of my favorite foods, and it adds antioxidants and sweetness. Blueberries, cherries, or mixed berries work well.

To finish, I add one tablespoon of hemp seeds to each serving and a few pecan halves for more texture and staying power.

Why This Recipe Supports Steady Energy

This dairy free chia pudding mousse is a great example of how whole food plant-based meals support blood sugar balance naturally. The fiber from all of the whole ingredients, the healthy fats from nuts and seeds, and the small amount of natural sweetness from berries and/or banana work together to provide slow, steady energy.

Cinnamon adds warmth and supports glucose regulation, while blending the ingredients makes the pudding easier on digestion. The result is a meal that feels calming, safe, and supportive.

Simple Variations That Still Feel Supportive

This recipe is intentionally flexible. On days when digestion feels sensitive, adding chickpeas creates a softer, more soothing texture. When you want something more filling or comforting, almond butter or avocado adds richness without refined ingredients.

You can also adjust the spice profile slightly with vanilla powder or a pinch of cardamom or even raw cacao if you want variety without changing the structure of the recipe.

A Recipe That Fits Real Life

One of the reasons I come back to this chia pudding so often is that it fits into real life. It takes minutes to prepare, uses ingredients I already have on hand, and keeps well in the refrigerator. It is the kind of recipe that supports consistency, because it feels good to eat and easy to repeat.

When food feels supportive, habits tend to stick.

If this way of eating resonates with you, I would love to welcome you inside The Culinary Healing Circle. 

Inside, we focus on simple, nutrient-dense, whole food plant-based meals like this one, along with herbs, routines, and everyday practices that support gut health, immune balance, and steady energy.

We cook together, learn together, and build habits that last because they feel supportive.

You can learn more or join us here: www.culinaryhealingcircle.com