Lemon Coconut Morning Pudding

Okay, okay, this stuff may not look super appetizing, but it tastes fantastic and is packed with very healthy things that make for an awesome breakfast. You are talking something like 20-30g of protein (depending on the yogurt you use and whether you include protein powder). Not to mention the chia seeds, which are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats…iron, magnesium, all the healthy B vitamins… This dish is a great meal prep option for the week if you’re into that. I go in and out of Overnight Oats phases but this definitely tops the oats, IMO. This recipe makes one hearty jar. Double it or triple it and divide evenly between more jars for meal prep or other family members.

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what you need

2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds

1/4 cup of regular oats

1 cup of nut milk of choice (coconut, oat, macadamia all work well)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I💖my Skyr).

(optional) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (so, if it’s a gym day, I’ll do this. My plant-based, easy-on-the-stomach protein powder of choice is Sprout Living and their vanilla flavor works well in this).

3 tablespoons fresh coconut flakes, toasted (flakes, not shreds!). It makes a difference. If you haven’t replaced your normal coconut with Let’s Do Organic’s Unsweetened Coconut Flakes and gotten into the habit of toasting them in the oven, this is your sign.

*Note: If you want to double up on the coconut, you can also use coconut milk from a can in place of nut milk. I am really enjoying Native Forest’s Unsweetened “Simple” Organic Coconut Milk. It has none of that guar nonsense. I am constantly on the hunt for nut milks without gums or stabilizers like Malk because, let’s be honest, I just can’t make my homemade almond milk all the time.

how to make it

The vessel here can get interesting. You can use a mason jar (what the internet uses). You can use a drinking glass (what I use). You can use a tupperware (not recommended unless it is glass).

Whatever you choose, place all the ingredients inside except the nut milk and, optionally, the toasted coconut flakes. Stir it up well! No need to layer.

Once combined, pour in the nut milk and continue stirring.

Cover and place in fridge overnight. Enjoy in the morning. If you didn’t mix in the toasted coconut, you can sprinkle that on top in the morning for a crunchy topping.

The consistency will have thickened considerably but you want it more like a thick stew than like oatmeal, so play around with it until you get your desired consistency. The type of yogurt you use, the type of milk, and the protein powder all make a difference in the consistency.