Strawberry Crumble Chia Pudding (Printable)
Creamy chia pudding meets sweet strawberry compote and crunchy oat topping for a delightful layered treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chia Pudding
01 - 1 2/3 cups unsweetened almond milk
02 - 4 tablespoons chia seeds
03 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Compote
05 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
06 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
07 - 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
→ Oat Crumble
08 - 3/4 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
09 - 1/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans
10 - 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Garnish
14 - 2 to 3 fresh strawberries, sliced (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes, then whisk again vigorously to break up any clumps. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight until the pudding reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
02 - Combine the sliced strawberries, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the juices reduce into a glossy, syrupy sauce. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, toss together the rolled oats, chopped nuts, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until evenly coated. Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the crumble is golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool completely on the sheet.
04 - Spoon a layer of chia pudding into the bottom of each serving glass or jar. Add a generous spoonful of strawberry compote, followed by a sprinkling of oat crumble. Repeat the layers once more for a taller presentation, finishing with fresh strawberry slices on top.
05 - Serve the parfaits immediately for the best texture contrast, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. If preparing ahead, store the crumble separately and add it just before serving to maintain its crunch.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Three distinct textures in every single spoonful make this feel like something you would order at a cafe rather than assemble in your own kitchen.
- The crumble stays surprisingly crunchy for a day if you store it separately, which means you can prep everything ahead and still get that fresh bite.
02 -
- If you skip the second whisk after five minutes, the chia seeds will settle into a solid brick at the bottom of your bowl and no amount of stirring later will fix it.
- Cooling the compote completely before layering is non negotiable because warm compote will melt right through the pudding and turn everything into a pink soup.
03 -
- A pinch of salt in the compote sounds wrong but makes the strawberry flavor dramatically more intense and less one dimensionally sweet.
- Press the crumble mixture slightly together on the baking sheet rather than leaving it completely loose, and it will form satisfying little clusters as it bakes and cools.