This tasty flaxseed pudding is full of nutty flavour and combines just four ingredients! Vegan and gluten free, add toppings of your choice to make a fun healthy breakfast or dessert.
Easy breakfast ideas are always on my radar, are they yours? Sometimes we need a healthy and tasty way to start the day that doesn't require too much 'hands on' time while we get ready for work, while also feeding the cat, doing life admin and so much more. Or is that just me?!
This easy flaxseed pudding recipe was inspired by my blueberry chia pudding and peach chia pudding. We use flax in place of chia, and combine with non-dairy milk and a little sweetener. The flax absorbs the milk and goes all gooey in texture, and is so nutty and delicious. Simple, healthy and delicious!
Jump to:
⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Nutty flavours. Flaxseed has a very tasty nutty flavour, which goes so well with fruit, jam or other nuts.
Healthy. Flaxseed is packed with healthy fats, fibre and protein (Healthline).
Versatile. Enjoy as a breakfast or as a flaxseed dessert!
Easy breakfast recipe. There is very little 'hands on' time to make this recipe, and it has just four main ingredients.
🍒 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
There are just a few ingredients to make this pudding, although you can add toppings for extra flavour too!
- Flaxseed - you want to use milled flaxseed, sometimes called ground flaxseed, rather than whole seeds. I like the Linwoods cold milled flaxseed.
- Non-dairy milk - choose the type that works best for you. Each will flavour the pudding slightly differently, but all will be tasty!
- Maple syrup and vanilla extract - to sweeten and slightly flavour the pudding.
📖 Swaps and variations
Make a chia and flaxseed pudding. If you prefer, you can halve the amount of flaxseed and add in the same quantity of chia seeds for a little variation.
Add a little spice. A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom would give a nice flavour to the pudding.
Swap maple syrup for agave nectar. Both work well as sweeteners in the pudding.
Leave out the vanilla extract. This optional, and my low histamine readers may prefer to leave out.
🍽 Equipment needed
Bowl or jar - to make the pudding in. I suggest using something that can be covered while in the fridge.
Whisk - to combine the ingredients together. You can also use a spoon, but I find a whisk is a little better.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Step 1
Add the milled flaxseed, milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract (if using) to a bowl or container, and whisk to combine. Place in the fridge for at least an hour (two hours is better, if suitable).
Step 2
Halfway through the 'time in the fridge', give the pudding another whisk to help it combine and so the flax can soak up the milk more evenly.
Step 3
Spoon into your serving bowl or jar, then top with your chosen fruits, nuts or seeds (see below for ideas!).
Recipe tip: using a whisk helps the pudding ingredients combine more easily than a spoon.
🍎 Suggestions for toppings
This flax seed pudding can be served as it is, but some toppings and layers make it even more fun!
I like to serve with layers of my blueberry chia jam for some extra sweetness (and goodness too!). My blackberry chia jam is so good for fall as an alternative!
You could also make a chia pudding and have layers of it alternated with the flax pudding.
Other ideas are to top the pudding with fresh fruit, coconut flakes, nut or seed butter or whole nuts or seeds.
💭 Recipe notes and tips
- Use milled flaxseed (also known as ground flaxseed). The whole seeds won't absorb the milk in the same way as ground or milled for the pudding.
- Whisk well to combine. The pudding needs to be stirred or whisked a few times so the flax combines with the milk and absorbs it.
- Sweeten to taste. If you have a sweet tooth you may wish to add a touch more maple syrup.
📋 Frequently asked questions
Flaxseed can be ground in a coffee grinder, high speed blender or by pestle and mortar. Using a coffee grinder is the easiest option.
Flaxseed is naturally gluten free.
Flaxseed pudding is perfect for meal prep as you can leave it to thicken overnight, if this is suitable for you.
🥣 A note for my low histamine readers
I suggest that my low histamine readers may wish to shorten the time for the pudding to thicken in the fridge to about an hour rather than leaving it overnight. If you are particularly sensitive to histamine formation, an hour may be too long so it is best to check with a dietician if you are unsure.
As a note, flaxseed is not rated on the SIGHI list. Other lists rate it as low histamine.
🥐 More easy breakfast ideas
Find delicious yet very easy ideas to enjoy for a weekday breakfast, including my popular cherry maple overnight oats and my apple pie porridge. Some recent recipe to enjoy:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And I love to hear from you - so please do leave a star rating if you have tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Easy Flaxseed Pudding
Equipment
- Small bowl or jar
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon milled flaxseed (ground flaxseed)
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the pudding (except the optional jam or toppings) to a bowl or jar. Whisk to combine and set aside in the fridge for an hour (two hours is better).
- If making the blueberry jam, see the recipe linked below. Alternatively top with fruit, nuts, seeds or coconut flakes to preference.
Notes
- I like to alternate the flaxseed pudding layers with sweet jam, and usually use my blueberry chia jam recipe.
- If you don't have milled flaxseed (also known as ground flaxseed) then simply grind your own seeds in a coffee grinder or blender.
- Giving the pudding a whisk after about 30 minutes in the fridge will help the ingredients combine and thicken.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup to taste preference.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- flaxseed is not rated on the SIGHI list. Other lists rate it as low histamine. Only use if you know you tolerate well.
- Vanilla extract scores 1, with a ? as a liberator. It is an optional ingredient, and you should only use if you know you tolerate well.
Jessica says
Flaxseed pudding with blueberry chia jam is so delicious, satisfying, and so easy to make!! This is absolutely going to be a new breakfast staple in my house. I love how it’s ready to eat right when I wake up. I have energy issues so this is the perfect healthy breakfast treat. My 5 year old son loves it, too! I like to mix the two together, and top with unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes!
Claire says
So glad both you and your son like it Jessica! The jam makes it extra tasty doesn't it!