Easy Flaxseed Pudding

Flaxseed pudding is an excellent alternative to chia pudding, it's loaded with healthy fats and will work great for meal prep for busy mornings.

Not only is it vegan and gluten-free, but it’s also high in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.  It’s made with simple ingredients including ground flaxseeds, dairy-free milk, maple syrup, ripe banana, and berries.  You can also add flavorings like cinnamon or vanilla extract to enhance the taste.  

Flaxseed pudding can be topped with fresh berries, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, or granola with aquafaba for added texture and flavor. This versatile dish can be customized according to your preferences by adding different flavors like cocoa powder for chocolate lovers!  For more recipes with flax seeds try overnight oats with flaxseeds, overnight oats with powdered peanut butter, or overnight oats without milk.

Recipe features

• It's an easy breakfast that works great for meal prep!
• Ready in 1 hour!
• Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based!
• Customizable, add nut or seed butter, your favorite fruit, or try it with cocoa powder!

What is flaxseed pudding?

Flaxseed pudding is made from soaking ground flaxseed in milk (or a liquid).  The flaxseeds absorb the liquid and become gelatinous, giving a thick pudding-like consistency.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Please see the recipe card below for instructions and measurements.

Ground flaxseeds - The little seeds are the base of this recipe.  They become gelatinous once soaked in a liquid, creating a thick gel often used as an egg substitute. Brown or golden flaxseeds can be used, golden is a little milder than brown, but they need to be ground.

Dairy-free milk - We use plant-based milk to add creaminess and flavor to the flaxseed pudding. Any dairy-free milk will work.  Try oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or almond milk.

Ground cinnamon - Adds a lovely flavor that goes well with the nuttiness of flaxseeds. Instead of cinnamon, try it with pumpkin or apple pie spice.

Maple syrup - For a bit of sweetness to go with the nuttiness of the flaxseeds and spice of the ground cinnamon. The maple syrup can be substituted with agave syrup or granulated sugar.

Ripe banana - This is optional to add sweetness and flavor to the ground flaxseeds.  If using, mash ½ of a ripe banana, then add the seeds, milk, and the rest of the ingredients.  Give the pudding a good stir to incorporate it. For more breakfast recipes with bananas, try banana and cinnamon overnight oats or banana steel-cut oatmeal.

Strawberries - Thaw frozen berries and mash them to have a layer on the bottom.  Mix the pudding ingredients in a separate bowl, then once combined, add it to the top of the strawberries. For more meal-prep breakfast ideas with berries, try mixed berry cheesecake overnight oats. For leftover frozen strawberries, try a blackberry and strawberry smoothie.

Fresh berries can also be used, but they don’t mash as well as frozen berries do.  So they can be added to the top of the pudding the night before or in the morning before consuming.

How to grind flaxseeds

Buying whole flax seeds can be cheaper than buying them pre-ground.  Use a blender, food processor, or designated coffee grinder.  Add whole flaxseeds to your blender or food processor and blend until they break down in size and become a powdery substance. 
If you’re using a blender, large batches do better in large pitchers.  If you’re using a coffee grinder, it’s best to use one that’s not used for coffee, otherwise, it may alter the flavor of the flax seeds.  Stop scraping down the sides, grinding the whole flaxseeds shouldn’t take long. 

Usually, pre-ground has a finer texture than grinding your own. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  How long they last in the fridge will vary, so I only do what I’ll use in 1-2 weeks.

Strawberry substitutions

• If you don’t care about the layer on the bottom, frozen berries can be added to the top of the pudding the night before and they’ll thaw overnight.  The berries can also be skipped.
• Frozen strawberries can be mealy when thawed so I wouldn’t add them to the top of the pudding to thaw.  They do work well when thawed and mashed. If you mash fresh strawberries add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice to help retain their color like in this recipe for strawberry overnight oats.
• Strawberries can be substituted with other berries.  Fresh raspberries work well but a ½ tablespoon lemon juice will help retain color if mashing them for a bottom layer.  Thawed raspberries don’t hold their shape well and will be soft if you add them to the top of the pudding to thaw overnight.  For more raspberry-inspired breakfast ideas try raspberry overnight oats.
• Thawed frozen blueberries work well to create the bottom layer, but fresh ones don’t mash well.  Fresh or frozen can be added to the top of the pudding.

Tips

• The flaxseeds need to be ground for the pudding, flax seeds can be purchased pre-ground (or flax meal) or bought whole and grind them yourself.  Whole flax seeds will not make a pudding-like texture.
• The ripe banana can be skipped, add more maple syrup if needed to adjust for the sweetness.
• The recipe is for one serving but multiple can be made at one time.

Variations

Enjoy the flaxseed pudding as is or try a different variation. 

• Layer the pudding with fruit preserves instead of thawed frozen berries.  
• Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract.
• Try mixing nut butter into the pudding for a PB&J flax seed pudding.  Skip the banana or leave it.
• Try it with chopped mango instead of berries and toasted shredded coconut, like my mango overnight oats.
• Skip the berries and banana, and add pumpkin puree with cinnamon, similar to vegan pumpkin overnight oats.  Adjust the maple syrup if needed.
• Make chocolate flaxseed pudding by adding cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor, use about 1 tablespoon.  You may need to increase the maple syrup due to the bitterness from the cocoa powder.  Also, increase the milk since cocoa powder soaks up more milk.
• For more inspiration check out overnight oats with frozen fruit for more ways to add fruit to flaxseed pudding.
• Add dairy-free yogurt to make it even creamier.
• For a dessert pudding try it with vegan chocolate sauce or coconut cream and berries.

How to make flaxseed pudding

Start the easy flaxseed pudding recipe by grinding the seeds if needed and thawing the strawberries if frozen.

Frozen berries have a softer texture once thawed and can be easily mashed. Layer the mashed berries on the bottom of a glass jar.  

In a separate bowl mash the banana. 

Then mix in the ground flaxseeds, milk, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon into the mashed banana. Stir well to combine.  

Carefully pour the banana flaxseed mixture on top of the mashed berries.  Let soak for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Serving suggestions

Add your favorite toppings or here are some suggestions for inspiration.

• Sprinkle on oil-free granola with aquafaba 
• Add chopped nuts or seeds for a little crunch
• Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
• Add a drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut butter, or seed butter
• More fresh berries or other chopped fresh fruit on top
• Toasted coconut flakes

Frequently asked questions

Related recipes

• Basic overnight oats with flaxseeds
• Vegan strawberry overnight oats
• Chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
• Banana cinnamon overnight oats
• Oat milk chia pudding
• Overnight oats without milk

I hope you enjoy the recipe!  If you like it feel free to rate it and leave a comment.