Superfood Chia Seed Pudding Porridge (Gluten Free, Vegan, Oat Free)

Even though it's barely September, fall is already creeping into Mankato, Minnesota. With colder mornings and a few falling leaves, my gluten free breakfast cravings have started to shift into winter mode. Luckily, today's gluten free porridge recipe is the best of both warm and cold breakfast worlds!

We have thick, chewy chocolate porridge made with buckwheat flakes, rice flakes, chia seeds and cacao powder. Combine that with cold and creamy maca chia seed pudding, and you won't be able to stop diving into this hot-and-cold vegan porridge. 

As a bonus, this gluten free breakfast recipe is also packed with vegan protein and fiber, thanks to the chia seeds. If you want even more plant based protein, you can even sub the rice and buckwheat flakes for quinoa flakes (like in quinoa flake porridge). Superfood powders like cacao and maca give this gluten free porridge an antioxidant boost, and you can easily enjoy any leftover chia seed pudding as a healthy snack! 

Ready to discover your new gluten free breakfast addiction? Then start by gathering the following ingredients. This will make two medium servings or one large one. You can also mix and match by using more porridge and less chia seed pudding, or vice versa.

For the Maca Chia Seed Pudding:

1 cup coconut milk (You can sub your choice of vegan or regular milk. Canned coconut milk will result in the creamiest, thickest pudding!)

3 TBSP tablespoons

Splash of vanilla extract 

1 tsp maca powder (optional)

For the Cacao Gluten Free Porridge:  

1/4 cup of flakes of choice (I used half rice flakes, half buckwheat flakes, but you can only use one of those or replace them both with quinoa flakes) 

1-2 TBSP chia seeds 

Enough liquid to gain desired consistency (One tip: add some liquid, whether its milk, water or even tea, and wait for about 30 seconds to see how much the chia seeds absorb. Then add more as needed.) 

1 tsp cacao powder

Liberal shake of cinnamon

Sprinkle of nutmeg

Toppings:

Choice of sliced mixed berries and banana

Trail mix - homemade or store bought

Nut butter of choice

How to Make Your Chia Seed Pudding Porridge:

You'll need to prep your maca chia seed pudding at least two hours ahead of breakfast time. I like throwing all of the ingredients in a bowl/container, stirring thoroughly and letting it do its thang in the fridge overnight. I like my chia seed pudding super thick. If your pudding turns out thicker than you like after it has gelled, though, you can always add a little more liquid. 

Next, your buckwheat and rice porridge. You have two options. If you want a totally cold breakfast (though that would kill the warm/cold combo that makes this vegan porridge recipe so addictive!), you can pour all of your ingredients in a bowl and let them thicken overnight for an overnight porridge.

If you want to try the warm/cold combo (which I 100% recommend!), put all of the porridge ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix them thoroughly, giving the porridge around two minutes to set before popping it in the microwave for around 1:30 minutes. Again, I like my buckwheat and rice porridge quite thick and chewy. If you want a looser, more wet consistency, add more liquid and microwave your porridge for less time. 

A Guide to the Ultimate Gluten Free Porridge Toppings

One your porridge is cooked, spoon some of your chia seed pudding into your bowl and add your choice of toppings. In my case, I like sliced strawberries, banana coins and blueberries along with trail mix and nut butter. Of course, you can use whatever toppings are calling your name. For a chocoholic's perfect breakfast, add chocolate chips to your porridge before microwaving for some ultimate gooey goodness. You could also experiment with incorporating cacao nibs, dried fruit, jam, or even some of your favorite yogurt for an extra creamy and refreshing start to the day.

The best part about this superfood chia seed pudding porridge is that you can play around with the flavors as much as you want, too. Give your healthy breakfast a fruity twist by adding acai powder or mashed berries to your chia seed pudding or by using tropical fruits like dragon fruit or passion fruit as toppings. Using extracts like mint extract or flavored stevia drops is another easy way to shake up your porridge routine.

Like this recipe? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "Get the best of both warm & cold, chewy & creamy worlds w/ this #glutenfree & #vegan superfood chia pudding porridge! http://bit.ly/2vDkMhz"

Regardless of what toppings or flavors you throw into your porridge, this chia seed pudding porridge is exactly what you need as the season changes from spring to fall. After all, when a gluten free breakfast recipe is both cool and warm, creamy and chewy, who can't it win over!?!

Less certain is how well I'll handle the change in seasons once winter actually arrives in Minnesota. Until I have to start fighting snow, though, I'll enjoy seeing the leaves start to change...and, of course, digging into a big bowl of superfood chia seed pudding porridge!



Do your food cravings change with the season? Tell me in the comments!