40 Ways to use Chia Seeds
How to use chia seeds.
Wondering how to use chia seeds? Chia seeds are very easy to incorporate into your diet. Below is a list of ways I have used them in my recipes. I would love to hear of your unique ways of using chia seeds.
1. Mix 1 dessertspoon of chia seeds with a quarter cup of water to make an egg substitute for baking cakes and cookies.
2. Add chia seeds to apple juice to make “sago”.
3. Grind seeds and add to hot milk to make a “porridge”
4. Mix seeds through yogurt.
5. Add seeds to soup to thicken.
6. Grind seeds and mix with flour, milk and eggs to make pancakes.
7. Add seeds to salad dressings.
8. Eat Chia seeds whole and raw as a snack.
9. Add whole seeds to diluted fruit juice to make Chia Fresca.
10. Make Chia Pudding by adding whole seeds to milk, nut milk or soy milk.
11. Blend chia seeds into smoothies.
12. Make a “lassie” by blending chia seeds, yogurt and fruit juice.
13. Add chia seeds to beaten eggs, soak for 10 minutes and make an omelette.
14. Mix with worcestershire or bbq sauce and brush over barbequed meats.
15. Add ground chia seeds to flour when making bread.
16. Make chia pan bread by combining chia seeds, eggs, milk, flour and baking powder. Cook in a heavy based pan with a lid on.
17. Add whole chia seeds to a cake batter to make a heavy poppy seed like cake.
18. Add seeds to stews to thicken.
19. Throw some seeds into a stir fry.
20. Make a thin batter of ground chia seeds and milk and cook in a slow oven to make crackers.
21. Sprinkle seeds over a salad.
22. Pureed fruit, chia seeds and a little fruit juice is a good topping for ice cream.
23. Stir whole seeds through cooked lentils.
24. Soak seeds in beaten eggs and use this mix to make a frittata.
25. Cook brown rice in vegetable stock and stir chia seeds through when rice is cooked.
26. Top a cheesecake with chia seeds soaked in fruit juice to make a gel toppingl.
27. Add whole or ground seeds to cookie mixes.
28. Mix ground seeds with ground beef to make meatballs.
29. Cook brown rice in apple juice, add grated apple and stir whole chia seeds through the mixture for a tasty dessert.
30. Toasted ground chia seeds mixed with honey and cinnamon makes a wonderful base for cheesecake.
31. Add whole seeds to granola.
32. Mix white chia seeds that have been soaked in milk through mashed potatoes.
33. Sprout the seeds and use in salads.
34. Mix ground seeds with butter or peanut butter for a nutritious spread.
35. Cinnamon, ground chia and butter is great on hot scones.
36. Add a desert spoon of black seeds to a green jelly mix for “frogs egg jelly”.
37. Spread a mixture of honey, cinnamon, dried fruit and ground chia on to filo or puff pastry sheets, roll up and cook in a hot oven.
38. Mix the seeds, whole or ground through Nutella.
39. Add ground seeds soaked in an egg to bind a hamburger mix.
40. Soak chia seeds in milk and mix through hot oatmeal.
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The more I use chia seeds, the more ways I find to add them to my diet.
Here are even more ways to use chia seeds
41. Add half black and half white chia seeds to custard to make “polka dot custard” – great for kids
42. Make a pasta sauce by blending chia seeds, cooked cauliflower and vegetable stock
43. Don’t waste left over liquid from a stew. Add chia seeds, allow to thicken, then heat and serve with toast
44. Add ground or whole chia seeds to your favorite stuffing mixture
45. Whisk a dessertspoon of chia seeds into coconut water. This is especially good on a hot day for keeping hydrated and an excellent idea for athletes. It’s so effective and healthy I feel it will soon be marketed as a sports drink.
46. Want a crunchy breakfast? Add half to one tablespoon of chia seeds to crunchy toasted muesli. Add milk, fruit juice, soy or nut milk and eat immediately. The chia seeds will retain their crunch.
47. Add ground chia seeds to your favorite fish cake recipe
Quick question: are there any reports on how canines do with Chia seeds? I’m thinking of making homemade dog treats, etc.
Thanks for any heads up!
Dogs, cats, horses and other animals do well with chia seeds added to their diet. Click the link to find out more about this http://www.azchia.com/chia_seed_for_dogs_cats.htm
Just old fashion 1 ounce chia seeds and 16 ounces of water. Nice and slimy
) right before I go to bed lol
I add 1-2 tablespoons to chocolate milk (or hot chocolate in the Winter) in the morning…an awesome way to start the day…and better than coffee! Gives me a boost in the morning and sustained energy throughout the day!!
Love it! Quick, simple and easy.
I learned about Chia seeds after watching Dr. Oz this week. He spoke of a simple drink with Chia seeds. The recipe calls for 2 Tbsp of Chia seed. At the store I elected to purchase the ground Chia seed. Wouldn’t I use a bit less since it is in a ground form than ceeed form? Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Kelly. I much prefer the drink you mentioned with the whole seeds. The texture to my mind is better. But in answer to your question, the volume of ground chia would be similar to the amount of seeds. It will do no harm to try a bit less ground chia first though, as its easier to add a bit more than take some out if your drink is too thick.
Put all ingredients into a coffee mug.
1/4 cup of ground chia
1 egg
1 pkg of stevia (sweetner)
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon coconut oil
(you can also add a few blue berries/dried cherries)
Stir and cook in the microwave for about 63 seconds.
Turn out on a plate, cut in quarters and butter
Nice quick, fast and easy breakfast.
What a great recipe Catherine. Its got me thinking … a lemon flavored one or a choc/cherry one… must try. Thank you for the recipe.
Hello and thank-you for all this great chia info! I looked, but couldn’t find this question addressed. I want to mix chia seeds with black sesame seeds, coat my Ahi Tuni steaks and sear about a minute on each side. Will the seeds gel up on me or will they get toasted to a nice crunch along with the sesame? Maybe put another way, are Chia seeds toastable?
Thank-you in advance for your response.
Hi Teresa. Chia seeds are toastable and your Ahi Tuni steaks should have a nice crunch, especially if you work quickly and dont let the steaks stand before cooking. Great idea!
I mixed 1tbsp of chia seeds with 9 tbsp water, fluffed with fork and left to gel which never happened. Help
Hi Elizabeth. I have found a few people have had this problem. First of all, your seeds shoud be black or white, not brown. The brown ones are poor quality or immature. If the seeds are heat treated they will not gel. I would try another brand. Good quality raw seeds should gel in the quantity of water you added.
Hi There, I have just purchased my first bag of Chia, and I added them to my salad….very yummy! I’m just wondering how I would make a tea with them?
I often add chia seeds to tea Bev. Its very refreshing. I just make a tea, then add a teaspoon of the seeds, stir and allow to stand for a few minutes. The seeds will soften and swell, but the tea does not turn into a gel.
I read the ‘milled vs whole’ question and answer above but could you elaborate the difference between powdered and whole and their separate benefits? I’m doing some HCTherapy and have been requested to use them just before the cleanse.
Hi Mit. According to Dr. Wayne Coates, probably the foremost expert on chia seeds, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that there is any nutritional difference between milled whole chia seeds and whole seeds. From my own experience, I find that I stay fuller for longer if I have whole chia seeds, which suggests to me that the ground chia seeds digest a little faster. Chia seeds are a very gentle but effective way to cleanse the bowel and promote regularity and would be ideal to use before a full cleanse. Go to http://www.azchia.com to read more of Dr. Coates and his chia seed studies
I have to say the milled are better. Seed shells are hard to digest and you will not get the full benefits from them unless they are milled.
I have digestive issues, colitis, and eating the whole chia actually irritates my intestines. They get stuck in my large intestines and cause me a lot of pain. And come out whole if not milled. This is my experience but everyone is different.
Hope this helps
Hi Jax. I am so glad to hear you have found a way to get the benefits of chia seeds with your digestive problems. You are so right, everyone is different. Most people can digest the seeds whole, but it does seem to take a little longer in my experience. This is one of the reasons chia is so good for weight loss
I am wanting to start using Chi a seeds. Ever since gallbladder surgery, I sometimes have digestive problems with higher fiber foods. This makes it hard for me to incorporate fiber into my diet.
Has there been any reports of shall we say…issues with the seeds?
I am not a doctor Lynne, but knowing that chia seeds are very gentle on the digestive system, I think you will be ok. Do start with a small amount, like a teaspoon, then wait a day or two to see how your system copes with them. Then you can gradually increase the amount you have if everything goes well. I would be interested to know how you go, as I have not heard or read of any reports of this nature.
If the seeds have not been first ground are all the nutrients & oil etc still available to be digested. When taking flax seed I understand that to be able to digest the oil I need to first grind them or they just pass through undigested.
Chia has just recently been available in the UK and so far very pleased with them & thank you for your site & all the great suggestions
Its good to hear you have been able to try chia seeds in the UK Joy. The whole seeds are easy digested and all the nutrients are available, unlike flax seeds.
I made Kale Chips tonight, and sprinkled Chia seeds over them before lightly salting. Good addition!
I love this idea Patsy. What a healthy snack!
If I add the chia seeds to salad dressing, do I add them as they are so the liquid from the dressing will make the gel or do I make the gel with seeds first and then add to the dressing.
It really depends on the dressing. If it is very oily the seeds may not take up the liquid from the dressing. I would try making a thick chia gel and add to the dressing a little at a time and taste test until you are happy with the taste
Can chia seeds add to hot water to mix? Will it lost its nutritional value? Can i take 1 tablespoon and eat straight from it?
Chia seeds can be added to hot water or other hot liquids (eg soup or milk). The seeds are very robust and will not lose nutritional value. You can eat the seeds straight from the packet or container. In fact my first taste of chia seeds was to take a teaspoon of them straight. The taste was pleasantly nutty but they got stuck in my teeth and seemed to draw liquid from my mouth as I chewed them – not a very pleasant sensation. I had to drink a glass of water to get my mouth feeling right again. By all means try it this way if you want but be sure to drink water after doing this.
hi I obtained some chia crackers made from sprouted chia seeds, dulse, hemp seeds,nori, and moringa. I don’t have to have to use hemp seeds but do you like the idea of the sea vegetables. have you seen any recipe like it? if not do you have any ideas on how to make that? am loving all the uses of chia seeds but I want a cracker with no wheat that won’t raise my blood sugar? any suggestions? thanks, Janice
Hi Janice. The sea vegetables are a wonderful idea. They have a high mineral value that is very close in composition to our blood and are very good for us. Currently I don’t have a recipe for chia crackers, but it is something I should work on. Thanks for the idea.
Hi, I just bought a bag of Milled Chia for the first time. I plan on using this to help with weight loss.Is there a difference between milled and whole seeds use for diet? Thank you.
Hi Lynn. Milled chia seeds will help you with weight loss, but I feel that whole chia seeds would take a little loner to digest and would keep you feeling fuller for longer. I would love to hear about your weight loss progress.
What would be a daily serving of the chia seeds? Is it possible to consume too much?
Most people notice the health benefits of chia seeds by eating one to two tablespoons per day. Aim for a wide variety of good foods in a healthy diet.
Is there a linit to who much chia seeds to have a day?
Most people who eat chia seeds regularly have one to two tablespoons per day to get the health benefits. For weight loss, three to four tablespoos of the seeds per day is the norm. Some people report having up to seven tablespoons a day, but tht seems a bit excessive to me. Chia seeds are a food and its always wise to have a variety of foods in a healthy diet.
Sprinkle a couple teaspoons onto cereal, add milk and any sort of fruit
and enjoy.
Simple and effective!
Just brought some chia seeds. Could I just add them to water and drink right away or do I need to wait for them to become the gel? Are the benefits the same no matter how you use them(cooking, drinking, etc..)
Yes Debbie, you can drink the seeds in liquid without waiting for a gel to form. Raw is always best, but research has shown that the seeds are very hardy and few nutrients are lost in cooking, even baking. Where possible I like to add chia seeds at the last moment when cooking.
If I put chia seeds in yogurt and I do not finish the yogurt so I refrigerate it, will the seeds still be good??
Yes Becki, chia seeds will keep for up to a week when they are put in any sort of liquid and stored in the refrigerator. The yogurt may not keep that long though, so eat the remains within a day or so.
Hi,
I was wondering if there is any reason to heat the milk before adding chia seeds when making a pudding?
Thanks!
By all means use cold milk if you prefer Nicole. I just love the hot version in the cold weather.
I have 6 tbsp Chia Seeds blended with 1.5 cup Almond Milk, frozen mango chunks (or banana or any other fresh or frozen fruit) and Jay Robb Vanilla Protein Powder every morning, its pulling off the excess weight, I drink water all day long at work and don’t get hungry and I keep my energy level up all day. It makes a BIG shake, but the Chia Seeds keep it thick so I don’t use ice and I can take my time eating it!
Wow, that is a big shake! I have noticed that if I have 2 tbsp of chia seed in my breakfast, I am not hungry at lunch time and so have a small healthy snack mid afternoon. I hope you also have a healthy meal in the evening with plenty of vegetables or a salad. Chia seeds certainly help in losing weight.
Wow, thank you for your info on chia and how to use. I just bought a bag and am looking forward to incorporating into my diet. Really appreciate your site. thanks its Chiarrific
Can I mix Chia seed to my daily grapefruit drink ?
Yes you can Gerry, but only add one or two teaspoons to a drink or else it will turn into a fruit gel.
what is sago? and do you need to blend the seeds out first?
Hi Andrew. Sago is a starch taken from the inside of palm tress. It is used in many parts of the tropics as a staple food, and looks like little “pearls”. When using chia seeds to make a sago like dish, just use the seeds as they are, no need to blend.
What is a dessertspoon? Is it a teaspoon? Thanks.
Hi Lois. A dessertspoon is 2 teaspoons. See answer to a previous comment for more details.
What is a dessertspoon? Measuring with recipes comes within the parameters of Tablespoon, Teaspoon (s), 1/2Teaspoon, etc. I assume everyone’s dessertspoons are completety different measurements, so this is not an accurate way to determine amounts. Please confirm how much chia (exactly) is needed to use as an egg substitute in universal tablespoon or teaspoon measurements.
Hi Evon. Thanks for this query. Where I come from (Australia) a dessertspoon is often used as a measurement in recipes. It is officially two teaspoons. The trick with using chia seeds as an egg substitute is to look at the volume and the consistency of the chia/water mix. It should be about the same volume and consistency as an egg once the mixture has a chance to gel. It works best if you blend this mixture once it has gelled. Hope this helps.
Just bought a 1lb bag of seeds. We are using them in all kinds of ways. Today, I would like to bake a lemon cake mix and add seeds like a poppy seed cake. I don’t want to alter the cake’s texture though. What will happen if I leave out eggs or oil or whatever mix calls for to avoid changing the soft texture of the cake? You may send me a direct email if you can.
Thanks! Olivia
Hi Olivia. I’m so glad to hear you are using chia seeds. I take it that you hve a nice lemon cake mix to use. Don’t leave anything out as this would change the texture. The best way is to make your lemon cake as usual, then add the chia seeds to the mixture and stir through so the seeds are evenly dispersed. If you want the seeds to have a bit of crunch, bake immediately after you stir the seeds through the mixture. If you want the seeds to be soft, let the cake mixture stand for 10 minutes or so before baking. Stir the mixture a few times to avoid the seeds settling out or sinking to the bottom.
Good luck.
Hi I bought 1kg bag because they sounded so good now trying to work them into out diet. How long will they keep for? Thanks
Chia seeds are so full of antioxidants that they will keep for two years. I’m so glad you are going to try them!
On this page, the first direction is that a dessertspoon of chia seed in a quarter cup of water can be used to “make an egg substitute” to use in recipes (#1 above)….but in another section, I think it is the “chia recipes and ideas”, it is stated that 1 tablespoon of chia gel replaces one egg in a recipe.
Which would be the correct amount to replace one egg?
Thanks
Thanks for pointing this out. One dessertspoon of chia seeds in a quarter of a cup of water is a substitute for one egg in a recipe
For more information about chia seeds, and some recipe ideas, check out my website: http://www.chiativity.org
I read that making sprouts with chia seeds loses all of the nutritional value of the seed because it is all used up in the metabolism to make the sprouts. I was wondering if cooking them or any other processes makes you lose any of the nutritional value as well.
If that were true, then everything that grows from seeds would suffer the same fate and all our carrots, corn, other sprouts and tomatoes would have no nutritional value. Chia sprouts are very healthy, just like other sprouts. The nutritional composition of a seed compared to a sprout would be different and I suspect there would be little omega3 in the sprout but more vitamins. The seeds are quite robust and do not lose much nutritional value through cooking. I like to lessen the cooking time as much as possible where I can and many of my favourite chia recipes just require the seeds to be soaked to maximize the nutritional value.
Do chia seeds affect the digestion? I cannot eat anything with flax because it upsets my stomach terribly. Chia sounds like a great alternative.
Chia seeds are much easier to digest than flax seeds. Start with a small amount first and see how you go.
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