breakfast is a big deal around here. it really always has been, but it has been THE meal since i've been pregnant. it doesn't matter what time of day it is, or what meal i should be eating, breakfast items are always on my mind, and somehow always make it onto my plate. some of the many forms our dinners consist of is: spicy egg burritos with avocado and tons of hot sauce, frittatas with greens and asparagus, or just a plain old granola situation with some fruit toppings. basically what i'm saying is that i find a way to get a serving of morning-type meal whatever the situation or time of day.

chia pudding, on the other hand, was something i never thought of as a breakfast option, which is really silly because chia seeds are the mightiest, nourishing little things that ever existed! i've always saved chia pudding for dessert or an afternoon snack. but as i was floating through the endless abyss that is pinterest, i came across some really beautiful and inspiring recipes for chia parfaits that i knew i wanted to try at some point. i started with making a vanilla-based pudding because even though i prefer chocolate, it seemed like a more appropriate morning meal. each time i made it i felt like the chia flavor came through too much? maybe i need a different recipe? but i moved on to making a chocolate version with layers of soaked, overnight oats and topped with fresh fruit. it was super delicious, but at the same time i felt like the textures of the oats and chia were fighting each other, so in the end i went with a nutty, crunchy, salty-sweet granola and a bit of tangy coconut yogurt.

it's been kind of crazy how hungry, or hangry, i get now that i'm 26 1/2 weeks along, and this babe is getting bigger and bigger by the minute it seems. i get super hungry one minute, take a couple bites, and then i'm stuffed, so i've been adding more protein to my diet in the form of plant-based protein powders to pack some heft into the 3 measly bites i end up eating. this time around i used kashi's golean dark cocoa power plant powder which went so well with the chocolate-y vibe i was wanting. it's an almost raw pudding base made with raw cacao powder, dates for sweetness, almond milk, protein powder, and chia seeds. it's hearty without being heavy, and flavorful and sweet enough to make you forget you're eating straight-up health food! it's definitely a good one, folks!

love + chocolate for breakfast! xo

*this post was created in partnership with kashi. all thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own. thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep dolly and oatmeal going!

Cacao Chia Breakfast Pudding w/ Red Berry Mash | dolly and oatmeal #vegan

Cacao Chia Breakfast Pudding w/ Red Berry Mash | v

i used a cocoa flavor of kashi's go lean protein powder for an extra chocolatey taste, but i suppose in a pinch you could use a vanilla-based powder as well.

| makes 2 large servings |

2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or plant-based milk of choice)
12 pitted dates
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
2 tablespoons Kahsi GOLEAN dark cocoa power powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
a couple pinches fine sea salt
6 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut yogurt (or yogurt of choice)
1 cup mixed fresh raspberries and strawberries, mashed with a fork
1/3-1/2 cup gluten free granola of choice (preferably with nuts)

method

in a blender (preferably high-speed), combine the milk, dates, cacao powder, protein powder, vanilla, and salt, blend on high for 1 minute, until smooth and frothy. place the liquid in a mixing bowl and use a fork to combine with the chia seeds, let sit for 30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes to avoid the mixture from clumping.
spoon roughly 1/2 cup of chia pudding into a large glass, layer it with coconut yogurt, granola, mashed berries, and another 1/2 cup of chia pudding. enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

enjoy!