Easy Flaxseed Pudding

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Try this flaxseed pudding for a quick, healthy, and satisfying breakfast! It’s low-carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, and so customizable. Make it your own by adding toppings like fresh berries, peanut butter, toasted coconut flakes, and granola!

Flaxseed pudding a coconut bowl topped with fruit, granola, and nut butter.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Quick: With just 5 ingredients and minimal hands-on prep time, you can quickly whip up this flaxseed pudding any time of the day!
Easy: Simply mix and refrigerate — it couldn’t be easier to prepare this pudding!
Healthy: Flaxseeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and other essential nutrients, making this recipe a healthy addition to your diet.
Customizable: Experiment with various toppings, adjust the sweetness, or try different spices to create your perfect combination.

What is flaxseed pudding?

Flaxseed pudding is a nutritious recipe made from flaxseeds (aka linseeds), oat milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon! This creamy treat has a smooth and thick texture, which is quite similar to chia pudding. It can be enjoyed as a quick and healthy breakfast or a nutritious dessert.

The best part is that anyone can enjoy this plant-based recipe! It offers a perfect balance of sweet flavors and slight cinnamon spice. Adapt the pudding to make it your own by adding fruit, nuts, yogurt, or even oat milk whipped cream. The choice is yours!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Flaxseed pudding ingredients laid out in separate quantities with labels.

Ground flaxseed: Both regular brown flaxseeds and golden flaxseeds work for this recipe. You can also use whole flaxseeds, then grind them yourself.
Oat milk: I love the flavor and consistency of oat milk, but soy milk, cashew milk, or almond milk will do the trick as well! I generally prefer the unsweetened variety so I can adjust the sweetness myself.
Maple syrup: To sweeten the flaxseed pudding! Maple syrup is my first choice, but agave, coconut nectar, brown rice syrup, or date paste are the next best choices.
Cinnamon: For the most balanced and well-rounded flavor, make sure to use Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon can be overpowering in recipes, and it is hard on the liver.
Salt: I love to add a pinch of sea salt to bring out the natural sweetness of the oat milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

How to make flaxseed pudding

Ground flaxseeds in a mini serving plate with a spoon.

Step 1: If you’re starting with whole flaxseeds, you’ll need to blend them first. A spice grinder works great for this step, or add a larger amount to a high-speed blender.

Flaxseed pudding in a ladle over a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Once the flaxseeds are ground, add them to a bowl along with the oat milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine, then refrigerate the flax pudding for a few hours, or leave it overnight before serving.

What to serve with flaxseed pudding

Flaxseed pudding with individual toppings over it in separate glasses.

Once your flaxseed pudding has chilled and thickened up, serve it with some of my favorite toppings like these:

Fresh berries
Oat milk whipped cream
Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
Granola
Cardamom syrup
Coconut flakes
Chia seeds or hemp hearts
A drizzle of nut butter
Dairy-free yogurt

Storage

Since flax pudding is so quick to make, I always like to have a batch on hand! If you end up with leftovers or want to prep some in advance, here’s what to do:

Fridge: Store your leftover flaxseed pudding in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Since the texture will change quite a bit once thawed, I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

Variations

Chocolate: Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder for a rich and decadent version.
Pumpkin spice: Mix in ¼ cup of pumpkin puree and a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for a festive option.
Mocha: Add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee powder and 1 tablespoon of cacao powder for an energetic start to the day.
Matcha: For a green tea-infused pudding, try adding 1 teaspoon of matcha powder.
Chia pudding: Change up the flavor and texture of the pudding by using whole chia seeds instead of flaxseeds. Or, use a combination of the two!
Protein-packed: For an extra boost of protein, add a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder.

Flaxseed pudding and yogurt in a glass topped with granola and raspberries.

Top tips

Grind the flaxseeds: For the best flavor and consistency, I recommend keeping whole flaxseeds on hand and grinding them yourself. They last longer this way.
Let the pudding chill: The flaxseed pudding needs at least a few hours in the fridge to fully set. It’s best to prepare it the night before, then you can enjoy it the next morning!
Adjust the sweetness: For better control over the sweetness level, use unsweetened oat milk and adjust the maple syrup up or down based on your preferences.
Adjust the thickness: If the pudding becomes too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out. If it is too thin, add a touch more ground flaxseed and give it a good stir.
Make a large batch: Double or triple the recipe, then portion it into single-serving containers to enjoy as a quick and healthy breakfast during busy weeks.

FAQ

Can I use whole flaxseeds instead of ground flaxseeds?

No, you can’t use whole flaxseeds in this recipe. The gelatinous substance found in flaxseeds is released once they are ground, and this is what absorbs the liquid to make a pudding-like texture.

Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can use any type of milk you would like in this recipe. Some examples include soy milk, almond milk, or pea milk.

Can I make this recipe sugar-free?

Yes, to make this recipe sugar-free, simply omit the maple syrup and add your favorite no-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.

Three glasses with topping of granola, berries, bananas and nut butter.

Similar recipes

If you enjoyed this flaxseed pudding recipe, be sure to check out some more of my favorite desserts like these:

Vegan Crème Brûlée: A crunchy, creamy, and ultra-satisfying dessert.
Chai Hot Chocolate: An easy hot chocolate recipe with warming chai spices.
Vegan Peach Ice Cream: Fruity vegan ice cream made from peaches.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: A small batch recipe that’s simple to prepare.
Carrot Pie: A unique twist on sweet potato pie.