A creamy, protein-and fibre-rich holiday snack made with our Eggnog Flavour Drops.
The holidays are fast approaching, and we’re getting into the spirit with a little help from our friend Ashlen! Back for our third recipe collaboration, Ashlen is a Canadian registered dietitian who believes healthy eating should be simple, satisfying, and most importantly, enjoyable. With her love of easy, nutritious recipes and our love of flavour, she’s whipped up a little something to help kick off the holiday season!
And who says holiday flavour is just for baking? Her Vegan Eggnog Chia Pudding brings a little seasonal cheer to your morning routine. Creamy, cozy, and packed with plant-based goodness, it’s an easy make-ahead breakfast. With our sugar-free Eggnog Flavour Drops, you can enjoy those familiar festive notes while keeping the sweetness entirely up to you!
A Little Nutrition Behind Every Spoonful
This easy Eggnog Chia Pudding is a nutrient-packed recipe that makes for a convenient breakfast or snack on busy days. Whip it up the night before and have it ready for you in the fridge whenever you’re in need of an energy boost. Although the ingredient list is short, each one offers flavour or nutrients that add to the overall satisfaction of the dish while supporting your health.
1. Chia Seeds
Small but mighty! Chia seeds make up the bulk of this recipe while providing texture and nutrient density. A quarter-cup of chia seeds provides roughly:
- 7 grams of plant-based protein: Protein helps support muscle mass and contributes to feelings of fullness.
- 14 grams of fibre: Chia seeds are packed with soluble and insoluble fibre, which can help support digestion, cholesterol levels, feelings of fullness, and more!
- Plant-based Omega-3s: These seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid that contributes to overall health.
- B vitamins: These vitamins are used for a number of functions in the body, one of which is supporting energy metabolism!
- A variety of minerals such as iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and more!
Chia seeds absorb whatever liquid they come into contact with and form a gel-like texture. You can alter the thickness of this pudding by adjusting the amount of liquid used. See below for ways to customize this recipe to exactly your liking!
2. Soy Milk
When it comes to plant-based milks, soy milk stands out for its impressive nutrient profile. Unlike many nut milks, soy milk is naturally high in protein (comparable to dairy milk).
It’s a great option for anyone who is vegan, lactose intolerant, or has a dairy allergy. Plus, it’s thicker and creamier than many other plant-based milks, which creates the ideal texture and an extra-filling chia pudding.
Did you know that 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk provides roughly 7 grams of protein and 300 mg* of calcium (a bonus for bone health!)*
*The specific amount of calcium may be different depending on the brand of soy milk, as fortification can vary.
3. Vanilla and Cinnamon or Nutmeg
The small amounts of these ingredients go a long way in adding flavour and overall satisfaction to this recipe.
The vanilla adds such a coziness to this chia pudding. Additionally, Ashlen recommends adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top for extra eggnog-inspired flavour.
Botanicals
Beverages
Beverages
4. Flavour Drops
Using sugar-free Flavour Drops is a simple, flexible way to enjoy your favourite flavours without adding extra sugar.
Hedessent Eggnog Flavour Drops bring those familiar creamy, spiced holiday notes to this recipe, giving you the freedom to adjust the flavour and sweetness independently.
Reducing your intake of added sugars can help support:
- More balanced blood sugar levels, particularly when replacing added sugars with lower-sugar alternatives.
- Your overall dietary and nutritional goals.
- Long-term health when incorporated into a balanced eating pattern.
If you would like to increase the sweetness of this recipe, there’s the option to add a drizzle of maple syrup or your preferred sweetener to achieve the balance of flavours you’re looking for.
A healthy approach to nutrition isn’t about perfection. It’s about addition, satisfaction, and finding joy in what you eat.
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Flavour Kits
Getting the Most Out of Your Flavour Drops
Here’s a little something worth knowing when working with flavour: More drops don’t always mean more flavour.
How we experience flavour depends on more than just the flavouring itself. Sweetness, acidity, texture, and even the other ingredients in a recipe all play a part in what we taste.
For example, our Eggnog Flavour Drops deliver the familiar taste and aroma of eggnog, but they don’t contain sugar or sweeteners. And because we naturally associate eggnog with a rich, sweet, and creamy taste, a little added sweetness can help bring those familiar notes to life.
Think of it this way: adding more Eggnog Drops will increase the flavour intensity, but it won’t necessarily give you that sweeter, more rounded eggnog experience you’re looking for on the palate.
A few simple tips to keep in mind:
- Start with a few drops and taste as you go. You can always add more, but too much flavouring can overpower your recipe or introduce unwanted bitter notes.
- Consider your sweetness. A little maple syrup or your preferred sweetener may be all you need to make certain flavour notes more noticeable.
- Think about your other ingredients. Creamy ingredients, spices, and even the thickness of your recipe can influence how flavour comes through.
- Give it a little time. Some recipes change in texture and flavour as they sit. Taste your finished creation before making any final adjustments.
The fun of working with flavour is finding the combination that tastes just right to you. A little adjustment here or there can make all the difference!
Vegan Eggnog Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 2 cups cups soy milk
- 1/4 tsp Hedessent Classic Vanilla or Vanilla Natural Flavour Drops
- 5-10 drops Hedessent Eggnog Flavour Drops start with 5, taste and adjust to preference
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg
- 1 tsp maple syrup optional
- Chopped pecans for topping optional
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chia seeds, soy milk, vanilla extract, and Hedessent Eggnog Flavour Drops. Whisk together until combined.
- Place the bowl in the fridge and allow the pudding to set for a minimum of 1 hour, up to 3 days.
- Once it has set, serve, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and any other desired toppings. Enjoy!
Customizing This Recipe
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how customizable it is.
With Hedessent Flavour Drops, you can adjust the flavour to your preference. When testing this recipe, I started with 5 Eggnog drops and let the whole mixture sit overnight so the chia seeds could gel up by absorbing the liquid.
The next day, I found that it wasn’t as flavour-forward as I was hoping, so I added 5 extra drops to get the eggnog flavour I was after. If you find the flavour isn’t quite where you want it, consider the sweetness before adding more drops. Sometimes a little added sweetness is all it takes to bring those flavour notes forward. However, if you’re keeping things as low in sugar as possible or prefer a more subtle flavour profile, feel free to start with just 5–8 drops and adjust to your liking.
You can also adjust the texture to your liking. I prefer a thicker chia pudding, which is achieved using the ratio of chia seeds to milk that has been recommended. But if you would prefer a thinner consistency, add an extra 2–3 tbsp of milk, or until you get the texture you’re looking for.
You can really make it your own!
No matter how you decide to flavour, sweeten, or mix this recipe, I hope you love it, and it fuels your busy days during this holiday season!
-Ashlen
Nutrition reference:
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Recipe and nutritional insights contributed by Ashlen as part of a paid collaboration with Hedessent.
Ashlen is a Canadian non-diet dietitian sharing low effort recipes for a delicious & healthy lifestyle that actually feels good and supports a healthier relationship with food.
Keep up-to-date with what Ashlen’s got cooking:
Instagram | TikTok | allnutritionkitchen.com
A Little Holiday Inspiration
There’s something special about the familiar flavours of the holidays, and you don’t need a complicated recipe to enjoy them.
From cozy breakfasts and homemade desserts to festive drinks and sweet snacks, a few drops can bring a little seasonal magic to your everyday favourites.
