If you love your morning coffee and a quick, nourishing breakfast, this Salted Caramel Cold Brew Chia Pudding is about to become your new go-to. It’s a creamy, make-ahead breakfast inspired by your favorite salted caramel cold brew with smooth coffee flavor, rich caramel sweetness, and a hint of salt — all packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and energized all morning.
This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to prep and is perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or an afternoon snack. It’s made with ultra-filtered milk for extra protein, and you can easily boost it even more with protein powder or a ready-to-drink protein shake.
Let’s make it.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ultra-filtered milk (such as Fairlife or equivalent) or any milk of choice
- ¼ cup cold brew coffee (regular or decaf)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
- ¼ teaspoon caramel bakery emulsion or extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional toppings
Greek yogurt, banana slices, caramel sauce drizzle, cacao nibs, chopped dates, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, or flaky sea salt
Instructions
Combine ingredients
In a jar or container with a lid, whisk together the milk, cold brew, chia seeds, maple syrup, caramel bakery emulsion or extract, vanilla extract, and salt.
Mix well
Make sure the chia seeds are evenly distributed and not clumped together. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to ensure a smooth, pudding-like texture.
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
Stir and serve
Before serving, give the chia pudding a good stir. It should be thick, creamy, and scoopable. If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of milk to loosen.
Add toppings
Top with Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein, or finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a pinch of flaky sea salt for that classic salted caramel flavor.
Protein-Boosting Options
Protein Powder:
Add ½–1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder when mixing (you may need a splash more milk).
Protein Shake:
Swap the milk for 1/4 cup vanilla or caramel-flavored protein shake for an ultra-creamy protein boosted option.
Greek Yogurt:
Stir in or top with Greek yogurt for a extra protein.
Ultra-Filtered Milk:
Ultra-filtered milk keeps this recipe higher in protein without changing the texture — Aldi and Fairlife both have great options.
Dairy-Free Options
- Use unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk
- Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder for a boost of extra protein
Tips for the Best Chia Pudding
- Mix twice: Stir once initially and again after 5 minutes to prevent clumps
- Texture check: If it’s too thick the next day, stir in a splash of milk
- Batch it: Double or triple the recipe — it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days
Don’t Love Chia Seeds? Make Overnight Oats Instead
If chia pudding isn’t your thing — no worries! You can use this exact flavor profile to make Salted Caramel Cold Brew Overnight Oats instead.
Here’s the swap:
- Replace the 2 tablespoons chia seeds with ½ cup rolled oats
Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
In the morning, give it a stir and add toppings!
Flavor Notes
This chia pudding tastes like a salted caramel cold brew in breakfast form. It has a smooth coffee flavor, gentle caramel sweetness, and just enough salt to make everything pop. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and energizing without feeling heavy.
More Chia Pudding Recipes
Salted Caramel Cold Brew Chia Pudding
Equipment
- bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ultra-filtered milk or any milk of choice
- ¼ cup cold brew coffee regular or decaf
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon caramel bakery emulsion or caramel extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt about ¼ teaspoon
- Optional Toppings Greek yogurt, caramel sauce, flaky sea salt, cocoa powder, whipped cream, cacao nibs, ground cinnamon, banana slices, etc.
Instructions
- In a jar or container with a lid, whisk together the milk, cold brew, chia seeds, caramel bakery emulision or extract, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Make sure the chia seeds are fully mixed into the liquid, not just floating on top. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to ensure a smooth, pudding-like texture.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Before serving, give the pudding a good stir. It should be thick, creamy, and scoopable.
- Top with your desired toppings: Greek yogurt, caramel sauce, flaky sea salt, cocoa powder, whipped cream, cacao nibs, ground cinnamon, banana slices, etc.
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