Ballerina Bites: Spiced Chocolate & Almond Chia Pudding

The very talented Alexandra McMaster, dancer at the Stuttgarter Ballet's John Cranko Schule in Germany and food-lover behind Ballerina Bites is back with this a super tasty, wholesome breakfast recipe for you all. Enjoy!

Hi everyone!

Throughout the week I always start with a bowl of oats as I know it will power me through a busy ballet day… But on the weekends I like to mix it up and enjoy yoghurt with granola, pancakes or chia pudding.

I was never really a lover of chia puddings as I found them tasteless and unexciting, until I discovered what I could add to make them a delicious, healthy breakfast option.

My Spiced Chocolate + Almond Chia Pudding is rich and decadent.

What takes this recipe from a standard chocolate chia pudding is the use of ground cardamom. Cardamom is a similar spice to ginger as it is aromatic and spicy. It gives you that little surprise after each mouthful that I personally adore. I also add lemon zest to enhance all the flavours to create a truly delicious, unexpected chia pudding.

Ingredients

1 banana

zest of ½ lemon

¾ cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp almond butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 heaped tbsp cacao powder

¼ tsp pure vanilla extract

¼ tsp cardamom

¼ cup chia seeds

Method

In a smoothie blender add banana, lemon zest, almond milk, almond butter, maple syrup, cacao powder and vanilla extract and blend until smooth and creamy.

Add chia seeds to a bowl or jar and pour in banana smoothie mixture.