How To Use Chia Seeds: 5 Delicious and Healthy Ways
It’s time to eat some ch-ch-ch-chia.
Chia seeds are packed with essential nutrients, including high levels of proteins, fibers, minerals, anti-oxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, which is why these small seeds have been classified as a “superfood.”
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What are some the best ways to eat chia seeds, you ask? Read on.
1. Top Yogurts, Salads, Cereals, And Smoothies With Chia Seeds
One of the easiest ways to add chia to your diet is by sprinkling them on your yogurts and salads like you would granola or croutons. A great breakfast time option is to also add them to your hot and cold cereals for a bit of added nutrients. They also taste great blended into your smoothies. Chia seeds can be eaten in both whole and ground seed form, so chose your preference when adding chia seeds to salads, yogurt, cereals, and smoothies.
2. Replace Flour With Ground Chia
If you currently eat gluten-free foods, then ground chia is a lifesaver alternative to flour. Even if you have no need to go gluten-free, ground chia seeds can be substituted for flour to add more nutrients to your meal. Some recipes call for flour, so substitute ¼ a cup of ground chia seeds in place of the flour in most recipes. Many of those who have discovered the benefits and delicious taste of chia seeds add them while mixing bread to make for delicious sweet breads, muffins, and chia flat-bred.
Here’s a great chia flatbread recipe for scrumptious sandwiches:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds or whole flax seeds
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp soft butter
- 3/4 cup warm water
Mix flour, salt, yeast, and chia seeds with wisk. Add softened butter and warm water. Knead the dough until smooth. Form dough ball and transfer to greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise for at least an hour (or until puffed up). Now turn out the dough on a greased surface, folding several times. Divide into six dough balls, and cover with damp cloth for 10 minutes. Take each and roll into 9 inch circle (about 1/8 inch thick). Brush with oil and heat in frying pan or griddle for one to two minutes on each side. Stack when finished to keep warm.
3. Use Them To Thicken Sauce Or Soups
Another amazing use for chia seeds is as a thickening agent in soups and sauces. Use ground or whole chia seeds to replace cornstarch in recipes. An example of a great recipe to use chia seeds as a thickener and flavor booster is vegetable soup. Not only will your soups be better for you, the added chia seeds create a nice soup base and help fill you up. Another way to make use of chia seeds is to add ground chia to your sauces. There’s no need to even add flour or cornstarch to sauces when you have ground chia seeds.
Thanksgiving will never be the same when you add chia to your cranberry sauce! Cranberry sauce made with chia makes for a deliciously healthy alternative to your typical dressing.
Here’s the recipe for Cranberry Chia Sauce:
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 cup agave
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
Add cranberries, lemon juice, and agave to a small sauce pan. Stir while brining to a boil, and reduce to simmer for five to six minutes. Now add the chia seeds and continue to cook for one minute. Store mixture in airtight container in refrigerator for up to three weeks.
4. Add Them To Meatloaf Or Meatballs
Chia makes a great addition to your usual meatloaf or meatball recipe. Use chia seeds as a substitute for oats or breadcrumbs in your next meatloaf or spaghetti dinner. Just replace half the oats or breadcrumbs with chia seeds (ground or whole), and mix with a little bit of coconut milk to help hold the mixture together.
5. Add Them To Breading
Replace your usual flour breading with chia seeds, whole or ground for a healthier take on breading, or mix chia seeds with garlic powder and add as breading to fish or chicken for a nutty, crunchy flavor. Try mixing chia seeds with Panko breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts for a great oven-baked breading recipe. Just be careful not to burn the seeds during baking!
Craving the health benefits of chia seeds? Start eating chia now with this easy berry smoothie with chia seeds.