30+ Savory Chia Seed Recipes

Find even more ways to use chia seeds, a nutrient powerhouse, in this list of some of the best Savory Chia Seed Recipes! These little superfoods do wonders in both sweet and savory recipes, so check the post below for more savory ideas on using chia seeds in your kitchen.

Most people think of sweet foods when they think of chia seeds. Chia pudding, chia seeds in overnight oats, chia seeds as a binder for vegan baking… but savory chia seed recipes are just as popular!

Chia seeds are a versatile staple in my own cooking. I particularly love them in my pumpkin chia pudding, vegan banana pudding, and my easy coffee overnight oats recipes.

And while chia seeds are most often associated with sweet pudding or baking, these little seeds have no sweetness to them, so you can absolutely use them in savory recipes as well.

Check out my list below for savory chia seed recipes.

What are Chia Seeds and Why are They Amazing?

In case you didn't know, chia seeds are amazing. These tiny seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica are slightly smaller than a grain of quinoa when dry, yet they do expand when they become wet. In fact, a chia seed can expand to 10 times its size.

Native to Guatemala and Mexico, chia seeds have been used for centuries by many cultures including ancient Aztec and Mesoamerican cultures. They were a major part of many people’s diets and even were considered to have medicinal properties.

Chia seeds expand massively when submerged in liquid. For this reason, eating dry chia seeds isn't recommended. They don’t taste good that way and are much more difficult to digest.

These nutritious little seeds are loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, and healthy fats including all of the Omegas (3, 6, and 9). Just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds also provide an impressive percentage of your daily value for iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B1 (thiamine), and vitamin B3 (niacin).

Chia seeds are reported to be useful for weight loss, lowering the risk of heart disease, lowering blood pressure, and are loaded with antioxidants which fight free radicals. 

How to Gel Chia Seeds

• You need a ratio of 4 parts liquid to 1 part chia seeds.
• Make sure to mix it thoroughly before leaving the seeds to gel so everything gets coated in liquid.
• To use chia seeds as a binder or to make chia pudding, you need a minimum of 15-20 minutes for the seeds to absorb the liquid and expand. They work well as a binder so allow them time to sit.
• If your chia seeds are very old, they may not gel well. Like baking powder, it’s best to work with relatively fresh seeds.

Where to Purchase Chia Seeds and How to Store

You can buy chia seeds in almost any grocery store now. They are usually in the health food section, or sometimes in the baking section. You can also purchase chia seeds online.

Nuts and seeds are best stored in the refrigerator or freezer so they don’t go rancid quickly. But they are shelf stable and can be stored in a dark cupboard if you plan to use them sooner rather than later. Due to their versatile nature, chia seeds are a permanent item on my ultimate vegan pantry staples list.

Savory Chia Seed Recipes

While chia seeds are known well for their applications in sweet dishes like baked goods, pudding, and overnight oats, there are a lot of savory uses too. Check out my list of savory chia seed recipes below.

1. Superfood Salad

2. Gluten-Free Super Seed Bread

3. 5-Ingredient Vegan Caviar

4. Vegan Mushroom Wellington

5. Raw Carrot Salad with Spicy Chia Dressing

6. Savory Pizza Oatmeal Bake

7. Vegan Lentil Loaf

8. Baked Falafels

9. Savory Red Curry Chia Pudding

10. Sagey Leek and White Bean Patties

11. Chia and Red Pepper BBQ Relish

12. Easy Vegan Nut Roast

13. Savory Chickpea Protein Bars

14. Curried Carrot Chickpea Chia Burgers

15. Vegan Zucchini and Corn Fritters

16. Tomato Chia Jam

17. Flourless Zucchini Chia Savory Breakfast Muffins

18. Cornbread Gluten Free Stuffing

19. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

20. Chickpea Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce (Vegan)

21. Savory Chia Pudding with Miso, Nori, & Roasted Tomatoes

22. Vegan Savory Carrot Tart

23. Avocado Tomato Salad

24. Savory Vegan Buckwheat Meatballs

25. Healthy Multi Seed Crackers

26. Seeded Whole Wheat Sourdough Sandwich Bread

27. Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

28. Easy Vegan Naan Bread

29. Tofu Quinoa Bowl

30. No Bake Ginger Tahini Protein Balls

31. Broccoli Dippers with Fresh Veggies

32. Turmeric Lentil Fritters Tomato Bowl with Tahini Dill Sauce

33. Vegan Eggplant Pie Recipe

34. Masala Oats – Indian Savory Oats Upma

35. Savory Lentil-Mushroom Burgers

More Chia Seed Recipes to Try