Chia gel is basically chia seeds soaked in any liquid: water, juice or milk. This Coconut Chia Gel is great for making any kind of coconut flavoured desserts like cupcakes, macaroons, cookies and even cakes. I made this gel specifically for the Protein Chia Macaroons. They turned out just right: crispy outside and soft inside.
Chia seeds is a rediscovered superfood. Yes, these tiny black seeds can expand up to 9 times of their size and are packed with fiber, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, protein, iron, and calcium. They have no taste therefore flavour combination possibilities are endless.
When soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight, chia seeds expand and create a pudding like mixture. The longer chia seeds soak, the more the health benefits. Soaking overnight is ideal.
Chia seeds are naturally gluten free. This gel is also vegan and vegetarian.
I first discovered chia seeds this winter when I made my first Papaya Chia Pudding. It followed by the Banana Chocolate and Mango Chia pudding recipes.
You can easily control the consistency with the amount of liquid you add. I wanted the Coconut Chia Gel to be quite thick as I was using it for baking the macaroons.
Look how gel sticks to the spoon. I would say it took good 5 seconds before it started to fall off the spoon.
Ingredients you will need to make Coconut Chia Gel:
1. Chia seeds
2. Light coconut milk
3. Mason jar with the lid or any other airtight container
4. Spoon.
1. Add chia seeds to a jar.
2. Add coconut milk.
3. Mix with a spoon. I love my long teaspoons for these purposes. I bought 4 for $5 at my local grocery store, the Real Canadian Superstore for those who live in Canada.:)
The coconut chia gel will look like this right after mixing.
4. Close the lid and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Look at the difference in the consistency. This is BEFORE shot:
And this is AFTER shot. I refrigerated this jar below overnight.
You can see how thick the gel is. It sticks to the spoon and falls off very slowly.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 can light coconut milk (14 oz)
Directions
- 1. Add chia seeds to a jar.
- 2. Add coconut milk.
- 3. Mix with a spoon.
- 4. Close the lid and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving = 0.5 cup:
Calories: 122.5
Total Fat: 9.4 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 0.0 mg
Total Carbs: 8.7 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.5 g
Protein: 3.0 g
WW Points +: 3