So You Have A Giant Bag Of Chia Seeds. Now What?

If you happened to read about chia seeds and were impressed by their purported health benefits and variety of uses, you might have gone out and bought a big bag. But, maybe you're now faced with the question of ... what do you do with them? The cool thing about chia is that these tiny seeds can be incorporated into pretty much every meal of the day. And they're a nutritional powerhouse, with the USDA noting their high protein and fiber content, among other vitamins and minerals.

Chia seeds can be great to start off your morning as part of a hearty breakfast. Use as a topping for yogurts and parfaits, sprinkled into cereals and fruit bowls, or baked in muffins (they're a great vegan egg replacer). The secret to enjoying chia seeds is to soak them first. They will absorb whatever liquid they are soaked in, and then expand and transform into a gooey, pudding-like consistency. When chia seeds are left in the fridge overnight (and mixed with oats, milk, and something sweet like maple honey), you'll wake up to pure magic, like this recipe for matcha overnight oats.

For other breakfast options, chia seeds can be incorporated into waffle or pancake mix as a thickener for fluffy batters. You can also toss them in dry for some extra crunch, as in these lemon-chia seed waffles, or turn chia into a spreadable jam on top of crostini with some goat cheese, or spread on waffles, bagels, or toast.

Lunch, dinner, and dessert bring even more opportunities to make use of your chia seeds. Salads and grain-based dishes are already satisfying on their own, but adding chia seeds can take them over the top. In the Mexican-inspired ancient grain seven vegetable superfood salad, for example, chia seeds are dry-toasted along with pepitas, then combined with farro and quinoa in a spicy and smoky vinaigrette. The toasted seeds give this salad an unforgettable pop.

The crunchiness of raw chia seeds can also be just the thing for extra-special breaded dishes. Dredge your preferred proteins or vegetables in seasoned breadcrumbs that have been tossed with chia seeds, then fry or bake until golden. The breading on this eggplant schnitzel is made with chia seeds, panko, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley and makes a delicious vegetarian main course.

But it's perhaps dessert where chia seeds really shine. Having very little flavor of their own, chia seeds lend their texture to many sweet treats. They can be used to make pie crusts and as a thickener for pie fillings. We love chia seeds in raw or baked bars (like homemade power bars, crispy granola bars, or creamy lemon bars). Or, try them in this super easy superseed peanut butter cups recipe, where chia, flax, and hemp seeds come together with nut butter, semisweet chocolate, and honey for a sweet finish that hits the spot while providing nutrients.

There are even more ways to use up that bag of chia seeds beyond just eating them. The beverage category is where chia seeds are really at home. Prized for their remarkable ability to soak up liquids and plump up to nearly 10 times their weight, chia seeds add a tactile, chewy aspect to many kinds of drinks. Power up your fruit smoothies with protein-packed chia. Chia seeds can perk up lemonade and fruit juices, too.

Chia fresca may be the simplest way to prepare chia seeds, and also one of the most refreshing. Add the seeds to water or juice, mix in a touch of sweetener and a squeeze of citrus, and pour over ice. There's nothing better on a hot day, and the flavor combos you could come up with are limitless, like this honeydew mint chia fresca.

Put your remaining chia seeds to good use in cocktails, where they are unexpected but surprisingly compatible with alcohol-based drinks like mojitos, mimosas, or sangria. Or, kick things up a notch with an adult beverage version of a chia fresca cocktail, from chef David Chang's Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York. Made with mezcal, Aperol, pineapple, lime, simple syrup, and a teaspoon of hydrated chia seeds, it makes for an excellent nightcap.