This Pina Colada Parfait with chia seed coconut milk ‘yogurt’ is rich and creamy from the coconut milk, tangy and sweet from the pineapple with the occasional crunch from the granola. Plus it’s vegan, gluten free, has a paleo option and is super easy to put together.
Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
It’s been so long since I wrote a recipe post that I’ve kind of forgotten what I’m doing. I mean, apart from recipe roundups, I haven’t posted a recipe on the blog since this Ginger-Spiced Carrot Bread last month. Luckily, this Pina Colada Parfait pretty much speaks for itself, so I don’t have to do a lot of thinking.
I have to admit, that Pina Coladas used to be my least favourite drink. I haven’t always been a fan of pineapple so, although I loved coconut, the drink didn’t really do much for me. Thankfully, I got over that anti-pineapple phase and can now enjoy the awesomeness that is a Pina Colada without complaint.
Weirdly enough, pineapple isn’t the only thing in this recipe that I used to hate but now enjoy. The other? Chia seeds. The first time I had chia seeds was in vanilla chia seed pudding and initially I was a fan. But by the second serving I was so over it. Recently though, I started throwing chia seeds in my with many bowls of breakfast oatmeal to thicken them up a bit and I found that I actually liked the results.
Apart from chia seeds getting stuck in my teeth and being the most annoying thing to get out, they aren’t as bad as I remembered. I think that my issue was more with the consistency of the chia seed pudding than the chia seeds themselves. Milk and chia seeds combined results in this weird soupy, seedy thing that I struggle to get down once I start thinking about the texture.
But, for the purposes of this Pina Colada Parfait, I used a can of full fat coconut milk, which is already a lot thicker than milk or other milk substitutes. A parfait wouldn’t be a parfait without yogurt, so my goal was to achieve that same thickness, without any of the dairy. I whisked together the coconut milk, some sweetener and the chia seeds, popped it in the fridge and in the morning, I had my rich and creamy ‘yogurt’, with none of the weird soupiness of regular chia seed pudding.
From there, assembling these Pina Colada Parfaits was pretty simple. I whipped up a batch of Coconut Almond Granola, chopped some fresh pineapple and got to layering. The result was rich and creamy from the coconut milk ‘yogurt’, tangy and sweet from the pineapple, with a weirdly satisfying crunch from the granola. Definitely a great way to start any morning or end any meal.
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 2½ tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp liquid sweetener of choice
- ½ - 1 cup pineapple chunks
- ½ cup granola (I used my Coconut Almond Granola)**
- unsweetened shredded coconut for topping
- Whisk together coconut milk, chia seeds and sweetener in a bowl, until none of the lumps from the coconut milk remain
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours until it sets
- Prepare granola if making your own
- Once the coconut milk 'yogurt' is set, layer the yogurt, pineapple and granola into a glass, starting with the yogurt.
- Top with more pineapple and shredded coconut and enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later
What about you?
Are you a fan of chia seed pudding? Do you like pineapple? What about Pina Coladas?
Share in the comments below!
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I love your recipes–they always look so beautiful.
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog 111: Fit Bottomed Pets, The BMI of The Rock & “Motivational Blaster” Giveaway
Thanks Margo! 🙂
Holy crazy yum!
And what!? Pina colda is one of the best non-chocolate flavors! Haha! I adore pineapple and coconut!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Black & White Pancakes
I do now too. But I think I ate pineapple once when I was sick as a kid and I associated it with being sick for years after. Glad I’m over that tho haha
I love piña colada this looks good. The chia seeds are a bonus!
Ivanna recently posted…Skirt Sports 13er, New Fitness Gear and A Free Race Entry Giveaway
For once I agree. Chia seeds definitely added something great to this recipe 🙂
YAY! It’s coconut day! Probably anything with Pina Colada in the title will entice me! Haha. And I love chia seed puddings!
Coach Henness recently posted…Mocha Coconut Frappé
Glad you’re a fan! 😀
I still haven’t tried chia seeds yet something about the texture of them kind of freaks me out. Am I missing something?
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Pickled Veggies-Meatless Monday
The texture creeps me out too haha but I like what it did to the coconut milk. Definitely not as slimy as regular Chia seed pudding!
I have yet to use a “flavoured” milk (like coconut milk) for chia seed pudding! I’ve also never tried making it into a parfait which sounds like an awesome idea 🙂
Nicole @ Squash on Squash recently posted…Knee Surgery + {Friday Favourites}
You should definitely try it Nicole! So good 😀
That looks sooooooo yummy!!!
Stephanie recently posted…Sand Season Has Begun!
Thanks Stephanie!
I love chia seeds (especially when I find one in my teeth, is that weird?) but I’ve never tried chia seed pudding. Hell to the yes on pineapple!
Marcia recently posted…Wait What Just Happened? My First Tri
haha I think it’s weird but I’m freakishly OCD when it comes to my teeth. Those seeds bug me so much lol
Oh man, what a great idea to use coconut milk. That sounds delicious!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Motivate Me Monday: 4/27
Thanks Ange!
Your recipe has me longing for a traditional pina colida. Yum!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Weekly Training Log – Week of April 20th
haha you’re welcome?
This looks amazing! <3 I've been loving the pineapple/coconut combo lately! :] It reminds me of summer! 😀
Farrah recently posted…A Judgment-Free Zone
Same! I’m so impatient for summer to get here. Hopefully eating more of that combo will make it come faster? 😀
I always have the same problem with chia seeds — those buggers just like to hang out in my teeth all day and I never seem to notice until hours later. Now I just toss them into smoothies and pulverize the heck out of them 😛 As for pineapple… I used to love it when I was younger, and then it started giving me stomach aches so I stopped eating it. I’ve had it a few times since then without any problems, though, so I’m thinking I’m in the clear!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. 14 quick & easy no-bake energy bites .
I haven’t tried them in my smoothies yet, but I’m thinking I’ll like it a lot better than the slimy pudding lol
Also, definitely hope you’re in the clear with pineapple, because now that I love it, I couldn’t imagine my life without it haha
i’m allergic to coconut but that looks amazing!!! looooove pineapple.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Countdown to Pittsburgh: Final Training Week
This looks amazing! I printed it and can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Bringing my own sunshine
i don’t like raw coconut so i’d probably leave that out of this recipe. but otherwise, looks great!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Rock Your Core – Final Week!
looks delicious!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…A Star is Born
I could hug you for this recipe today – it’s exactly what I”ve been craving. I’ve given up on dairy for awhile and i’m really starting to miss my yogurts!! This is the perfect replacement!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Homemade Hummus Recipe | Sundried Tomato
Your photos make me wish I like coconut 🙂
jill conyers recently posted…#ROCKYOURCORE Final Week
You make food look so amazing. I love a good pina Colada so maybe this would be a good intro to Chia seeds.
GinaB @ Mirror Watching recently posted…Decision Day Has Come
This sounds delicious! I will be pinning it for later!! Thanks for sharing!
Toni @runninglovingliving recently posted…When a run feels amazing
I’ve never made my own parfait but this looks delicious. I have pineapples in my fridge but that’s about it…I’m assuming I can sub in normal yogurt for the coconut yogurt? Will have to try it out!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…7 Costco Shopping Secrets I Didn’t Know About
that looks YUM! I’m always avoiding coconut but you just might change that.
Carmy recently posted…RACE REPORT: TYS10K, Toronto
This looks delicious! I am a huge fan of pina coladas so would definitely give this a try. Now my mouth is watering!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…I’m going to be running a 5K soon!
Yum– I’m a huge coconut milk (and pina colada) fan! This looks delicious. And I just made some homemade granola.. maybe this will have to be my breakfast tomorrow.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Gluten-Free Chewy Cherry Coconut Cookies
Yes to all these things! Great pictures too.
I’ve always been a big fan of pina colada. This looks so good!
Marissa recently posted…The Endless Catalog of My Bookmarked Recipes & Jackfruit Tacos!
Giselle, this sounds delicious! Wow! What a refreshing dessert, and it has all the textures too, yum yum! Thanks for linking up for meatless monday 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Honey and Lime 3-Bean Dip
Man I love pineapple…it’s the one fruit that immediately puts me into vacation mindset. I think I just associate pineapples to tropical places. This looks lovely – thank you for sharing!
Meghan recently posted…Loaves for Lives Fundraiser + A Yummy Giveaway!
Oh my goodness… I can’t believe this recipe is vegan! I simply cannot wait to try this parfait! Thanks so much for sharing! xoxo
Michelle recently posted…5 Reasons Why You Should Ignore Perfection
Hey thanks for sharing this recipe at the Inspire Me Mondays Link-Up. I had to chuckle when I read the post — I have some of the same opinions about chia seeds! The stuck in your teeth thing is truly annoying! I have three-quarters of a bag here in the house and this recipe sure looks like a winner. Thanks again!
Bridget/The Recipe Wench recently posted…Stuffed Meatloaf!
I can’t believe I am just finding this recipe! I recently heard someone say that “A healthy body is a healthy mind” Yet it can be so hard to find healthy and delicious. I love this! Thanks for posting it!