Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding

A festive, no-bake Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding made with dairy-free eggnog, chia seeds, and caramel for a creamy, holiday-inspired dessert or breakfast. Gluten-free, vegan, easy, and perfect for Christmas mornings or make-ahead healthy treats.

The holiday season calls for cozy flavors, simple prep, and healthier desserts you can feel good about enjoying any time of day. This Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding brings all the nostalgic warmth of classic eggnog—creamy, spiced, and lightly sweet—but with a delicious caramel twist and a nourishing, plant-based base. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for festive mornings, afternoon snacking, or a no-bake dessert that looks beautifully layered in jars.

Made with dairy-free eggnog, an easy homemade dairy-free caramel sauce, and nutrient-rich chia seeds, this pudding thickens into a luscious, silky texture overnight. And maybe the best part? You need less than 10 minutes to prepare it.

You see… I was craving eggnog. I can’t say that I’ve ever been a traditional eggnog fan, but the dairy-free eggnogs bring me all the cozy holiday feels and this year I found a new plant-based eggnog made with flax milk! So of course I grabbed that baby off the shelf so fast… and then it just hung out in the back of my fridge for a few weeks because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with it (besides drink it!). Perks of dairy-free people- buy and then decide what to do with it later and it doesn’t spoil as quickly.

I’m kinda kicking myself for not making this delicious gluten-free, vegan dessert sooner! With all of the holiday desserts and cookies I’ve been making, I can honestly say this Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding is at the top of my list of favorites this year.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding

• Festive & nostalgic. All the cozy holiday spices and creamy richness of traditional eggnog—without dairy, eggs, or refined ingredients.
• Effortless prep. Stir the pudding together, refrigerate, and wake up to a ready-to-eat holiday treat.
• Nutrient-dense. Chia seeds offer omega-3s, fiber, and plant protein, making this dessert feel indulgent and nourishing.
• Customizable. Add more caramel, extra nutmeg, or a swirl of coconut whip to make it as decadent or simple as you like.
• Perfect for entertaining. Serve it in small jars for a stunning holiday dessert that requires zero baking.

Eggnog Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients

• Dairy-free eggnog – Provides classic holiday flavor with warm spices and creamy richness. There are a lot of stores that carry almond-based eggnog or oat-based eggnog. I happened to find a flax milk eggnog! Here is a good option.
• Chia seeds – Transform liquid into pudding while supplying fiber, protein, and omega-3s. I used these.
• Caramel sauce – Adds depth, sweetness, and a buttery richness without dairy. I made my own simple vegan caramel sauce
• Maple syrup or sweetener – Enhances the caramel flavor and balances the spices.
• Vanilla + nutmeg – Pure vanilla extract and nutmeg round out the nostalgic eggnog taste.
• Coconut cream or coconut whip (optional) – For serving and extra indulgence.

Products Used In This Recipe

(the oat nog is a suggested product if you can’t find flax nog or other dairy-free eggnog in stores).

How To Make It

It’s so easy to make too, it practically makes itself. Sometimes the simple things in life are the most satisfying, amiright?!

1. Make the chia pudding by combining the chia seeds, eggnog, vanilla and salt together either in a blender (and pulse it every few minutes until it thickens) or you can whisk them together in a bowl (whisking every few minutes). Once thickened, pour it evenly into glasses or bowls and place in the fridge to finish setting up 30 minutes to overnight (if overnight cover).
2. Make the vegan caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the plant butter/coconut oil over high heat. Once melted, whisk in the maple syrup, vanilla and pinch of salt. Next, whisk in the nut/seed butter, whisking continuously until the mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and whisk in the baking soda (if using) and eggnog until it’s smooth and silky like caramel sauce! It will thicken up as it cools, but if it’s too runny add 1 more tablespoon of nut/seed butter.
3. Top the chia pudding with a layer of the vegan caramel sauce, a drizzle of maple syrup, dairy-free whipped cream, and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

This recipe will make two, but dang it I wish I woulda made more. Feel free to double the recipe! This will definitely be a recipe I make again before the eggnog season is over with.

Serving Suggestions

• Layer with coconut whip for a parfait-style holiday dessert.
• Add crushed ginger snaps or gluten-free graham crackers for texture.
• Swirl in extra vegan caramel for an even richer flavor.
• Serve in mini jars as a festive party dessert platter.

Recipe Tips

• For thicker pudding: Add an additional tablespoon of chia seeds.
• For sweeter pudding: Increase caramel sauce or maple syrup to taste.
• For ultra-smooth texture: Blend the mixture before chilling for a creamy, custard-like pudding.
• For the best flavor: Use a high-quality dairy-free eggnog—oat-based versions often give the creamiest results.
• For the best chia seed dispersment: – I like to add the nog and the chia seeds to a blender and just pulse it every few minutes while it thickens. Then you can pour it into glasses or bowls and refrigerate them until they’re ready, like 20 minutes or you can make them ahead of time and let them set up overnight.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. This recipe stays fresh for 3–4 days in the refrigerator, making it perfect for stress-free holiday prep.

Can I use homemade eggnog?
Absolutely. Any dairy-free eggnog—coconut, oat, almond, cashew—will work as long as it has similar sweetness and spice levels.

Do chia seeds have to be whole?
No. You can use whole seeds for texture or ground chia seeds for a smoother, pudding-like consistency.

Can this be nut-free?
Yes. Choose a nut-free eggnog such as coconut- or oat-based and use a nut-free caramel.

How do I prevent clumping?
Stir twice—the first time when mixing, and a second time after 10–15 minutes. This ensures the seeds disperse evenly.

If you make This Vegan Caramel Eggnog Chia Pudding this holiday season, don’t forget to leave a comment below as well as giving this recipe a five star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ! Tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make it! ❤️🎄❄️✨

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