White Chocolate & Matcha Chia Pudding with Figs is a beautifully layered dessert that balances creamy richness with a delicate crunch. Infused with sweet white chocolate and earthy matcha, and topped with a homemade fig jam, this chilled treat is perfect for late summer or early fall. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and makes a stunning presentation for guests or an indulgent treat just for you.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Chia Pudding:

• ½ cup chia seeds

• 2 cups plant-based milk (or dairy milk)

• 100g vegan white chocolate (or regular white chocolate)

• 1 tablespoon matcha powder

For the Fig Jam:

• 200g fresh ripe figs

• 3 tablespoons white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla seeds

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Toppings (Optional):

• Fresh figs

• Chopped nuts

Directions

Make the Chia Pudding:

1. Finely chop the white chocolate and melt it in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat once melted.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, matcha powder, and chia seeds.

3. Slowly pour in the melted white chocolate while whisking to incorporate evenly.

4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight until thickened.

Make the Fig Jam:

1. Remove stems and chop figs.

2. In a small pot, combine figs, sugar, vanilla, water, and lemon juice.

3. Cook over medium heat for 5–10 minutes until figs soften completely.

4. Blend the mixture in a food processor until smooth. Let cool to thicken.

Assemble:

1. In two serving glasses, layer chia pudding halfway up.

2. Add a layer of fig jam, then top with the remaining chia pudding.

3. Garnish with chopped nuts and fresh fig slices if desired.

Nutrients (estimated per serving, based on 2 servings)

• Calories: ~370

• Protein: ~8g

• Fat: ~16g

• Carbohydrates: ~45g

• Fiber: ~9g

• Sugar: ~22g

• Sodium: ~40mg

The Flavor Profile: Earthy, Sweet, and Balanced

What sets this dessert apart is its sophisticated balance of flavors. The matcha brings an earthy, slightly bitter undertone that pairs beautifully with the gentle sweetness of white chocolate. Together, they create a complex and nuanced base that is neither too sweet nor too grassy.

The fig jam layer adds a soft fruitiness that deepens the experience with its floral and honey-like notes. When combined, these three flavors—matcha, white chocolate, and fig—strike an exquisite balance of richness, lightness, and natural sweetness, making each spoonful taste both comforting and elevated.

Chia Seeds: Tiny Superfoods with Big Benefits

Chia seeds are the foundation of this pudding, and they’re much more than just a textural element. These tiny black seeds absorb liquid to form a gel-like consistency, giving the pudding its iconic thick and creamy texture without any need for thickeners or eggs.

Nutritionally, chia seeds are a powerhouse. They’re high in dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and keeps you feeling full. They’re also a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and calcium. Because they are neutral in flavor, they absorb the taste of whatever they’re mixed with—making them the perfect vehicle for the bold flavors of matcha and white chocolate.

Matcha: Earthy Elegance with Antioxidant Power

Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves, is at the heart of this dessert’s color and aroma. It brings a vibrant green hue and a distinct umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the white chocolate and the fruitiness of the figs.

Matcha is also packed with antioxidants, particularly catechins like EGCG, which are known for their metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a moderate amount of caffeine, making this dessert subtly energizing without the jitters associated with coffee.

White Chocolate: Creamy Indulgence with a Gentle Sweetness

White chocolate often plays a background role in desserts, but here it’s a key player. When melted and incorporated into the chia pudding, it brings a rich, buttery sweetness that softens matcha’s sharpness and adds decadence to the dish. Because this recipe is vegan-friendly, using dairy-free white chocolate allows you to enjoy the same luxurious texture while keeping the dessert entirely plant-based.

In combination with creamy plant-based milk—such as almond, oat, or coconut—the white chocolate makes the pudding silky smooth, enhancing both mouthfeel and depth of flavor.

Homemade Fig Jam: A Fruity and Floral Counterpoint

The homemade fig jam elevates this dish from a basic chia pudding to something much more complex and dessert-worthy. Figs, when simmered with sugar, water, and a touch of vanilla, break down into a thick, spreadable jam that’s naturally sweet with undertones of caramel and berry. A splash of lemon juice brightens the mix, creating a contrast to the creamy pudding below.

Figs are rich in dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, making them not only a flavor booster but a nutritional one as well. Blending them into a smooth jam makes for a refined middle layer that harmonizes beautifully with the pudding on either side.

Beautiful Presentation with Minimal Effort

One of the most appealing aspects of this dessert is its presentation. Served in glass jars, parfait glasses, or even shot glasses for bite-sized portions, the layers of green matcha pudding and deep purple fig jam make a stunning visual impact.

The optional toppings—fresh fig slices, crushed nuts, or even a light drizzle of extra melted white chocolate—add color, texture, and a final decorative touch that can be customized to match the occasion. Whether you’re serving this at a dinner party or indulging solo, it looks like something out of a high-end café display.

Easy to Make Ahead for Convenience

This chia pudding is also incredibly practical. It requires no baking and minimal cooking (just melting chocolate and simmering figs), and most of the prep is passive. The pudding needs several hours to set, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert. You can prepare it the night before and simply assemble the layers before serving.

This convenience makes it an ideal option for brunch spreads, meal prepping, or preparing in bulk for events. Once chilled, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days, making it a versatile and reliable choice for any schedule.

Allergy-Friendly and Dietary Inclusive

This dessert is naturally gluten-free and can be made completely vegan with the use of dairy-free milk and vegan white chocolate. It’s also egg-free and free of refined flours, making it suitable for people with a variety of dietary restrictions.

Because of its flexibility, it’s easy to tweak the recipe to suit your needs—using sugar substitutes like maple syrup or coconut sugar in the jam, adjusting the milk based on what you have on hand, or topping with seeds instead of nuts for a nut-free version.

Seasonal Yet Timeless

Though this recipe shines brightest in late summer and early fall—when fresh figs are in season—it can be made year-round using dried figs rehydrated in water or even high-quality store-bought fig jam. The combination of matcha and white chocolate is timeless, meaning this dessert fits seamlessly into both warm-weather and cool-weather menus.

For spring events like Easter or Mother’s Day, it offers a fresh and light treat. For autumn gatherings, its deep, layered flavors and comforting creaminess feel indulgent and seasonally appropriate.

Conclusion

White Chocolate & Matcha Chia Pudding with Figs is a dessert that embodies both elegance and nourishment. With its delicate layers, vibrant colors, and rich textures, it feels like a treat—yet it’s packed with wholesome ingredients like chia seeds, matcha, and fresh figs. It’s as beautiful to look at as it is delightful to eat, and it caters effortlessly to a range of dietary needs and flavor preferences.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests, elevate your weekly meal prep, or simply treat yourself to something special, this pudding delivers. Its earthy sweetness, visual flair, and creamy consistency make it a standout in the world of modern, mindful desserts.

Serve it chilled, layered, and garnished, and enjoy every luxurious, nutrient-rich bite.