It was really a toss up to write an article or a recipe for this one! Making chia powder (also known as ground chia seed, or chia flour) with a high-speed blender is incredibly easy, and saves you having to buy two different ingredients at the store (chia seeds and ground chia seeds). Remember to use the dry bin of your high speed blender, which is essential (the blades make sure to convert your seeds into a powder, as opposed to a butter).
Chia powder, made from chia seeds, is very handy to have on hand. It can be used to thicken many recipes, such as smoothies, baking, sauces, dressings and condiments like ketchup. It typically takes only takes a teaspoon or two to thicken your recipe.
Chia flour / Chia powder / Ground chia seed
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chia seeds or more, depending on desired quantity
Instructions
- Using the dry bin for your high-speed blender (such as a Vitamix), add the chia seeds to the container. You can also use a food processor if you do not have a high speed blender.
- Start blending at the lowest speed, and slowly increase to high speed blending.
- You may need to stop blending and scrape down the sides to make sure all seeds are finely ground. The powder will look like finely ground pepper when complete.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight glass container for the longest shelf life.
Notes
Variations and other recipes
Flaxseed powder is also made the exact same way. Want to make flaxseed powder? Simply substitute the chia seeds for flax.
See this search page for our recipes that use this ingredient.
Health Benefits: Ground or whole?
What about the health part of the equation? Should you eat whole chia seeds or grind them into a flour? Dr. Michael Greger (of Nutrition Facts website) has spoken about studies that suggest that grinding them may help you acquire beneficial omega-3 fatty acid (5 grams per one ounce). So, like with flax seeds, you may want to grind them prior to using them in a recipe when possible.
Learn more in this video:
Where to find chia seeds
We often get our chia seeds from Amazon. We buy them bulk, and store them in the refrigerator. We have tried the Organic NOW, Nutiva and Viva Naturals products in the past.
Don’t want to make it?
You can purchase ground chia seeds instead. If you go through chia seeds quickly, this may be a good option for you.
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Elisabeth Stevens
I’m trying to make chia ‘eggs’, but only have ground chia seeds. How much chia meal will I need to be equivalent to 1TB of chia seeds?
I’ve tried 1 TB of meal and 3 TB water, but the taste is a bit overpowering.
APatty
Can I make cookies with chia seed flour?
Jen @ PlantBasedRecipe
Hi APatty! I haven’t tried making cookies with chia flour as the main component (it would end up quite expensive and I’d worry about the texture – baking can be tricky!), but it does work with some blended in. A chia “egg” into cookies is quite common too. I have made some cookies with chia flour and rolled oats (to avoid flours) that have turned out nicely! Should work on a recipe like that to add 🙂
Tara Carella
I have a recipe that calls for 1/2 cup chia seeds but I prefer the milled chia. what is the conversion.. do I need less milled chia or more? I cannot seem to find a conversion of whole to milled equivalent. Thanks
C. M.
After extensive research, 1/2 cup whole chia would convert to 1 cup of whole chia.
SuziesCorner
I just freezed dried a bag of chia seeds for shelf life. I tried a little in it’s dried form and it’s nice. I think I’ll like it.
Jen @ PlantBasedRecipe
That’s great! Freezing is a great idea. Thanks SuziesCorner!