This matcha chia pudding recipe is what a.m. dreams are made of

Smoothie bowls, we love you, but you’re really high-maintenance.

Sure, all that chopping and blending and artsy ingredient styling are fine for a lazy Sunday—but who has time for that when it’s Wednesday and you’re late for a morning meeting?

SoCal café and juicery Beaming feels you, which is why it recently launched build-your-own porridge bars in its La Jolla, Carlsbad, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood locations. All of the recipes—which include organic chia puddings and overnight oats blended with powerful superfoods—were developed in partnership with Breakfast Criminals’ Ksenia Avdulova, so you know they’re gonna be amazing (and photogenic).

In my smoothie bar-dining critic opinion, the matcha chia pudding is the star of this show—and Avdulova agrees. “I’m matcha-obsessed! I even created a #matchanonymous hashtag on Instagram,” she says. “Chia pudding on its own can be very plain, and the addition of matcha makes it interesting and complete, especially when paired with fresh strawberries.”

And the benefits go way beyond tastiness, explains Avdulova. “Matcha is rich in antioxidants, fiber, amino acids, and chlorophyll. It’s said that matcha can calm your mind, boost energy and metabolism, detoxify, and help prevent heart disease.”

Can you say that about your usual a.m. energy bar? Didn’t think so.

Scroll down to get the recipe for Beaming and Breakfast Criminals’ matcha chia pudding—think of it as the acai bowl’s more laid-back, yet super cool little sister.

Beaming x Breakfast Criminals Matcha Chia Pudding

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chia seeds2 cups nut or seed milk1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1 tablespoon matcha powder3 tablespoons shredded coconut2 tablespoons cashews1 tablespoon maple syrup to sweeten

Whisk all ingredients well in a glass jar until there are no lumps. Let sit for 15 minutes, stir again, then put on the lid and let your chia pudding sit in the fridge 2 hours to overnight.

In the morning, serve with your favorite toppings—like Breakfast Criminals’ chia berry jam and cashew cream.

So you say you don’t eat breakfast? We recommend you rethink that—all the healthiest people do. (Some even eat it twice). If a savory a.m. meal is more your thing, this gut-healthy option is equally delish.