Combine the Dry Ingredients in a Medium-Sized Mixing Bowl: Place the chocolate protein powder, the unsweetened cocoa powder, and the small pinch of sea salt into the bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly for about 30 seconds. This step is crucial for breaking up any clumps in the protein powder and ensuring the chocolate flavor is evenly distributed before adding the liquid.

Incorporate the Wet Ingredients and Sweetener: Pour in the 1 cup of unsweetened milk alternative, the vanilla extract, and the maple syrup into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy whisk to mix everything together vigorously until the mixture is smooth and the protein powder has completely dissolved. Ensure no pockets of dry powder remain stuck to the bottom or sides of the bowl.

Add the Chia Seeds and Begin the Setting Process: Once the chocolate liquid base is smooth, gently stir in the 1/4 cup of chia seeds. Stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring the seeds are evenly suspended throughout the liquid. Chia seeds begin to absorb liquid immediately and will sink quickly if you stop stirring too soon.

The Initial Resting and Second Whisk: Allow the pudding mixture to rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. This short period allows the chia seeds to begin swelling. After the 10-minute rest, take the whisk and stir the pudding mixture again very thoroughly for another minute. This second whisking step is very important as it breaks up any large clumps of seeds that might have formed at the bottom, guaranteeing a smooth and uniform final texture.

Refrigerate Until Thickened: Carefully pour the mixture into a jar, airtight container, or individual serving cups. Place the covered container into the refrigerator. Allow the pudding to chill and thicken completely for a minimum of 4 hours, though ideally, it should be left to set overnight (8 to 12 hours) for the best, most gelatinous texture.

Check Consistency and Serve: When you are ready to serve, remove the pudding from the refrigerator. The consistency should be very thick and spoonable, similar to traditional pudding or mousse. If the pudding seems too thick, you may stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra milk until the desired consistency is achieved. Serve the Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding cold, topped with fresh berries, a sprinkle of granola, or a dusting of extra cocoa powder.