Best Banana Chia Pudding Recipe

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My Banana Chia Pudding recipe is a delicious snack made using simple ingredients like ripe banana, plant-based milk and nutritious chia seeds. Chia pudding is the perfect make-ahead breakfast, healthy dessert or filling snack.

Sweetened with a touch of maple syrup, this banana chia seed pudding recipe is just sweet enough, while still being free from refined sugars. 

Contents:

Chia seeds are a small but mighty nutrient powerhouse. They are a great source of healthy fats (essential fatty acids omega 3 and 6), plant-based protein, vitamins and minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc). Chia pudding is made in a similar way to overnight oats, where you add the liquid to the dry ingredients and allow to set for at least an hour or overnight. 

If you love this recipe then you would also love my Chocolate Chia Pudding, Passionfruit Chia Pudding or my Strawberry Overnight Oats recipes.

What to Love About Banana Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is such a great snack for anyone with a bit of a sweet tooth, as they have natural sweetness from the banana and a little extra added sugar from the pure maple syrup. But because they are so nutrient dense, these chia puddings will keep you feeling fuller for longer. There’s so much more to love about this recipe though:

• allergy friendly – this banana chia pudding is gluten free, dairy free, nut free and egg free, making it perfect for an allergy friendly kindy or school lunchbox.
• great for meal prep – this recipe makes 2-4 serves, depending on whether you’re making it for a healthy breakfast or a sweet snack. They keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, so make ahead at the beginning of the week for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
• quick & easy – these easy chia puddings  need minimal cooking skills to make and only take 5 minutes of prep time. 
• contain essential nutrients – chia seeds are nutrient dense seeds that provide essential fats, plant-based protein, vitamins and minerals. All of this along with their high fiber content, chia seeds puddings can be a filling and nutritious meal. 

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

This delicious and healthy chia puddings are made using a handful of simple ingredients, all of which can be found at your local major grocery store. For ingredient quantities, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Read on to see any possible substitutions and ingredients notes. 

• white chia seeds – you can use white or black chia seeds. It makes no difference to the final taste or nutrients. I have used white chia seeds in this recipe purely because I prefer how they look in this recipe. 
• mashed banana – next to chia seeds, banana is the main ingredient in this recipe. I use fresh bananas that have been mashed. However you can swap for another fruit puree like apple puree or pear puree. 
• coconut yogurt – swap for your preferred yogurt, it’s best to use unsweetened yogurt in this recipe. I love yogurt in this recipe as it creates a creamy pudding.  
• coconut milk beverage – you can swap this ingredient for any non-dairy milk (or regular cow’s milk). You can really use any type of milk in this recipe, depending on your personal preference! Other milks you can use include unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, oat milk or rice milk. All are great options. I don’t recommend using canned coconut milk as it will be too rich. 
• pure maple syrup – you can use honey, agave or even brown sugar in place of pure maple syrup. 
• cinnamon powder – I love adding ground cinnamon to give that banana bread flavor, it really is the perfect combination! Other spices you can use in place of cinnamon include a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice or mixed spice. Or skip the cinnamon altogether and add vanilla extract.

Toppings

I have made this recipe topped with extra banana slices, a dollop of yogurt and a dash of cinnamon powder. There are so many other options for toppings though. Here are some ideas:

• a spoonful of cashew butter, almond butter, peanut butter or tahini. 
• your favorite granola. 
• any fresh fruit like berries, apple or pear.
• chocolate chips for a more indulgent snack. 
• coconut flakes or toasted nuts. 

How to Make the Best Banana Chia Pudding

Chia pudding really is so easy to make! Follow my step-by-step guide to make the best banana chia pudding. 

First, add the chia seeds, milk of choice, maple syrup and cinnamon to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine and continue whisking until the seeds start to swell. This helps to prevent clumping. 

Next, add the mashed banana and coconut yogurt to the bowl and whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or until set. Or at this point you can divide between individual serving size airtight containers. 

Serve topped with your favorite toppings! 

Storage

Chia pudding is best served in an airtight container. If meal prepping, divide between individual portion sized containers. I like to use glass airtight containers as they are low tox.