Best Banana Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
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This Banana Chia Seed Pudding makes a delicious breakfast or a satisfying snack. If you’re looking to change up your usual chia pudding, adding mashed banana is the perfect way to make it tastier and more exciting!
Are Chia Seeds Good for Your Health?
- Absolutely! Chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition. They’re packed with protein, healthy carbs, and are especially high in fiber.
- Many dietitians recommend adding chia seeds to water as a natural way to combat constipation. Here’s why: chia seeds are rich in fiber, mostly insoluble, which allows them to absorb liquid and swell into a gel-like texture. This unique property can help keep things moving smoothly in your digestive system. Adding chia seeds to water can be especially helpful for preventing constipation, particularly while traveling, when staying hydrated can be a challenge.
- You don’t need to add a lot of chia seeds to your water—just about a teaspoon per glass will do. Let them sit until they expand, then drink as usual. Since the fiber in chia seeds isn’t digested, it adds bulk to your stool, helping things move along.
- If you’ve struggled with constipation (I feel you, I’ve been there too! 😠), this simple trick might be a game-changer. It’s so effective that people often call it an “internal shower.”
- This banana chia seed pudding is even healthier than chia water because it includes fruit, calcium from milk, and beneficial probiotics from yogurt. Another excellent way to support digestion is by adding oats to your diet—like in my Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit and Walnuts recipe!
Banana Chia Seed Pudding Ingredients
- 4 tbsp chia seeds — This recipe serves two, so adjust as needed.
- 1/2 cup plain or Greek yogurt — I love using plain yogurt in smoothies and chia pudding for its probiotic benefits. Be sure to use plain, not flavored, as fruity yogurts contain extra sugar.
- 1/2 cup almond milk — I find that using only yogurt makes the pudding too thick, so almond milk helps create the perfect creamy texture. If you prefer, you can use water instead.
- 2 tbsp maple syrup — Feel free to adjust this amount. The banana adds natural sweetness, so you may not need much. Add more if needed just before eating.
- 1 mashed banana — Ripe bananas work best for sweetness, but remember they have higher sugar content. Adjust other sweeteners accordingly.
- 1 tsp cocoa powder — I recommend using unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Toppings of your choice — I love adding berries, but banana slices or kiwi are great options too!
Banana Chia Seed Pudding Prep Steps
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the mashed banana, yogurt, almond milk, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Add Chia Seeds: Stir in the chia seeds, mixing thoroughly to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
- Chill: Divide the mixture between two small glasses or jars. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or, for best results, overnight. This allows the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and create a pudding-like texture.
- Serve and Add Toppings: Before serving, give the pudding a quick stir. Add your favorite toppings like fresh berries, banana slices, or kiwi.
Quick Tip!
For an even creamier chia pudding, give it a quick stir about 10-15 minutes after refrigerating. This helps prevent the chia seeds from clumping together and ensures a smoother texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing this Banana Chia Pudding is very easy. I like making it in the evening and letting it sit in the fridge overnight to set. Plus, there is nothing better than waking up to an already-made breakfast. But, if you are going to snack on chia during the day, you can make it anytime and set it for about 4 hrs. I prefer making mine in small juice glasses, as an individual serving size. But if you prepare the pudding for more people, you can store it in a big mason jar and transfer it to individual dishes right before serving. The crucial part is to mix all ingredients and let chia seeds soak for about 30 minutes on the countertop. Then remix everything and put it in the fridge to set.
If you don’t eat it all at once, you can cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to three days. It probably can last up to 5 days, but I found that after three days, the yogurt in chia starts changing taste slightly.
The chia seeds themselves don’t have any taste. They absorb liquids and enlarge in size and will have any flavor of the liquids or any other addition you are combining them with. So, in this Banana Chia Pudding recipe, the dominant flavor will come from the banana, which makes the pudding especially tasty. Once the chia seeds absorb the liquids, they will have a gelatinous-like consistency that is easy to swallow and digest.
Wrapping Up
This Banana Chia Seed Pudding is a delicious and nutritious option that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack.
With its creamy texture and natural sweetness, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Whether you prepare it the night before or a few hours in advance, it’s a convenient and satisfying treat that you can enjoy any time of the day!
Want more from my healthy breakfast collection? Give my popular Banana Overnight Oats a try—you’re going to love them!
I’d love to hear your feedback and any creative twists you try—don’t be shy, share your thoughts in the comments below!
Get In Touch!
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Banana Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup yogurt plain or Greek
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 banana mashed
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the mashed banana, yogurt, almond milk, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Stir in the chia seeds, mixing thoroughly to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
- Divide the mixture between two small glasses or jars.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or, for best results, overnight. This allows the chia seeds to absorb the liquid and create a pudding-like texture.
- Before serving, give the pudding a quick stir. Add your favorite toppings like fresh berries, banana slices, or kiwi.
Video
Notes
- These are the nutrition facts for 1 serving of this recipe. Total servings for this recipe: 2.
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on the specific ingredients used. Also, it only includes components for the chia pudding and doesn’t include the topping.
- I love using plain yogurt in smoothies and chia pudding for its probiotic benefits. Be sure to use plain, not flavored, as fruity yogurts contain extra sugar.
- Almond milk — I find that using only yogurt makes the pudding too thick, so almond milk helps create the perfect creamy texture. If you prefer, you can use water instead.
- Maple syrup — Feel free to adjust this amount. The banana adds natural sweetness, so you may not need much. Add more if needed just before eating.
- Banana — Ripe bananas work best for sweetness, but remember they have higher sugar content. Adjust other sweeteners accordingly.
- Cocoa powder — I recommend using unsweetened cocoa powder.