Banana Chia Seed Pudding

You only need a handful of ingredients for this simple breakfast or snack. This Banana Chia Seed Pudding includes a touch of cinnamon for the perfect flavor, maple sweetened and so simple to whip up. Did I mention you only need 5 minutes to prep?

This recipe was originally published July 2015 and updated July 2020.

Who would have thought I would ever come to enjoy chia seeds?! The little seeds that brought us the Ch-Ch-Chia! tune for Chia Pets are actually really amazing in the kitchen.

I am a big fan of chia seeds and turning them into a thick, creamy pudding. I was the kid who actually loved tapioca pudding on my school lunch tray--those little balls didn't bother me at all.

This Banana Chia Seed Pudding is SO SO simple to whip up. It has a nice cinnamon flavor, sweetened with maple and a great way to use up very ripe bananas.

I feel like our bananas are ripening way to quickly lately and I am in need of things to make with them more and more. Smoothies are a big go to, and then there is banana bread, and also Banana Bread Overnight Oats!

This chia pudding is another way not to waste food. A snack, breakfast--you name it! It's so delicious and easy to make!

What you will need to make this recipe:

• If you want your banana chia seed pudding to look a littler prettier, I have heard you can find white chia seeds. The black chia seeds mixed with cinnamon for sure have a not so pretty look. But they taste great!
• I love vanilla unsweetened almond milk in this recipe. You can easily use whole milk, regular almond milk, cashew milk, and more. Anything with the same consistency will work! I just don't recommend the coconut milk that comes in a can.

How to make this recipe:

• Place banana in a medium bowl. Mash well. Make it as smooth or lumpy as you prefer. If you don't want banana chunks, mash it as smooth as possible. (steps 1 and 2)
• Add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. If you would like you could also add a pinch of sea salt during this step as well. (step 3)

• Stir the mixture well to incorporate the banana and cinnamon well with the milk. The cinnamon will likely spend a lot of time on the top of the milk, but don't worry. It mixes in much better once the chia seeds are added. (step 4)
• Before you add the chia seeds, make sure you are READY TO STIR. If you don't stir or whisk this mixture right away. Chia seeds can clump up in a major way if you don't get the seeds moving immediately. Pour the chia seeds into the bowl and whisk well to combine. (step 5)
• Cover the bowl and chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight if possible. For best results, stir the mixture once or twice after it has been chilling for an hour and then again after a little while longer. This will help keep the chia seed pudding from clumping up. (step 6)
• Serve it up with some chopped pecans, a dollop of yogurt, extra banana slices and a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Notes:

• If you are worried that the texture of chia seeds, you can make your Banana Chia Seed Pudding smooth by putting the mixture in a high powered blender and blending until smooth. Do this before step 6 when everything is already mixed together for best results.
• Chia seeds can clump up very easily. When adding them into the bowl of milk and banana, whisk right away to keep from any clumping. Stir the mixture a couple of times after chilling to keep any new clumps from forming.
• Sweeten to your liking--the banana will already bring some natural sweetness. If you don't like things too sweet, you can even sweeten the pudding before serving.

If you are new to chia seeds, this article may help you learn a bit more about the little guys: Chia Seed Benefits: 10 Reasons To Add Chia To Your Diet.

Try these other chia seed recipes:

• Coconut Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding with Strawberries
• Creamy Coconut Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding
• Maple Cinnamon Overnight Chia Rice Pudding
• Strawberry Chia Jam
• Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Overnight Oats
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered Chia Pudding

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