Banana Chia Pudding

Name: Banana Chia Pudding
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 ripe banana (mashed); 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice ); 3 Tablespoons chia seeds; 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch ground cinnamon

By Brittany Mullins

Published May 13, 2024, Updated Jan 30, 2025

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This 6 ingredient banana chia pudding is creamy, delicious and takes only 5 minutes to prep! It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast, snack or healthy dessert.

Introducing your new favorite chia pudding recipe… banana chia pudding. It tastes like a hybrid of banana bread and banana pudding and it’s so dang delicious!

This recipe is as simple as mashing a ripe banana, mixing in chia seeds, milk and a few flavor enhancers, then letting it sit in the fridge. After a few hours (or even just 30 minutes) you’ve got a delicious and satisfying pudding that’s ready to enjoy!

Banana chia pudding in a glass cup, topped with banana slices and walnuts.

Why You’ll Love This Chia Pudding

Quick and easy – This recipe requires less than 10 minutes of prep time and only 6 ingredients to whip up.
Allergen-friendly – This recipe is naturally sweetened, dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free.
Meal prep – It’s the perfect recipe to meal prep. Double or triple the recipe and you’ll have breakfast and/or snacks ready to go for the week.

Ingredients measured out to make Banana Chia Pudding: cinnamon, chia seeds, vanilla, almond milk, maple syrup and banana.

Ingredients Needed

You only need 6 main ingredients to whip up this banana chia pudding. Here’s what you need:

ripe banana – the base ingredient, providing natural sweetness and a creamy texture when mashed.
milk – I like using unsweetened almond milk for this recipe, but you can use whatever dairy-free milk you have on hand. Canned coconut milk would be a great option for an even creamier pudding.
chia seeds – the star of the show! They absorb the liquid to create a pudding-like texture while providing fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Both black and white chia seeds work for this recipe. My favorite brands of chia seeds are Navitas and Bob’s Red Mill.
maple syrup – my favorite sweetener for chia pudding. Honey is a good substitute. If you want to reduce the sugar in this recipe, just skip the maple syrup all together or use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit.
vanilla extract and cinnamon – two flavor enhancers adding that banana bread flavor to this pudding.

Recipe Variations

Add protein: For a protein-packed chia pudding add 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder to the mixture before letting it set in the fridge. If you do add protein powder, you’ll likely need 1/4 cup extra milk, possibly more if you use a plant-based protein powder since it soaks up more liquid.
Chocolate banana: For a chocolatey variation add a scoop of cacao powder to the pudding for a chocolate banana chia pudding! You might need to add a bit more milk if you end up doing this.

A spoonful of banana chia pudding over a glass of the pudding.

How to Make Banana Chia Pudding

Just like with all of my chia seed pudding recipes this banana chia pudding recipe is super easy to make. Just mix, let sit overnight and enjoy!

Mix the mashed banana, almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir to combine and let sit for 5 minutes, then stir again to break up any clumps. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Once the pudding has set, stir to even out the texture. Serve with chopped walnuts and banana slices, or toppings of choice for added flavor and crunch.

Two photos showing the ingredients in a jar to make Banana Chia Pudding, before and after being mixed together.

Brittany’s Recipe Tips!

Use fresh seeds: Older chia seeds might not absorb liquid as well so make sure you have fresh chia seeds!
Stir multiple times: Before you place your chia pudding in the refrigerator to set up, make sure you give it a good stir! I like to stir initially and then a second time about 5-10 minutes in. This breaks up any clumps of seeds and makes sure all of the seeds aren’t resting on the bottom with the liquid on top!
Double recipe for meal prep: This recipe serves 2, so if you’re looking to meal prep this for the week I recommend doubling or tripling the recipe!
Want a smoother texture? If you aren’t a fan of the texture of chia pudding, add all your ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth then let set in the fridge.

Topping Ideas

Once the chia pudding has set, you’re ready for the best part… the toppings! Here are some ideas:

Fresh fruit – Add a few slices of banana or fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries for a burst of color.
Granola – A sprinkle of your favorite granola adds a satisfying crunch. Try this protein granola for a protein boost.
Nut butter – Drizzle almond or peanut butter over the top for a creamy, nutty flavor with added protein.
Coconut flakes – Toasted coconut flakes would be delicious with the banana flavor.
Chocolate chips – For a more decadent topping try adding chocolate chips, cacao nibs or melted dark chocolate on top for dessert.

How to Store Banana Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is an awesome meal-prep option because it can be stored for up to 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to make and store chia pudding in 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jars. Make a double or triple batch on Sunday to have in the fridge for a quick breakfast, healthy snack or even dessert throughout the week.

More Chia Pudding Recipes

Be sure to check out all of the chia pudding recipes as well as the full collection of breakfast recipes on EBF!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

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