Creamy Banana Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

You only need a handful of ingredients for this simple breakfast or snack. This Banana Chia Seed Pudding is lightly spiced with cinnamon, sweetened with maple, and takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

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

Chia seeds have become a kitchen staple for good reason. They thicken liquids into a creamy pudding, add fiber and texture, and pair especially well with ripe banana. This Banana Chia Seed Pudding is an easy way to use up overripe bananas while creating a grab-and-go breakfast or a satisfying snack.

The flavor is simple and comforting: mashed banana, warm cinnamon notes, a touch of vanilla, and maple syrup for sweetness. Use your preferred milk—dairy or plant-based—for best results, and top with nuts, yogurt, or extra banana slices when serving.

Why You Will Love This Banana Chia Pudding:

• Quick and easy: Mash a banana, whisk in the liquids and seasonings, add chia seeds, and chill. Prep takes about five minutes.
• Minimal ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples—banana, milk, chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, and a sweetener.
• Great for ripe bananas: Instead of baking, blend ripe bananas into pudding for a different, fast use.

What you will need:

• Chia seeds: Black chia seeds are most common. White chia seeds are an option if you prefer a lighter color in the finished pudding.
• Banana: One very ripe banana adds natural sweetness and banana flavor.
• Milk: Any milk works—dairy, almond, oat, or other plant-based milks. Vanilla almond milk pairs nicely.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, banana-bread-like flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors.
• Sweetener: Maple syrup is recommended, but you can use honey, agave, or another sweetener. Adjust to taste.

How to make this recipe:

• Place the banana in a medium bowl or a jar and mash it until it reaches your preferred texture—smooth or slightly chunky.
• Add the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Mix well so the cinnamon and banana are evenly distributed.
• Sprinkle in the chia seeds, then whisk or shake immediately to prevent clumping. Make sure the seeds are fully incorporated.
• Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. For the creamiest, most even texture, stir the pudding once after about 30 minutes and again later while it sets.
• Serve chilled, topped with extra banana slices, a dollop of yogurt, chopped nuts, a drizzle of nut butter, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Notes:

• Smooth texture option: If you prefer not to have visible chia seed texture, blend the fully mixed pudding in a high-powered blender before chilling. This creates a smoother, custard-like pudding.
• Avoid clumps: Chia seeds can clump if left undisturbed when added to liquid. Whisk or shake right away and stir once or twice during the first hour of chilling to keep the mixture uniform.
• Adjust sweetness: Ripe banana contributes natural sweetness, so start with less maple syrup and add more to taste before serving if needed.

How to Store Your Banana Chia Pudding:

Store chia pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Plain chia pudding can keep up to five days, but with mashed banana mixed in, plan for about three days for best taste and color. To extend storage, keep the chia base chilled and add the mashed banana just before serving.

Possible Add-Ins:

Customize your pudding with any of these mix-ins or toppings:

• Shredded coconut
• Chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white)
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Raisins or chopped dates
• Fresh berries added at serving
• A drizzle of peanut butter or another nut or seed butter

Other chia seed recipes to try:

• Coconut Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding with Strawberries
• Protein Overnight Oats
• Vegan Overnight Oats
• Strawberry Chia Jam
• Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Overnight Oats