Banana Chia Pudding

Simple, yummy, and nutritious – this banana chia pudding is a perfect healthy breakfast or dessert. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Bananas and cream together are so delicious. Banana cream pies, banana trifles, even banana milkshakes are all so tasty.

Unfortunately, they often pack on lots of calories due to the added sugar and high-fat dairy. Because of that, these items are often loaded with carbs that our body doesn’t need.

What if there was a healthy way to get the same flavor and satisfaction?

Banana chia pudding is the answer. Not only is it creamy, but it has great texture and added health benefits.

There are no added sugars or unnecessary ingredients. These ingredients are whole foods, and each has its own specific benefits.

This recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Ingredients for the Recipe

Chia seeds – Chia seeds are considered a superfood because they are high in protein, fiber, and omega-3s.  These seeds are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and even keto-friendly.

They are the main ingredient for any chia pudding and cannot be substituted.

Almond milk – Almond milk is a great dairy alternative with low amounts of sugar and calories. Also, almond milk is high in vitamin E and calcium.

The almond milk is part of the creamy base for the pudding. Some substitutions could be soy milk or oat milk.

You could also just use coconut milk for the entire recipe.

Coconut milk – Coconut milk is another excellent dairy substitute. It provides a picture-perfect amount of creaminess for the pudding.

Maple syrup – Maple syrup is an ingredient that shouldn’t be replaced with an artificial version. Pure maple syrup is a natural way to sweeten the pudding. It also provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals organically.

Cinnamon – Cinnamon is an excellent fat- and additive-free way of adding flavor to the pudding. In case you don’t have any on hand, you can omit it altogether.

Or another spice that you could try would be nutmeg (just cut the amount in half as it’s more potent).

Bananas – Bananas make this recipe so much similar to a banana cream pie – but without the guilt! For the best flavor and texture, use yellow, ripe bananas.

Shredded coconut – Shredded coconut is another great way to add sweetness without adding sugar or unfamiliar additives. It’s best to find shredded organic coconut so that you can stick to a healthy diet.

If you can’t find any, you can omit it from the recipe or top with another topping like sugar-free granola or more chia seeds. Keep in mind that these swaps will alter the nutritional information.

How to Make Banana Chia Pudding

First, you will want to mash one of the bananas. This is because this banana is going to go into the pudding to give it extra banana flavor.

You can simply do this in a large bowl with the back of a fork. Then you will add that banana, coconut milk, almond milk, cinnamon, and chia seeds to the bowl.

Once everything is mixed together, you will cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Now place the bowl in the refrigerator and allow it to cool and thicken for at least two hours. This time in the fridge is really important.

IT might not be thick like pudding if you remove it too soon. Two hours should be enough time for it to get that pudding-like texture you’re looking for.

Finally, remove the pudding from the refrigerator and remove the plastic covering. Scoop out two portion sizes into two separate serving glasses or bowls.

The last step is to garnish the pudding. Slice the other banana and place small slices on top of each of the pudding servings.

Then you can add the shredded coconut for that extra touch. (Bonus tip: try toasting the coconut flakes for more of a caramel flavor.)

Serve and enjoy the pudding right away.

You can put the second bowl/glass back in the fridge if you won’t immediately serve the second portion. Just don’t put the banana slices and coconut on top until you are ready to eat.

Is Chia Pudding Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, chia pudding is a great food option when you are trying to lose weight. Specifically, it’s a great alternative to sugary yogurts and other unhealthy breakfast and dessert options.

Chia seeds are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, the high fiber content will help you feel full and stay full for much longer.

That is a crucial component in any weight loss diet.

Also, the omega-3 fatty acids are going to help keep your metabolism up. Which is also going to help you lose weight faster.

Is Chia Pudding High In Calories?

Each serving of this chia pudding has 388 calories. While this may be higher than a regular snack, there are a few things to consider.

The calories in this pudding are made up of many healthy components that are good for you—for example, the omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content.

Also, chia seed pudding is high in protein. This protein amount will also help you feel full longer and maintain your energy level throughout the day.

It’s important to remember that our bodies need calories. These calories fuel our body and help us keep up with an active, healthy lifestyle.

Subsequently, it’s up to you to decide what kind of calories you fuel your body with. Clearly, the better choice here would be to enjoy something like this delicious chia seed pudding over a nutritionless, sugar-loaded candy bar with the same amount of calories.

Other Chia Pudding Recipes

• Coconut Milk Chia Pudding
• Mango Chia Pudding
• Cacao Chia Pudding
• Blueberry Chia Pudding
• Strawberry Chia Pudding

Watch Full Recipe

If you’re more of a visual learner you might enjoy checking this recipe on video. There are also another 6 chia pudding recipes you might like.