Prep: 5 Common Questions
Are chia seeds healthy?
Yes! Chia seeds are a great wholesome ingredient to add to breakfasts, snacks, smoothies, and puddings. They’re tiny, but they add lots of fiber, healthy fats, and a little plant-based protein, which helps make this chia pudding more filling.
Can I add protein powder to chia seed pudding?
Yes, you can absolutely add protein powder to chia seed pudding! I recommend starting with 1/2 scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder and adding an extra splash of milk as needed since protein powder can thicken the pudding.
Chocolate protein powder would be amazing in this recipe and make it even more dessert-like. Vanilla protein powder also works really well with the banana, cocoa powder, and nut butter. Just mix everything until smooth before chilling so the texture stays creamy!
With over 90 5-star reviews, this Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding is creamy, chocolatey, and SO good! This has been my healthy breakfast go-to for years since it’s protein-forward, high in fiber, made with simple ingredients, and super easy to make. Plus, my kids and I always love that it tastes dessert for breakfast!
Friends, let me tell you about this Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding. Oh. My. Goodness. It is the most indulgent, chocolatey, yummy healthy treat ever! Similar to my delicious Vegan Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding, but with banana and cashew butter included. If you’ve never had chia seed pudding before, welcome to a life-changing recipe. Every bite is heavenly!
It tastes just like chocolate pudding, but it’s wholesome and full of nutrition. You can also add toppings to your heart’s desire! From mini chocolate chips to raspberries, banana slices, seeds, nuts, coconut shavings, and even a caramel drizzle, the options are limitless. Make this Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding in 5 minutes for a quick chocolate fix that’s perfect as a breakfast treat, snack, or dessert!
You’ll Also Love: 25+ Healthy Chocolate Recipes
Ingredients Needed for Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding ingredients are simple, healthy, and combined to make the most delicious breakfast, especially if you have a sweet tooth. You can also enjoy this recipe as a wholesome dessert! It’s like chocolate pudding and banana pudding combined, but with omega-3s, protein, and more nutrition. Here’s what you’ll need for chia seed pudding:
- Chia Seeds – These chia seeds (opens in a new tab) are my favorite for chia pudding!
- Banana – A ripe banana is mashed for this recipe. Feel free to save a few of the slices to top off the chia seed pudding, too!
- Almond Milk – Unsweetened almond milk works best, but any type of milk is great. Coconut milk can also add an extra delicious flavor to this recipe!
- Cashew Butter – I like the flavor of cashew butter, (opens in a new tab) but almond butter or even peanut butter are all delicious in this recipe.
- Maple Syrup – A little bit of maple syrup sweetens this chia pudding to perfection! Feel free to use honey or agave syrup, instead.
- Vanilla – Adds so much flavor!
- Cinnamon – A little bit of cinnamon adds depth and flavor!
- Salt – A dash of salt helps balance the sweetness in this recipe.
- Cocoa Powder – Feel free to use cocoa powder or cacao powder (opens in a new tab) in this Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding!
- Cacao Nibs – And finally, the cacao nibs (opens in a new tab) or mini chocolate chips. (opens in a new tab) They can be optional, but I highly recommend them because they’re SO good in this recipe!
How to Make Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding can be made and refrigerated for 30 minutes for a delicious, healthy dessert. It can also be made the night before for a wholesome breakfast recipe in the morning! Here’s how to make Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Pudding in 5 minutes or less:
- Mash the banana in a medium mixing bowl.
- Combine with cashew butter or almond butter.
- Add milk, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla.
- Stir in cinnamon, a dash of salt, cocoa powder, and chia seeds.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight and enjoy!
*This recipe can make 2 large servings or 4 small servings!
RELATED: Dark Chocolate Breakfast Protein Oats
Making Chocolate Chia Pudding in a Mason Jar
Make a big batch of this chocolate chia pudding in a mixing bowl and place it in mason jars to store, or you can make the recipe directly in the mason jars (just like overnight oats)! Simply half all of the ingredients, and mix in mason jars. Add the lids, store them overnight, and enjoy!
RELATED: Easy Blueberry Chia Overnight Oats
Banana Chia Pudding Variations & Substitutions
- You can use any type of nut butter for this recipe.
- You can sub the almond milk for any nut milk or regular milk.
Recommended Toppings
- Chopped Walnuts
- Strawberries
- Pecans
- Coconut Shavings
- Hemp Seeds
- Caramel Sauce
Tips for Making the Best Chia Seed Pudding
This pudding can be eaten straight away, but it’s best to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 mins so that the chia seeds can thicken, adding a creamy texture that’s just heavenly!
How to Store Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
This chia pudding can store well in the fridge for 2-3 days.
If the chia pudding seems too thick after storing for a few days, feel free to add a little bit of milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) to thin out the texture!
Chia Pudding Seed Recipe FAQs
More Chia Seed Recipes
- Matcha Chia Seed Energy Bites
- Strawberry Chia Seed Popsicles
- Triple Berry Chia Seed Jam
- Strawberry Banana Chia Seed Smoothie
- Banana Cashew Butter Chia Seed Smoothie
Did you make this chia pudding recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons! (opens in a new tab)
Best Chia Seed Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 2 Tablespoons cashew butter (opens in a new tab) (or almond butter)
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup chia seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 2 Tablespoons cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips (opens in a new tab)
Instructions
- Mash most or all of the banana in a medium mixing bowl, reserving a few slices for topping the chia seed pudding (if desired).
- Mix the mashed banana with the cashew butter, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add in the cinnamon, salt, cocoa powder, and chia seeds, stirring until well-combined.
- Mix in the cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Watch Me Make This
Notes
- This pudding can be eaten straight away, but it’s best to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 mins so that the chia seeds can thicken, adding a creamy texture that’s just heavenly!
- You can use any type of nut butter for this recipe.
- This chia pudding can store well in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- You can sub the almond milk for any nut milk or regular milk.
- If the chia pudding seems to thick after storing for a few days, feel free to add a little bit of milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) to thin out the texture!
- This recipe can make 2 large servings or 4 small servings!
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)
I’m new to chia seed pudding and have tried various recipes. This is the best one by far. I find the banana adds enough sweetness so I omit the maple syrup and chocolate chips. I add a scoop of unsweetened and unflavoured protein powder. Great recipe!
So glad you love it Emma! Thanks for sharing!
I love this recipe! I used 2 small bananas and almond butter, and it was really creamy and delicious.
I’ve been really liking chia pudding lately because it’s so simple to prepare and great for meal prepping. I’ll definitely give this recipe a try!
Are the nutrition fact given per serving?
Yes, they are!
I’ve been a big fan of chia pudding lately because of how easy it is to make and because it is something I can meal prep. I will definitely be trying this recipe.