Reasons to love this recipe
As a mom of two littles who don’t believe in sleeping past 6am, sometimes 5 (Lord help me), make ahead breakfasts are a God send! I have no problem serving yogurt or cereal every morning, except my kids get bored and demand something else at some point. That’s when I turn to overnight oats, overnight Weetabix, and my freezer stash – here are all my favorite make ahead breakfasts all in one place! Just thaw in the fridge overnight and warm briefly in the morning. And I can’t leave out chia puddings! These are SO easy to whip up with simple ingredients and are highly customizable. Be sure to check out my 6 easy chia puddings. Today, the spotlight is on this banana chia pudding because I always have bananas. (Running out of bananas is a real crime around here. Perhaps you can relate?) This is also a great dairy-free, egg-free breakfast option, and if you are looking for ways to get more calories into your child, this is a fantastic way to make every bite count.
Ingredients
Chia seeds – these tiny seeds are a nutritional powerhouse! Ripe Banana – It mashes more easily and tastes sweeter, eliminating the need for added sugar, although you can always add a splash of maple syrup or some honey. Milk – you can use whatever type you and your family enjoy, including regular dairy milk or plant-based milk. We personally love whole milk and canned coconut milk Peanut butter – You can leave it out, but I highly encourage you to add it as peanut butter and banana pair so well together. Feel free to use a different nut or seed butter to make it allergy-friendly. Vanilla extract, cinnamon – optional but will add great depth of flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tips for Success
Stir the pudding well! Combine all the ingredients and mix well until all the chia seeds are incorporated into the milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Then give it another good stir. Otherwise the seeds will all clump together. My family loves the texture and the pop you get from the chia seeds. However, if you desire a smoother consistency, blend the mixture. You will end up with a smoother and creamier pudding rather than one that’s tapioca-like. Note that it will set faster so you don’t have to refrigerate for as long. You can also make this directly in a container or mason jar, store, and portion out however much you’d like.
Toppings
Just like with yogurt, have fun pairing this creamy pudding with all kinds of flavors and textures! Be sure to add them right before eating. Otherwise, they will become soft and mushy (although this is a good thing if serving to your baby).
Fresh fruit (e.g. sliced banana, raspberries, mangoes) Dried fruit (finely chop for toddlers) Greek yogurt – A dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt for extra protein Nuts (finely ground or chop for babies and toddlers) Chocolate chips Granola – (try this homemade no added sugar granola) Coconut flakes Sprinkles – if you have a picky eater, I am convinced these have magical powers
Storage
If you want to make more than 2 servings as the recipe suggests, double or triple the recipe. You can refrigerate for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
More Chia Recipes
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