Simple Banana Chia Seed Pudding

Why I love this recipe

I have always loved pudding. Banana pudding, tapioca pudding, chocolate pudding- you name it. I feel like pudding was a staple of my childhood diet (is it just me or was it really popular in the 80s and 90s?). This chia seed pudding sweetened with dates levels up regular pudding and packs a punch of protein, fiber, and fat to keep you feeling full and nourished without the blood sugar spike.

Simple Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

This recipe is so simple! Toss all the ingredients in a blender (my all-time favorite blender is the Vitamix, and I also like this Ninja for smaller servings!) and BOOM- perfect snack or dessert to give you something sweet with a ton of nutritional perks.

Ingredients Needed

All you need is:

• 1 cup milk (I used Good Karma flax milk + protein unsweetened vanilla)
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 medium-large banana
• 3 small dates or 1.5 Medjool dates
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• tiny pinch salt

You can definitely use another type of milk in this recipe if you want! I’ll give you the low down on alternative milks below. But if you make the recipe as written, it is dairy-free, soy-free, and peanut-free. (It is also egg-free and gluten-free!)

I personally prefer the texture of chia seeds when they’re ground versus whole in this recipe. So you’ll need to make sure you’re using a high-powered blender, or you can use ground chia seeds!

How to make blended chia pudding

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend
2. Serve or chill for up to 2 days, in an airtight container in the fridge

Recipe FAQs

Can I use another kind of milk in this recipe?

Yes! You definitely can use an alternative milk in chia seed pudding. Coconut milk chia pudding would be great, and you can also use soy or oat milk. I would steer clear of almond milk as it is a bit too watery. I don’t think it would congeal as well as the other milks! 

Keep in mind that using another milk will change the nutritional information a bit depending on the fat and protein content of the milk you choose. Soy milk is most similar to cow’s milk from a nutritional perspective. Coconut milk chia seed pudding would be a little lighter on protein, but still nutritious in many ways!  

Can I make this without banana?

Yes, but you may need to adjust your ratio of other ingredients to account for the thickness the banana gives. That could mean less liquid or more of another ingredient like nut butter. I wouldn’t substitute a fruit here because they all have different water content (and blendability) that could throw things off.

There are plenty of ways to make chia seed pudding with just fruit, milk, and the seeds, too! No blending required!

Picky Eater Tips

1. Invite them to help you make it. Kids are often more willing to try when they are part of the process!
2. Top it with something they love — like sprinkles or mini chocolate chips.
3. Make sure to blend it really well, for a nice smooth texture. Most picky eaters don’t enjoy the texture of traditional chia pudding when the seeds are still whole. So that’s why I wanted to blend it in this recipe. My kids will actually eat it this way!
4. Start small. Use a dollop of this as a dip for apples, or as a topping for waffles or pancakes. If your kids aren’t crazy about the texture of pudding itself, using it as a topping can really help!
5. Before you even serve it, I would offer them a teeny tiny taste with what I call a teeny tiny tasting spoon! It’s less overwhelming when it’s just a tiny bite.

Other recipes you might like

6 Healthy Smoothies for Kids

Banana Cottage Cheese Pudding

For you

Need some extra help coming up with meals and snacks for the whole family? Check out my Meal and Snack Survival Guide that’s full of product suggestions, meal ideas, and all my tips and tricks for getting nutritious food on the table that your kids will actually eat!

Simple Banana Chia Seed Pudding Recipe