Banana Chia Honey Milk Pudding

A creamy, naturally sweet pudding made with ripe banana, milk, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and chia seeds. It is an easy no-bake breakfast, snack, or light dessert.

Ingredients — 2 servings

• 1 large ripe banana
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk of your choice
• 2 teaspoons local honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (about 6 teaspoons)
• Pinch of salt, optional

Optional Toppings

• Banana slices
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• Cinnamon
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Chopped walnuts or almonds
• A small drizzle of honey
• Fresh berries

Instructions

1. Mash the banana:
   Peel the banana and place it in a bowl. Mash thoroughly with a fork until mostly smooth.
2. Mix the wet ingredients:
   Add the milk, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and optional pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.
3. Add the chia seeds:
   Stir in the chia seeds, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
4. First chill:
   Cover the bowl or transfer the mixture to two small jars or glasses. Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes.
5. Stir again:
   Remove from the refrigerator and stir very well. This prevents the chia seeds from settling at the bottom and helps create an evenly thick pudding.
6. Chill completely:
   Cover again and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, preferably overnight. The chia seeds will absorb the liquid and create a thick pudding texture.
7. Serve:
   Stir before serving. Top with banana slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or your favorite toppings.

Texture Tip

For a completely smooth pudding, blend the banana, milk, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon first. Then stir in the chia seeds and refrigerate. For an extra-thick pudding, use 2½ tablespoons chia seeds.

Approximate Nutrition — Per Serving

Based on 2 servings using 2% milk and excluding toppings.

• Calories: ~220–240 kcal
• Protein: ~7 g
• Carbohydrates: ~35–38 g
• Fat: ~7 g
• Fiber: ~7–8 g
• Natural + added sugars: ~24–27 g
• Sodium: ~70–100 mg

Nutrition will vary depending on the milk, banana size, and amount of honey used.

Nut Information

Contains nuts? No, the basic recipe is nut-free.

Optional nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans, or other nuts can be added as toppings.

Other common allergens:

• Milk: If using dairy milk, this recipe contains milk.
• Seeds: Chia seeds are seeds, not tree nuts or peanuts.

For a nut-free recipe, use dairy milk or a certified nut-free alternative such as oat milk, provided the product is suitable for your dietary needs.

Storage

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Keep toppings separate until serving for the best texture.
• The pudding becomes thicker the longer it sits.
• If it becomes too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of milk before serving.

Q&A

Q: Can I make this without honey?
Yes. A very ripe banana provides plenty of sweetness. You can also use maple syrup if preferred.

Q: Can I use plant-based milk?
Yes. Almond, oat, soy, coconut, or another milk alternative can be used. For a nut-free version, choose oat or soy milk if suitable.

Q: Can I prepare it the night before?
Yes. Overnight preparation is ideal because it gives the chia seeds plenty of time to absorb the liquid.

Q: Why is my pudding still runny?
It may need more chilling time or more chia seeds. Stir in another 1–2 teaspoons of chia seeds and refrigerate for another 1–2 hours.

Q: Why did my chia seeds sink to the bottom?
The mixture probably wasn’t stirred again after the chia seeds began hydrating. Stir thoroughly after 15–20 minutes, then return it to the refrigerator.

Q: Can I blend the chia seeds?
Yes. Blending creates a smoother, mousse-like consistency rather than the traditional chia pudding texture.

Q: Is this a breakfast or dessert?
It works well as either. Add berries and nuts for breakfast, or serve it in small dessert glasses with banana and cinnamon.

Q: Can I make it higher in protein?
Yes. Replace part of the milk with plain Greek yogurt or add a little protein-rich yogurt after blending. You can also use high-protein milk.

Q: Can children eat chia pudding?
Chia seeds should be appropriately prepared and fully hydrated, and children should be supervised while eating. Consider the child’s age and any individual dietary restrictions.