Banana Milk Chia Pudding

If you’re looking for an easy breakfast that you can prep ahead and grab on a busy morning, this banana milk chia pudding is such a good one! It’s creamy, naturally sweet from bananas, packed with nutrients, and takes just a few minutes to put together.

My daughter absolutely loves this one, which is always a win for me because I know she’s getting a nutritious breakfast without me having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen.

The best part is the banana milk. You simply blend two bananas with one cup of milk or your favorite non-dairy milk, and it turns into this creamy, velvety banana milk that makes the perfect base for chia pudding. You don’t need any additional sweetener because ripe bananas add plenty of natural sweetness, but if you want it a little sweeter, you can add a touch of maple syrup or honey for kids 12 months and up.

Then all you do is mix in your chia seeds, let everything thicken, and breakfast is ready!

Why You’ll Love This Banana Chia Pudding

• 🥄 Takes just a few minutes to prepare
• 🍌 Naturally sweetened with bananas
• 🌱 Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and nutrients
• 🥛 Can be made with dairy or non-dairy milk
• 🧊 Great for making ahead
• 🎒 Perfect for busy school mornings
• 👧 Kid-approved — my daughter loves it!
• 🫐 Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
• 🍯 No added sweetener needed

Simple Ingredients

You only need a few basic ingredients:

• 🍌 2 bananas
• 🥛 1 cup milk or non-dairy milk
• 🌱 Chia seeds
• 🍋 A splash of lemon juice, optional
• 🍯 Maple syrup or honey, optional for 12+ months
• 🫐 Your favorite toppings

That’s it!

I recommend using very ripe bananas if you want the pudding to be naturally sweeter. But you can absolutely use bananas that aren’t as ripe too.

A Little Lemon Makes a Difference

If you’re using really ripe bananas, I recommend adding a small splash of lemon juice to the banana milk.

Bananas can brown pretty quickly once they’re blended, especially when they’re very ripe. The lemon helps slow down that browning and keeps the banana milk looking fresher.

You don’t need much — just a small splash. You shouldn’t end up with a strong lemon flavor.

Why Chia Seeds Are Great for Kids

Chia seeds may be tiny, but they’re packed with nutrition.

They’re a great source of fiber, healthy fats, plant-based protein, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. The fiber can also help support regular digestion, which is always a nice bonus when you’re feeding little ones.

When chia seeds absorb liquid, they create that thick, pudding-like consistency that makes this breakfast so satisfying.

For younger children, make sure the chia seeds are fully hydrated and the pudding has reached a soft, spoonable consistency before serving.

My Favorite Toppings

This is where you can really make this breakfast your own!

My favorite combinations include:

• 🫐 Fresh blueberries
• 🍓 Sliced strawberries
• 🌾 Granola
• 🍌 Extra sliced banana
• 🥜 Nut or seed butter
• 🥥 Shredded coconut
• 🌰 Sliced almonds for older kids
• 🍎 Diced soft apples
• 🍯 A drizzle of maple syrup for kids 12+ months

You can also leave it completely plain. The banana milk gives the chia pudding plenty of flavor on its own.

Serving by Age

9–12 months:
You can serve the pudding as is on it’s own and offer it from a preloaded spoon or let baby practice scooping and self-feeding.

12+ months:
Serve with fruit, granola, nut or seed butter, or a small drizzle of maple syrup or honey if desired.

The Perfect School Morning Breakfast

This is one of those breakfasts I love having in the fridge because busy mornings are real.

Instead of trying to figure out breakfast while everyone is getting dressed, packing backpacks, and trying to get out the door, you can prep this the night before and have breakfast ready to grab.

Add it to a small jar or container, top it with fruit, and you’re done.

You can even make a few servings at once so you have breakfast ready for several mornings.

Easy Substitutions

Milk: Use whole milk, 2% milk, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or another milk your family enjoys.

Bananas: This recipe works with both ripe and less-ripe bananas. Riper bananas will give you a sweeter, more flavorful pudding.

Sweetener: You don’t need any, but kids 12+ months can have a little maple syrup or honey if preferred.

Toppings: Use whatever your kids love. Berries, granola, nut butter, coconut, or sliced fruit all work beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I use a normal or ripe banana?

You can use both! If your bananas are ripe, they’ll make the banana milk sweeter and more flavorful. I actually love using ripe bananas for this recipe because you don’t need any additional sweetener.

However, ripe bananas brown more easily once blended. If you’re using a really ripe banana, add a small splash of lemon juice to the banana milk to help slow the browning.

Do I need to add sweetener?

No! The bananas provide plenty of natural sweetness, especially if they’re ripe.

If you want it sweeter, you can add maple syrup or honey for children 12 months and older.

How long does chia pudding take to thicken?

Give it at least 2–3 hours in the refrigerator, although I prefer making it the night before so it’s ready for breakfast in the morning.

Can I make this the night before?

Yes! That’s actually my favorite way to make it. Prepare it before bed, let it thicken overnight, and breakfast is ready when you wake up.

Why is my chia pudding too thick?

If your pudding becomes thicker than you like, simply stir in a splash of milk until you reach your desired consistency.

Why is my chia pudding too thin?

Give it a little more time to thicken. If it’s still too thin after chilling, add another small amount of chia seeds, stir well, and let it sit again.

What You Need:

Small blender

Glass storage container 

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are more breakfasts for busy mornings:

Stewed Peaches Overnight Oats 

Mango Banana Chia Pudding