Description
Whip up a satisfying High Protein Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding! This easy, make-ahead treat is packed with flavor and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pudding Base:
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup milk (almond, oat, or dairy)
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- Flavor & Sweetness:
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed for richer flavor)
- 1–2 tbsp maple syrup (or honey), to taste
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Boosts:
- 1 scoop protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
- Toppings & Garnish:
- Extra banana slices
- Mini chocolate chips
- Fresh berries
- Nut butter
Instructions
- Mash the Banana:: First up, grab that beautifully ripe banana. I usually just peel it and toss it into a medium bowl, then go to town with a fork. You want it mashed until it’s pretty smooth, with maybe a few small lumps – that’s totally fine, adds character, hon! This step usually smells like sweet banana, reminding me of childhood breakfasts. I sometimes get a little aggressive and fling banana bits across the counter, oops!
- Whisk the Wet Ingredients:: Now, pour your milk of choice into that bowl with the mashed banana. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract too. Grab a whisk and really get in there, mixing everything until it’s combined. You want to make sure that banana is pretty incorporated, so no big chunks are hiding. This is where I always taste a tiny bit to see if it needs more sweetness, but be careful not to double-dip!
- Add the Dry Goodness:: Time for the cocoa powder, protein powder, and that tiny pinch of salt. Sprinkle them over the wet mixture. This is where the magic starts to happen! Whisk, whisk, whisk! Keep going until there are no powdery streaks left and it’s a beautiful, uniform chocolatey color. It should start to smell like a delicious chocolate milkshake, honestly.
- Stir in the Chia Seeds:: Now for the star: the chia seeds! Pour them into your chocolate banana mixture. Stir them in really, really well. And I mean *really* well. If you don’t, they’ll clump up at the bottom, and you’ll have crunchy bits instead of smooth pudding. I usually stir for about a minute, making sure every single seed gets coated. This is crucial for our High Protein Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding.
- Chill Out, Pudding!:: Once everything is thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl with some plastic wrap or transfer it to individual jars if you’re feeling fancy. Pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. This is where the chia seeds do their job, absorbing the liquid and thickening into that lovely pudding texture. I always peek in after an hour, like a kid waiting for Santa!
- Garnish and Enjoy!:: When you’re ready to dig in, give it a quick stir. If it’s too thick for your liking, just add a splash more milk and stir again. Top it with anything your heart desires – maybe some extra banana slices, a sprinkle of chocolate chips, or a dollop of nut butter. It should look creamy and taste wonderfully rich and satisfying. This High Protein Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding is a morning game-changer!