Coconut Cream Banana-Walnut Chia Pudding (dairy-free, gluten-free, plant-based)
I've got the perfect recipe to introduce a superfood into your diet: Chia Seeds! These tiny seeds offer us numerous health benefits and when packed into a creamy, dessert-like pudding you'll begin to love this health food, too.
Chia pudding has become a go-to in our household. We enjoy it as a post-workout snack or an easy make ahead breakfast. Chia pudding is simple to pull together and lends itself to many flavors and preparations.
The whole idea of using chia seeds to create a pudding is genius. Chia has this incredible fiber property that becomes gel-like when the seeds are soaked in liquid. Once chia seeds soak in liquid long enough the liquid will "gel" and thicken. This "gel" helps to keep the digestive track healthy by helping to remove waste. Besides fiber, chia seeds offers plant-based protein and heart healthy omega-3 fats.
Coconut Cream Banana-Walnut Chia Pudding offers a winning combination of health boosting goodness. Potassium and nutritious carbs make chia pudding ideal for a post-work out snack or breakfast.
Although it only takes 5 minutes to mix up the ingredients, you'll want to plan on making the recipe in advance. Chia pudding is best served after allowing it to chill in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight. The recipe makes four servings, so depending on how many are in your family, you can decide to double the recipe to make a bigger batch. It keeps for up to four days in the fridge, so it can be made ahead and eaten throughout the week if you desire. We are all about planning ahead in our household, so we really try to cook once and eat the same dish two to three times. It makes life so much easier!
This chia pudding is...
slightly sweet
creamy
crunchy
tastes a bit like banana walnut bread
Coconut Cream Banana-Walnut Chia Pudding
Serves 4
Active time: 5 minutes
Total time: 6 hours, 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cans light coconut milk
1/3 cup chia seeds
4 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Toppings: sliced banana and chopped walnuts
Instructions:
1. Whisk together ingredients in a bowl (except toppings) and place in refrigerator for 6 hours or up to overnight.
2. Divide into servings, top with sliced bananas and walnuts and serve. This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but it's best to top with banana slices and walnuts right before eating.
