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This chocolate chia pudding is the perfect alternative to store-bought chocolate pudding. Smooth and creamy it is quick to make, delicious and nutrient dense.

A spoonful of chocolate pudding being scoped from a small glass mason jar.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick and easy to prepare
Great make ahead breakfast, snack or dessert
10 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per serve
The blended texture means it is like a store bought chocolate pudding or chocolate dairy food.

Ingredients you will need

milk
peanut butter
maple syrup
banana
cocoa
cinnamon
vanilla
chia seeds

Small bowls and jugs of ingredients: milk maple syrup banana, chia seeds, vanilla, cinnamon and peanut butter.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

Milk: I use cows milk, but this recipe works just as well with any plant based and dairy-free milk alternatives. Oat milk, soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk all work fine.
Peanut butter: I add peanut butter because it is as economical and a source of fat and protein. Any nut butter can be used such almond butter, or cashew butter. You can also use sunflower butter or skip this ingredient if you would like the recipe to be nut-free.
Maple syrup: Honey can be used as an alternative, or if your banana is really nice and sweet you may not need any sweetener. you could also add one to three pitted dates as an alternate sweetener.
Banana: Choose a nice ripe banana, The browner and spottier the better.
Cocoa: This can be substituted for cacao or carob if you prefer.
Cinnamon and vanilla extract. I like the sweetness and depth of flavour a little cinnamon and vanilla bring to this chocolate chia seed pudding.
Chia seeds: Black or white chia seeds are fine. They are what thickens this recipe.

How To Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby Led Weaning

Ultimately this chocolate chia pudding is suitable for baby led weaning. It is a blended chia pudding so has a smooth texture.

If your banana is nice and ripe you may not need any extra sweetener for your baby to still find it very palatable.
If you are making this recipe for a child under one year of age do not use honey as a sweetener.
This pudding can be served pre-loaded on baby spoons for a baby to self feed, it will also make a great dip for soft fruits such as banana, raspberries strawberries, mango and peaches.

Step-by-step instructions

Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Chocolate Chia Pudding recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.

Step one: Place all ingredients into a blender

Looks down into the jug of a blender, milk, chia seeds, cocoa and peanut butter visible.

Step two: Blend until smooth

Looking down into a blender jug of smooth thick chocolate smoothie.

Step three: Pour into 2-3 small bowls or mason jars. This is optional, you can also leave it to chill in a covered airtight container and just scoop out portions when you need it.

Step four Refrigerate overnight or for a minimum of 4 hrs, mix will have a pudding-like texture

Two covered and sealed mason glass jars filled with chocolate pudding.

Enjoy!

Young boy eating a chocolate chia pudding with a spoon — My son gives these chocolate chia puddings a huge tick of approval

Tips & FAQs

Here is how you can make this chocolate chia pudding recipe perfectly every time!

My kids like their chia pudding to have a texture similar to custard. If you would like a thicker texture you can increase the amount chia seeds used to from three to four tablespoons.
You could of course use this same recipe to make a regular chocolate chia seed pudding, ie one that has not been blended. To do this you can skip the blending, instead whisk or stir the ingredients to combine before refrigerating them.
After blending the pudding check the taste, at this point you can adjust the flavour and sweetness if you think to needs it.
These puddings are VERY cute when toppings are added you can add: Nuts, seeds, granola, sliced banana, fresh berries, coconut flakes chocolate chips, anything you like!
Store your chocolate chia puddings in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.