Chunky Monkey Overnight Chia Pudding (Printable)

Luscious layered pudding with banana, cocoa, and peanut butter melding with chia seeds for a satisfying no-cook breakfast or snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chia Pudding Base

01 - 4 tablespoons chia seeds
02 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
03 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
04 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Cocoa Layer

05 - 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

→ Peanut Butter Layer

07 - 2 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter

→ Banana Layer & Toppings

08 - 1 large ripe banana, sliced
09 - 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together chia seeds, almond milk, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Set aside for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until mixture begins to thicken.
02 - Divide the thickened mixture equally into two bowls. To one portion, whisk in cocoa powder and 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup until fully incorporated.
03 - In two serving jars, layer as follows: spoon half of plain chia pudding into bottom of each jar, add banana slices over chia, spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter over bananas, add cocoa chia pudding layer on top, finish with remaining banana slices, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
04 - Cover jars and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours until thickened and fully set.
05 - Remove from refrigerator and serve chilled. Stir before eating if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a legitimate breakfast that tastes like dessert, so mornings stop feeling like a chore.
  • Zero cooking involved means you're not standing over a stove half asleep, wondering if toast counts as nutrition.
02 -
  • Chia seeds need liquid to do their job; if your pudding seems too thick the next morning, stir in a splash more milk rather than assuming you did something wrong.
  • The quality of your peanut butter matters because it's one of only a few main flavors—cheap versions with added sugar and oils will muddy the taste.
03 -
  • Don't skip the 10-minute rest before dividing the chia mixture—those early minutes of hydration are what make the texture creamy rather than gritty.
  • If you're watching sweetness, reduce the maple syrup slightly; the banana and chocolate chips add plenty of natural sugar, and you want to taste the peanut butter.
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