Easy Desserts
Chia Pudding with Three Variations
A simple vanilla chia pudding with chocolate banana, peach coconut, and cooked apple cinnamon variations for three different finishes.
By PedroPublished August 24, 2026 · Updated September 14, 2026i
Estimated total time. This covers the full recipe from start to finish, including preparation and any resting, chilling, baking, or cooling. Some of that time is hands-off.
Having breakfast waiting in the refrigerator can make a busy morning less of a rush. Chia pudding suits that kind of planning, but a plain jar isn’t always what you feel like eating. These three versions give you something different to choose from without needing three separate pudding recipes.
I’d choose the banana and cocoa for a more chocolatey spoonful, or peach and coconut when I want pieces of fresh fruit. The apple version is different again: soft cinnamon apples sit over the vanilla pudding instead of being stirred through it. Pick one to start with if that’s all you need. The three jars are options, not a requirement to make the whole set.
Ingredients for Chia Pudding with Three Variations
I organize the ingredients as one plain chia pudding plus three separate flavor options. Each variation lists 60 g of prepared pudding and its own additions: banana with cocoa, peach with coconut, or apple with cinnamon and optional maple syrup.
- 40 g chia seedsfor the basic pudding
- 180 g milk or plant-based milk of choiceplus a little more if needed
- 20 g maple syrup or honey
- 5 g vanilla extract
- 60 g prepared chia puddingfor the chocolate banana variation
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- banana slices and chocolate shavingsfor topping
- 60 g prepared chia puddingfor the peach coconut variation
- 100 g ripe peach
- 5 g coconut flakes
- 60 g prepared chia puddingfor the apple cinnamon variation
- 100 g applepeeled
- 10 g water
- 2 g ground cinnamonplus a light sprinkle for finishing
- 5 g maple syrupoptional, for the apple variation
From my kitchen
Watch me make Chia Pudding with Three Variations
See the recipe come together, then follow the written steps below.
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How to Make Chia Pudding with Three Variations
Make and chill the plain pudding first: rest it for 15 minutes, stir again, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. After that, follow just the steps for the flavor you want, or make all three. Each variation uses 60 g from the same batch of prepared pudding, not a separate batch. You won't need all the plain pudding for these three jars.
Mix the pudding
Put the chia seeds in a bowl or jar. Add the milk, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract, then stir well so the seeds are evenly distributed instead of settling at the bottom.
Stir after resting
Let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes. Stir it again to break up any clumps.
Chill until thick
Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the pudding is thicker and creamier. Stir before serving. If it is too thick, add a little extra milk until it reaches the consistency you want.
Mash the banana and cocoa
For one chocolate banana serving, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth, then work in the cocoa powder.
Finish chocolate banana
Add 60 g of prepared chia pudding to the banana and cocoa, then stir until evenly combined. Transfer it to a jar or glass and finish with banana slices and chocolate shavings.
Make peach coconut
For one peach coconut serving, cut the peach into small cubes. You can blend part of the peach for a creamier texture and leave the rest in pieces. Gently stir the peach into 60 g of prepared chia pudding, transfer it to a jar, and top with a few peach pieces and the coconut flakes.
Cook the apple
For one apple cinnamon serving, cut the peeled apple into small cubes. Put it in a saucepan with the water, cinnamon, and optional maple syrup. Cook over low heat for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple is soft but still slightly firm.
Finish apple cinnamon
Remove the apple from the heat and let it cool completely. Put 60 g of prepared chia pudding in a jar, spoon the cooled apple over the top, and finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips that make a difference
- Stir the basic pudding thoroughly at the start so the chia seeds stay distributed through the milk.
- Stir again after the first 15-minute rest to break up clumps before the longer chill.
- Add extra milk a spoonful at a time if the chilled pudding feels too thick, because it loosens quickly.
- Cool the cooked apple completely before spooning it over the chilled pudding.
You don't need to make all three jars. I'd start with whichever fruit sounds good, then try another version with the same vanilla base. Just let the cooked apple cool completely before adding it to the pudding.
Three Ways I Finish the Same Base
I check the plain chia pudding before dividing it. It should be thick enough to hold the toppings but still easy to spoon. From there, each jar gets its own finish: chocolate and banana, peach and coconut, or cinnamon apple that has cooled before it goes over the pudding.
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Chia Pudding with Three Variations
A simple vanilla chia pudding with chocolate banana, peach coconut, and cooked apple cinnamon variations for three different finishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1Mix the pudding
Put the chia seeds in a bowl or jar. Add the milk, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract, then stir well so the seeds are evenly distributed instead of settling at the bottom.
- 2Stir after resting
Let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes. Stir it again to break up any clumps.
- 3Chill until thick
Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the pudding is thicker and creamier. Stir before serving. If it is too thick, add a little extra milk until it reaches the consistency you want.
- 4Mash the banana and cocoa
For one chocolate banana serving, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth, then work in the cocoa powder.
- 5Finish chocolate banana
Add 60 g of prepared chia pudding to the banana and cocoa, then stir until evenly combined. Transfer it to a jar or glass and finish with banana slices and chocolate shavings.
- 6Make peach coconut
For one peach coconut serving, cut the peach into small cubes. You can blend part of the peach for a creamier texture and leave the rest in pieces. Gently stir the peach into 60 g of prepared chia pudding, transfer it to a jar, and top with a few peach pieces and the coconut flakes.
- 7Cook the apple
For one apple cinnamon serving, cut the peeled apple into small cubes. Put it in a saucepan with the water, cinnamon, and optional maple syrup. Cook over low heat for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple is soft but still slightly firm.
- 8Finish apple cinnamon
Remove the apple from the heat and let it cool completely. Put 60 g of prepared chia pudding in a jar, spoon the cooled apple over the top, and finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Questions you might have
How much prepared pudding does each variation use?
Each of the three variations uses 60 g of prepared chia pudding and makes one serving.
