Banana Coconut Cream Chia Pudding Parfaits

Banana Coconut Cream Chia Pudding Parfaits have layers of creamy chia pudding layered with fresh bananas and topped with whipped coconut cream and toasted coconut.  They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, and dessert!

We interrupt our regularly schedule program of pumpkin, apples, and everything fall for bananas….and coconut!  I haven’t posted anything coconut in what, maybe a week?  To me, that means I’m overdue. 🙂  For me, bananas and coconut are always welcome, whether together or on their own.  These Banana Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits bring my love of banana and coconut cream pies together into one delicious, almost guilt-free treat.

For the most part, these parfaits are guilt-free.  They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, and are minimally sweetened with maple syrup.  I used Toasted Coconut Almond Milk by Califia Farms in my chia pudding, which I found in the refrigerated section of my supermarket.  This milk is unsweetened and low fat, yet still rich and full of flavor.  I did not receive any compensation from this brand…I simply love the product. 🙂

The biggest indulgence here is the whipped coconut cream, and if you’re watching calories you can leave it off completely and these parfaits will still taste great!  If you’re not lactose intolerant or just not a fan of coconut cream, you can certainly use fresh whipped cream.  Feel free to customize these any way you see fit.

The best part about these parfaits is how simple they are to make.  You simply combine chia seeds with the milk in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and store until nice and thick.  I found that the mixture needed to be stirred a few times throughout the day, and this pudding took longer to thicken than my Cherry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits, because I used full fat coconut milk for those.  This pudding is truly a no-rush make ahead kind of thing for me, so I didn’t mind waiting a little longer for my pudding to thicken.

If you’re topping yours with the coconut cream, make sure that the coconut milk or coconut cream that you have has completely solidified.  Sometimes you luck out at the store and find some that have are already solidified on the shelf…just give them a shake to see for yourself.  If not, just refrigerate it — can and all — overnight while your chia pudding sets and whip it up when you’re ready to serve your pudding.

These parfaits may be almost guilt-free, but they’re totally indulgent and reminiscent of banana cream pie.  With coconut!  You can eat these for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and you’re going to love the way you feel afterward.  Indulgence with low guilt is a very powerful thing. 🙂

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Yield: 6 parfaits

Banana Coconut Cream Chia Pudding Parfaits

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Banana Coconut Cream Chia Pudding Parfaits have layers of creamy chia pudding layered with fresh bananas and topped with whipped coconut cream and toasted coconut. They're perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 7 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
• 2 large bananas, chopped
• (1) 13.5 ounce can full fat coconut cream or coconut milk, solidified*
• 3-4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• toasted coconut flakes, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or until thickened, stirring occasionally.*
2. Place the bowl of your stand mixer in the refrigerator and chill it about 1 hour before you whip the cream. Place the coconut cream, sugar, and vanilla in the chilled bowl and using the whisk attachment, whip on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Place half of the chopped bananas in glass jars or parfait dishes, and layer with half of the pudding. Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients. Top with the coconut cream and coconut flakes, and enjoy!

Notes

• My chia pudding took about 24 hours before it was the right level of consistency for me, and required stirring occasionally. If you use full fat coconut milk for the pudding like I did for my Cherry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits, you should use 6 tablespoons chia seeds instead of 7.
• If you're not a fan of whipped coconut cream, use 1/2 cup heavy cream instead. Or omit completely and these will still be great!
• Pre-toasted coconut flakes can be found at Trader Joe's, or toast your own in a skillet over medium low heat until golden, about 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 262Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 6gSugar: 21gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is mean to be an estimate only. The numbers will vary based on the quantity consumed, brands used and substitutions that are made. This information includes all of the whipped coconut cream, though you may not need it all.

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