A breakfast bowl packed with protein is a delicious and healthy way to start any day. This chia pudding breakfast bowl recipe features roasted bananas, Mandarin oranges, coconut flakes, and slivered almonds for a little crunch. It’s a sweet and healthy, no sugar added, gluten-free breakfast that tastes like dessert!
I have a confession to make. I really struggle to expand our weekday breakfast options. I am not sure why lunch and dinner flow with so many ideas, and interchangeable choices at that, but breakfast feels like only a handful of foods are ‘appropriate’. A big part of that is a mindset I think. That thing in your brain that classifies foods by their normal meal and makes it feel weird to eat certain foods outside of designated genre.
I will say I lived in Singapore for six months on a work assignment and that really catapulted me out of some of that thinking. We usually wouldn’t really eat much before starting the work day and then around 9 we’d head to a canteen a few floors up from our offices to have Hokkein Mee, a noodle dish with a savory broth, prawns, and chicken. It was filling to the senses and the stomach. It left me wondering why on earth we eat cereal for breakfast in the U.S.
Similarly, I’ve traveled to Costa Rica multiple times and their ‘Tico’ (locals) breakfast is Gallo Pinto, a mix of black beans and rice with some spicy flavors. Rice and beans form a full protein and it’s all plant-based. I was in heaven eating it daily and even sought out a local recipe which I’ve shared here and make at home.
How to Make a Healthy Breakfast Bowl:
I’m feeling in a rut again. I have wanted to add more options to our morning repertoire that don’t take a ton of time to prepare, are loaded with protein and preferably plant-based.
I was raised with protein=meat, which was the state of nutritional knowledge at the time. Since my family has been gluten-free I’ve always added chia seeds and hemp hulls/seeds to increase the protein and fiber in my gluten-free baked goods.
They are small seeds with little flavor making them perfect to manipulate with other flavors.
They provide some great options for adding to things like smoothies to amp up the protein too. Ideally, they would be my source of success for new healthy breakfast ideas.
My other criteria on the breakfast front is no added sugar. I find that just jacks one’s ‘energy’ level up and then drops you off the side of a building on your head. Especially for kids in school; I want a steady delivery of energy and not from processed, sugary foods.
Awhile ago I shared an Overnight Quinoa-Chia Chocolate Breakfast Pudding which was very popular. In a similar spirit I’ve made a Roasted Banana Chia Pudding Breakfast Bowl today.
The chia pudding is a soft consistency like tapioca pudding but with no dairy AND no sugar added! ‘Yuck’ you may be thinking? Not so. I have a little trick to share. I’ve been roasting bananas for different recipes for years and the 12-minute process turns bananas into incredibly sweet fruits without being overly ripe tasting.
Before mixing up the pudding I processed some Unsweetened Almond Milk with a roasted banana and two pitted dates in the blender. You can use oat milk too for a dairy-free option.
This creates a smooth, naturally-sweet milk to add to the chia seeds. The pudding has a wonderful banana flavor and creamy texture; perfect for a breakfast bowl to layer toppings on for a vibrant start to any day!
If you like this recipe and want to learn more about Silk or a delicious plant-based diet you should SIGN UP for Silk’s newsletter (no hassle and no purchase obligation). You’ll receive an instant discount coupon, will be eligible for monthly giveaways (automatically eligible when signed up) and be notified about the latest news and recipes. Silk is a local company I’ve watched ‘grow up’ with pride in their product integrity and commitment to vibrant, healthy plant-based diet options. I love them!
This is post is sponsored by Silk. The opinions are my mine.
Nina says
A great way to start the day!
debbie says
This sounds amazing and I’ve made it for the family. And they loved it. Thanks for the idea 🙂
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
I’m with you. . .I wonder why cereal is deemed as the standard for breakfast. It just doesn’t work for me and I usually find my blood sugar in a sense of turmoil the rest of the day if I start the day off with a bowl full of carbs. This Chia Pudding Bowl is perfection (I really should get on the chia pudding bandwagon) and I love how you can switch it up and keep breakfast exciting by subbing in different fruit and nuts
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
Chia pudding is a great healthy and filling option for breakfast! This version looks amazing with the roasted banana and all the tasty toppings!
Lisa Thompson says
When I read the title I was a little unsure about this recipe, but after reading your thoughts on roasted bananas, it actually sounds delicious! I bet my twins would love this!
Rosey says
What a great sounding tasty treat. I love that you use the banana too cuz that’s my fave.
Christie says
THAT is so my type of breakfast! Full of delicious good stuff, I love how you pile it on
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I love love love my chia seeds and I am always looking for new ways to create meals with them. This sounds and looks so yummy. I love your bowl!
Brandy says
This looks really yummy, and I love that it is something that is good for you too, thanks for sharing another recipe idea I can implement into my life!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Seems like the breakfast smoothie has been deconstructed now into breakfast bowls.
Still, this looks yummy and healthy.
Toni Dash says
I’ll confess, I really don’t understand the Smoothie Bowl. Do you eat it with a spoon? Do you drink it with a straw? I can’t wrap my head around it. This reminds me more of something in the oatmeal family though really is like tapioca.
Marcie W. says
This looks like a fabulous breakfast idea and I often feel like my morning meals are too routine. I love all of the protein in this bowl.
Liz Mays says
Yum, this sounds like an amazing breakfast. I’m really into chia seeds and that Silk sounds very good!
Monica says
I’ve been curious about acacia bowls and your breakfast bowl looks incredible and nutritious. Your images are amazing too! Looking forward to digging through your other recipes.
Catherine S says
This looks so yummy. I have been wanting to try chia, thanks for the recipe.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is the most delicious way to eat chia I’ve ever seen! I can’t wait to give it a try. I love the presentation, too.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Oh yum! My oldest would flip his lid over this, so I will definitely make it for him 🙂