Is it breakfast? Is it dessert? Can it be a snack? Yes, it can be all of those things and more! This tastes like a combination of bread pudding (without the bread), bananas foster (without the ice cream), and banana rice pudding (is that a thing?). Whatever you want to call it, know it’s packed with fiber from the chia, oats, and bananas, giving you more than 10 grams of fiber in just one serving!
Start the banana topping: Heat a medium stovetop pan on medium-high. Add the sliced bananas, stirring for 30–60 seconds.
Add the maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional salt. Stir well so the bananas are completely coated in maple, vanilla, and spices. Reduce the heat to low-medium, stirring a few times over the next five minutes. The bananas might get a little mushy, but that’s okay! You’ll want them soft and creamy.
In the meantime, make your chia pudding: Pour the two cups of plant-based milk into a medium saucepan. Stir in the chia, oats, vanilla, and optional salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, continuously stirring until it becomes a pudding-like consistency (about 2–3 minutes). Keep an eye on the bananas! They should only need a stir or two during this time.
Once the chia, oat, and milk mixture is like a pudding, split it between two bowls.
Remove the bananas from the heat and divide them between the two bowls on top of the chia pudding.
Mix the bananas into the pudding.
Top with strawberries and Crunchy Candied Walnuts, if desired.