Chia Banana Bread (With Video)

This easy, delicious, and healthy chia banana bread is high in omega 3 and soluble fiber. Adding chia seeds to banana bread can help lower your cholesterol and manage your weight. This recipe offers lots of opportunities for variations and flavors.

Banana bread is a classic recipe. Why? Because you can use up extra bananas, it is inexpensive and delicious. Now try this healthy twist, by putting those extra chia seeds to use in banana bread!

Why Make Chia Seed Banana Bread Recipe?

• Heart Healthy sweet treat
• Extra nutrition on a classic recipe – full of fiber and protein
• Quick to Make – Takes less than 10 minutes to make
• Texture and crunch from chia seeds 
• Perfect as an on-the-go snack, breakfast or even a dessert
• Unlimited nutrient-dense add ins 
• Great meal prep addition 

Pin It Now & Make It Later

What Are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are full of heart healthy nutrition. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, plant protein, and minerals like potassium and magnesium.

They have loads of research to support the claims that it can help reduce heart disease risk, contribute to weight loss, improve constipation and inflammation (1, 2).

And guess what? Chia seeds are on the list of anti-inflammatory foods, list of low cholesterol foods, and part of a low cholesterol diet plan.

Worried about the texture? If you’ve ever had lemon poppy seed bread, adding chia seeds to banana bread offer a similar texture. 

One final fact – did you know omega 3 fatty acids are essential? That means you need to eat them because your body can’t make them on their own. You can get omega 3s from fatty fish like salmon, chia seed, hemp seed, flaxseed and Sardines. 

Nutrition In Banana Bread 

I’ve already mentioned the many benefits of chia seeds, but other ingredients in this banana bread can help nourish your body.

Bananas – are rich in potassium and dietary fiber that can help manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Choosing extra ripe bananas can help you cut back on the added sugar in this recipe, and you may not have known this but ripe bananas actually have more antioxidants than its counterpart.

Walnuts – contain healthy unsaturated fats that can lower cholesterol levels. They are also rich in protein and fiber.

Eggs – a great source of protein, Vitamin B12 and selenium. 

Whole grains – more fiber, B vitamins, iron, potassium and magnesium.

Ingredients In Chia Seed Banana Bread

This banana chia bread recipe is full of simple nourishing foods that will lower blood pressure and unclog arteries.

• all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, vanilla – traditional bread ingredients & flavor
• maple syrup – for sweetness, but you can also try honey or white sugar
• eggs – yes you can eat eggs and still manage your cholesterol levels! but if you are looking for a substitute try making flax eggs instead 
• soy milk – or use your milk of preference here 
• apple cider vinegar – This addition helps to baking soda to rise. (feel free to use regular vinegar here too!)
• avocado oil –  my oil of choice when baking because it is a great alternative to olive oil and it has a heart healthy profile. 
• bananas – loaded with potassium, and the more ripe the bananas, the sweeter the end result
• chia seeds – for crunch, a nutritional boost and flavor
• walnuts – are a classic banana bread addition, but also provide this recipe with more omega 3 fatty acids
• lemon zest  – optional flavor

How To Make Banana Bread Recipe With Chia Seeds?

This banana and chia bread takes a quick 10 minutes to prepare you will want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit first.

Start by measuring out the milk and add vinegar, whisking together in a measuring cup. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly thickens.  This creates a traditional buttermilk flavor and helps leaven the banana chia bread by breaking down the gluten to create a light fluffy texture while still being moist.  

 The two bowl method works well for this banana bread with chia seeds – one bowl of dry ingredients and one bowl for wet ingredients, then all you need to do is mix!   

In bowl one – whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl

In bowl two – whisk together the oil, maple syrup, egg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.  Then add the mashed banana, chia seeds, and the milk mixture. 

Then slowly pour bowl one (the flour mixtur) into bowl two (the banana mixture) and fold until all the flour has been mixed together with a spatula. 

Try not to overmix. 

Grease a 9x3x5 inch loaf pan with some avocado oil. Pour in the batter and top with walnuts.

Bake the chia banana bread for 50 minutes – then grab a toothpick and poke it in the centre of the loaf. If it comes out clean without any batter, you can take it out of the oven. If the batter remains on the toothpick, you can bake it for another 5 minutes. 

Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing into this comforting dish. Enjoy!

Expert Tip

Place your chia banana bread at the top rack so that it browns but doesn’t burn 

Storage

After the banana bread recipe with chia seeds is cooked, cover it in an air tight container to lock in moisture.  It can then be left at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Can’t commit? Banana and chia bread freezes well too! Heck, make a double batch for a rainy day. If you freeze leftovers, be sure to wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and it can be frozen up to 3 months.  

Variations

My favorite variation of this chia banana bread recipe is that you can make it into muffins, small loafs or regular loaf form

If you make muffins, try baking for 20-25 minutes, and if using mini loaf pans they should be done around 30 -35 minutes.

Other ways to adapt this flavorful banana chia bread recipe:

• swap out some maple syrup for brown sugar
• replace half of the flour with white whole wheat flour
• mix in 1/2 cup of dried fruit like raisins or cranraisins or chocolate chips if you want 
• swirl in nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter 
• replace walnuts with pecans or macadamia nuts
• don’t love the chia seed texture? try adding flaxseed instead 
• try adding ginger and nutmeg for additional flavor

I don’t recommend using coconut oil, since it is high in saturated fat and can increase your LDL or low density cholesterol levels. 

Video Tutorial

Watch how easily this chia seed banana bread comes together.

What Else Can You Do With Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a great addition to your dietary pattern. If you want inspiration on how to add chia seeds to your diet, here are some possible ideas:

• Add chia seeds to your coffee!
• This 2 ingredient homemade juice to lower your cholesterol
• Pineapple weight loss smoothie for those simmering summer afternoons
• Check out how to add chia seeds to heart healthy smoothies
• Add chia seeds in baking

Other Omega 3 Rich Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chia Seeds Be Baked?

Yes, chia seeds can be baked. They can be incorporated into a variety of baked goods such as bread, muffins, cookies, and cakes. When exposed to heat, they don’t lose their nutritional value, so they’re a great way to boost the fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acid content of your baked goods. 

Chia seeds have the ability to absorb liquid and create a gel-like consistency, which makes them an effective binding agent, and they can even be used as a substitute for eggs in vegan baking.  Try baking with chia seeds today!

What Do Chia Seeds Do In Baking?

Chia seeds are a versatile ingredient in baking. When mixed with liquid, chia seeds create a gel-like substance, which can provide moisture and hold the other ingredients together. In addition, chia seeds can add extra fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids to baked goods, enhancing their nutritional content.

Is It OK To Bake Chia Seeds?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to bake chia seeds. They can withstand high temperatures and won’t lose their nutritional benefits when exposed to heat. When baked, chia seeds may develop a slightly nutty flavor. However, they are generally taste-neutral and will take on the flavor of the other ingredients in your recipe.

Is Chia Bread Good For You?

Yes, chia bread can be a very healthy choice. Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, offering fiber, protein, and a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Adding these to bread can increase its nutritional value, particularly if the bread is made with whole grains.

What Is The Benefit Of Chia Banana?

Combining chia seeds with bananas can offer a range of health benefits. Bananas are a great source of potassium, which is important for heart health, as well as vitamin C and dietary fiber. When you add chia seeds, you’re adding a source of omega-3 fatty acids, more fiber, and high-quality protein. 

This combination can be particularly beneficial for sustained energy release, making it a great option for breakfast or a snack. Plus, chia seeds can help you feel full longer, which can assist with weight management.

Final Thoughts

Be sure to add this chia banana bread to your favorite list if you are craving something sweet.  It will sure satisfy your sweet tooth, and benefit your heart.   Enjoy and remember that getting omega 3s doesn’t have to be boring!

Also, one quick request: if you love this crowd pleaser of chia seeds in banana bread as much as my family does please leave me a 5-star rating and a nice comment. Ratings help more people find my recipes which helps me keep providing them! Thank you!

Recipe and photo by Safura Husainy Nutrition student. Article was written by Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CDE.