PB&J Chia Pudding Parfait
If you love peanut butter and jelly, you’re going to be all about this chia pudding parfait! It’s creamy, sweet, and packed with that classic PB&J flavor—only with a fun twist. Chia seeds help thicken things up and make it feel extra special. Plus, it’s super easy to make and perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
This uber-delicious recipe layers rich peanut butter chia pudding with homemade strawberry compote and a few tasty extras. You can prep it the night before and grab it on the go the next day. It’s also great for meal prep—just store it in jars and you’re set for the week. Keep reading for the simple recipe and tips to make it just the way you like!
Peanut butter lovers, don’t miss out on these dairy-free chocolate peanut butter pie, sweet and salty PB popcorn, and heavenly milkshake with peanut butter recipes!
Why You Must Make This Chia Parfait
This chia pudding parfait is creamy, fruity, and full of PB&J flavor. It’s easy to make ahead and great for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Plus, you can mix and match the toppings to make it just the way you like!
- It Tastes Like PB&J in a Jar. If you love a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this parfait hits all the right notes—creamy, sweet, and just a little fruity. It’s a fun twist on a childhood favorite!
- Super Easy to Make. Mix, chill, and layer—that’s it! There’s no baking, no fancy tools, and it all comes together with just a few simple steps.
- Great for Meal Prep. Make a batch and store it in jars for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack during the week. It keeps well in the fridge for several days!
- Totally Customizable. Don’t love strawberry jam? Try raspberry or blueberry. You can also switch the nut butter or add toppings like granola, coconut, or banana slices.
- Works for Any Time of Day. It’s not just for breakfast—it’s also a sweet little afternoon pick-me-up or a healthy dessert option. Chill a few and enjoy them whenever you want something tasty and filling.
Key Chia Pudding Ingredients and Substitutions
This chia pudding parfait uses simple ingredients like chia seeds, plant-based milk, peanut butter, and strawberry jam. Each one adds something special—like creaminess, flavor, or texture. You can also swap in other ingredients to match what you like or already have at home!
- Chia Seeds – The magic that turns your liquid into pudding! They soak up the milk and create a thick, creamy texture. Stir well and let it sit at least 4 hours (or overnight) to get the best consistency. Ground flaxseeds can work in a pinch, but the texture will be a bit different—more rustic and less smooth.
- Plant Milk – Keeps everything creamy and helps the chia seeds expand. DIY almond, soy, oat, or fresh cashew milk all work great—just choose one you like the taste of! Any milk you drink should be fine, even if it’s homemade. Just make sure it’s unsweetened if you don’t want extra sugar.
- Maple Syrup – Adds natural sweetness and a light caramel flavor that goes really well with peanut butter and fruit. Taste and adjust—some like it sweeter, some don’t. Agave syrup, date syrup, or even a drizzle of plant-based honey can all work fine.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds cozy flavor and makes everything taste a little sweeter without adding sugar. A little goes a long way—don’t overdo it. Try almond extract for a twist, or skip it if you’re using flavored plant milk.
For the full ingredient measurements, scroll down to the printable recipe card below!
How To Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding
Making a chia pudding parfait is super easy and fun to layer. You just mix up the pudding, cook (or mash) a fruity topping, and add your favorite extras like peanut butter or crunchy granola. It’s perfect for meal prep and makes a tasty snack or breakfast!
Step 1: Make the Chia Pudding – In a bowl, mix chia seeds, plant milk, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir well so the seeds don’t clump. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 2: Cook the Strawberry Compote – Add chopped strawberries, a little sugar, and chia seeds to a small pot. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring and gently mashing as it thickens.
Finally, Step 3: Layer and Serve – Spoon the chilled chia pudding into jars or bowls. Add a swirl of peanut butter and top with your strawberry compote. Enjoy right away or store in the fridge for a grab-and-go treat!
How to Serve Up Your Chia Pudding Parfait
This perfect little chia pudding can be dressed up or down as you desire. No matter how it’s served, it’ll still be scrumptious! Here’s some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Glorious Glassware – Make your breakfast extra special with a beautiful presentation. This is a great time to take advantage of any opulent or elegant glasses hiding in the kitchen cupboard. Find your favorite and fill it up to the brim with all of the ingredients.
- Vary Your Berry – Instead of using sweet strawberries for the compote, consider substituting blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (like in this smoothie with raspberries), strawberry rhubarb, or even dark cherries. You could do the same with the nut butter, too. Almond butter would work well with blueberries, and cashew butter pairs perfectly with cherries. So many delicious options!
- Pour Into a Pie Crust – Another idea is to use a pre-made, vegan-friendly graham cracker crust and pour your chia pudding inside as a filling. Refrigerate overnight. Then, top with your compote and add a decorative drizzle of peanut butter on top. You could even add extra berries or shaved chocolate to fancy it up a bit more. Almost like our heavenly No-Bake Chocolate Pie.
- Lucky Layers – Vary the way you layer the elements in this parfait. Use a tall, slim glass to make small, but frequent layers of pudding, jam, and peanut butter. Or, use a short, wide dessert container and make only one large layer of each. This parfait is even excellent, just plopped into a bowl without any elegance at all!
- Terrific Toppings – You can always add a crunch factor with sweet walnuts, coconut strips, dairy-free chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers, hemp seeds, or homemade vegan nutella.
FAQs
If stored in a covered container in the fridge, it’ll stay fresh for about 2–3 days. If it has fruit on top, it’s best to eat it sooner. The fruit might get a little mushy after a day or two.
Just pop it in the fridge using an airtight container and cover it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. You can also store the chia pudding and fruit separately, then layer it when you’re ready to eat!
Nope, you don’t have to! Peanut butter and homemade strawberry jam add a fun flavor, but you can totally skip them. Try almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter instead. Not into jam? Use fresh fruit, mashed berries, or a little maple syrup. Make it your own—whatever tastes good to you works just fine!
More Yummy Plant-Based Puddings
Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the “Print Recipe” button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchen—or better yet—create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!
Chia Pudding Parfait
Ingredients
Chia Pudding:
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 2 cups unsweetened plant-based milk
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter, for garnish
Strawberry Compote:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
Chia Pudding:
- In a bowl add the chia seeds, plant milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and mix well. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least four hours or overnight.
Strawberry Compote:
- Place strawberries, sugar, and chia seeds in a small saucepan and bring to medium heat. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring and mashing the fruit occasionally to combine.
- Serve the chilled chia pudding garnished with peanut butter and strawberry compote, or assemble in snack-sized ramekins for future enjoyment.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Leave a Comment
Love this chia pudding! I’m not vegan but love integrating some plant based recipes every week.
Wow this looks so delicious!
This looks absolutely spectacular! What a lovely treat!
This chia parfait is the perfect healthy dessert! Yummy!
Totally in love! This recipe is so delicious in every way. I’m a huge fan of peanut butter and also chia pudding, but never thought to put them both together. Omg – it’s my new favorite dessert!!
This is seriously so good AND so healthy! One of my favorite desserst.
I love that this is sweet and yet healthy too! And I love the idea of thinning out the nut butter! Genius!
This is WAY better than any PB&J I’ve ever had! Love that it’s fancy enough to serve at a dinner party but fun enough for kids to enjoy too.
Wow, this looks so good! Love the chia with pb & strawberry jam.