This easy homemade Banana Pudding Recipe is a classic no-bake dessert with rich and creamy banana pudding layered between vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. Best of all, it’s easy to make ahead and loved by all at potlucks and parties.
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Our family loves serving Banana Pudding out of a large trifle dish like in the picture, but you can also create mini versions of the layered pudding to make serving even easier. Just layer, cover, and refrigerate until serving. If you appreciate easy, no-bake desserts like our No-Bake Cheesecake or Chocolate Lasagna, you will love this recipe.
Banana Pudding Recipe Video
Watch Natasha layer this no-bake homemade banana pudding dessert in just a few minutes. Refrigerate for a few hours and it’s ready to serve! This dessert looks so beautiful and is always a hit!
Best Banana Pudding Recipe
It’s safe to say that whenever you think of a dessert with bananas, banana pudding instantly comes to mind. Much like other classic dessert recipes like our well-loved Banana Bread, Red Velvet Cake, and Tiramisu, this traditional Southern dessert is popular for good reason. Here’s why you’ll LOVE this recipe.
- No-bake – this dessert uses the traditional instant pudding mix so it just has some assembly required but no cooking, which is so convenient
- Easy to make and a novice chef may quickly whip it up
- Beautiful – so appealing aesthetically at a potluck or party and can be made ahead
- Loved by all – great for adults or kids! A crowd-pleasing classic dessert passed down from generation to generation.
Did you know?
Banana Pudding is a popular Southern dish in America. It was originally made in the 1920’s with homemade custard, but this no-cook version has become popular with modern-day home cooks.
Ingredients for Banana Pudding
Just a few ingredients are needed for this recipe, and you can have the dessert ready to serve in no time!
- Milk – You can use whatever milk you have on hand, we used whole milk.
- Vanilla pudding – You want to be sure to use INSTANT pudding that doesn’t require cooking. We used vanilla pudding but a banana flavor will work just fine.
- Vanilla extract – Homemade Vanilla adds the best flavor to the pudding.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Enhances the creaminess and sweetens the pudding. You can add it to taste as well. If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the condensed milk.
- Vanilla wafers – we love the Nilla wafers brand, but you can use your favorite. See substitution options below.
- Heavy whipping cream – The whipped cream adds richness to the pudding. You can substitute with Cool whip, but it will taste a little sweeter than whipped cream.
- Powdered sugar – is added to lightly sweeten the top layer of the pudding. You can leave it out completely.
- Bananas – The fresh banana slices are what give the pudding its amazing flavor. Bananas should be ripe but not overripe or mushy.
Variations
This pudding is so versatile and may be served in so many unique ways. Tell us your favorite way to enjoy banana pudding in the comments below.
- Add peanut butter between the layers.
- Change the pudding: try chocolate, banana or butterscotch
- Substitute the wafers: try graham crackers, shortbread cookies, butter cookies, or even animal crackers.
- Add berries with the bananas or substitute for bananas.
- More layers – Instead of just having whipped cream on top of the pudding, double the amount of whipped cream and add layers over the banana pudding.
- Drizzle caramel over the layers.
- Banana Cream Pie – layer the trifle into a graham cracker crust or a pre-baked and cooled pie crust to make this classic dessert into a pie
How to Make Banana Pudding
This no-bake easy banana pudding recipe is that perfect treat when you need something to serve but don’t want to turn on the oven. Layer it in the dish and then refrigerate for 2 or more hours before serving let the flavors meld.
- Mix the pudding – In a large bowl, beat the cold milk with vanilla and pudding mix until it thickens. Beat in condensed milk, adding it to taste.
- Whipped cream topping – In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until fluffy with stiff peaks. Use a spatula to gently fold 2/3 of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
- Add the powdered sugar to the remaining whipped cream and beat to combine, refrigerate until needed.
- Layer -Add about 1/4th of the vanilla wafers into the bottom of your trifle bowl and about 1/4th of the bananas, then spread 1/4 of the pudding over the bananas/wafers. Repeat with the remaining layers.
- Dollop the reserved whipped cream to the top of the pudding and decorate as desired. Cover and chill in the fridge for two hours then serve.
How to Serve Banana Pudding
The easiest way to serve this is with a large serving spoon and just scoop out portions, but you don’t have to serve the pudding in a trifle bowl. Here are some other great ideas to serve this easy banana pudding:
- In jars or mini cups – just pipe with a bag for a cleaner look!
- Casserole – Add to a baking dish, round, square or 3 qt rectangle will all work.
Make-Ahead
This easy banana pudding recipe keeps well in the fridge, but be sure that the pudding completely covers the banana slices while layering or they will turn brown (still delicious, just not as pretty to look at). Add fresh slices of banana on top just before serving.
- To Refrigerate: The pudding will soften the cookies within 2 hours but the banana pudding can be covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance. Cover leftovers and enjoy within 2 days.
This no-bake, make-ahead party dessert is truly the best banana pudding recipe you’ll try. It looks so fancy and impressive layered in a trifle dish and everyone loves to take a scoop! Make this easy banana pudding for your next gathering.
More No-Bake Desserts
No-bake desserts like this classic banana pudding recipe are by far the best kind of dessert. Here are some more of our favorite desserts to try:
- No Bake Cheesecake
- Raspberry Mousse Cups
- No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
- No-Bake Strawberry Blueberry Trifle
- Chocolate Oreo Pudding
- No-Bake Napoleon Cake
- No-Bake Chocolate Spartak
Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6.8 oz Instant vanilla pudding, (two packages, 3.4 oz each)
- 1 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, or add to taste*
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 11 oz vanilla wafers
- 5 fresh bananas
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the cold milk with vanilla extract and vanilla pudding packets until it thickens. Pour in the condensed milk and beat to combine.
- In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Add about two-thirds of the whipped cream into the pudding and gently fold in with a spatula.
- Add the powdered sugar into the remaining one-third whipped cream and fold with a spatula to combine. Refrigerate until needed.
- Add about 1/4th of the vanilla wafers into the bottom of your trifle bowl and about 1/4th of the bananas.
- Spread 1/4 of the pudding over the bananas/wafers. Repeat with the remaining layers until you have four layers.
- Add the reserved whipped cream over the top of the pudding and decorate as desired. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Hi Natasha
Can you post a link to buy banana cookie wafers
Thank you 😊
Spotted Sharkey at approx. 0557 (near end of video), diving into the pudding bowl.