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August 23, 2022

Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

Name: Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cold milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding packages; 1 14 oz sweetened condensed milk; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1 11 oz vanilla wafers; 4 fresh bananas; 3 Tbsp powdered sugar

4.98 from 159 votes
74 comments

An easy homemade Banana Pudding Recipe. Rich and creamy banana pudding between layers of vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. Best of all, this pudding is a no-bake and loved by all at potlucks and parties.

If you appreciate easy, no-bake desserts like our No-Bake Cheesecake or Chocolate Lasagna, you will love this Banana Pudding.

Simple recipe for banana pudding layered in a trifle bowl.

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Banana Pudding Recipe

It’s safe to say that whenever you think of a dessert with bananas, banana pudding instantly comes to mind. Here’s why you’ll LOVE this recipe.

No-bake – this dessert 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
Loved by all – great for adults or kids

The top of banana pudding in a trifle bowl.

Ingredients for Banana Pudding

Just a few ingredients are needed for the banana pudding 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.
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.
Powdered sugar – is added to 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.

Ingredients needed for banana pudding recipe in ramekins.

How to make Banana Pudding

This no-bake dessert is that perfect treat when you need something to serve but don’t want to turn on the oven.

Prepare Pudding:

In a large bowl, beat the cold milk with vanilla and pudding until it thickens. Beat in condensed milk.
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.
Add the powdered sugar into the remaining whipped cream and beat to combine, refrigerate until needed.

Step by step photos how to make pudding filling

Assemble:

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 remaining layers.
Add the remaining whipped cream to the center of the pudding and decorate as desired. Cover and refrigerate for two hours then serve.

Make-Ahead

For best results, Banana pudding can be made up to 24 hours ahead and leftovers should be enjoyed within 2 days of making it. If making the pudding more than two hours in advance, keep the bananas completely covered by the pudding as they will brown if you don’t. Then just add fresh slices of bananas on top when serving.

Serving Ideas

The easiest way to serve this is with a large serving spoon and just scoop out portions. You don’t have to serve the pudding in a trifle bowl. Here are some other great ideas to serve the vanilla 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.

A trifle bowl with banana pudding layered and bananas on the side of the bowl.

Variations

This pudding is so versatile and may be served in so many unique ways.

Change the pudding: try chocolate, banana or butterscotch
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.
Add peanut butter between the layers.

No-bake banana pudding layered in a trifle bowl.

Common Questions

Can I substitute the vanilla wafers?

Graham crackers, butter cookies, or even animal crackers.

How to keep bananas from browning?

Bananas will brown quickly as they are exposed to air so keep them completely covered with the pudding. Add the bananas on top right before serving, or don’t add them on top at all.

Can I use cool whip instead of whipping cream?

Cool whip is a great substitute for whipped cream, but it will taste a little sweeter than whipped cream.

Where did Banana Pudding originate?

Banana Pudding is a popular Southern dish in America. It was originally made with homemade custard but the no-cook version has become popular with modern-day home cooks.

More No-Bake Desserts

No bakes are by far the best kind of dessert. Here are some more of our favorite desserts to try:

Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

4.98 from 159 votes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

The easiest recipe for a no-bake banana pudding with layers of pudding, wafers, and fresh bananas. This layered no-bake dessert is stunning to serve and so easy to make.

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana pudding, best banana pudding recipe

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $10-$14

Calories: 247

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

2 cups cold milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding packages
1 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 11 oz vanilla wafers
4 fresh bananas
3 Tbsp powdered sugar

Instructions

In a large bowl, beat the cold milk with vanilla extract and vanilla pudding 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 remaining layers until you have four layers.
Add the reserved whipped cream over top of pudding and decorate as desired. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 247 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Trans Fat 0.001g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 60mg20%

Sodium 36mg2%

Potassium 289mg8%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 809IU16%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 94mg9%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclosure

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!