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, Rice Krispie Treats, or Chocolate Lasagna, you will love this recipe.
Banana Pudding Recipe Video
Before starting, watch the video and you’ll see just how easy it is to make this no-bake banana pudding. It comes together fast, then you’ll refrigerate for a few hours and it’s ready to serve! This dessert looks so beautiful and is always a hit!
Helpful Reader Review
“So absolutely delicious! Everyone that has tried it has LOVED it! I just made it for the 4th time tonight in just the last month :). I do end up just using about 3/4 of the sweetened condensed milk, but either way it’s amazing! I found that if I put my heavy cream in the freezer for about 10 minutes, it whips up much faster. The hardest part of this recipe is keeping my kids away from it for 2+hours while it chills😅 Thank you!.” – Diane ★★★★★
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.
Ingredients for Banana Cream 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 low fat or whole milk.
- Vanilla pudding – make sure to use INSTANT pudding that doesn’t require cooking. We used vanilla pudding but a banana flavor will work just fine.
- Vanilla – Vanilla Extract or adds 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, add less.
- 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. I add just a tablespoon of powdered sugar to the topping, but you can leave it out if desired. You can substitute with 12 oz Cool Whip, but it will taste a little sweeter than whipped cream.
- 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.
- Drizzle caramel over the layers.
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.
2 Ways 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 Tips
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:
- Tiramisu Recipe
- Raspberry Mousse Cups
- No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
- Eton Mess
- No-Bake Strawberry Blueberry Trifle
- Chocolate Oreo Pudding – (Valentina’s Corner)
- No-Bake Chocolate Spartak – (Valentina’s Corner)
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
- 11 oz vanilla wafers
- 5 fresh bananas
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar, optional
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
Filed Under
This is absolutely delicious! The pudding mixture is soft, silky and scrumptious!! I will never go back to the ‘traditional’ southern banana pudding that I grew up on. I would give this recipe 10 stars if possible, it’s that good people, TRY IT!!! Thanks for this recipe!
Love it! Thanks so much for this amazing review, we’re happy that you love this recipe!
Hi Linda, love it! Thanks so much for this amazing review, we’re happy that you like this recipe!
My new go-to banana pudding recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving and it was sooo good! I also love that it was very easy to make.
I also wanted to mention that I added a drizzle of caramel to the top to decorate and it was so good!
I bet that is so good on the bread! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Brandy! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I have never made this before, although I grew up eating at every holiday gathering until a became an adult. What do do do when your 16 ys old son asked you to make it for Thanksgiving? You MAKE it! He found this recipe, I made it yesterday, and he LOVED it
Wonderful feedback, thank you! I’m glad that your son loved this recipe a lot!
Loveeee this recipe! Although, I have a question on how to corporate the ingredients when doubling the pudding. For instance, if I’m using 4 pudding mixes how many cups of milk, how much evaporated milk and how much vanilla extract?
Hi Tatiana! Are you doubling the whole recipe or just the pudding? This recipe does not use evaporated milk, it uses heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk (I assume you meant to say that). You could follow the same instructions and just double the ingredients to make 4 packs instead of 2 packs. Still reserve some whipped cream for the top layer.
Hi! Yes ma’am, I meant condensed haha and yes, I’ll be doubling as well just wanted to be certain. Thank you lots for responding!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet but I was wondering if I can use this pudding recipe for banana cream pie?
Hi Gilberta, I’m honestly not sure unless I test it. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
This calls for two boxes of pudding. The directions on each box call for two cups of milk per box. Should I only use 2 cups of milk for both boxes or follow the directions and use four cups of milk for two boxes?
Hi Lexi, you are just using the pudding powder. Don’t worry about prepping it according to the package instructions. Just follow the written instructions in my recipe.
Made this last night. I didn’t have luck making the cool whip. I recommend just buying it. The rest of it turned out good but was super sweet.
I must have done something wrong. I used (4) 1.5 oz of pudding (.8 oz less than what’s called for, (2 cups) cold milk, and (1 tsp) vanilla extract and beat according to the instructions but the pudding came out very gummy. Even after I beat the condensed milk in and even after adding the whipped cream. I did use fat free pudding and fat free condensed milk because, for whatever reason, that’s all that was available. Could that have been the problem?
Hi Angela, I haven’t tried those substitutions, so I can’t speak to that. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around, including the ingredients. I wish I could be more helpful!
Good but way too sweet for me. I will try less condensed milk next time though. Wonder if I could replace it with evaporated milk?
Sounds good, I haven’t tried using evap milk but let us know how it goes if you do an experiment!
I made this tonight for dessert in my new trifle bowl. OMG! What a hit! The entire family loved it. They even opened the other box of vanilla wafers and were dipping them into the pudding! Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I love all your recipes. They’re tried and true, and so easy to make!
That’s awesome! So glad it was a hit. I love how easy this is to make. 🙂
Hi. DOES this turn out too sweet? What is your honest opinion? And what would you do do lessen the sweetness if necessary? Theres seems to be a lot of reviews that say it’s too sweet!! Making it for friends and afraid of that being an issue. Thanks
Hi Elena, we believe we have found the perfect balance with this recipe. Keep in mind more ripe bananas will be sweeter and may require adjustments.
The sweetened condensed milk is DO unnecessary. Aside from that, the recipe is great. It’s just sickening sweet.
Is it suppose to be super thick? Mine turned out very thick, similar to cookie dough. This could be because i used sugar free pudding and fat free sweetened condensed milk. It tastes amazing!!!
I haven’t tried those substitutions, so I can’t speak to that, but it’s likely. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around.
Can you please tell me what vanilla pudding mix is? I live in Yorkshire, England.
Hi Shirley, this would need to be confirmed, but according to Google, “In the UK, the most similar product is Angel Delight, sharing the same list of ingredients and offering the same texture and taste” I hope that helps.
You’re my go to creator for all good recommendations. This is a great recipe. I substitute one of the puddings for chocolate. The two compliments each other well. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Thank you so much for your trust, Patricia. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
wow as a 10 year old baker you help me bake so much stuff your the #1 cooking blog your funny thell us the recipe clearly and let kids get involed, you inspired me to make up my own dishes! thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!
It is my pleasure to help and share these recipes. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
Love all your recipe’s. But why does the name Valentina Ablaev come up all the time. If I make a comment to you I have always thought that you were the one responding back. Seems strange.
Hi Freya, we have 2 contributors who guest post occasionally and this is one of her recipes. We are very selective about who becomes a contributor and we trust her recipes and some of them have become some of our most popular recipes on the site. I hope you love the Banana Pudding as well.
Don’t take this the wrong way but I do think that she should have her own site. You could use her name as a contributor but I go on your site because I value everything that you post just my opinion.
She can have anyone contribute to her blog that she wishes. Valentina does have her own blog- it’s called https://valentinascorner.com/.
Natasha includes the contributor’s name after the post so readers can see whose recipe it is. There are others also.
I’m a southern girl and grew up eating banana pudding. This recipe looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it. Your recipes always turn out wonderful. Keep it up girl!! You’re the best.
Thanks, Lisa. I hope it becomes your new favorite recipe!
Love this recipe – the filling is so thick and delicious. So easy to make and everyone loved it! Thank you
Thanks for the awesome feedback, Melissa!
This recipe is a classic. It never goes out of style. Thanks for reminding me how good it is…and easy to make!
It’s my pleasure, Erin. I hope you love it!
This pudding is wonderful! It’s great on it’s on or as part of a bigger dessert. Save this recipe!
I’m so happy you loved it, Wilhelmina! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Made this for my family and boy oh boy it didnt last a day! It was sooo delicious! My 2 year old went in the fridge and ate half the pan himself!! LOL Thank you!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad it was a hit!