Banana Pudding

Homemade banana pudding combines bananas, vanilla pudding, cream cheese, milk, and Nilla wafer cookies to create a cozy, comforting dessert that the whole family will love.

slice of Banana Pudding Recipe on a plate with a bite taken out

Flavor: Banana pudding is creamy and sweet with fresh banana flavor, soft cookies, and a smooth vanilla pudding layer.
Prep Note: Slice bananas for garnish right before serving so they don’t brown.
Swaps: Try graham crackers or shortbread for a twist.
Time-Saving Tip: Assemble up to a day ahead and chill so the flavors have a chance to meld.

ingredients to make banana pudding, with labels

Ingredients Tips for Banana Pudding

Crust: Nilla wafers are the standard for banana pudding, adding just the right soft, cake-like texture as they soak up all that sweet goodness.
Bananas: This is the perfect recipe for using the freshest, ripest bananas possible. Use older, over-ripened ones for banana bread.
Pudding: Banana pudding mix is common, but it can hide the fresh banana taste, so we use vanilla pudding instead. Full-fat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk give this simple recipe its rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and texture.
Whipped Cream: For the best flavor, make a quick homemade vanilla whip. You can also use premade whipped cream or a ready-made whipped topping.

The Best Variations

Feel free to layer in (or use as a garnish) sliced strawberries or fresh blueberries with the bananas for an extra colorful and fruity dessert.
You can substitute graham crackers, a ready-made graham cracker crust, or chessmen cookies for the vanilla wafers.

whipped cream and banana pudding in bowls to make Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

adding biscuits to dish to make Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

How to Make Banana Pudding

Mix Creamy Layer: Make the cream cheese/pudding mixture (full recipe below).
Make Whipped Cream: Make homemade whipped cream. Fold some of it into the cream cheese mixture.
Layer the Banana Pudding: Layer cookies and then bananas in a 9×13 pan or two 9×9 pans. Top with the cream cheese mixture, and then with the whipped cream.
Refrigerate: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight

finished Easy Banana Pudding Recipe in a dish

Be sure the bananas are fully covered with the pudding so they don’t oxidize and turn brown.
If you’re using sliced bananas on top as a garnish, toss them with a little lemon juice or place them just before serving to prevent browning.
Try using a clear glass dish or trifle dish to show off all the delicious layers.

Tuck it Away for Tomorrow

Store leftover banana pudding in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing isn’t recommended due to the high amount of dairy.

The Best Banana Desserts

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Easy banana pudding is a no-bake classic with layers of fresh bananas, smooth vanilla pudding, and fluffy whipped cream.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Chill Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes

In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese. Use a hand mixer to beat until fluffy.
Add in pudding mix, milk, and vanilla. Continue beating until well combined.
In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Reserve 2 ½ cups of whipped cream for topping. Gently fold the remaining whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan or two 9×9-inch pans with vanilla wafers, and top with sliced bananas. Spread the pudding mixture over top ensuring the bananas are completely covered.
Top with the remaining whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Garnish with additional banana slices for serving if desired.

Cookies: Other options for cookies are graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or chessmen cookies.
Dish: Use a 9×13 pan, two 9×9 pans, or a trifle dish. Serve with a spoon.
Bananas: Completely cover the bananas with the other layers to keep them from browning.
Chill: Allow the dessert to sit at least 4 hours, but overnight is better if possible. This softens the cookies.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

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