Banana Pudding

A luscious no-bake layered dessert with layers of vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and vanilla wafers. A classic southern recipe your family will love. 

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Creamy banana pudding is an easy-to-make, delicious, no-bake dessert. With layers of vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and vanilla wafers it’s a classic southern recipe your family will love. 

MORE RECIPES: Banana Pudding Cake | Banana Pudding Pie | Banana Bread Pudding

Banana pudding is a luscious no-bake layered dessert. Made with instant vanilla pudding, it’s a low-stress recipe that you can make ahead of time and is perfect for weeknights, potlucks, and family dinners. 

Simple to make with just 10 minutes of prep time, banana pudding travels well and is easy to serve. It makes a stunning dessert served in a trifle bowl, but it tastes just as delicious in a casserole dish. 

Creamy and rich with layers of sweet vanilla pudding, freshly sliced bananas, and lots of vanilla wafers, it’s a great way to end any meal. Serve it for dessert after another favorite southern comfort food dinner recipe or with southern sweet tea to drink.

Banana Pudding Ingredients

• Sweetened condensed milk - not evaporated milk
• Milk
• Water
• Vanilla pudding - instant vanilla pudding, large boxes
• Bananas
• Vanilla wafers
• Cool Whip - or homemade whipped cream

Banana pudding is generally made with sweet vanilla-flavored pudding, but it can be made with banana pudding mix for an even more intense banana flavor. You could also use cheesecake-flavored pudding for another delicious version. 

You’ll want to use firm, just-ripe bananas for your pudding. If you get bananas that are too ripe they are likely to brown much quicker. To keep your banana slices from turning brown, slice them just before you use them as the longer they’re exposed to air, the more likely they are to turn brown. To prevent browning you can also spritz them with citrus juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice.

Layer your banana pudding either in an 8x8 casserole dish or in a trifle bowl if you want to see all of the different layers. Top your chilled banana pudding with whipped cream and garnish with extra banana slices, wafers, wafer crumbs, or even a few fresh sliced strawberries.

How to Make Banana Pudding

FIRST STEP: In a medium-size bowl whisk together the sweetened condensed milk with the water and milk.

SECOND STEP: Stir in the instant vanilla pudding and blend well.

THIRD STEP: Line the bottom of an 8x8 casserole dish with one layer of vanilla wafers.

FOURTH STEP: Thinly slice your bananas and add a layer of bananas over the wafers.

FIFTH STEP: Next, give your pudding a quick stir and pour a layer of pudding over the bananas.

SIXTH STEP: Repeat the layers using wafers, bananas, pudding, wafers, bananas, pudding until you have filled your dish and make the top layer be a layer of vanilla wafers.

SEVENTH STEP: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the vanilla wafers to soften.

EIGHTH STEP: Top with Cool Whip before serving and garnish with extra banana slices or wafers.

How do you prevent bananas from turning brown? 

You’ll want to use firm, just-ripe bananas for your pudding because bananas that are too ripe are likely to brown much more quickly. Slice the bananas just before you use them as the longer they’re exposed to air, the more likely they are to turn brown. To prevent browning you can also spritz them with citrus juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice.

Can I use banana pudding instead of vanilla? 

For an even more intense banana flavor, you could the vanilla pudding with banana pudding. You could also make the recipe using cheesecake pudding. 

Can banana pudding be made in advance? 

Banana pudding can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time. However, for best results, it should be eaten within two days. 

How to Store Banana Pudding Recipe 

IN THE FRIDGE:  Store leftover banana pudding in a covered container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. 

Banana Pudding

A luscious no-bake layered dessert with layers of vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and vanilla wafers. A classic southern recipe your family will love. 

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Calories 91 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (14-ounces each)
• ▢ 3 cups milk
• ▢ 1 cup water
• ▢ 2 large boxes instant vanilla pudding (5.1-ounces each)
• ▢ 4-6 bananas
• ▢ 1 box vanilla wafers (11-ounces)
• ▢ 1 tub Cool Whip (8-ounce)

DIRECTIONS

 

• In a medium-size bowl whisk together the sweetened condensed milk with the water and milk.
• Stir in the instant vanilla pudding and blend well.
• Line the bottom of an 8x8 casserole dish with one layer of vanilla wafers.
• Thinly slice your bananas and add a layer of bananas over the wafers.
• Next, give your pudding a quick stir and pour a layer of pudding over the bananas.
• Repeat the layers using wafers, bananas, pudding, wafers, bananas, pudding until you have filled your dish and make the top layer be a layer of vanilla wafers.
• Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the vanilla wafers to soften.
• Top with Cool Whip before serving and garnish with extra banana slices or wafers.

Notes

You could also make this with instant banana pudding mix for an even more intense banana flavor. Instant cheesecake pudding is another favorite for us.

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg

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