Easy Banana Pudding Recipe (No-Bake, 5 Ingredients, 15 Minutes)

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Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is that kind of dessert which immediately whisks one back to thoughts of family reunions, summertime picnics, and holiday dinners. Whether you’re in search of something quick, easy, and in a hurry or a sure-bet dessert crowd-pleaser, this bananas pudding recipe has got your back.

It’s a no-bake banana pudding recipe with just 5 simple, very basic ingredients—likely in your kitchen right now. Even better, it will take you only 15 minutes of prep time, making this an ideal dessert for weeknights when you want something sweet but really can’t spend hours in the kitchen.

If you love easy desserts like this one, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Frito Pie Casserole for another simple, crowd-pleasing dish!

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Bananas Pudding

Here are the 5 key ingredients you’ll need to prepare this banana pudding recipe:

Vanilla Wafer Cookies: These provide a nice crunch to your layers of pudding. The best ones to use are definitely the classic Nilla Wafers, but you can substitute graham crackers or any other cookies if you like.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is the base of the pudding. You can use either vanilla or banana cream flavor, whichever you prefer to use.
Milk: This is for making the pudding mix. You can use regular milk or any substitute of your choice, be it almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk if you want to.
Ripe Bananas: Fresh bananas are sliced and layered throughout the pudding to provide natural sweetness and creamy texture.
Frozen Whipped Topping (Cool Whip): That, with the pudding, will lend it a light and fluffy texture. If you really want it to sound homemade, you can whip your own cream with a touch of sugar and a little vanilla extract.

For those looking to explore other breakfast or dessert recipes, you might also enjoy our How to Make the Best Scrambled Eggs guide. It’s a quick and easy recipe perfect for busy mornings!

How to Make Bananas Pudding (Step-by-Step Guide)

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to making the perfect bananas pudding.

Step 1: Prepare the Pudding

First, prepare the instant vanilla pudding mix. Whisk together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and thickened. It will take about 2 minutes. You can also use banana cream pudding mix instead of vanilla for adding flavor.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients

Line dessert in bottom of a medium casserole dish, about 11 x 7 inches. Line the bottom of the dish with vanilla wafers. Spread in one layer, all across the bottom. Top the wafers with a layer of bananas. Spread a layer of pudding uniformly over top of bananas.

Step 3: Repeat the Layers

Now, repeat the layers, starting with the vanilla wafers, then more bananas, and another layer of pudding. Depending on the size of your dish, you can probably fit in two to three complete layers. Be generous with the slices of banana so that every bite has a little of everything!

Step 4: Add the Whipped Topping

Once the layers are complete, place a generous amount of whipped topping over the entire dish. You can use Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream. Make sure all the pudding layers are covered. If you’d like, you could even add a few more banana slices or crumbled wafers for garnish on top.

Step 5: Chill

That means putting the banana pudding all assembled in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Chilling that long will allow the flavors to get in and the wafers tender, a hallmark of a smooth and creamy texture.

If you love this simple dessert, be sure to check out our Cracker Barrel Pancake Recipe for another delicious Southern-inspired dish!

Tips for Success

Here are a few key tips to ensure your banana pudding turns out perfect every time:

Use Fresh Ingredients

This is a banana dessert, so use bananas that are ripe but not mushy. Ripe bananas have sweetness and creaminess without the mush. Wafers are another critical component of this dessert, and for the best texture, use a good quality brand like Nilla Wafers.

Chill Time is Crucial

The pudding has to be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is much better. Letting it sit this long allows the vanilla wafers to start drawing in moisture from the pudding and banana slices to yield that soft, cake-like texture.

Preventing Brown Bananas

Brush the slices lightly with lemon juice to prevent the bananas from turning brown. Lemon juice should be applied lightly, because it can eventually alter the taste of the pudding if too much is applied. Alternatively, the prepared banana slices could be stored in an airtight container, provided this is being done ahead of time.

Customizing for Different Tastes

You really could make this recipe your own by simply changing the flavor of the pudding or adding other fruits, such as strawberries or blueberries. You could even add chocolate chips in for another chocolate flavor boost if you wish. If you want an even more indulgent treat, try layering some Nutella or peanut butter in there.

Looking for another breakfast treat to complement this dessert? Try our Delicious Breakfast Casserole for a savory option to balance out the sweetness!

Variations and Substitutions

This banana pudding dessert is so versatile that you can easily make it to your taste or needs. Here are some fun variations and substitutions to try:

Banana Cream Pudding Variation

Add some more banana flavor by substituting the vanilla pudding with banana cream pudding. This will enhance both the natural flavor of the banana and the pudding itself.

Healthy Version

If you are looking at trying to cut back on your sugar and calorie intake, you could make the banana pudding in a more FitSeq-friendly way. Use sugar-free pudding mix and substitute almond milk or some other lower-calorie milk alternative instead of regular milk. Another thing is substituting the whipped topping with light whipped topping or using Greek yogurt as the topping.

Homemade Custard Option

If you’re one of those who like to do everything from square one, you can make homemade custard for your banana pudding. You will need eggs, sugar, flour, and vanilla extract. Cook at the stove until custard has thickened, then set it in layers instead of the instant pudding.

How to Store and Serve Banana Pudding

Storing Banana Pudding

Because with a dessert this fabulous, you never have any leftover! But if by chance you do, it will keep in the fridge covered very well with plastic wrap or moved into an airtight container for up to three days. Please don’t freeze banana pudding; the textured whipped topping and bananas will be altered.

Serving Suggestions

Chilled banana pudding is best served directly from the refrigerator. At serving time, spoon into individual glasses or a serving dish. Garnish with a few extra slices of banana and crumbled wafers on top. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could pour the pudding into individual mason jars or parfait glasses and add layers.

For another crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for gatherings, consider our Best Blueberry Waffles Recipe.

Healthier Options for Banana Pudding

Mind you, this does not mean that banana pudding has to be, unless you really want it to be. A few easy substitutions and voilà: you can relish this great dessert in a more health-aware way. Follow these steps for making lighter banana pudding without losing that delightful satisfaction.

Use Greek Yogurt Instead of Whipped Topping

Replace whipped topping with plain or flavored Greek yogurt. It will add some tanginess to this dessert and provide more protein and less sugar and fat.

Choose Whole-Grain or Gluten-Free Cookies

Make your pudding a little more wholesome by substituting whole-grain or gluten-free cookie alternatives to vanilla wafers. There are several brands available with tasty, low-sugar, gluten-free options that will work perfect for this recipe.

Incorporate More Fruits

You can, in turn, further increase the nutrition content in banana pudding by adding more fruit to the mix. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries will add flavor bursts, along with additional servings of vitamins and antioxidants.

For more ways to enjoy easy and healthy recipes, you might want to explore our Smoothie Bowls Recipe for a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack option.

How to Incorporate Banana Pudding into Different Desserts

But certainly one of the best things about banana pudding is in its versatility. Here are just a few creative ways to incorporate banana pudding into other desserts for added variety and fun:

Banana Pudding Pie

Turn this banana pudding into a pie by layering the pudding mixture into a prebaked pie crust, using either a graham cracker crust or a traditional pastry crust. Add a whipped topping and slices of banana on top, and you have another variation of the classic dessert!

Banana Pudding Trifle

To elevate the dish even further, fashion it into a trifle with a banana pudding base. Get a trifle glass bowl or just small cups, then layer pudding, bananas, and wafers. Make it extra fancy by adding more layers such as whipped cream, fresh berries, or even chocolate shavings.

Banana Pudding Ice Cream

Turn this banana pudding into ice cream by making a frozen version. Mix your vanilla ice cream with chunks of vanilla wafers and sliced bananas. Scoop it out with a dollop of whipped topping on top for a cool and creamy treat perfect for hot summer days.

If you’re a fan of creating different variations of classic recipes, our Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes recipe will show you how to make comfort food with a twist!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I make banana pudding ahead of time?

Yes! You can make banana pudding up to three days in advance. Simply prepare the dessert, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This makes it great for meal prep or any special occasion where you want to get ahead in the kitchen.

2. How can I prevent banana pudding from getting watery?

The trick to not having runny pudding is that the banana pudding must be well-chilled in the refrigerator. Only fresh, ripe bananas should be used, and the pudding shouldn’t be overmixed. If you’re concerned about excess moisture still, try spreading a thin layer of pudding in the bottom of the dish before adding the wafers. It just helps to hold the layers together.

3. Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Absolutely! In case you love homemade whipped cream, you can simply whip up your own with heavy cream, a bit of sugar, and some vanilla extract. Just remember that homemade whipped cream won’t last in the fridge as long as Cool Whip does, so it’s best to prepare it closer to the time of serving.

Conclusion

This banana pudding recipe will be quick and delicious for any occasion. Whether you take it to a potluck, serve it at a family party, or treat your family to some nostalgic dessert, you will love just how easy this no-bake is to make. Creamy layers of pudding, bananas, and vanilla wafers help to make a dessert raved about by all!

For more tasty recipes, be sure to explore our Classic French Toast Recipe for a delightful breakfast treat that pairs perfectly with this banana pudding.

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