Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
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This easy banana pudding recipe is a quick and simple version of the classic southern banana pudding, with the same homemade flavor. It’s a sweet and comforting treat that’ll be a hit with the whole family!
Looking for a crowd-pleasing and easy recipe that’s perfect for spring and summer? You’ll want to give this delicious banana pudding a try. Creamy vanilla pudding and Cool Whip are combined and layered with crunchy vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices for a great recipe that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Homemade banana pudding is a traditional southern recipe, and usually involves making your own pudding or custard from scratch. This shortcut version is quick and easy, thanks to the addition of instant pudding mix. But it’s so creamy and delicious that everyone will think it took you all day to make!
Whip up a batch of this comfort food and it’s sure to be the star of your dessert table.
Why We Love This Recipe
It’s Easy – With just five simple ingredients, this no bake dessert can be assembled in minutes. It turns a boxed pudding mix into a something really special.
It’s a Classic – Everyone loves the sweet flavor of this creamy banana pudding. This classic and delicious dessert is always a hit at parties and potlucks and is the perfect recipe for any occasion..
It’s Budget-Friendly – There are no fancy or expensive ingredients in this impressive treat, and a little goes a long way. It’s perfect when you need to serve a crowd without spending a ton of money.
Banana Pudding Ingredients
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Cold milk
- Bananas, sliced
- Cool Whip
- Nilla Wafers
How to Make The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and beat or whisk until well combined.
Step 2: Set aside about 5 of the cookies for the top of the pudding. Place a layer of vanilla wafers across the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan or casserole dish.
Step 3: Add a layer of bananas slices on top of the cookies.
Step 4: Whisk in half of the Cool Whip and combine with the pudding mixture.
Step 5: Pour half of the pudding mixture over the cookies and bananas. Smooth out as evenly as you can.
Step 6: Add another layer of Nilla wafer cookies.
Step 7: Add another layer of bananas on top of the cookies.
Step 8: Add a final layer of pudding over top. Smooth out evenly.
Step 9: Top the pudding with the remaining half of the Cool Whip, then crush the Nilla wafers you set aside and sprinkle them over top of the Cool Whip. Serve the pudding right away or refrigerate for later.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ripe bananas. You don’t want them to be as ripe as the ones you’d use for banana bread, but ripe enough that you get plenty of banana flavor without any brown spots.
- If you like extra banana flavor, you can use a banana pudding mix instead of the vanilla.
- If you’re making this for a dinner party or small gathering, you can layer the ingredients in a trifle dish, or use individual serving dishes and serve it like parfait.
- You can substitute shortbread or butter cookies for the Nilla wafers. Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies are another popular variation.
- If you don’t have Cool Whip, you can use heavy cream to make your own whipped cream instead.
You can assemble your dessert in advance and keep it in the fridge, but don’t add the Cool Whip on top until just before serving. For best results, place a sheet of plastic wrap over top of the pudding layer to keep a skin from forming.
Place your leftover pudding in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to three days.
More Fruity Desserts
If you liked this homemade pudding recipe, you may want to try these out too!
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Lemon Cheesecake Parfait
- Strawberry Pie
- Blueberry Hand Pies
- Fruit Salad With Cool Whip
Banana Pudding Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5.1 ounces instant banana cream pudding 1 box
- 3 cups cold milk
- 11 ounces Nilla Wafers 1 box
- 4 bananas sliced
- 8 ounces cool whip
Instructions
- Whisk the pudding mix and milk in a large bowl until well combined.5.1 ounces instant banana cream pudding, 3 cups cold milk
- Set aside about 5 of the cookies for the top of the pudding. Place a layer of vanilla wafers across the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan or casserole dish.11 ounces Nilla Wafers
- Layer half the bananas on top of the cookies.4 bananas
- Whisk in half of the Cool Whip and combine with the pudding mixture.8 ounces cool whip
- Pour half of the pudding mixture over the cookies and bananas. Smooth out as evenly as you can.
- Add another layer of Nilla wafer cookies.
- Add another layer of bananas on top of the cookies.
- Pour the remaining pudding over top and smooth out evenly.
- Top the pudding with the remaining half of the Cool Whip, then crush the Nilla wafers you set aside and sprinkle them over top of the Cool Whip. Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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