This Quick & Easy Banana Pudding Recipe only requires 10 ingredients and 15 minutes of hands on preparation! It’s no-cook (and no-bake!), incredibly simple to assemble and so dangerously delicious! Featuring thick layers of ripe bananas, crisp Nilla Wafer cookies and luscious banana pudding flavored with sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese! This creamy, rich banana dessert is perfect for easy after dinner indulgences and sinful snacking, along with picnics, potlucks, barbecues and all your holiday entertaining! Show
Continue to read on for comprehensive tricks on preparing this quick Southern pudding at home! Plus, plenty of tips for making this banana trifle in advance! And, don’t miss the in-depth step by step photos in the middle of the post! Hi, friends! Sound the alarm and round up the troops, because today I’m sharing the very best banana pudding recipe in all the land! Quick Navigation - Table of Contents
When it comes to classic American desserts, banana pudding still reigns supreme (in my humble opinion at least). This banana dessert is overflowing with rich flavor and heavenly texture with the perfect ratio of luscious banana pudding, crisp cookies, ripe bananas and sweet whipped cream in every bite! The actual pudding portion is made with a combination of banana cream and white chocolate pudding flavored with tangy cream cheese, candy-like condensed milk and inviting vanilla. It’s thick, impossibly creamy and downright impossible to resist! If you love simple (yet sinfully delicious) pudding desserts, you will absolutely love this recipe! It requires 10 easy-to-find ingredients along with just 10 minutes of hands-on preparation and absolutely ZERO cooking or baking! Plus, it’s so easy to assemble and can be made in advance! This quick pudding is perfect for every occasion! Whether you serve it at picnics, potlucks, outdoor barbecues, holiday parties or as an easy weeknight dessert, everyone will LOVE this comforting classic! Why you’ll love this recipe
What is southern banana pudding?Banana pudding is a sweet Southern dessert featuring layers of sweet banana custard, vanilla wafers and slices of fresh bananas. Classic banana pudding is traditionally topped with whipped cream or a meringue topping and served in a trifle dish, Mason jars or a glass pan to showcase the beautiful layers. Where did it originate?Banana pudding is an iconic American dessert with strong ties to the South; however, precisely where it originates seems to be a complete mystery. Many claim that banana pudding (as we know it) originates in the South; however, the earliest version dates back to a recipe in a Massachusetts-based Good Housekeeping periodical. The actual invention of banana pudding seems to have roots across America, with no particular Southern identity; however, due to the widespread marketing efforts of large companies, such as Nabisco (“Nilla Wafers), General Mills (Cool Whip) and Jell-O (pudding), somewhere along the way banana pudding became synonymous with the American South. Note: If you are looking for more thorough information on the history of banana pudding, this article from Serious Eats is an interesting read. What is in banana pudding?Traditionally, the ingredients in banana pudding consist of creamy custard (from a box or homemade from scratch), sponge cake, Lady Fingers, or crisp cookies (typically Vanilla Wafers) and fresh bananas; however, there are many versions of this southern dessert. Modern adaptations can include swapping the cookies for yellow cake, adding toasted coconut flakes and/or adding ground cinnamon, as well as finishing the pudding with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Ingredients to make old-fashioned banana pudding?This banana pudding recipe is so easy and made with just 10 simple-to-find ingredients!
Substitutions
Banana pudding topping ideasWhipped cream and slices of fresh bananas are the classic toppings of choice for banana pudding. However, toppings are a great way to get creative and add a bit of visual appeal to your pudding! If you are entertaining a crowd, try setting up a pudding toppings bar and place various topping options in individual bowls, that way your guests can help themselves and customize their pudding to their liking! Below are a few topping ideas to help get you inspired! The best toppings for pudding
What flavor of pudding mix can I use to make Southern pudding?You can use any flavor of instant pudding mix you love to make layered banana pudding! If you are looking for a richer flavor, try using a combination of two complementary pudding mixes! Below are the best pudding mix flavors to use when making banana pudding.
How to make easy banana pudding?This quick pudding is incredibly easy to make! Simply mix the pudding, layer it with bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafers and refrigerate it until ready to serve!
How to make the best recipe for banana pudding step by step photos(Don’t forget to scroll down for the in-depth measurements and instructions in the complete printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!) Expert tips for the best no-bake banana puddingHow to keep bananas from turning brown?Unfortunately, once you peel and slice bananas it is completely normal for them to turn slightly brown. However, there are a three simple tricks to prevent bananas from turning brown once you slice them!
How to layer banana pudding?There really is no “wrong” or “right” way to layer and assemble banana pudding – it all depends upon your personal preference. However, there are a few different classic ways to layer banana pudding, one of which I use. To layer pudding, start with a layer of cookies, followed by a layer of pudding, bananas and then Cool Whip. Repeat all the layers once or twice more, depending upon the depth of your serving bowl or dish. When you are ready to serve, garnish the pudding with more Cool Whip and your choice of toppings, such as crumbled cookies, slices of bananas or a sprinkling of cinnamon! How to serve banana pudding?You can assemble and serve this Southern pudding in any serveware you love! I recommend using a glass bowl or dish so the beautiful layers in the dessert are visible. A trifle bowl, large glass mixing bowl, casserole dish and individual jars, such as Mason jars or Weck jars all work beautifully for serving pudding! If you are looking for a fun way to serve a large crowd, you may want to consider setting up a pudding dessert bar so your guests can help themselves! Place the pudding, wafer cookies, Cool Whip and banana slices in large individual serving bowls. And, set out a few different topping selections, such as ground cinnamon, chocolate shavings, toasted coconut shreds and crushed cookies. Place small bowls or jars and spoons at the front of the dessert bar and let your guests create their own layered banana dessert! Storing simple banana puddingCan banana pudding be made the day before?Absolutely! There are a few different ways you can prepare this pudding recipe in advance!
Can banana pudding be left out?Homemade banana pudding should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours maximum! Make sure you keep the banana trifle cold (in a cooler or something similar) if you are transporting it or bringing it to a party. If you are serving this pudding at an outdoor event, such as a picnic or barbecue, I recommend keeping the pudding refrigerated, on ice or in a cooler until you are ready to serve. Likewise, you may want to consider placing the pudding in a shady spot while serving! How to store pudding?To keep the assembled pudding trifle tasting fresh and at its best, you should cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. How long does banana pudding last?Properly stored, banana pudding will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Expert Tip: Upon storage, the vanilla wafers inside the pudding will start to lose their crisp and become softer. I actually love the texture as I find the wafers texture to be almost cake-like. However, if you prefer super crisp and crunchy vanilla wafers, you may want to consider eating the assembled pudding within 2 days. Can I freeze banana pudding?One you assemble and layer the pudding I don’t recommend freezing it as the wafers and bananas texture will be altered upon thawing. However, you can freeze just the pudding component itself for 4-6 weeks. To freeze, transfer the pudding into a freezer-safe storage container. Press a piece of plastic wrap to the top of the surface of pudding before sealing the container with an air-tight lid. To thaw, place the frozen pudding in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw naturally overnight. Nutrition and Dietary FAQDoes banana pudding have dairy?Unfortunately, this recipe is not dairy-free as it is made with Cool Whip which contains sodium caseinate, a milk derivative. Gluten-free?This recipe as written is not gluten-free as it uses Vanilla Wafers which contain gluten. However, you can easily use Gluten-Free Vanilla Wafers to make this a gluten-free recipe! Note: If you are adhering to a dietary restriction, always make sure you check all labels to ensure the products you are using are in fact gluten-free before consuming. Vegan?Unfortunately, this pudding is not vegan-friendly as it contains animal products, such as cream cheese and condensed milk. Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram! Looking for more banana recipes?If you love this easy banana dessert, try one of these delicious recipes next: Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Easy Banana Nut Muffins Banana Overnight Oats Banana & Honey Cereal Breakfast Popsicles Rate and Comment!Did you make this recipe? WONDERFUL! Please rate the recipe below! How to make the Best Banana Pudding recipe👇 Easy Banana Pudding Recipe (No-Bake Banana Pudding)This Easy Banana Pudding Recipe is no-cook (and no-bake!), incredibly simple to assemble and so dangerously delicious! Featuring thick layers of ripe bananas, crisp Nilla Wafer cookies and luscious banana pudding flavored with sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese! This creamy, rich banana dessert is perfect for easy after dinner indulgences and sinful snacking, along with picnics, potlucks, barbecues and all your holiday entertaining! Prep Time15 mins Total Time15 mins Course: Dessert Cuisine: American Keyword: Banana Dessert, Banana Pudding, Banana Trifle Servings: 16 people Calories: 346kcal
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 16 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used. Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 368mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 1mg ©No Spoon Necessary. All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Please do not publish this recipe without prior consent. If you want to reference this recipe, please do so by linking directly to this post. What can I add to instant pudding to make it better?1. Use Evaporated Milk. Replace the regular milk for a can of evaporated milk to make a creamier, more decadent pudding. Not only does it yield a luxurious texture, it dramatically improves the flavor of a pudding mix.
How do you thicken pudding for banana pudding?The addition of cornstarch and a few minutes on the stovetop are all it takes on how to make banana pudding thicker. There is no need to use a double boiler for cooking the pudding's foundation of milk, cream, and sugar because the cornstarch thickens it considerably.
What keeps bananas from turning brown in banana pudding?Traditional recipes usually involve topping the pudding with meringue or whipped cream, which seals the top and keeps the bananas from being exposed to air. The custard also helps to protect the bananas.
|