Banana Pudding is such a delicious and simple dessert recipe. With just a few simple ingredients you have a beautiful layered dessert that everyone will love.
If you are hosting and need a delicious dessert, this easy banana pudding recipe is the perfect solution. This recipe is easy enough to make that you could even hand it off to one of your kiddos. With my fool-proof instructions, you will want to make it year after year.
Banana Pudding Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients that combine in this homemade banana pudding. For the full list of ingredients and their measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Milk: Whatever milk you have on hand will work.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: When mixed with milk, it creates a creamy vanilla pudding with a hint of sweetness. Make sure it is labeled “instant pudding mix” and not “cook and serve”.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet flavor profile and enhances the vanilla flavor of the pudding.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and a velvety consistency to the pudding. Double-check the label for “sweetened condensed milk” which is not the same as evaporated milk.
- Stabilized whipped cream: Maintains its texture for a longer period of time. Make your own or buy frozen whipped topping and allow it to thaw.
- Bananas: See my tips for choosing bananas below. Slice them thinly for even distribution throughout the pudding.
- Vanilla wafers: These cookies add a delightful crunch.
Stabilized Whipped Cream
Buying Bananas
When making banana bread, ripe bananas that are brown, soft, and have naturally sweetened are best. The ideal bananas for banana pudding are ripe but not overly soft or mushy. Look for bananas with a vibrant yellow color and some brown speckles on the peel. Bananas at this stage are sweet and will blend well into the pudding without being too overpowering or turning to mush. While the bananas should be ripe, they should still be firm to the touch. Inspect the banana peel for any major bruising or damage. While small brown spots are normal and are a sign of ripeness, large bruises can affect the texture and taste of the banana.
If you plan to make banana pudding in a day or two and are buying bananas in advance, choose bananas that are slightly less ripe since they will ripen over time. Store bananas at room temperature until they reach the desired ripeness.
How to Make Banana Pudding
Here is a brief overview of this no bake banana pudding with vanilla wafers comes together. For the full banana pudding recipe including the full list of ingredients and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Make the filling. Stir together the milk and pudding mix until smooth, then whisk in the vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in the stabilized whipped cream.
- Layer the ingredients. Layer the ingredients starting with a layer of the pudding mixture, then banana slices, then Nilla wafers. Repeat two times.
- Add the wafers. Finish with a final layer of pudding and crushed wafers. Use extra vanilla wafers to round the top of the trifle bowl. Enjoy right away or cover and chill until you are ready to serve.
Serving
I love to make this recipe in a trifle dish like you see in the photos to show off the layers. If you go with a trifle dish, you will want to make sure it is at least 116 ounces. You can also make it in a large bowl or baking dish. If you aren’t serving it right away, be sure to keep it covered and in the refrigerator.
Making Ahead and Storing Banana Pudding
Keep banana pudding tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend making it more than a day in advance. Eat any leftovers within two days of making it.
FAQ
The pudding mixture helps to coat the bananas and prevent them from browning. Additionally, keep it tightly covered and make it fresh. Bananas brown quickly when exposed to air.
You can make this recipe for banana pudding one day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator, covered. I do not recommend making it sooner than that because the bananas will brown.
Graham crackers, animal crackers, or shortbread cookies could be used instead.
When kept covered in the refrigerator, it is good for 2-3 days.
Other No Bake Recipes
Part of what makes this easy banana pudding recipe a great go-to is that no baking is required, so you can skip turning on your oven during those warm seasons. Here are some of my other favorite no bake dessert recipes.
If you make this homemade banana pudding recipe or any of my other recipes, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment. It makes my day to hear from you!
Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold milk (use what you have on hand)
- 5.1 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix (be sure that it is labeled instant)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 16 ounces stabilized whipped cream or 16 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 16 ounces vanilla wafers (7 1/2 cups)
- 10 bananas sliced
Instructions
- Mix together the cold milk and pudding mix until smooth.2 cups cold milk, 5.1 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- Then whisk in the vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Fold in the stabilized whipped cream.16 ounces stabilized whipped cream
- In a large trifle bowl, layer the pudding mixture (you will need about 1.5 cups per layer), then bananas (about 2 cups per layer), then wafers (about 2.5 cups per layer). Repeat 2 times. Finish with a final layer of pudding and crushed wafers. (Please note that there will be 4 layers of the pudding mixture, and 2 layers each of the bananas and vanilla wafers.)10 bananas, 16 ounces vanilla wafers
- Use extra vanilla wafers to round the top of the trifle bowl. Enjoy right away or cover and chill until you are ready to serve.
Leah B Culp says
Wow!! Thanx for getting back to me 😀! I’ve never used Condensed Milk in my Banana Pudding, but I’m going to give it a try 😉. I Love Banana Pudding and I can hardly wait to make your version…it might just become my favorite!!!
And I hope you had a Wonderful Birthday 🥳!!!!!
I hope you love it!
Jeanette says
Hi I live in the UK and I am not sure we get the ingredients here