I’m about to share with you a dessert recipe that’s been a HIT at every family gathering, potluck, and lazy Sunday at home. It’s creamy, sweet, and packed with banana goodness. This EASY BANANA PUDDING RECIPE isn’t just delicious it’s foolproof. Even if you think you can’t cook, YOU CAN MAKE THIS. (And if you love banana desserts, don’t miss our Banana Pudding Brownies for another irresistible treat.) Let me show you how to make the ultimate dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (or thirds).
Oh, and let me tell you my husband whipped this up for a BBQ last summer, and the bowl was scraped CLEAN in record time. Proud wife moment, y’all.
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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS EASY BANANA PUDDING RECIPE
- NO BAKING REQUIRED: Yep, this is a no-bake dessert.
- QUICK PREP: 20 minutes to assemble, max.
- PERFECT FOR ANY OCCASION: Holidays, birthdays, or “just because.”
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: You probably have most of these at home already.
- UNREAL FLAVOR: Creamy pudding, sweet bananas, and those ICONIC vanilla wafers? Game over.
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HOW TO MAKE EASY BANANA PUDDING ?
INGREDIENTS
Here’s everything you’ll need for this EASY BANANA PUDDING RECIPE:
- 1 box (5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- 4-6 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box (11 oz) vanilla wafers
- Optional: Crushed vanilla wafers or banana slices for garnish
HOW IS PUDDING MADE FROM SCRATCH EASY?
Grab a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until it’s smooth. (This should take about 2 minutes TIKTOK-level easy.) Then, mix in the sweetened condensed milk. This is the secret sauce that makes the pudding SO RICH. Once it’s all combined, gently fold in the whipped topping.
SLICE THOSE BANANAS
Slice your bananas into thin rounds. If they’re a little spotty, they’re PERFECT they’re at their sweetest. Don’t wait too long, though; you don’t want them to brown too much before assembling.
ASSEMBLE THE LAYERS
Now for the fun part: layering! Grab a 9×13 dish (or a pretty trifle bowl if you’re feeling fancy).
- Start with a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom.
- Add a layer of banana slices on top.
- Pour on a layer of pudding mixture.
- Repeat these layers until your dish is full, ending with a thick layer of pudding on top.
CHILL
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Overnight is even better!) This lets the flavors mingle and the wafers soften into that DREAMY texture.
GARNISH AND SERVE
Before serving, sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or arrange a few extra banana slices on top. BAM dessert is served!
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TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST BANANA PUDDING
- Go for those ripe bananas—the softer and spottier, the better! They’ll add natural sweetness and a burst of flavor that takes your pudding to the next level.
- Don’t skimp on chilling: Letting the pudding sit for a few hours makes a HUGE difference.
- Layer strategically: Make sure every bite gets a good mix of pudding, banana, and wafer.
- Serve cold: This dessert is BEST served chilled—straight out of the fridge.
- Add a twist: Want to mix things up? Try banana-flavored pudding instead of vanilla or add a drizzle of caramel for an extra kick.
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WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS EVERY TIME
This EASY BANANA PUDDING RECIPE nails the balance between creamy, crunchy, and fruity. The vanilla wafers soak up just enough of the pudding to become soft but still hold a little texture. The bananas bring natural sweetness and a fresh vibe. And that whipped topping? It keeps everything light and airy. It’s basically perfection in a dish.
My sister-in-law swears by this for her work potlucks, and she’s always coming back with an empty dish. She once told me, “I don’t even pretend I made it from scratch anymore. Everyone knows it’s your recipe!”
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VARIATIONS TO TRY
- BANANA PUDDING CUPS: Layer the pudding into small mason jars for individual servings. Perfect for parties!
- CHOCOLATE TWIST: Add a layer of crushed chocolate cookies or drizzle melted chocolate between layers.
- PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS: Swirl in a few tablespoons of peanut butter into the pudding mixture. Bananas + peanut butter = MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.
- HEALTHIER SWAP: Use reduced-fat vanilla wafers, sugar-free pudding, and light whipped topping.
Craving more sweet treats? Check out our Dessert Recipes Collection it’s loaded with drool-worthy showstoppers that’ll make any occasion extra special!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days. After that, the bananas might start to brown, and the wafers will get too mushy.
YES! This is one of those desserts that gets better as it sits. Just don’t add the garnish until you’re ready to serve.
Not really. The texture of the pudding and bananas changes when frozen, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Absolutely! Homemade whipped cream adds an extra touch of richness. Just whip 1 cup of heavy cream with a little sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Toss the banana slices in a little lemon juice before layering. The citrus keeps them looking fresh without altering the taste.
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And just like that—my go-to EASY BANANA PUDDING RECIPE is yours! It’s the kind of dessert that wins hearts at every occasion, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, whipping it up for a school bake sale, or indulging in a well-deserved treat-yourself moment.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, get layering, and let the pudding magic happen. If you give this a try, I’d LOVE to see how yours turns out snap a pic and show me your creation!
