Easy Banana Pudding Recipe made with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers. No baking required and perfect for any occasion.
This Easy Banana Pudding is a classic no-bake dessert that comes together in minutes with creamy pudding, ripe bananas, and layers of vanilla wafers. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you need a quick crowd-pleasing treat.
We also love Banana Pudding Poke Cake and Paula Deen Banana Pudding.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- Creamy and comforting. Smooth pudding with classic banana flavor in every bite.
- Quick and easy. No baking required and ready in minutes.
- Simple ingredients. Made with easy-to-find pantry staples.
- Perfect for sharing. Ideal for potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.
- Always a favorite. A timeless dessert everyone loves.
Ingredients
- Sweetened Condensed Milk. Adds rich sweetness and creamy texture.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix. Creates a smooth base; Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe works too.
- Heavy Cream. Use cold heavy whipping cream for the best results; whipped topping or Cool Whip can be substituted.
- Sliced Ripe Bananas. Use ripe but not overly ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Nilla Wafers. Classic choice, or substitute homemade Vanilla Wafer Cookies Recipe
Find the entire ingredients for this recipe at the bottom of the page.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. In a large bowl, combine together the sweetened condensed milk and water until smooth. Then add the pudding mix and whisk with a mixer. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
Step 2. Get out a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Then fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
Step 3. Now, it’s time to assemble the dessert. Place ⅓ of the Nilla wafers on the bottom. Next, layer ⅓ of the bananas, and ½ of the pudding mixture.
Step 4. Continue to layer the ingredients. Repeat two more times. Then garnish with remaining wafers or crumbs on the top layer. Allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
Storage
Refrigerator. Cover and store banana pudding in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Best freshness. Enjoy within 24–48 hours for the best texture and flavor.
Banana tip. Add fresh banana slices just before serving to prevent browning.
Also see Can you freeze Banana Pudding?
Pro Tips
- Use cold cream. Cold heavy cream whips up lighter and fluffier.
- Don’t overmix. Gently fold ingredients to keep the pudding airy.
- Choose the right bananas. Ripe but firm bananas hold their texture best.
- Chill before serving. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help the layers set.
- Layer evenly. Even layers ensure perfect bites every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Banana Pudding is a dessert that has layers of sweet french vanilla custard, vanilla wafers, and slices of fresh bananas. This creamy dessert is usually served in a clear dish, so you can see the layers.
Banana Pudding is usually topped with whipped cream or meringue.
You can toss the banana slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice to prevent them from browning. You do not want to use much, or it will alter the taste of the pudding.
It really is best if made a day in advance. It allows the vanilla wafers to get soft. All of the flavors blend together and it is even better the next day. I definitely would suggest making this a day ahead of when you plan to serve it.
I served it once the same day and it was good. But not as good as the times I made it the night before.
Some recipes call for you to heat the pudding mix with the milk for about 15 minutes. If you have a problem with the mixture not thickening this is an option to try. Just make sure that you do not over mix it.
If you don’t have a trifle dish you can use a glass 9×13 baking dish and just do two layers. If you are taking this dish to a potluck, you can use a plastic container. I have even used a large plastic container from the dollar store before.
It is not nearly as pretty but I have used a disposable pan before. They are very convenient if you are taking this dessert to someone’s house. It is easy for them just to toss the disposable pan, and not worry about giving you back the pan.
Another idea for serving is to use clear plastic cups to make individual serving sizes. This will take a bit longer but would be fun for parties. It makes it easy to just grab and go since it is already in a cup.
More Banana Desserts
- Banana Pudding Cookies Recipe
- Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe
- Cheesecake Pudding
- Easy Banana Cake Recipe
- Banana Slit Cake Recipe
Make this Easy Banana Pudding today and treat yourself to a creamy, crowd-pleasing dessert! Don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating to share how much you loved it.
Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 1/2 cups ice cold water
- 3.4 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix 1 box
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups sliced ripe bananas
- 12 ounces Nilla Wafers 1 box
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined – about 1 minute.
- Add the pudding mix and beat well.
- Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours to overnight. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set. It will be watery if you don't let it set up long enough.
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.
- To assemble dessert, use a trifle dish.
- Arrange ⅓ of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3of the bananas, and ½ of the pudding mixture. Repeat two more times garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer. Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours – or up to 8 hours.
