The Best Banana Pudding Recipe – Easy & No-Bake Dessert

Are you craving something sweet? If yes, then you are at the right place. Today, I am here with the best banana pudding recipe. This no-bake recipe is delicious and easy to make. With only a few ingredients, you can easily make it at home. This is my favorite recipe, and I am sure you will make it again and again once you enjoy it.

This banana pudding is not just sweet and super delicious but also rich in nutrition and good for your health. You can make it with milk, homemade or instant pudding, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, bananas, and Nilla Wafers. Its sweet flavor and creamy texture make it a perfect dessert.

What is Banana Pudding?

Banana pudding is the classic southern dessert made with layers of Nilla Wafers, Bananas, and pudding mix,. This banana pudding recipe is one of the easiest and quickest recipes I have ever made. This dessert is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, and other occasions. Each spoonful is a delightful blend of creamy pudding mix, fresh and sweet bananas, and Nilla Wafers.

Banana Pudding Recipe Ingredients

To make this banana pudding recipe, you need the following ingredients.

Milk: This recipe can be made with whole or 2 % skim milk. I prefer whole milk, but skim milk also works.

Bananas: You need ripe bananas. I suggest using ripe bananas with small dark spots. Avoid using bananas that are too ripe, as these will turn brown very fast. So, use fresh and medium-ripe bananas to make this fantastic dessert.

Sweetened condensed milk: This recipe also requires sweetened condensed milk. Do not confuse sweetened condensed milk with evaporated milk; evaporated milk is not sweet. So check the label before buying.

Pudding Mix: You need instant vanilla pudding to make this banana pudding recipe. Before buying or ordering, check the label and purchase instant pudding. Do not buy cook-and-serve pudding. We are going to use instant pudding in this recipe.

Vanilla Extract: You also need a small amount of vanilla extract for good flavor.

Frozen Whipped Topping: Frozen whipped cream adds a rich, fluffy texture to the pudding mix. It can be found in the frozen dessert section of grocery stores. You have to mix half whipped cream into the pudding mix and save the remaining half for topping.

Nilla Wafers: Nilla wafers are also an essential part of this banana pudding recipe. Many people try to make them at home, but I do not recommend it. Use store-bought Nilla wafers and save your time and accelerate the process so that you can create and serve this dessert even on time.

If you still want to make vanilla wafers at home, follow this recipe: homemade vanilla wafers recipe.

How to Make Banana Pudding

 You can make banana pudding by following the step-by-step recipe below. Here is a quick summary.

• First, take milk, add instant pudding and sweetened condensed milk, and mix for 2 minutes.
• Mix half of the frozen whipped topping with the pudding mixture made in the first step. Add vanilla extract and freeze it for 10 minutes.
• Cut bananas into small pieces.
• In a trifle dish, add layers of pudding Mixture, then Nilla wafers, and then bananas. Repeat the process until the trifle dish is full, and at the end, add whip cream and some NIlla wafers for a beautiful topping.
• Refrigerate it for 3 to 4 hours and then enjoy.

This is an easy Homemade Banana Pudding recipe you can make quickly and serve on special occasions.

How to Store Banana Pudding

Cover the trifle dish with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days. Only when you want to serve it should it be removed from the refrigerator, and after serving, immediately put it back into the refrigerator after covering it with wrap. This recipe is easy to make, so don’t store it too long. I recommend making it on the spot, chilling it for 2 to 4 hours, and enjoying it.

Can You Freeze Banana Pudding?

Banana pudding does not freeze well, but you can try it. Once de-frozen and thawed, the texture will become grainy and watery, and the bananas will turn mushy and brown, affecting the overall quality of the dessert. So, if you still want to freeze it, be ready to accept the change in texture. This will not affect the taste of banana pudding too much; just change the look and texture.

How  to Keep Bananas from Browning

Bananas oxidize very quickly when exposed to air. You can slow down the oxidation of bananas by brushing them with lemon, orange, or apple juice. Even if you cover all bananas in the pudding, don’t expose them to air, and cover them with airtight containers, they will not turn brown quickly. Even if bananas turn brown, they still taste delicious.

Can You Make Homemade Banana Pudding Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make banana pudding ahead of time, even three days before you need it. But, the bananas in this desert turn brown. So I recommend making it fresh. If you want to make it for a special occasion or enjoy it on the go, you can make it ahead of time and store it for up to three days.  

Let’s talk about the Cool Whip, can you make it at home?

Yes, you can make the cooled whipped cream even at home. You need only a few ingredients: heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. In this recipe, we use store-bought frozen whipped topping to make the recipe easy and save us time, but if you want to make it at home, follow this Homemade whipped cream recipe.

Why should use Store-Bought Nilla Wafers?

The recipe’s taste will change if you use homemade vanilla wafer cookies. But it is your personal preference. I recommend using store-bought nilla wafers as they have good taste and also save preparation time.