Clare Greco shares easy-to-make recipes and inspiring stories, making cooking simple and enjoyable for everyone. This keeps in the fridge for about 3 days before the bananas start to get funky. My chocolate-obsessed husband loves when I use chocolate pudding mix instead of vanilla. For family dinners, I just serve it straight out of the dish I made it in. I've tweaked this recipe so many times over the years trying to get it just right. Any longer and the bananas will begin to brown and soften.
Repeat the layers with the remaining vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding, ending with the final layer of pudding on top. Continue layering vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture until all ingredients are used, finishing with the pudding mixture on top. Then you’ll place a layer of vanilla wafers (or graham crackers) over the pudding. This no-bake, make-ahead party dessert is truly the best banana pudding recipe you’ll try. This no-bake easy banana pudding recipe is that perfect treat when you need something to serve but don’t want to turn on the oven. This homemade recipe is my go-to choice for special occasions, but it's also easy enough to make any time that banana pudding craving hits.

Ways to Serve Banana Pudding

Just a few ingredients are needed for this recipe, and you can have the dessert ready to serve in no time! Look, I've made this banana pudding so many times I could probably do it blindfolded. If you need to make it ahead for something special, you can mix up the pudding part and store it separately, then slice bananas and assemble a few hours before serving. Sometimes I'll throw in some sliced strawberries between layers – the strawberry-banana combo is killer.
Cover the banana pudding tightly with storage wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. It's the best banana pudding you will ever find (or so I've been told by many)! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! I do recommend refrigerating the dessert for at least an hour before serving.
First, you’ll put the vanilla wafers (or graham crackers) into the food processor and pulse until they’re in fine crumbs. McKinley loves bananas, so it’s a perfect quick and easy snack to give to her (and less messy than her often-requested yogurt!). You can also substitute whipped topping (such as Cool Whip) for the whipped cream and the meringue for an easy, under-20-minute dessert. This adds a rich flavor and fluffy texture and helps avoid the dreaded pudding separation that can occur with leftover banana pudding.
Before serving, crush the remaining vanilla wafers and sprinkle them on top for extra crunch and a decorative finish. Pour half of the warm pudding mixture over the bananas, spreading evenly with a spatula. Make this easy banana pudding for your next gathering. The easiest way to serve this is with a large serving spoon and just scoop out portions, but you don’t have to serve the pudding in a trifle bowl.

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• Trade the balloon whisk for an electric mixer (or not, if you need an arm day) and whip the cream and vanilla in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the remaining whipped cream into the pudding mixture just until incorporated.
• Cover the banana pudding tightly with storage wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Return the pan to medium heat and bring the custard to a gentle boil, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until thick and glossy.
• Any 3- to 4-quart glass bowl will work, or you can use a 13″-x-9″ baking dish.
• If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Place the saucepan over medium heat, cooking and whisking regularly until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly until fully combined. Some desserts never go out of style, and Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding is one of them.

Assemble the Banana Pudding

A tub of banana pudding from your local bakery is a wonderful thing, but I'm here to tell you—it's more than worth it to make this no-bake dessert at home. Everyone needs a good banana pudding recipe in their repertoire — and this one makes by far the easiest, most delicious banana pudding you'll ever come across. And last but not least, you can sprinkle a few more graham crackers, wafers, and/or chopped up bananas on top.
Once the pudding is nice and thick, it’s done cooking. After 4 minutes, you’ll stop and whisk every 30 seconds to ensure a smooth pudding. Add the milk, yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt into a large microwave-safe glass bowl. However, there’s just nothing quite as delicious fridayroll casino no deposit bonus as a homemade vanilla pudding! If you’re really in a hurry, you can simply whip up some instant vanilla pudding.
It comes together fast, then you’ll refrigerate for a few hours and it’s ready to serve! If you appreciate easy, no-bake desserts like our No-Bake Cheesecake, Rice Krispie Treats, or Chocolate Lasagna, you will love this recipe. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, then gently fold in the whipped topping until well combined.

• Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly until fully combined.
• This recipe combines the best of this iconic dessert’s iterations with a no-cook pudding thickened by whipped and sour cream.
• Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
• “So creamy, sweet and perfectly balanced. I think it may have even topped my long standing signature banana dessert.”
• This will help the layers firm up a bit so you have beautiful layers to cut into and serve!
• Place the saucepan over medium heat, cooking and whisking regularly until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love that there are layers and layers of goodness in this dessert. These days, we seem to have a plethora of bananas on the counter at all times. These layered puddings were beloved during this era because not only were they delicious, they also added a decorative touch to richly laden dinner tables. Here you’ll find delicious, reliable recipes made with simple ingredients, plus easy step-by-step photos and videos to help you cook confidently at home. Tell us your favorite way to enjoy banana pudding in the comments below.

More Desserts

The instant pudding is a great option if you’re in a hurry. Let it sit for 10 minutes before spreading it over the cream cheese filling. Heck, it’s all going in your mouth eventually! (I really think this is what makes this dessert so special!). I like to add them to the baggie, get as much air out as possible, then use a rolling pin to smash them until they’re the desired texture. Then, you’ll pour in the melted butter and sugar and blend until combined.

Homemade Cornbread

If you have a food processor, this layer really is a cinch! Get the recipe emailed to you + sign up for all our latest! Having them on the counter has been giving me new recipe ideas and this one, you guys, is a WINNER!! Make in a square pan or easily double for a 9×13 dessert and get ready to be the talk of the party!
But when I'm trying to impress people, I'll make it in a trifle bowl so you can see all those pretty layers. Recently I've started adding a touch more vanilla than the recipe calls for, which really makes all the flavors pop. His daughter told me later he'd been talking about "that amazing banana pudding" all week. Their dad was visiting from Georgia and apparently hadn't had "proper" banana pudding in years. Chill your magnificent banana pudding for at least 3 hours or, even better, overnight.