Easy Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts of all time. It’s light, fluffy, flavorful and is a total crowd pleaser. This 5 star recipe is a classic recipe that you will love with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers.

Every time I make homemade banana pudding, people can’t stop talking about it. Even people that don’t like bananas, love banana pudding. I worked on this recipe for years and since the day that I originally hit publish on this recipe, it has quickly become a crowd favorite. Time and time again people make this recipe, share it with their friends and then claim it’s the best banana pudding they have ever eaten.

Best of all, this recipe is easy to make! It’s a cross between the famous Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding and Paula Deen’s “Not Yo Mama’s” Banana Pudding recipe – so you KNOW it will be delicious! I created a delicious fluffy whip that is layered with fresh bananas and crunchy vanilla wafers.

This homemade banana pudding recipe will soon become your favorite go-to dessert. If you love this classic recipe, try my Strawberry Banana Pudding!

Reader Reviews – Why You’ll Love It 🍌

This recipe is one of my signature dishes as it’s sure to please everyone. It’s an easy dessert recipe that comes together quickly (plus chill time) and can be prepped in advance. It’s great for holidays or any type of gathering!

1. Absolutely mouth-watering: No, seriously. I’ve had people go BANANAS over this banana pudding, no pun intended! I love to bring show-stopping desserts to any and every event, and everyone is so impressed with this delicious dessert.
2. Super easy to make: I love this recipe because it is kid-friendly and fool-proof! If you’re a beginner in the kitchen and would love to make something, this is the recipe. Minimal ingredients are required, and it’s inexpensive to make.
3. Versatile no bake dessert: Banana pudding is a classic dessert that tastes great year round. Serve it for holiday gatherings like 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and more. Bring it to a dinner party or simply serve it as an easy everyday dessert.
4. Make it your own: You can easily adapt this recipe to make it your own. Add more bananas or vanilla wafers. Or use vanilla or French vanilla pudding for the whipped filling.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a few ingredients to make this recipe.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Vanilla Wafers: A must for classic banana pudding. Feel free to adjust and use more or less vanilla wafer cookies, as desired.
• Bananas: Fresh bananas are a must for homemade banana pudding.
• Chessman Cookies: I love using chessman cookies as it adds a nice decorative element to the dessert. You can omit the cookies, if desired or use more vanilla wafers.
• Instant Pudding Mix: Make sure to use instant pudding mix to make this recipe quickly. You can use regular vanilla or French vanilla.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a creamy texture and delicious flavor to the pudding.
• Sweet Condensed Milk: A must for the best banana pudding recipe. This adds the sweetness to the pudding.
• Milk: Use whole milk for the best consistency.
• Cool-Whip: I love using Cool Whip because it’s easy and adds the best texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle vanilla flavor to the pudding.

How to Make Banana Pudding (Step by Step Recipe)

1. Make the pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the cold milk and pudding until smooth. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill.

2. Make the cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to beat on medium speed until well combined. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the cool whip until fully incorporated.
3. Finish the fluffy pudding base: Use a spatula to gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pudding, ensuring a smooth and uniform consistency.

4. Assemble the banana pudding: Spread one-third of the whole vanilla wafers into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the crushed cookies. Evenly spread one-third of the pudding mixture over the cookies. Layer half of the banana slices over the pudding mixture, then half of the remaining whole vanilla wafers.

5. Repeat the process: Repeat with half of the remaining pudding, then the remaining bananas, and the remaining crushed cookies. Finish with the remaining pudding on the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors set.
6. Cover, chill and decorate: I prefer to let my banana pudding sit overnight, but a minimum of 6 hours will also work. Make sure to decorate after you have chilled it! For decoration, I like to add chessmen cookies, wafers, and bananas on top. My final touch is a drizzle of caramel because there’s no such thing as doing too much!

Decorating Your Banana Pudding

Have fun with it! Use my photos as a guide. I like to add vanilla wafers (whole and crushed), chessman cookies, thinly sliced bananas, and my secret: caramel on top! This is the fun part. You’ll want to impress your guests when you bring the banana pudding to your party – so take your time.

Tips for Making the Perfect Pudding

1. Use Ripe Bananas: Use ripe bananas that are still firm for the best taste and texture. Ripe bananas bring a natural sweetness to the pudding, and their firmness helps them stay friendly in the layers.
2. Thick and Smooth Pudding Consistency: Check if the pudding is thick enough and smooth before adding it to the layers. This step is essential to make sure the dessert holds together well.
3. Layering Technique: Set up the layers smartly after making the perfect mix. Start with a layer of crushed vanilla wafers or cookies at the bottom to make a solid base. Alternate layers of pudding, sliced bananas, and cookies to ensure each bite has a good mix.
4. Chill Time: Put the banana pudding in the fridge overnight, preferably. This gives the flavors time to blend, and the dessert will be put together more and taste tastier when you serve it.
5. Creative Garnishes: Make the presentation and flavor better by adding fun toppings. Think about putting whipped cream, extra cookie pieces, or a bit of caramel or chocolate sauce on top before serving. It’ll look good and taste even better!

Let’s Make it together with @themoodyfoody

@themoodyfoody 🙈💛🍌Magnolia Bakery 🤝 Backyard Banana pudding = “youll never forget me” Banana pudding. This recipe is easy, fool proof, straight to the point, and absolutely delicious. Fluffy, light, airy. And its 3 layers! #magnoliabakery #bananapudding #christmasdessert #holidayrecipes ♬ ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE – BRENDA LEE

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

Make Ahead: This banana dessert recipe works well when you make it the night before. You can assemble and chill in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld overnight. Add the chessman cookies and vanilla wafers on top of the banana pudding just before serving.

Storage: Store leftover banana pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you love this easy banana pudding recipe as much as I do, please leave a review! Would love to hear from you!