This delicious no bake banana pudding is a favorite classic southern banana pudding recipe that you can never get enough of. So easy to make and always a favorite banana dessert that will be requested time and time again.
If you live anywhere in the South or the Southeastern US, then you’ve had banana pudding on more than one occasion. In fact, you’ve probably had it at every holiday get-together, party, and potluck you’ve ever been to. It’s one of the most iconic southern dishes of any kind, and it’s always gobbled up super fast. I love to make it for parties, weeknight desserts or just to keep on hand for snacking. In fact, my kids and their friends powered through this stuff like it was the last bite of banana pudding they’d ever have. What I love so much about this recipe is that it’s a completely homemade pudding, BUT I don’t have to do any cooking. That’s a winner in my book, and I think you’re going to agree.
No Bake Banana Pudding
First and foremost, outside of how delicious this pudding is, the best thing about it is that it’s an easy, no-bake recipe. Just a few simple ingredients come together to create a super-rich banana pudding loaded with all that great banana flavor we love along with the classic addition of classic vanilla wafers and sliced bananas. Every bite is an explosion of banana goodness that feels like a taste of home with every spoonful.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Recipe
- It’s a quick and easy no-bake recipe.
- It’s a classic southern dessert that everyone loves.
- And, it’s loaded with everything you love in banana pudding.
Tips
This recipe is so easy to make. It’s so easy, in fact, that I don’t have many tips for you on this one. There are just a couple of things to note before making this recipe.
- Don’t slice your bananas until you’re ready to layer them and top them with pudding. When ready to layer them, you can toss them in a little lemon juice, as well. This prevents them from turning brown.
- Always chill your pudding overnight before serving to achieve the best flavor and texture. This is not a recipe to rush.
No-Bake Banana Pudding FAQ
If you have questions about this recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about banana pudding.
Where does banana pudding come from?
There are versions of banana pudding that date back to the late 1800s. In fact, the first recipe for any kind of banana pudding can be found in an 1888 issue of Good Housekeeping. The first versions used mainly sponge cake or madeleines. The version we know today was invented in 1921 by a home cook named Laura Kerley. In that year, she shared it with Pantagraphin Bloomington, Illinois.
Banana pudding became a southern staple – and eventually a southern icon – because like all recipes of its kind, it was easy to serve at large gatherings. Dishes like casseroles, banana pudding, pimento cheese, and the like were all perfect for the large gatherings that the south is known for.
How ripe should bananas be for banana pudding?
The perfect bananas for pudding are ripe but not browning too much. Look for bananas that have a yellow peel with little brown specks.
How do you ripen bananas for banana pudding?
The best way to ripen them is by setting them on top of the refrigerator. Refrigerators give off a bit of heat, and hot air from the kitchen rises. This combination gives the bananas just enough heat to ripen perfectly in just about 3 days.
How long can banana pudding be refrigerated?
You can refrigerate banana pudding for 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze banana pudding?
Yes. You can freeze this pudding for up to 2 weeks.
Storage
Store your banana pudding tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in its original container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. To freeze it, wrap it in the original dish in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
No Bake Banana Pudding Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious banana pudding. You’ll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
- Whole milk
- Instant vanilla pudding
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Vanilla wafers
- Bananas
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
How to Make No Bake Banana Pudding
Making this pudding is super easy, as well. It takes a handful of steps, and absolutely no cooking!
Step 1: Make the Homemade Whipped Cream
Beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla on high speed with an electric mixer in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Pudding
Whisk milk and the instant vanilla pudding mix together until smooth. Then, add sweetened condensed milk and stir. Finally, fold in the homemade whipped cream until combined, and set aside.
Step 3: Finish the Banana Pudding
Add vanilla wafers to the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Then, top them with sliced bananas. Spoon the pudding mix over the banana slices in an even layer. Finally, crush the remaining nilla wafers, sprinkle them on top of the pudding, cover, and place in the fridge overnight.
Try This Delicious Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe Today
This southern classic is so rich and full of classic banana pudding flavor. It’s a simple, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, snacking, or a last-minute dish when you’re pressed for time. Give this no-bake banana pudding recipe a try, and I know you and your family will be in love.
Here are More No-Bake Dessert Recipes to Try
Stuffed Strawberries – This easy dessert is made with five simple ingredients, and is a sweet treat that can be made in just a few minutes.
Lemon Pretzel Dessert – This is a refreshing and zesty lemon dessert that is both sweet and salty, and incredibly easy to make.
Frozen Blueberry Dessert – A graham cracker crust topped with sweet and creamy blueberry filling and cool whip. It’s a refreshing dessert that is perfect for summertime.
Also, try this No Bake Oreo Pie from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This is an easy recipe that is made with six simple ingredients, and is made with Oreo pudding and loaded with chunks of Oreo cookies.
No Bake Banana Pudding
Ingredients
For the Homemade Whipped Cream
- 1 cups heavy cream
- ⅛ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Pudding
- 2 cups whole milk
- 5.1 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
- 12 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups homemade whipped cream
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 4 bananas
Instructions
For the Homemade Whipped Cream
- In a medium bowl, beat heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla together on high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
For the Vanilla Pudding
- Whisk together milk and vanilla pudding until smooth.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, stir, then add homemade whipped cream. Whisk until combined. Set aside.
- Using a 9 x 13 baking dish, add vanilla wafers to the bottom of the dish in an even layer.
- Top wafers with sliced bananas.
- Spoon pudding mixture over banana slices and spread out in an even layer.
- Crush up the remaining vanilla wafers and sprinkle over the top of the pudding.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.
