Easy Banana Pudding Recipe-The First Year Blog

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Banana pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that feels like home. I’ve been making it for years, and after plenty of testing, I’ve perfected an easy, foolproof recipe that delivers the best creamy texture and classic flavor—without overcomplicating things.

Whether you layer it in a trifle dish for a show-stopping dessert or spread it into a 9×13-inch pan for easy serving, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Close up of the side of a trifle dish with banana pudding layered inside of it against a blue background

Some banana pudding recipes can be overly complicated, but I believe the best version is the one that’s simple, rich, and comforting. I tested different methods to get the perfect balance—thick, creamy pudding, fresh banana slices, and just the right amount of vanilla wafers to soften into that signature texture without turning soggy. The key? Letting it chill long enough to meld all the flavors together.

This is the kind of recipe that proves homemade desserts don’t have to be difficult. It’s easy enough for beginner bakers but delivers the kind of results that make people think you spent all day in the kitchen. Whether you’re making it for a holiday, potluck, or just because you’re craving that classic banana pudding flavor, this is a go-to recipe you’ll make over and over again.

A white dish full of banana pudding arranged with vanilla wafers and a spoon around it with another dish and a trifle full of banana pudding in the background

Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

Two Ways to Make It – Layer it in a trifle dish for a stunning presentation or spread it into a 9×13-inch pan for easy serving.
Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal effort.
Only 5 Ingredients – Simple, classic, and packed with flavor.
No Oven Needed – A perfect no-bake dessert for any occasion.
Pure Comfort in Every Bite – Creamy, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Perfect for Sharing – A must-have dessert for family gatherings and potlucks!

ingredients for easy banana pudding recipe including fresh bananas, milk, nilla wafers, a box of instant vanilla pudding and cool whip

Ingredients You’ll Need for Simple Banana Pudding

This classic dessert is a hit with the whole family, and the perfect summer treat to take to cookouts or family gatherings. Get the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Instant vanilla pudding
Milk – Make sure to use cold milk! Whole milk, 1%, or skim milk works well.
Cool whip
Nilla wafers
Bananas – Make sure your bananas are ripe!

How to make Easy Banana Pudding

a grid of images showing the steps of layering an easy banana pudding recipe, starting with vanilla wafers, pudding, bananas, then more vanilla wafers, more pudding, then more bananas, then topped with cool whip, crushed vanilla wafers and slices of bananas

This nilla wafer banana pudding is one of my favorite banana desserts, especially because it’s so easy. Get the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card below.

Make pudding mixture. Whisk together the pudding mix and milk in a medium mixing bowl for 2 minutes.
Add cool whip. Allow the pudding to sit for 3 minutes. Fold in 1/3 of the cool whip to the pudding.
Layer banana pudding. Add a layer of vanilla wafer cookies to the bottom of a trifle dish. Add ¼ of the pudding mixture on top of the wafers, then top that with a layer of banana slices. Repeat these layers until you fill the trifle bowl.
Add toppings. Spread the remaining cool whip on top. Add crushed nilla wafers and fresh banana slices to the top.

Best Banana Pudding Recipe Tips

Let the pudding thicken. Make sure to let the pudding thicken completely before adding it to the recipe. Otherwise, your banana pudding may end up watery.
Avoid brown bananas. If you make this easy banana pudding recipe ahead of time, your bananas may start to get brown spots. To avoid this, use a very light spritz of lemon juice on the banana slice before adding them to the pudding. If you’re not worried about the look, leave them as is. The flavor won’t be changed when the bananas start to brown.
Serve this dish cold. The best way to serve banana pudding is cold. It can even start to get a little runny once it starts warming up. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
Use instant pudding. Instant pudding is the trick to making the best banana pudding recipe because it cuts the time majorly! Homemade pudding is great, but instant pudding is just as delicious and saves you so much trouble.

Close up of a trifle dish with banana pudding layered inside of it

Substitutions & Variations for Easy Banana Pudding

Reduced Fat – Reduce the fat and calories in this easy banana pudding recipe by substituting ingredients. Reduced-fat vanilla wafers, fat-free milk, and low cool whip can be used.
Use regular pudding mix (instead of instant) – If you already have a regular vanilla pudding mix on hand, you can use that instead. You’ll just need to allow for time to cook the pudding and allow it to cool and thicken for at least several hours.
Make it Paula Deen Style – Try my Paula Deen Banana Pudding recipe, which uses Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies and cream cheese for a twist on this classic recipe.

Storing Best Banana Pudding Recipe

You want to store this in a refrigerator covered for up to four days. You can use a container with a tight fitting lid or plastic wrap to cover your nilla wafer banana pudding.

Recommended Trifle Bowls

Looking for another dessert to make in a trifle? Try strawberry angel fluff!

trifle dish with banana pudding layered inside of it against a blue background

Easy Banana Pudding Recipe FAQs

Can banana pudding be made with instant banana pudding?

Yes, a banana instant pudding mix is a great way to amp up the banana flavor in your banana pudding. If you still want the vanilla flavor, add a little vanilla extract to the banana pudding.

Can I use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

You can use homemade whip cream instead of the Cool Whip but make sure you’re not using the can of whip cream on top of the pudding. It will just water down the pudding and become a mess.

Can old fashioned banana pudding be made up ahead of time?

Yes, I’d prefer to have this delicious dessert the next day just because all the flavors start to meld, and the layers of vanilla wafers begin to soften.

What can you put in bananas to keep them from turning brown in banana pudding?

To prevent bananas from turning brown, squeeze a little bit of lemon juice over the banana slices before adding them to the pudding.

Does banana pudding need to be covered in the fridge?

For best results, you want to store this in a refrigerator, covered, for up to four days. You can use a container with a tight fitting lid or plastic wrap to cover your nilla wafer banana pudding.

Why is my banana pudding runny?

Using a milk alternative or not letting the pudding thicken can cause banana pudding to be runny. Be sure to use cow’s milk and to let the pudding sit for 3 minutes to thicken before moving onto the next step.

How ripe should bananas be for pudding?

You want to use bananas that are fully yellow with little brown spots throughout the peel. Choose bananas that are soft, but not mushy.

More Banana Recipes

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