This delicious, homemade Banana Pudding Recipe is an old fashioned favorite you’ll love. I adore a good sweet treat and this Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding does the trick — it’s the ultimate Southern dessert.
Make sure you try my banana cake and my chocolate chip banana cookies as well.
Banana Pudding Recipe:
This banana pudding recipe was always a favorite of mine to make and eat — it’s the best ever. It’s simple to layer together and has only six ingredients. Six ingredients! Our banana pudding cake is a close second!
You can’t go wrong with this kind of soul food. It’s one of those recipes that reminds me of childhood and makes me all nostalgic every time I eat it. Ready to get started?
Ingredients Needed for this Banana Pudding:
To make this banana pudding recipe, you only need the following six ingredients:
- sweetened condensed milk
- whole milk
- instant vanilla pudding mix
- Nilla Wafers
- bananas
- cold water
In addition, you could substitute instant banana pudding mix for vanilla pudding, to make it even more banana-y. (That’s a new word, y’all… in case you didn’t know).
My kids are obsessed with bananas. Like they want banana pudding, banana ice cream, banana smoothies. Banana everything please. So when I make it for them, it’s all about the instant banana pudding mix.
However, I prefer the vanilla pudding mix because that’s how my mama made it. And traditions, people, traditions.
Also, you must (yes, I’m serious) MUST use Nilla Wafers. There are no substitutes. You can’t get off brand. You won’t grab just any vanilla wafer box off the shelf. You have to use Nilla Wafers. Ok? Ok.
Not only are the Nilla Wafers perfect for the recipe, I love nosing on them while making the banana pudding. You know… layer one in the dish, pop one in my mouth, layer one in the dish, pop one in my mouth. So on and so forth.
How to Make Banana Pudding:
In a bowl, blend the sweetened condensed milk with the water and milk.
Stir in the instant vanilla pudding mix and blend well.
Chill for five minutes in fridge to set slightly. While the pudding is chilling in the fridge, line the bottom of an 8×8 casserole dish with your Nilla Wafers.
Thinly slice your bananas before pulling the pudding out of the fridge.
How to Layer Banana Pudding
Layer the wafers, pudding and bananas with the pudding between each layer, like so: wafers, pudding, bananas, pudding, wafers, pudding, bananas, etc. Top with a final layer of the Nilla wafers.
Let the pudding set in the fridge overnight to soften the cookies to the perfect consistency.
How to Serve Banana Pudding
My kids love having a dollop of whip cream on top of the banana pudding. My mom has also served it with a few fresh sliced strawberries and bananas on the side as well. I have a friend who shaves a little dark chocolate to sprinkle on top.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these methods. I also won’t judge you if you just sit and eat the entire pan by yourself, no garnishes needed.
Just to be safe, you might want to make one pan for your family and one pan for you. 😉
Can You Freeze Banana Pudding?
No, I wouldn’t recommend it. As we all know, bananas turn brown when frozen. I’ve honestly never tried freezing banana pudding (because there is never any left to freeze…) but I think it would drastically change the taste and consistency.
How to Keep Bananas from Turning Brown
I have a few tips here:
You’ll want to make sure you’re starting with firm, just-ripe bananas. If you get bananas that are too ripe, they’re likely to brown much quicker.
You can treat the bananas with a spritz of citrus juice. Lemon, orange or pineapple juice all prevent browning. To avoid changing the flavor, you won’t want to use a ton of citrus juice — just a quick brush to each side or spritz from a spray bottle.
Slice your bananas just before you use them. The longer they’re exposed to air, they more likely they are to turn brown. The layers of pudding also help them stay out of the air and maintain their color.
I encourage you to make it with your kids soon and let them fall in love with the classic flavor and perfect, creamy consistency. As proven by yours truly, this is also a great recipe to make together! They love helping with the blending and layering. (Another good option to make with them is this peanut butter pie recipe.)
More Recipes You Will Love
- Ambrosia salad is a treat that I love making with my kiddos.
- This classic coleslaw recipe is another summertime favorite that is perfect to take to potlucks.
- Pistachio salad is another fun, easy fluff salad that our entire family loves.
- I also love this yummy moist banana cake.
- This monkey bread recipe is one of my dad’s favorites.
Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large boxes instant vanilla pudding
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
- 3 bananas
- 1/2 box nilla wafers
Instructions
- In a bowl, blend the sweetened condensed milk with the water and milk.
- Stir in the instant vanilla pudding mix and blend well.
- Chill for five minutes in fridge to set slightly.
- While the pudding is chilling in the fridge, line the bottom of an 8×8 casserole dish with your Nilla Wafers.
- Thinly slice your bananas before pulling the pudding out of the fridge.
- Layer the wafers, pudding and bananas with the pudding between each layer, like so: wafers, pudding, bananas, pudding, wafers, pudding, bananas, etc.
- Top with a final layer of the Nilla wafers.
- Let the pudding set in the fridge overnight to soften the cookies to the perfect consistency.
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Nutrition
This recipe is seriously to die for!
I fell in love with this banana dessert!
Please send me the recipes you have all of them please
Hello. Just made this and didn’t have a blender. I mixed it as best as I could, but it’s not thickening at all. Any ideas? It’s been put in the freeze and didn’t know how long it usually takes….Thank you.
Hmmm, I’m not sure on this. What size boxes of pudding mix did you use?
Girl, you are speaking my love language with this recipe. I love bananas, especially in pudding! What a great recipe.
This is pure heaven! An amazing take on a classic!!
This may be the most comforting dessert ever!
This recipe was fantastic and a hit with the kids!
It doesn’t get any easier or more delicious than this! My kids devoured it!