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    Easy No Bake Banana Pudding Recipe

    by Brendan Cunningham 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This no bake banana pudding has layers of delightfully rich and creamy whipped pudding, crisp vanilla wafers, and sweet banana slices. It's an old-fashioned Southern dessert that'll have both kids and adults reaching for seconds!

    A white casserole dish that is filled with banana pudding. There is a spoon in the front of the dish with a scoop of banana pudding out of i. The scoop is behind the casserole dish in a square bowl.

    Table of Contents

    • THE BEST NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING
      • INGREDIENTS 
      • HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING
        • STEP 1: PREPARING THE BASE
        • STEP 2: FORMING THE LAYERS
        • STEP 3: CHILLING & SERVING
      • HOW TO STORE BANANA PUDDING
      • FAQS ABOUT THIS NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING RECIPE
        • WHY DID MY BANANA PUDDING NOT SET?
        • How do you keep banana pudding from getting watery?
        • HOW RIPE SHOULD MY BANANAS BE FOR BANANA PUDDING?
      • WRAPPING IT ALL UP
    • More Dessert Recipes
    • No Bake Banana Pudding
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    THE BEST NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING

    If you're looking for a simple last-minute dessert that'll impress the whole family, you can never go wrong with this delicious banana pudding. 

    It's an addictive combination of creamy, crunchy, and airy textures filled with the flavors of sweet banana and toasty vanilla. It's like biting into a banana-flavored cloud, but better.

    The best part is, that all you need is 4 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep to make this easy no bake banana pudding.

    Also, there's no baking necessary, so practically anyone - and everyone - can make it. And for that reason, it's a super fun recipe to make with kids! They can help create the layers that make this banana treat so good.

    Honestly, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to set in the fridge. But this delicious dessert is well-worth the wait. 

    Crushed up vanilla wafer cookies on top of banana pudding in a white casserole dish. In front of it is a few squares of vanilla wafer cookies.

    INGREDIENTS 

    As I mentioned, it only takes 4 super easy-to-find ingredients to make this dreamy, easy banana pudding.

    Here's everything you'll need to make this easy no bake banana pudding:

    • 3-4 Bananas
    • 1 Large Box (5.1 oz) Instant Vanilla or Banana Pudding
    • 8 oz Tub of Cool Whip
    • 1 Box of Vanilla Wafers

    You can use homemade whipped cream for this recipe, but I prefer Cool Whip because it holds its shape a lot better and gives the pudding a wonderfully light and fluffy texture.

    By the way, if you wind up with extra bananas leftover or your bananas are a little too ripe for this recipe, you can use them to make our 3 ingredient banana waffles!

    Banana slices on top of vanilla wafer cookies in a white casserole dish. There are two bananas in front of the dish and part of two bananas behind the dish.

    HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING

    Again, this is a no bake banana pudding recipe so it's one of the easiest - not to mention one of the most fun - desserts you can make.

    All you have to do is make the pudding, assemble the layers, and chill. No oven and no mixer required!

    But don't let its simplicity fool you - it's always a huge hit at parties and potlucks. Oh, and kids absolutely love it.

    Now, let's get to it and make this delicious dessert!

    A hand holding a bowl that is filled with instant pudding. Next to it is banana slices on top of vanilla wafer cookies in a casserole dish.

    STEP 1: PREPARING THE BASE

    First, take out a 13 by 9 inch casserole dish - this is what I used. However, if you don't have a casserole dish in this size, you can also use two standard-sized loaf pans or a large trifle.

    Now, arrange a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom of the dish - you can use any sized vanilla wafers that you want.

    Then, slice 1 ½ - 2 of the bananas, and form an even layer of them on top of the vanilla wafers.

    Next, make the vanilla - or banana - flavored pudding based on the package instructions.

    Once the pudding is ready, gently fold in the tub of Cool Whip until the pudding and Cool Whip are well-combined. And be careful not to overmix it - we want it to be as airy and light as possible.

    A couple of banana slices on top of vanilla wafer cookies in a white casserole dish on a white counter.

    STEP 2: FORMING THE LAYERS

    Ok, now pour half of the pudding mixture over the layer of sliced bananas, and use a rubber spatula to evenly smooth it out over the top of the sliced bananas.

    Then, on top of that, place another layer of vanilla wafers followed by a layer of sliced bananas.

    Next, pour the rest of the pudding mixture over the top and smooth it out.

    Finally, crush 4-6 vanilla wafers and sprinkle them on top of the pudding, and you can add some more sliced bananas on top if you want.

    A pudding mixture covering bananas in a white casserole dish.

    STEP 3: CHILLING & SERVING

    Now for the hardest part of this recipe - waiting for it to set before you can dig into all that creamy deliciousness. And it will need to chill for at least an hour before it will set.

    Then, once the pudding has thickened up and you're ready to serve, take it out of the fridge, and enjoy!

    A white casserole dish filled with banana pudding. Behind it is part of two bananas.

    HOW TO STORE BANANA PUDDING

    This no bake banana pudding recipe is the kind of dessert that's best eaten fresh. Luckily it's effortless to make, so you can quickly whip up a batch whenever you're in the mood for it. 

    However, if you have some leftover and want to save it, you'll want to cover the dish with a lid or tightly seal it with plastic wrap. Stored that way you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Or, if you want to keep it for longer, you can store the pudding in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. With that said, if you're planning to do this, be sure to toss the bananas in lemon juice beforehand to prevent them from browning in the freezer.

    Then, when you're ready to thaw the frozen banana pudding, just transfer it to the fridge, and let it soften overnight.

    Crushed up vanilla wafer cookies on top of banana pudding in a white casserole dish. A spoon is in the dish to the left of the pudding with a scoop taken out of that section. Behind it is the scoop of pudding in part of a square bowl.

    FAQS ABOUT THIS NO BAKE BANANA PUDDING RECIPE

    WHY DID MY BANANA PUDDING NOT SET?

    If your banana pudding doesn't set it's typically from not leaving it in the fridge long enough. The longer it chills, the more the pudding will set, so make sure to give it enough time in there. And if you want, you can also freeze banana pudding to help it set quicker.

    How do you keep banana pudding from getting watery?

    Using Cool Whip - like in this recipe - is the best way to keep the banana pudding from getting watery. The Cool Whip thickens everything up and gives the pudding its light and airy texture. I find that Cool Whip works much better than homemade whipped cream. If you want to make homemade whipped cream, it's perfect for topping the pudding.

    HOW RIPE SHOULD MY BANANAS BE FOR BANANA PUDDING?

    When making banana pudding you want your bananas to be ripe, but not anything more than that. They should be fully yellow but have no dark spots on them. Banana pudding doesn't require the same overripe bananas that banana bread or banana muffins need.

    Banana pudding in part of a white casserole dish.

    WRAPPING IT ALL UP

    Well, that is how to make no bake banana pudding with a luscious, creamy texture and perfect vanilla-banana flavor.

    Whenever I bring it to a party or get-together, I get so many requests from family and friends for the recipe. And, honestly, everyone is always surprised to find out how quick and simple it actually is!

    Anyway, I hope you enjoy this no bake banana pudding recipe as much as I do. Be sure to let me know in the comments below if you make it and how it came out! 

    Oh, and if you want to try out another no bake recipe, these no bake cookies are a great one to make. All you need is a chocolate bar, butter, oats, and nuts!

    And don't forget to check out our Youtube Channel for more delicious recipes.

    More Dessert Recipes

    If you want to give some more delicious dessert recipes a try, we have plenty on the blog to choose from next!

    Check all of these out:

    • Biscoff cheesecake
    • Funfetti cookies
    • Salted caramel fudge
    • Dunkaroo dip 
    • Churro cheesecake bars
    • Double chocolate cookies
    Print

    No Bake Banana Pudding

    Banana pudding in part of a white casserole dish.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    This no bake banana pudding has layers of delightfully rich and creamy whipped pudding, crisp vanilla wafers, and sweet banana slices. It's an old-fashioned Southern dessert that'll have both kids and adults reaching for seconds!

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: No Bake

    Ingredients

    Scale

    3-4 Bananas

    1 large box (5.1 oz) Instant Vanilla or Banana Pudding

    8 oz tub of Cool Whip

    1 Box of Vanilla Wafers

    Instructions

    1. Put one layer of cookies on the bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish or trifle.
    2. Slice 1½ - 2 bananas up and layer on top of cookies.
    3. Follow instructions on the pudding box to make the pudding.
    4. Gently fold the whole tub of Cool Whip into the pudding, mixing well.
    5. Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of the first layer of cookies and bananas.
    6. Put a second layer of cookies and bananas on top of the pudding.
    7. Pour the rest of the pudding mixture on top of the second layer.
    8. Crush 4-6 cookies up and sprinkle on top.
    9. Refrigerate to set until serving.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 209
    • Fat: 3
    • Carbohydrates: 48
    • Protein: 1

    Keywords: no bake banana pudding, banana pudding recipe no bake, creamy banana pudding, banana pudding, easy banana pudding recipe with cool whip, easy banana pudding recipe with vanilla wafers, how to make no bake banana pudding, no bake banana pudding from scratch, no bake banana pudding without condensed milk, banana pudding recipe, easy banana pudding recipe, easy banana pudding,

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelsey G

      March 04, 2022 at 9:30 am

      Very easy to make, I love that you don't have to bake it and the pudding is still super creamy and thick.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Patty

      March 04, 2022 at 10:55 pm

      My sister made this for our family dinner tonight and everyone loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Riley

      June 16, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Really enjoyed this!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Jillian

      June 17, 2022 at 8:33 am

      Terrific banana pudding

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Drew

      July 22, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      So delish! Perfect summertime dessert.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Nancy

      July 26, 2022 at 10:47 am

      Great banana pudding.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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