My Vanilla Wafer Banana Pudding is an irresistible dessert perfect for any gathering. Creamy pudding, sweet banana slices and a little crunch from cookies come together in a treat that becomes a family favorite in about 20 minutes.
If you love banana pudding, try other favorites like no-bake banana pudding cheesecake or banana pudding brownies for more ways to enjoy the flavor.
Why this Easy Banana Pudding Recipe is a Keeper
This is the best banana pudding I’ve ever had. It’s sweet, creamy and easy to make — a recipe you’ll want to keep among your go-to desserts.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with nine common pantry staples.
- Family Favorite: A hit with kids and adults alike.
- Flexible: Easy to adapt — you can make lower-sugar versions or swap ingredients to taste.
- Delicious Flavor: Creamy vanilla pudding layered with bananas and cookies is always crowd-pleasing.
- Special Occasion Ready: Attractive enough to serve at holidays or gatherings.
How Do I Keep the Bananas from Browning?
Fresh bananas are best, but they can brown quickly. A light spritz of lemon juice on sliced bananas helps slow browning and keeps the presentation bright.
Pro Tip for the Best Banana Pudding
Place wafers around the edges of the dish for a pretty presentation and layer cookies generously throughout the pudding for texture in every bite.
Ingredient Notes and Variations
This recipe is easy to customize. Swap a few ingredients to change the flavor or adapt for dietary needs.
Get the full printable recipe with measurements and detailed directions in the recipe card below.
- Instant Pudding: Instant pudding mix makes a quick, creamy filling.
- Flavor Swaps: Use banana-flavored pudding for extra banana taste or swap nilla wafers for graham crackers or other cookies.
- Adult Version: For grown-up gatherings, a splash of bourbon, rum or banana liqueur lifts the flavor.
- Lower-Calorie Option: Use sugar-free pudding, low-fat sour cream and sugar-free caramel to reduce calories.
How to Make Vanilla Wafer Banana Pudding
This recipe assembles in four simple steps and quickly becomes a favorite.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix the pudding: In a large bowl whisk together sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, half-and-half, sour cream and a pinch of salt; set aside.
- Crush the cookies: Reserve 6 cookies for garnish and crush the rest into large, bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble: Place cookie pieces in the bottom of serving dishes. Add pudding, a drizzle of caramel and banana slices; repeat layers as desired.
- Finish: Top each serving with whipped topping and garnish with reserved cookies and banana slices.
Prep Ahead Suggestions
Making this southern-style banana pudding ahead is ideal — it allows the pudding to set and flavors to meld. Prepare it the day before to save time when hosting.
How to Store Banana Pudding
- Store: Keep leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: Homemade banana pudding does not freeze well; the texture changes after thawing.
- Enjoy Leftovers: Serve chilled; leftovers make a quick, satisfying dessert the next day.
Best Banana Pudding Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can top the pudding with homemade or store-bought whipped cream—there’s no need to fold it into the pudding mixture.
Stored properly in the refrigerator, this dessert will keep for up to 4 days.
Absolutely. The recipe uses butter cookies, but nilla wafers, graham crackers or other cookies work well with banana flavor.
Expert Tips for the Best Banana Pudding
- Trifle Dish: Make this in a trifle bowl when serving a crowd for an impressive presentation.
- Chocolate: A few chocolate chips or shaved chocolate on top add extra flavor.
- Cold Dairy: Use ice-cold half-and-half or milk when mixing pudding so it sets better and has a smooth texture.
- Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling — refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best for fully set pudding and softened wafers.
- Homemade Whipped Cream: For fresh whipped cream, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form and add a touch of vanilla.
More Recipes You Might Like
Banana Pudding Tacos
Banana Poke Cake
Old Fashioned Banana Bread with Streusel Topping
Peanut Butter Banana Bars
Vanilla Wafer Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- 5.1 ounces instant vanilla pudding (1 box)
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12–16 ounces butter cookies, divided
- 1 cup prepared caramel sauce
- 3 large bananas, sliced
- 1½ cups frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, instant pudding mix, half-and-half, sour cream and salt; set aside.
- Reserve 6 cookies for garnish and place remaining cookies in a zipper bag; crush into large pieces.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of cookie pieces in the bottom of six serving dishes.
- Spoon about 1/8 cup pudding mixture into each dish.
- Drizzle each with 2 teaspoons caramel sauce, then layer banana slices on top.
- Repeat layers: cookie crumbs, pudding, caramel and bananas.
- Top each serving with ¼ cup whipped topping.
- Garnish with reserved cookies and extra banana slices.
Notes
- Trifle Dish: Make a large trifle for a crowd.
- Chocolate: Add chocolate chips or shavings for extra depth.
- Cold Dairy: Use cold half-and-half for a better set and texture.
- Chill Time: Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best.
- Whipped Cream: For homemade whipped cream, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form and add vanilla extract to taste.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 106 g
Protein: 10 g
Fat: 25 g