The Best Banana Pudding is a no-cook recipe made with sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, pudding, fresh bananas and Nilla wafers!
THE BEST BANANA PUDDING
I think Banana Pudding (Nanner Puddin' as we call it) is just one of those things that has to be homemade. And by homemade, I mean, not store-bought.
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NO-COOK AND A COOKED BANANA PUDDING?
I have a COOKED SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING recipe that I've shared already on the site. The only issue with cooked banana pudding is the bananas tend to brown pretty quickly. If you are taking banana pudding to a potluck or a picnic, you kinda want to show up with pretty, non-brown bananas. This no-cook version is often called Picnic Banana Pudding because it's great for picnics or potlucks, bananas stay fresher, longer and because it travels great and serves up easily.
WHAT IS A NILLA WAFER?
I prefer the traditional Nilla Wafer made by Nabisco (see ingredient image below.) I've tried lots of different versions and that one is the best! I've even tried making my own but there is nothing like that Nilla Wafer flavor. This particular recipe comes from Christy Jordan's latest cookbook, 'Come Home to Supper'. I know you will love it and folks will be begging for the recipe!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
cream cheese
sweetened condensed milk
Instant vanilla pudding mix
milk
vanilla extract
whipped topping (COOL WHIP)
Nilla wafers
ripe bananas
cream cheese
sweetened condensed milk
Instant vanilla pudding mix
milk
vanilla extract
whipped topping (COOL WHIP)
Nilla wafers
ripe bananas
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE BEST BANANA PUDDING:
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
Add in sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, and milk.
And vanilla extract and stir well (see Cook's Note below).
Cook's Note: Keep your mixer on low speed at first so the milk doesn't fly everywhere. If you are using a stand mixer, make sure you get in there with a rubber spatula and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is getting incorporated. That cream cheese likes to stay on the bottom of the bowl. Also, I find that the pudding can sometimes become a bit lumpy (especially if my cream cheese isn't soft enough). If this happens to you, just keep mixing until most of the lumps are gone. The mixture will also begin to thicken too. After a few minutes of constant mixing, it will smooth out. Finally, stir in half of the whipped topping.
Now, time to layer! Place one-third of the vanilla wafers in a layer on the bottom of a trifle dish, large bowl or a 9x13 baking dish. You will notice that as I add the wafers, I face some outwards and up the sides. This is not necessary but when you are using a clear dish like this, it sure does make it look pretty when it's done! Next comes a layer of sliced bananas. Then pour one-third of the pudding mixture on top (enough to cover all the bananas).
Continue with two more layers. A layer of wafers, followed by bananas, then pudding mixture. I like a lot of bananas in there. I want at least a piece of banana in every bite.
Your final layer will be pudding.
Then you will top the pudding with the rest of your whipped topping.
I always save about 3 cookies to put on top. Again, not necessary but it looks pretty.
Also, you see how the sides of the bowl look since I turned some of those cookies outward and layered a few on the sides?
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one to two hours before serving so it can thicken up and the wafers can soften.
Then grab a spoon and dig in!!
Enjoy!
Originally published: February 2014
Updated & Republished: April 2019
THE BEST BANANA PUDDING
The Best Banana Pudding is a no-cook pudding recipe made with sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese and pudding, fresh bananas and Nilla wafers! YUM!
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Servings: 12
Calories: 458kcal
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temp.
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (5 oz) package Instant vanilla pudding mix, larger box
- 3 cups milk, 2 % or higher
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed
- 1 (11 oz) box Nilla wafers
- 5-7 bananas, peeled and sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
- Add in sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, milk and vanilla extract.
- Mix until combined well.
- Finally, stir in half of the whipped topping.
- To layer: place one-third of the vanilla wafers in a layer on the bottom of a trifle dish, large bowl or a 9x13 baking dish.
- Add a layer of bananas.
- Then pour one-third of the pudding mixture on top (enough to cover all the bananas).
- Continue with two more layers.
- Top with remaining whipped topping.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one to two hours before serving so it can thicken up and the wafers can soften.
Video
Notes
Cook's Notes: Keep your mixer on low speed at first so the milk doesn't fly everywhere. Also, if you are using a stand mixer, make sure you get in there with a rubber spatula and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is getting incorporated. That cream cheese likes to stay on the bottom of the bowl. I find that it can sometimes become a bit lumpy (especially if my cream cheese isn't soft enough). If this happens to you, just keep mixing until most of the lumps are gone. After a few minutes of constant mixing, it will smooth out.
Nutrition
Calories: 458kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Nutritional Disclaimer
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CRAVING MORE BANANA RECIPES? BE SURE TO CHECK THESE OUT!
BANANA PUDDING CHEESECAKE
SIMPLE BANANA CREAM PIE
BANANA BREAD COBBLER
A BIT HEALTHIER BANANA PUDDING
BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE
Just wanted to thank you for this wonderful website. Trying out the buffalo chicken pasta (slow cooker) today and can't wait to try it. The website definitely has inspired me to try out new recipes.
Hi Chelsea! What a sweet comment! Thank you so very much!!
Wondering if the bananas turn brown if pudding is made ahead, say day before serving. I've never made banana pudding and love the ease of this recipe. Thanks. Love your blog!!
You can definitely make this the day before. Just make sure the pudding layer covers the bananas well. The pudding will act as a temporary seal over the bananas and it will keep them from turning brown so fast. Plus, it gives the cookies time to soften up a bit which a lot of folks like. 🙂
You can also use fruit fresh sprinkled over the bananas. It adds no taste and keeps the bananas from Browning.
What if I only have unsweetened carnation milk vidamin d
I'm sorry - it just won't work in this. 🙁
I put my sliced bananas in lemon juice.then dab them with papertowel
I never really liked banana pudding personally but the way this is put together makes me want some. How long will this keep in the fridge?
Drew, this really is SO delicious. I know you will love it. This doesn't last long in my house. It will keep for about 2 days in the fridge. Mainly because the bananas are gonna eventually brown. Hope that helps!
I dip my bananas in lemon juice to keep them from turning dark....enriches the great taste of the pudding! The recipe I use is basically the same, except it doesn't call for the vanilla extract. Will have to try it in my next banana pudding!
Just want to say I love you site the recipes are wonderful. Never had Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese but have all but the items except cookie, wait have animal cookies they will work. They are nice and large. 🙂
Hi Brandie, I LOVE your site and have made many of your recipes with COMPLETE SUCCESS; however, I made the Picnic Banana Pudding yesterday afternoon. Followed the directs precisely, was careful with my measurements, but the pudding didn't set. Even added a small box of banana creme pudding mix, and it helped, but end result was still slightly soupy. TASTED DELISH, just semi-soupy. Next time I might crank back the milk to 2 cups rather than 3 and see where that gets me.
Did you use cook and serve or instant pudding mix? It calls for instant, which sets on it's own. If you used cook and serve, it will result in a bit of a soup texture.
Hi Brandie,
I just discovered your blog and am finding many recipes I want to try. Thank you. I made the Picnic Banana Pudding yesterday and it is wonderful!! If anyone is wondering about a slightly "lighter" version... I used sugar free instant pudding and reduced fat cream cheese. It was awesome!
I don't think you will have to worry about how long it will last in the refrigerator. We eat it so fast that is NEVER an issue.
Another great recipe on your blog! This pudding looks really good, I am going to make it for my Grandpa
well i neglected to realize it says "Instant" pudding. so I grabbed the other kind, "Cook and Serve" well that turned out terribly wrong. it is just liquid it wont thicken. so i was spunky and decided to add another pudding (same kind) and that did no help. and oddly enough just to try, i decided to put it in the oven to see if that would thicken. its in there now, i dont think its going to work at all. but hey ill give it a shot. lol
Thanks, I was wondering what I did wrong. I grabbed cook and serve instead of instant as well!
I did the exact same thing and grabbed a Cook and Serve. Could not figure out why it wasn't thickening. I did as the package instructed and brought the mixture to a boil in a pan. This was after I had already added the Cool Whip and the cream cheese. Thickened up just fine.
I have been making this for years. Made it for my boss once and she thought it was the best she'd ever had. I do like to make the occasional "real"homemade vanilla pudding from time to time, but this is my go to recipe for a easy desert that everyone loves.
I always just use straight vanilla pudding, but I definitely want to try your add-ins!
This banana pudding is a hit! ! To lower the calorie intake i used low fat where i could. .i love Nilla wafers and they are great in this recipe! ! Love all your recipes! !!
I see that this calls for 5 ounce box of pudding but I only have two of the 3.4 oz boxes. Should I weigh out 5 ounces or is it okay to use both boxes
Thanks,
Melissa
Thank you for posting this recipe going to make this in the next few days but i was wondering what if you don't have or can not buy the Nilla wafers? what else can you do?
Even better made with instant Banana pudding instead of vanilla. 🙂 Yummy!!!
That is what I was going to do! Did you still add the vanilla? I'm making this tomorrow for my son's birthday!
I only had banana instant pudding and it turned out wonderful.
Perfection!!
Soooo good. I made this but I added overripe bananas to the mix to use them up. It made the pudding a little runny, so i popped it in the freezer. Now its like banana ice cream. Our new family favorite dessert.
I'm disappointed, I just knew you'd have a awesome Nanny Pudding Recipe. Growing up in East Texas, I loved Nanny Pudding from scratch recipes. Then my Mom found Vanilla Pudding......I was disappointed with my Mom's recipe after that.....I do have an awesome recipe of an Aunt's Banana Pudding and the pudding is made from scratch.....It puts pudding mix to shame. But I love all the other recipes I've found on your site.
Hi Sherie, this is just one of a couple different versions of banana pudding "Nanner Pudding" I have on my site. Here is a classic recipe: https://www.thecountrycook.net/southern-banana-puddingor-is-it/
Just an FYI, I did not STIR in the whipped cream. I beated it with the other ingredients. My pudding was like water after chilling it. :-(. I swear I can ruin anything! 🙁
Hey Karen - did you use INSTANT pudding or cook and serve? The cook and serve won't set up unless it's heated up on the stove. 🙂
It says 1-5ounce box instant pudding, they may not know there is two sizes of boxes .They may just get the 1-3 ounce box not realizing that they need one large or 2 small.
I've made this recipe for years. It is great for potlucks and get togethers. I make it in a 9x13 pan, add a banana to the pudding mixture and use one small box of instant banana pudding and one small box of instant vanilla pudding. So good!
Hi, is cool whip just whipped cream, we don't have cool whip in Aus. Or nilla wafers, are they just cookies? Thanks Terry.
I made this but it wasn't firm like in the video. It was a bit runny. What did I do wrong.?
Hi Janet! Are you sure you used INSTANT pudding? Sometimes folks accidentally pick up Cook & Serve without realizing. Cook & Serve needs heat but the instant doesn't.
Banana Pudding was the 'Bomb' Baby my family Luv it! Its a must try u won't be disappointed!
Love it! Thanks Collie!
No electric mixer. Can I just mix by hand with a spatula?
No you definitely can't use a spatula to mix this up!
Hi! This recipe was really good. Not sure why other reviewers say it didn't set up. I think they didn't use the instant pudding. It worked perfectly and everyone raved about it and wanted the recipe!! My new favorite!!