Classic Southern No-Bake Banana Pudding
This is the ultimate comfort food dessert: a creamy, layered banana pudding made the easy, no-bake way. It uses simple ingredients to create a nostalgic, soul-satisfying treat perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 4 hr 20 min
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant banana pudding mix
- 4 cups cold milk (whole milk works best for creaminess)
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large ripe bananas, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 2 (11 ounce) boxes Nilla Wafers (vanilla wafers)
Instructions
- Prepare the instant puddings: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, instant banana pudding mix, and cold milk for about two minutes until the mixture starts to thicken. Let it stand for five minutes.
- Finish the creamy base: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract into the pudding mixture until everything is just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
- Begin layering: Select a large trifle dish or a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the pudding mixture across the bottom of the dish.
- Add the first layer of cookies and bananas: Arrange a single layer of Nilla Wafers over the pudding, followed by a layer of sliced bananas.
- Continue layering: Top the bananas with another generous layer of the pudding mixture. Repeat the layers—wafers, then bananas, then pudding—until you reach the top of the dish, ending with a final layer of pudding.
- Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the vanilla wafers to soften into a cake-like texture, which is key to a great Southern Banana Pudding.
- Serve: Before serving your potluck friendly dessert, you can top it with a few extra wafers or fresh banana slices if desired.
Notes
- For the best texture, make this make ahead dessert the day before you plan to serve it. The cookies need time to absorb moisture from the pudding.
- If you want a richer flavor, substitute half of the instant pudding with homemade vanilla custard made from scratch.
- Use firm, ripe bananas; overly soft bananas will break down too much during layering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg