Banana Pudding is the ultimate comfort food dessert! Creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and sweet vanilla wafers are layered to create an irresistible treat that’s perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.

overhead view of banana pudding in a glass casserole dish with a portion size removed

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Why You Will Love This Banana Pudding Recipe

It is a classic dessert for banana lovers. Other than Banana Cream Pie, banana desserts don’t get much more classic than Banana Pudding! (And honestly, it’s so good, I know plenty of “I’m-not-a-banana-person” people who can’t resist Banana Pudding.)
It’s simple yet irresistible: Made with just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, Banana Pudding is proof that simplicity and flavor can go hand in hand. Plus, you don’t have to be a pro baker to nail this recipe!
It can be dressed up or dressed down: I typically serve my Banana Pudding in a basic casserole dish (clear to show off those yummy layers!), but you can easily make it elegant by using a glass trifle bowl with a pedestal.

Ingredients Needed for Banana Pudding

Ingredient quantities for this easy banana pudding dessert recipe are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Cream cheese
Sweetened condensed milk
Vanilla instant pudding mix
Milk
Bananas
Vanilla wafers
Homemade Whipped Cream or Cool Whip: You can use this Homemade Whipped Cream recipe, or you can buy Cool Whip

Yes, only seven simple ingredients for this delicious dessert! 🍌

How To Make Banana Pudding (Quick Overview)

The steps below are just a quick overview of how to make the pudding. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.

In a mixing bowl, whip together the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Set it aside.

overhead view of steel mixing bowl with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk thoroughly combined

In a separate mixing bowl, prepare the pudding by mixing the pudding mix and milk together until thoroughly combined.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture…

overhead view of steel mixing bowl with whipped cream added to cream cheese mixture and ready to be combined

… then fold in the pudding mixture until thoroughly combined.

overhead view of cream cheese and whipped cream mixture after combining

Now it’s time to start layering! You can layer any way you want and in any dish you want, but here’s what I do.

Start with a layer of vanilla wafers, then banana slices.

overhead view of glass casserole dish with bottom layer of vanilla wafers and layer of sliced bananas on top

Add a layer of the pudding mixture (about half of it) and spread it evenly.

overhead view of glass casserole dish with layer of wafers and bananas and pudding mixture added as the third layer and ready to be spread out evenly

Follow this by another layer of vanilla wafers, another layer of sliced bananas, and the remainder of the pudding mixture.

overhead view of banana pudding with all six layers and ready to be topped with crushed wafers and chilled in the refrigerator

Now decorate the top however you’d like. I usually add more vanilla wafers and sometimes sliced bananas (halved).

The crumbs from the bottom of the vanilla wafer bag are a great topping here! I also add some of the broken cookies (broken even more if needed).

overhead view of banana pudding in a casserole dish and vanilla wafers crumbled onto the top

Chill covered for an hour so everything gets nice and cold, then serve immediately.

sideview of banana pudding in a glass casserole dish and a serving on a plate sitting in front with a gold spoon

Enjoy! This can be stored covered in the fridge for up to three days, but keep in mind that the bananas will start to brown.

More No-Bake Dessert Recipes

If you love no-bake desserts as much as I do, you’ll want to give some of these a try:

Steal the spotlight with this cheesecake fluff recipe! Perfect for family get-togethers, parties, or as an easy Christmas dessert or Halloween treat, this creamy delight is sure to wow. Want to switch it up? Try brownie cheesecake fluff.
Dive into this indulgent cherry no-bake cheesecake. Rich, creamy, and so good it’ll disappear before you know it.
Love a zesty twist? Try the no-bake key lime cheesecake. Sweet, tangy, refreshingly light, and no oven needed!
Your ultimate no-bake cookies dessert is here. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Peanut butter balls are super simple and addictive. One of the easiest no-bake desserts, they’ll have everyone coming back for more!
These peanut butter crunch bars are crispy, creamy, and addictive. Fair warning: you’ll make these on repeat!

overhead view of cheesecake fluff ready to be served in a bowl — **Cheesecake Fluff**

overhead view of no bake cherry cheesecake ready to serve in a pie dish and one serving slice has been removed — **Cheesecake Fluff**

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! It’s one of my go-to desserts.

sideview of banana pudding in a glass casserole dish and the layers are visible through the glass

More Dessert Recipes

Need a holiday dessert? This no-bake peanut butter pie is creamy, easy, and always goes fast. One bite and you’re in dessert heaven!
Bring back nostalgia with this fresh and creamy strawberry shortcake recipe. Sweet memories and new traditions everyone will love!
Craving comfort? This apple crisp recipe is delicious, cozy, and classic comfort food.
Impress your guests with these homemade carrot cake cupcakes. Moist, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible!
You can’t go wrong with classic chocolate chip cookies. Perfect for any party, family gathering, or game day!
These classic peanut butter cookies are a must-make. Perfect for Christmas cookies or summer picnics, they never disappoint!

sideview of no bake peanut butter pie using cool whip topped with chopped reese's cups and whipped cream and one bite taken out — **Peanut Butter Pie**

sideview of strawberry shortcake ready to serve with a small bowl of strawberries in the background — **Peanut Butter Pie**

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Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding is the ultimate comfort food dessert! Creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and sweet vanilla wafers are layered to create an irresistible treat that's perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.

Servings

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Western

Keyword easy, homemade

Prep Time 20

Chill Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 box vanilla instant pudding mix (4-serving size)
2 cups cold milk (preferably whole milk)
12 oz Homemade Whipped Cream or thawed Cool Whip
6-8 bananas (sliced into 1/2” rounds, plus optionally more for topping)
8-10 oz vanilla wafers (plus optionally more for topping)

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Set aside.
In a separate mixing bowl, prepare the pudding by mixing the pudding mix and milk together until thoroughly combined.
Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the pudding mixture until thoroughly combined.
Line the bottom of a 9” x 13” casserole dish with vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of banana slices.
Spoon about half of the pudding mixture on top and spread evenly.
Add another layer of vanilla wafers and bananas, then spread the remaining pudding mixture over top.
Optionally top with roughly or finely crushed vanilla wafers and/or banana slices or chunks.
Cover the pudding dessert and chill for 1 hour.

Notes

There is no right or wrong way to layer the wafers, bananas, and pudding. Do what works best for you! You can also use different dish sizes and shapes (like a trifle bowl).

Nutrition Estimates (Per Serving)

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.