Banana pudding made easy! With fresh bananas, velvety pudding, and crunchy cookies, this treat is simple, delicious, and timeless.

Banana pudding in a jar with a spoon in it

Is there anything more comforting than a creamy bowl of banana pudding? Sweet, simple, and perfect for just about any occasion. Whether you're reliving childhood memories or just craving something irresistibly delicious, banana pudding always hits the spot. The best part? It's super easy to make, so you can whip it up whenever the craving strikes!

We are sharing tips to help you get the best results when making this recipe. If you don't need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and printable recipe card.

⭐ Why You'll Love this Recipe ⭐

Comfort in Every Bite: It’s a dessert that isn’t fussy or pretentious. Instead, it’s familiar and homey in the best way possible.

Perfect for Any Occasion: Bringing dessert to a holiday potluck? You bet it’ll compete with the pies for attention.

It’s Surprisingly Easy to Make: Banana pudding is ridiculously easy to whip up.

🧾 Ingredients

📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!

Fat-free, sugar-free banana instant pudding mix
Cold fat-free milk or unsweetened almond milk
Fat-free whipped topping
Medium bananas
Vanilla wafers

🔪 How to Make Banana Pudding

Grab a big bowl and mix the instant banana pudding with the milk. Whisk it up until it’s nice and smooth.

Once the pudding thickens, gently fold in the Cool Whip. Don’t stir too much—you want to keep that creamy, thick texture!

cool whip being folded into the pudding and milk mix

Now, toss in the sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers. Fold them in carefully so everything stays fluffy.

banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers being folded into the mix

If you’re not serving it right away, pop it into an airtight container to keep it fresh.

When it’s time to serve, add some extra banana slices and crushed wafers on top for a fun, tasty finish!

Banana pudding in a jar with banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers on top

⭐ Pro Tips ⭐

Use Ripe, Not Overripe Bananas
Slice the bananas just before layering to keep them fresh and prevent browning.
If you’re prepping ahead, a quick spritz of lemon juice on the slices can help keep them looking their best.

Picture of a banana slice with vanilla pudding on a spoon with a jar of banana pudding behind it

📖 Variations

Banana Pudding with a Homemade Twist

Want to amp up the flavor? Make the pudding from scratch! Sure, instant pudding gets the job done quickly, but there’s something magical about whipping up a homemade silky custard. You can control the sweetness, add a touch of vanilla bean for that extra oomph, or even mix in a hint of cinnamon. It's a little extra effort but worth it when you taste the difference.

Over-the-Top Chocolate Banana Pudding

For the chocolate lovers out there, this one’s for you. Add some rich chocolate pudding into the mix or layer it between the bananas and vanilla pudding. You can even use chocolate wafers or mix crushed chocolate cookies with the traditional vanilla ones.

If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle some melted chocolate over each layer or sprinkle in mini chocolate chips for a little texture. It's like a banana pudding sundae—decadent, sweet, and totally unforgettable.

No-Added-Sugar Banana Pudding

Looking for a healthier option? You can easily create a no-added-sugar version of banana pudding without sacrificing flavor. Use sugar-free pudding mix and swap out the regular wafers for an alternative like grain-free cookies or ones sweetened with natural sugar substitutes.

As for the whipped topping, try folding in Greek yogurt instead for a tangy and creamy alternative (bonus points for the added protein!). The natural sweetness of the bananas shines through in this version, making it a satisfying treat you can feel good about.

Boozy Banana Pudding

Feeling a little fancy? Add a splash of rum or bourbon to your pudding mixture for a grown-up twist. The slight kick of warmth from the alcohol perfectly complements the sweetness of the bananas and wafers.

Banana pudding in a jar a with banana slices on top with another jar behind it

More Recipes To Try

Banana pudding in a jar with banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers on top with another jar and bananas behind it

Banana Pudding: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert You’ll Crave

Craving a sweet treat? This creamy banana pudding recipe is homemade, easy to make, and packed with rich banana flavor! Perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 0

Total Time 10

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

3.5 oz fat free/ sugar free banana instant pudding
1 1/2 cup cold fat free milk or unsweetened almond milk
8 oz fat free cool whip thawed
2 cup vanilla wafers crushed
2 medium bananas sliced

Instructions

In a large bowl add your instant banana pudding along with the milk. Whisk until smooth.
Once the pudding has thickened, fold in the cool whip. You want to fold the cool whip in to keep your mixture thick.
Next add in your bananas and crushed vanilla wafers by folding them in.
Store in an airtight container if not immediately serving.
To serve, place extra sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers on top!

Keyword banana pudding