Easy No Bake Banana Pudding Recipe
There are few desserts that are this is easy to make and taste as delicious as this super easy no bake banana pudding recipe, yall! Better known as ‘Nanner puddin’, this has been one of my go to desserts when I’m asked to bring dessert to any type of church or family function. I can’t remember where I got the recipe from, because I’ve been making it since my kiddos were very young.
It takes a few ingredients, is very inexpensive to make and takes very little time to whip up. The best part is I never take any home and it’s also a very easy recipe to cut extra calories out of. You can see how in my tips, below.
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Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- One large box of instant vanilla pudding (or you can use banana flavored pudding)
- 3 cups of milk
- 1 box of vanilla wafers (store brand will work great, as well.)
- 1 8ox. tub of Cool Whip dessert topping
- 3-4 medium bananas.
- 13 x 9 casserole dish
Let’s Make Easy No Bake Banana Pudding!
Using a 13 x 9 casserole dish (or something similar), put a layer of cookies on the bottom of the dish. Next, slice your bananas in rounds and lay on top of the cookies. Use 1 1/2 to 2 bananas for each layer.
Set the casserole dish aside and prepare the instant pudding by following the instructions on the box. Once you have shaken or stirred the pudding and it has thickened, fold in the whole tub of Cool Whip using a whisk to mix this up. Now you can pour half of the pudding mixture over the first layer of cookies and bananas.
Repeat the next layer with the cookies and bananas. Then, pour the rest of the pudding mixture over the second layer of cookies and bananas. Save a few cookies (crushed) to sprinkle over the top for topping and that is it!! It’s a super easy and a delicious dessert, especially in the summertime, but it’s also great for holidays, parties or just about any occasion!
Tips for making Easy No Bake Banana Pudding
- I have used store brand vanilla wafers and as far as taste goes, they’re great! The only downside to using off brand is that there doesn’t seem to be as many in the box as the Nabisco Nilla Wafers. With the name brand, you’ll have plenty for topping.
- Once you’ve put your banana pudding together, put it in the refrigerator to chill for several hours. For the best results, make it the day before. This will give the cookies plenty of time to soften.
- To reduce calories, I used skim milk and fat free or sugar free Cool Whip, as this does not affect the taste at all, but if you prefer the full calorie flavor, that’s certainly ok, too!
- Store the banana pudding covered in the refrigerator for no more than 2-3 days. Any longer and the bananas will begin to turn brown and go bad.
- DO NOT USE the pudding that has to be cooked. For this recipe, only use instant pudding.
- You can use other types of serving dishes besides a 13 x 9 casserole. It looks beautiful in a trifle bowl or any kind of dish with sides.
- 3-4 Bananas
- 1 Large box of instant vanilla or banana pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 1 8 oz tub of Cool Whip non dairy topping
- 1 box Vanilla Wafers
- Use a 13 x 9 casserole dish.
- Put one layer of cookies on the bottom of the casserole.
- Slice 1½ - 2 bananas up and layer on top of cookies.
- Follow instructions on pudding box to make the pudding.
- Fold the whole tub of Cool Whip into the pudding, mixing well.
- Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of first layer of cookies and bananas.
- Put second layer of cookies and bananas on top of pudding.
- Pour rest of pudding mixture on top of second layer.
- Crush 4-6 cookies up and sprinkle on top.
- Refrigerate until serving.
Other Easy No Bake Desserts!
I hope you give this yummy instant banana pudding recipe a try and let me know how you like it!
Check out some of my other no bake desserts like Easy No Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert, No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake and No Bake Chips Ahoy Cookie Pie Recipe.
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Oh yummy.. and sounds so easy.
It is, Linda! It’s a great recipe for any occasion!
Do you have to wait for the the pudding to cool, before adding the cool whip?
Hi Brenda,
I use instant pudding for this recipe, so there’s no cooking involved.
Can you use aresol canned whip cream in place of cool whip? This is for the banana pudding with wafers recipe. TIA
Hi Marcy,
I’ve never used aerosol whipped cream in this recipe. I don’t think it will work very well because when you stir that kind of whipped cream, it gets kinda watery. I believe that’s because of the air that’s in it. The whipped cream in a tub would be more suitable.
Kimberly
It was so easy and so good! ???
Thank you, Michele! It’s been one of my go-to favorites for many years. I’m so glad you liked it. 🙂
Made this last night
for my family although we will not be gathered together as a family due to the virus. My husband is going to deliver some of this delicious dessert to my elderly in-laws along with there Easter dinner today!
How wonderful you did this for your in-laws, April. I hope they enjoyed it! This is our absolute favorite dessert! So easy and delicious!:)
I’ve been thinking about banana pudding lately. I love lots of cream and cookies. My great-grandmother use to be a really good one.
Banana pudding has always been one of my favorite go to desserts! This one is super easy and tastes amazing. It’s a definite crowd pleaser.
This one is very creamy and you can add as many cookies as you like! :). It’s our favorite go-to dessert!
Looks delicious! I’ve never had banana pudding before but this recipe looks pretty simple – I’ll be giving it try. Thanks for sharing xo
Hi Ros! This is one of our absolute favorite desserts! It’s very simple and it tastes amazing!
Love this recipe! We always add 1 can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk to the Cool Whip/ pudding mixture. YUM. Thank you!!
That’s sound deliciously sinful, Amy! I’m going to have to try that!
This looks delicious!
It is, Ali! This one’s definitely a keeper and one of our favorites!
This looks super yummy and easy, can’t wait to try it out!
It is Anna! If you try it, let me know what you think! 🙂
Hi, this sounds delicious, I’m going to make it for a party on Saturday!! Do you have a preference between banana flavored pudding and vanilla?
Hi Kimberlea! I’ve used both and they both taste wonderful. I really can’t tell a difference.
I made this for our neighbor’s birthday instead of a cake. It was really fast and easy. I added some sliced bananas to the top as well. It looks great. He said he’s taking the rest for his lunch tomorrow!
I’m so glad you (and your neighbor) liked it! It’s one of our favorite’s, too!
We made this last week to give as a thank you gift for a former caregiver. Our caregiver wasn’t able to visit us and had to reschedule for this weekend. My husband and I decided to make the dessert ours! It was great! I’m happy to be making and giving this dessert as a gift tomorrow. I’m also thinking miniature dishes of the banana pudding could be the center piece of our cookie trays we give to our neighbors for the holidays! You’re right! It’s so easy and delicious!
Hi Cora!
I’m so glad you and your husband liked it! It really is a wonderful, all-around dessert as everyone seems to enjoy it and what a great gift!
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you liked it!
I hope you have a Merry Christmas & a very happy, blessed new year!
This recipe looks great. Can I use homemade “coolwhip” made from evaporated milk instead of store bought. Thanks for your help.
Hi Judy!
I don’t see why not! I’ve never made whipped cream from evaporated milk but I bet it’s just as good, if not better! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out! 🙂
How many hours should i leave the banana pudding in the refrigerator before serving it? I don’t want to take it out too early.
Amy,
I usually make it the night before I will be serving it. This gives the cookies plenty of time to soften up. If this isn’t possible, make it at least 4-6 hours before serving.
This is/was a very easy and delectable banana pudding recipe. Since the pandemic has been upon us, I have tried to use individual items so that people can grab and go and not hover/breathe over my food/dish. With this recipe I used individual cups (9 ounce round/clear ones) so that each person would be able to have their own. I used MINI vanilla wafers which fit perfectly in the cups, slicing bananas for each cup as I go along (as opposed to having them pre-cut and layering in), then scooping the pudding on after each layer. I also added a tsp of homemade vanilla extract in the pudding mix. I topped with crushed vanilla wafers or any shortbread cookie (Lorna Doones, Chessmen, etc.). Wallah!!
Karol,
I’m so happy you liked the recipe and what a great idea! I love it!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Is there something I should put on the bananas so they don’t turn brown? I had this growing up for the summer holidays and love it!
Hi Betty! I’ve never had a problem with the bananas turning brown as they are in between the layers, covered with the pudding. The would turn brown if they were on top of of the last layer, exposed to the air. As long as they’re covered, it should be fine. Enjoy!
Cut the bananas up and place in a storage freezer bag then add a little vinegar(white). 1 cap and a half should be enough. Your bananas won’t turn brown.
I tried this today – but I only had chocolate pudding mix in the house. It was wonderful Next time I’ll drizzle some chocolate syrup across both layers to enhance it a bit.
Hi Wayne! I’ve never made it with chocolate pudding! That’s certainly a new twist on banana pudding, but now you mention it, I may have to try it! It does sound wonderful! That’s the great thing about cooking! You can tweak a recipe and make it your own! So glad you liked it!
Just made this, and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. It’s a great summertime desert. It looks good and tastes even better. Best part is, it was so easy (I am NOT a great cook lol). Thank you!
Thank you, Mary! It’s one of our favorites! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
When you say large box of pudding, is that the 5.1 oz size?
Hi Valerie! Yes, it’s the 5.1 oz box.
Hi my name is Florine and I was looking for a quick recipe to banana pudding I am difinely going to try this I throught cream cheese went in there also thank you
Hi Florine! This one is definitely quick, easy & delicious! No cream cheese needed in this recipe. Give it a try! 🙂
Been craving Banana Pudding for quite some time…
You’re recipe was so easy; thanks for sharing.
Your welcome, Catherine! So glad you enjoyed it!
hi! i know i’m a little late to this recipe, but my lordy lord this pudding really is incredible. i made a 9 x 13 pan yesterday and i eaten over half,,, so freaking good and so easy!! much love to you <3
Thank you, Abby! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I got inspired to make a banana pudding one day after making some in my “cozy cottage” video game Stardew Valley. This recipe was so easy to make, and seriously so delicious! I mean like I’ve eaten over half the tray since yesterday, delicious!! I also cut up some strawberries and put them in a few servings of the pudding, they went along great with it. Thanks so much for sharing this lovely recipe – (:
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Penny! Strawberries and bananas go together wonderfully!
I made this and it is delicious. So easy to make. Will treasure this recipe.
Thank you, Cynthia! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites, too. 🙂
Does the cool whip need to be sat at room temperature or can it be added right from the freezer
The Cool Whip needs to be thawed. It can be added from refrigerator to the recipe, but not from the freezer to recipe.
I’m making this just for me. Can I use a 9 ×9 pan instead of the 9 ×13 inch pan?
Hi Rebecca! Yes, you can! Layer it same as you would the larger pan.