Banana Pudding

This Banana Pudding Recipe is made up of layers of deliciously smooth vanilla pudding, crispy Nila wafers and fresh banana. It's the perfect summer dessert.

This recipe is for the best pudding with bananas and Nila Wafers. I adore pudding. When I think of pudding, I think of that famous scene in Billy Madison where he proclaims his love for Snack Pack. What a delight a Snack Pack was when you once opened up your lunch box. A true treat!

I've wanted to make this for over a year and finally got around to it. Total plus: not super fussy. It's about 20 minutes away from start to finish. I urge you to have the patience to let it get really cold in the fridge. It's way better that way.

It truly is a great summer dessert.

Why is Banana Pudding the Best Summer Dessert

• This is a true proclamation of my love for this dessert. But here are my reasons:
• It's easily transportable.
• The only recipe is for the vanilla pudding and whipped cream. It's a very simple recipe.
• There are people who dislike bananas but we don't trust those people anyway so they don't matter!
• Nila Wafers are a delicious, underrated cookie that deserve more.

History of Banana Pudding

When I think of American desserts, I think of pie, pudding and well, pie. Turns out this pudding is as American as it gets. It first came on the scene in the late 1800s in parts of Massachussets. Good Housekeeping is where it was first published; but many believe it was being served all around the states for a decade before it was published.

While there certainly is southern banana pudding, its origins are not from the south. Interesting, eh?

How to Make Banana Pudding

1. We start with making the pudding. All of the ingredients go into a saucepan and then they're warmed until nice and thick.
2. Run it through a strainer, in case there are any lumps. 
3. Allow it cool. In order to prevent any pudding skin forming, I like to press the plastic wrap onto the surface.
4. Layer the banana pudding. I like to add a layer of pudding, a few slices of banana and a few Nila wafers.
5. And then repeat the layering! 
6. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours. 
7. Top with whipped cream right before serving. 

5 from 12 votes

Print Recipe

Banana Pudding Recipe

Author: Adrianna Adarme

This Banana Pudding Recipe is made up of layers of deliciously smooth vanilla pudding, crispy Nila wafers and fresh banana. It's the perfect summer dessert.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana pudding recipe, easy banana pudding, homemade banana pudding, old fashioned banana pudding

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Serving Size: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 oz. vanilla wafers (about half of a box)
• 3 bananas
• ¾ cup whipping cream , (or more if you’d like!)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar , sifted

Instructions

• To Make the Vanilla Pudding:
• Add milk and egg yolks to a medium saucepan and whisk. Add sugar, flour, and salt and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 20 minutes or until thickened. If it’s not getting as thick as you’d like after 20 minutes, feel free to add another teaspoon of flour. Remove from heat; stir in the vanilla. Allow to come to room temperature.
• To Arrange and Assemble the Banana Pudding:
• You can arrange in a big bowl or small mason jars. For either, arrange vanilla wafers in bottom of a small serving dish (or mason jar). Slice 1 banana and layer over wafers. Spoon custard over bananas. Repeat until custard is gone and you have a few solid layers.
• Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar to mixture, beating until soft peaks form. Spread over custard. Serve immediately or cover and chill for eight hours.

Notes

Equipment: 

Dutch Oven | Strainer | Kitchen Towels | Silicon Spatulas | KitchenAid Stand-Up Mixer | Stainless Steel Bowls |

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 502kcal (25%) | Carbohydrates: 77g (26%) | Protein: 6g (12%) | Fat: 20g (31%) | Saturated Fat: 11g (69%) | Cholesterol: 53mg (18%) | Sodium: 179mg (8%) | Potassium: 418mg (12%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 58g (64%) | Vitamin A: 673IU (13%) | Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) | Calcium: 160mg (16%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

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Looking for more summer recipes? Here are some favorites:

• Strawberry Sheet Cake with Rhubarb Frosting
• Tres Leches Cake
• Aperol Spritzes
• Best Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
• Aguas Frescas
• French Silk Pie