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We happen to have a soft spot for banana pudding!

This Nilla wafer banana pudding highlights our favorite flavor in one delicious dessert! With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick prep time (20 minutes), it’s ready in no time. One of the BEST things about this treat is how it’s served!

We layered it in a trifle dish for a beautiful presentation and a perfect mix of flavors in every serving. It’s a showstopper for sure!! You could even make mini trifles in mason jars for a fun twist. Either way, this is irresistible and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!!

For more banana flavor favorites, try our Banana Pudding Poke Cake!

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • For a crowd. A layered trifle lends itself to parties and crowds – perfect for sharing!
  • A favorite flavor all year long. Enjoy banana pudding trifle at any celebration – it’s always in season.
  • An easy preparation. While it looks stunning, the assembly is so simple – just 20 minutes of prep!

Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese softened
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk – do not use evaporated milk
  • 1 (5-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix – or vanilla, banana, cream cheese, or white chocolate pudding powder. You must use INSTANT pudding for it to set correctly. Do not make the pudding according to the box, just use the powder in the recipe.
  • 3 cups cold milk – Stick to whole milk or 2% for the creamiest pudding.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 (8-ounce) tubs whipped topping thawed – store-bought Cool Whip or 6 cups Homemade Whipped Cream
  • 4 ripe bananas sliced – perfectly ripe (with just a few brown freckles on the peel), overripe bananas will be too mushy 
  • ½ (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers – or use Chessman cookies, Golden Oreo Thins, graham crackers, shortbread cookies, animal crackers, or butter cookies
  • optional garnish – extra Vanilla Wafers, sliced bananas, chopped nuts, white chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cinnamon

How to Make Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

  1. PUDDING. In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces of cream cheese until fluffy and with no clumps. Add 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 package pudding mix, 3 cups cold milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth.
    • Add 8 ounces of whipped cream and FOLD until combined. Let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  2. LAYER. Line the bottom of a trifle dish with vanilla wafers around the edge. Add half the pudding mixture and spread across, top with a layer of sliced bananas, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat.
  3. CHILL. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Top with the remaining wafers and banana slices if desired and serve.
A layered Nilla Wafer banana pudding in a trifle dish.
4.94 from 81 votes

Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

Layered Nilla Wafer banana pudding steals the show with its light banana flavor and contrasting creamy and crunchy textures!
Servings: 12
Prep: 20 minutes
1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese softened
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (5-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 (8-ounce) tubs whipped topping thawed (or 6 cups homemade whipped cream)
  • 4 bananas sliced
  • ½ (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy and with no clumps. Add sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
  • Fold in 8 ounces of whipped cream and mix until combined. Let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Line the bottom of a trifle dish with vanilla wafers around the edge. Add half the pudding mixture and spread across, topped with a layer of sliced bananas. Add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Nilla wafers – pudding mixture – bananas – whipped topping. 
  • Top with more wafers and banana slices if desired. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Video

Notes

Recipe note. You MUST use INSTANT pudding powder, not the cook-and-serve kind or it will not set.
Make ahead of time. Store it covered in the fridge. It tastes amazing on day two or even day three, which is why it’s a great make-ahead dessert.
Store leftover dessert in the covered trifle dish or spoon into individual airtight storage containers. Keep it in the fridge for 4-5 days.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 221mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 125IU, Vitamin C: 3.4mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Make ahead of time?

Store it covered in the fridge. It tastes amazing one, two, or even three days later – a great make-ahead dessert.

How to store?

Store leftover dessert in the covered trifle dish or spoon into individual airtight storage containers. Keep it in the fridge for 4-5 days.

This recipe was originally published May 2019.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.94 from 81 votes (61 ratings without comment)

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46 Comments

  1. Patrick says:

    Looks great, but I have a question. How are the calories calculated? It says “approximate”; but 74 calories per serving is a very low number. When adding up the ingredients it comes to 5880 calories, divided by 12 servings which is 490 calories per serving. The condensed milk alone is 100+ calories per serving. Thanks.

  2. Jennifer Halpern says:

    Hi! Is the serving size 4oz?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I’d say between 4-8 oz. (1/2 cup – 1 cup depending on how much people want).

  3. Denise Smith says:

    I made this banana wafer recipe and it was awful. Did not set up. And was super sweet. I checked the recipe three times to make sure I was making it correctly. Had to trash it. And it was for my husbands 70th birthday. So dissapointed.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Thanks for the feedback and for giving it a try.

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    My family loved this banana pudding!! It was so easy to make and tasted incredible, thank you!!

  5. Sharina says:

    5 stars
    Kids super love this delicious treat! They even helped me in making this nilla wafer banana pudding. Such a keeper!

  6. April says:

    5 stars
    We love this dessert – it’s our favorite banana pudding recipe! So easy and looks so beautiful once it’s all put together.

  7. Brande says:

    5 stars
    This was the best banana pudding my family ever had. They raved about it for weeks after. I’ve shared the recipe so many times since then.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that!

  8. Corene Tague says:

    Is it 1, 5oz package or 1.5 oz package of pudding?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      One 5 oz package

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