This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Layered nilla wafer banana pudding steals the show with its light banana flavor and contrasting creamy and crunchy textures!
This classic pudding is perfect any time of the year, like our Banana Pudding Poke Cake. Whether serving nilla wafer banana pudding in a trifle, individual jars, or in a casserole dish – it’s irresistible!
Gorgeous Layered Dessert
I have a soft spot in my heart for banana pudding, it’s one of my very favorite puddings and desserts. It requires simple ingredients, comes together pretty quickly, and the flavor is addicting!
One of the best things about this nilla wafer banana pudding is the way you serve it.
Layer it in a trifle dish with all its delicious ingredients and serve it with a big spoon or serve it in individual small cups or mason jars. You can even serve it in a casserole dish or as a Poke Cake!
No matter how you prepare it, this classic treat is bound to be a favorite with anyone who tries it.
Homemade Banana Pudding
Vanilla wafer banana pudding consists of four layers:
- Nilla Wafer cookies
- Pudding mixture
- Sliced bananas
- Whipped topping
Get started with making the pudding mixture first.
PUDDING. Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy- make sure there are no clumps!
Then mix the sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla. Combine everything until smooth. Fold in 8 oz. (2 cups) of Whipped Cream topping and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
Pudding Tips
Pudding. Be sure to use a box of INSTANT pudding. Do not make the pudding according to the box simply combine the pudding powder as directed in the recipe.
This recipe does well with other pudding flavors such as vanilla, cream cheese, or white chocolate pudding powder.
Pudding texture. Instant pudding is pretty fail-safe and a great shortcut to making it from scratch.
Even so, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best creamy texture in this best banana pudding recipe.
- Undermixing doesn’t allow enough time for the pudding to become creamy. Beat the pudding with a whisk or with an electric mixer on low speed for about 2 minutes. It should take on a noticeable pudding texture.
- Overmixing can cause the creamy texture to become runny. If using a stand mixer be sure to not walk away and allow it to overmix.
- Using low-fat milk can cause a runny texture.
- Allow time for the pudding mixture to set.
- When adding the Cool Whip be sure to FOLD it in so that it keeps a fluffy texture.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese so that it mixes up smoothly.
LAYERING
- 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.
Keep it in the fridge to chill for at least an hour or overnight.
Recipe Tips
Bananas. The best bananas to use are ones that are perfectly ripe (with just a few brown freckles on the peel). Overripe bananas tend to be a bit too mushy for this dessert.
Nilla wafers are perfect, but other cookies can be used for a different look, taste, and texture. Some favorite alternatives include Chessman cookies, Golden Oreo Thins, graham crackers (plain or cinnamon), shortbread cookies, animal crackers, and butter cookies.
Milk. The high the fat content the creamer the pudding will be. Stick to whole milk or 2% for the best result.
Garnish. I chose to top this dish with a few extra cookies and banana slices. Use more or less and organize them into different designs or crush the cookies and sprinkle the crumbs on top.
Add chopped nuts, white chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cinnamon to the top as well.
Cake Version
This easy banana pudding recipe is similar to our Banana Pudding Poke Cake! It’s perfect for when you crave the flavors of banana pudding but also want to eat cake.
It’s everything you love about banana pudding in cake form! It’s also one of the easiest dessert recipes EVER. Give both of these recipes a try – I know you will love them.
Store it
Make ahead of time. Nilla wafer banana pudding gets better with time. That’s why I love this dessert. The longer it sits in the fridge, the softer the cookies get by soaking in all the moisture from the pudding.
It tastes amazing on day two or even day three, which is why it’s a great make-ahead dessert. To make it ahead of time, don’t put any bananas on top or they will look brown the next day.
STORE. Store this pudding in the trifle dish, the dish it was served in, or individual airtight storage containers, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Homemade banana pudding can last 5-6 days covered in the fridge.
Recipe FAQ
To help keep banana slices turning brown, treat them with a spritz of citric juice (lemon juice, lime juice, or pineapple juice). You can also use Ball’s Fresh Fruit powder.
Some favorite alternatives to Nilla Wafers include Chessman cookies, Golden Oreo Thins, graham crackers, shortbread cookies, animal crackers, and butter cookies.
For More Pudding Recipes, Try:
- Bread Pudding
- Oreo Pudding Pie
- Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake
- Paradise Parfaits
- Pudding Milkshake
Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is my second time making this recipe.The first time was for Thankgiving.we enjoyed this so much,im making it again today.each day it gets better and better.thank you
Yay!! I love to hear that! Thank you for letting me know that 🙂
Making this recipe soon
Hope you like it!!
Excellent taste and ease in making
Thank you so much for letting me know!
yum!!!
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
Total time = 20 min…..but theres 1.5 hours in chill time. Id conSider that part of “total” time. 🙂
Good nonetheless.
Thank you for trying this recipe!
It’s my favorite dessert!
It’s a good one!! Thank you!
My cousin in Law brought Over this dessert after my huband got out of the hOspital after major sPine surgery. It was sooooo good! I cant wait to make it again using your recipe.
I loved this recipe and so did all my family. I am not sure mine looked as good as yours but the taste was fantastic! I didn’t even have leftovers so thats a good sign!! YUMMY
Why are bananas, pudding, & wafers the best combination?! Love this! I will have to make it for my dad, who loves this dessert!
As a little girl my mom would always make this for us. IT was a favorite and especially remeMber how much my dad loved it.