Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe
If you’ve been craving a creamy, nostalgic dessert recipe, this Old fashioned banana pudding recipe is exactly what you need.
There’s something special about the layers of velvety vanilla pudding, soft bananas, and crisp cookies coming together into one comforting bite.
This post will show you how to make it just like Grandma did—simple, sweet, and full of flavor.
Whether you’re bringing it to a family gathering or serving it after Sunday dinner, this homemade pudding will steal the show.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Before you start baking, be sure to check out my kitchen essentials for the tools and gadgets I use to make this recipe easier.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions.
What are the ingredients in banana pudding?
- Instant vanilla pudding mix – the base that gives the pudding its smooth, sweet flavor
- Cold milk – helps the pudding set perfectly
- Ripe bananas, sliced – for that signature fresh banana taste. Choose bananas with a few brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Cool Whip – adds a light, fluffy texture to each layer
- Nilla Wafers – the classic crunchy layer that softens just enough when chilled
These simple ingredients come together to make a rich, comforting dessert recipe everyone will love.
How to Make Homemade Banana Pudding
- Whisk the pudding mix and milk until smooth, then fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- Layer Nilla wafers and banana slices in a 9×13 pan, pour half the pudding over them, and repeat the layers.
- Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top, crush a few wafers, and sprinkle the crumbs over the pudding.
- Chill before serving. Let the pudding sit in the refrigerator for at least 2–4 hours to help the layers set and the flavors blend.
- Add extra banana slices and whole wafers on top right before serving for a bakery-style look.
To prevent browning, lightly toss banana slices in lemon juice before layering to keep them from turning brown.
Place them in a brown paper bag for 1–2 days or add an apple to speed it up. For faster results, bake unpeeled bananas at 300°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave them for about 30 seconds.
Yes! It actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge because the cookies soften and the flavors meld together.
Yes—try graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or vanilla sandwich cookies as a substitute.
Potato Masher Set of 2 Pieces, 10.25-Inch Stainless Steel Wire Mashed Potato Masher, Kitchen Gourmet Making Tools Professional Integrated Honeycomb, For Vegetable, Fruit, Melon, Potato Etc, BlackDOWAN Casserole Dishes for Oven, Baking Dishes Set, Ceramic Bakeware Sets of 3, Lasagna Pan Deep, Rectangular Baking Pan Set with Handles for Baking, Casserole, Kitchen, Wedding Gift, Soft White (15.6”/12.2”/8.9”)
Nilla Wafers Cookies, Vanilla Wafers, 11 oz
If you loved this recipe, you’ll want to check out these delicious ideas next — they’re perfect for satisfying every kind of sweet craving!
- Check out the best desserts made with Cool Whip are light, creamy, and come together in minutes for a crowd-pleasing treat.
- Use up those extra bananas with these recipes for ripe bananas, full of sweet, comforting flavor.
- These No Bake Mini Banana Pudding Jars are an adorable and easy way to serve a classic dessert in individual portions.
- The best no bake desserts require zero oven time but deliver all the indulgence.
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 5.1 oz package of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 4 ripe bananas sliced
- 8 oz cool whip
- 1 Nilla Wafer Box
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk, until well combined.
- Whisk in half of the cool whip to combine.
- Open the box of Nilla wafers and set aside about 5 cookies for the top.
- In a 9×13 inch pan, place a layer of wafers across the bottom of the pan.
- Add half of the fresh banana slices in a layer on top of the cookies.
- Pour in half of the pudding mixture and smooth out evenly.
- Add another layer of Nilla wafers on top of pudding, followed by another layer of bananas.
- Pour the remainder of the pudding over top and smooth out evenly.
- Top the pudding with the remaining half of the cool whip.
- The last step is to crush the remaining wafers and sprinkle wafer crumbs those over top of the cool whip.
- Serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
One Comment