You’re going to love this creamy, dreamy Nilla Wafer Banana pudding! This easy, no-bake dessert layers vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and luscious pudding. Perfect for any occasion!
I love banana pudding. I love the creamy richness. I love the crunch of the wafers. I love the soft bananas. And the colder, the better. Give me all the cold, creamy banana pudding, especially during summer! When it’s summer, I’m all about cool fruit desserts.
While there are lots of delicious banana pudding recipes out there (who am I to discriminate against banana puddings?!), this is one of my favorites. It strikes the perfect balance between “easy” and “tastes amazing.”
This pudding uses basic ingredients, but doesn’t taste basic when you are done. So so so good!
Using Instant Pudding
There are recipes that entail whisking eggs, milk, sugar, and various other ingredients in a sauce pan to make pudding. I’m not complaining about those recipes one bit and think if you have the time and inclination, it’s a fun challenge to try at least once.
The issue is that it’s really easy to scorch homemade pudding, in my experience. Another issue is that the finished pudding requires four hours to refrigerate.
That’s why I’ve chosen to use instant pudding in this recipe. Sometimes I like it when recipes are a sure thing, especially when I have several people waiting for dessert!
Lemon Juice
Not sure if you’re aware, but lemon juice keeps a lot of fruits from turning brown – bananas included!
You don’t have to use the lemon juice if you’re going to serve this right away, but it’s a nice touch in making your dessert “look” nicer.
So that the lemon juice doesn’t affect the taste, place 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a bowl.
Soak the bananas in the water (in slices or whole) for about 3 minutes. You’ll have the most beautiful, non-brown bananas ever!
Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 (3.5-ounce) package banana instant pudding and pie filling
- 1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping
- 36 vanilla wafers
- 3 medium bananas, sliced and dipped in lemon juice
Your vanilla wafer banana pudding is ready to serve. Creamy and delicious with a little bit of crunch!
Get the printable nilla wafer banana pudding recipe below!
Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 3.5 oz banana instant pudding 1 box
- 8 oz whipped topping 1 tub
- 36 vanilla wafers
- 3 banana(s) medium
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and water.
- Add pudding mix and beat until well blended.
- Chill at least 5 minutes in refrigerator.
- Carefully fold in whipped topping with a spatula.
- In separate dishes, layer pudding mixture with wafers, bananas, and more pudding.
- Chill thoroughly – for about 20 minutes. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Nutrition
Happy eating! And be sure to visit us as we blog about style, food, and the things we love over at the Pretty Life Girls!
If you love this easy banana pudding recipe, you should also try the following recipes:
Cathy
Friday 27th of January 2023
The Nilla pudding I remember used no instant pudding. We made the pudding. this isn't the original recipe
Amy
Saturday 28th of January 2023
Hi Cathy! You're certainly welcome to make the pudding. These days people like shortcuts but that doesn't prevent anyone from following their bliss with this recipe! Enjoy.
D. Durand Worthey
Monday 18th of July 2016
Banana Pudding always conjures up fond memories of when I was a kid. My mom was the first person to introduce me to the joy and heavenly delight that is banana pudding. And her version is still the gold standard in my opinion. However, this recipe looks pretty solid and I may have to betray my mom's recipe and give this one a chance. Thank you.