Easy Banana Pudding
If you are short on time or simply don't want to make custard from scratch then this easy Banana pudding is the right recipe for you. It is delicious without being complicated.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
chilling time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
- 1 11 oz/102g Instant Vanilla pudding mix I use Jello instant
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 11 ounce Vanilla wafer cookies (like Nila)
- 3-4 large ripe bananas, sliced fairly thin *save some for garnish if you like
- 1 8 oz tub cool whip or other frozen dessert whipped topping thaw in the refrigerator
Make the pudding according to the box directions and put in the fridge to chill
Slice the bananas into coins about 4 mm thick (or your desired thickness)
cover the bottom of your casserole or serving dish with a layer of vanilla wafer cookies
spread with approximately half of the pudding, then half of the bananas in another layer on top. Repeat with cookies, then pudding then bananas (save a few for the top if you like)
Cover the final layer of bananas with the entire container of whipped topping and bananas for garnish if using (see note for alternative garnish), and cover and put in the refrigerator to chill for a minimum of 4 hours (to soften the vanilla wafers), or overnight
Just before serving, crumble one vanilla wafer into small pieces and sprinkle on top of the whipped topping (or alternatively use bananas), as a garnish,.
This is a quick and easy version of banana pudding. It tastes as good as scratch made without all of the extra work or expense (eggs are getting pricey).
Optional garnish*. Although some of the sliced bananas can easily be used as a garnish, they tend to turn brown, especially if you are making this the day before. I prefer to crumble an extra wafer cookie over the top instead. Either works great.
Optional flavorings
You could easily make this a tropical banana pudding by adding some toasted coconut and or macadamia nuts if you like. YUM! Keyword banana, banana pudding, bananas, chilled dessert, dessert, EASY DESSERT, pudding, ripe bananas