Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Cups

Layers of Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, and pudding topped with fluffy and fresh whipped cream, these Semi-Homemade, No-bake Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Cups are yours in no time.

This post has been updated January 2023 with updated copy. I hope you enjoy!

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My husband is a banana pudding connoisseur. It's one of his favorite desserts (with Key Lime Pie and Meyer Lemon Tart also being at the top), so I've made him banana pudding all sorts of ways -- the hot kind, the homemade pudding route, smashing fresh bananas in the pudding, you name it. The man knows exactly what he likes though, and this simple, semi-homemade way is John's absolutely favorite.

What's to Love About These Banana Pudding Cups

What's NOT to love is the question!

• Uses fresh bananas. There's no fake banana flavor in these Banana Pudding Cups.
• Nilla wafers absorb the goodness. The Nilla wafers absorb the pudding the longer you let the pudding sit in the refrigerator, almost making a layer of sponge cake in the middle.
• Pillowy soft whipped cream. A generous amount is required because it's whipped cream, after all!
• Easy to assemble and looks beautiful. Get yourself a beautiful glass or plastic cup and you've got an impressive dessert for a crowd.

Ingredients for Banana Pudding Cups

• instant vanilla pudding mix 
• milk (I always use whole but it doesn't matter)
• sweetened condensed milk
• heavy cream
• vanilla extract
• mini vanilla wafer cookies
• bananas

How to Make Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Cups

1. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until smooth. Place in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
2. In a large bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, whisk heavy cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold in half into the pudding mixture. Set aside the other half for assembling.
3. In individual bowls or cups, line your bowl with wafers. Spoon pudding mixture on top, then sliced bananas, then repeat until you are nearly to the top. Dollop your whipped cream on top. Garnish with more banana slices and/or vanilla wafers. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at these FAQs before making these Banana Pudding Cups!

Where did you get those dessert cups?

The ones pictured are from Crate and Barrel and are glass. We registered for them for our wedding, so they're over a decade old. These glass ones are very close though!

If you're looking for something that's disposable because you're bringing it somewhere, try these plastic footed cups. They're smaller so everyone can get a little taste.

Why not banana pudding mix?

Banana pudding mix tastes too...fake. The artificial banana taste is a strange flavor, and in IMHO doesn't taste very banana-ey. I much prefer using vanilla pudding and adding fresh bananas. You won't miss it. Each bite you'll take will have fresh banana, making no mistake that this is banana pudding.

How far ahead can you make this?

You can make this the pudding mixture up to 3 days in advance and then assemble the night before you want to eat it for the perfect soft Nilla wafers. If you're short on time, I'd say the minimum time you want to stick the pudding in the refrigerator is about 2-3 hours.

How long can you refrigerate the pudding?

This pudding keeps for about 4 days from the time you make it to the time you eat it.

Other Fruity Desserts You'll Love

• No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits
• Blood Orange Upside Down Cake
• Easy Apple Pie with Puff Pastry
• Lemon Bundt Cake Using Boxed Cake Mix
• Cranberry and Rosemary Curd Tart
• Peach Upside Down Cake

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Happy eating!
xox

kathryn

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