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    Home » Southern Favorites

    Easy Southern Banana Pudding Recipe with Instant Pudding

    Published on Mar 14, 2020 · Modified on Sep 27, 2024 by Kathryn - Leave a comment · 25 Comments

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    Layers of Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, and instant pudding topped with fluffy and fresh whipped cream make this Southern Banana Pudding recipe a hit.

    This post has been updated April 2024 with updated copy. I hope you enjoy!

    Worn Slap Out, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Each of your purchases via Amazon links supports Worn Slap Out at no additional cost to you.  

    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), and I'm the owner of a Southern food blog. I better get my Southern banana pudding right or else I'll lose my Southern card.

    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 absolute favorite.

    What's to Love About Southern Banana Pudding

    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.
    individual trifle bowl with nilla wafer pudding in it with other bowls of pudding in the background

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    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 Semi-Homemade Southern Banana Pudding

    Follow these easy steps to have delicious banana pudding ready in no time!

    Step 1: Whisk pudding, milk, and sweetened condensed milk together.

    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.

    Step 2: Make your fresh whipped cream.

    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.

    Step 3: Assemble the pudding cups.

    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.

      one row of 4 nilla wafer pudding cups with bananas in the background

      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?

      I don't love the way instant banana pudding tastes. 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.

      If you are a banana pudding lover though, by all means use instant 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.

      nilla wafer pudding in individual trifle bowl with bowl of nilla wafers next to 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
      • Easy Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

      Happy eating!
      xox

      kathryn

      As always, if you make anything from the blog, be sure to let me know! I love hearing from you in the comments on this post below or find Worn Slap Out on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

      Easy Southern Banana Pudding with Instant Pudding

      Layers of Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, and instant pudding topped with fluffy and fresh whipped cream, these Southern Banana Pudding cups are yours in no time.
      5 from 16 votes
      Print Pin Rate
      Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
      Refrigeration Time: 3 hours hours
      Total Time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
      Servings: 8 people
      Recipe Author: Kathryn
      Prevent your screen from going dark

      Ingredients

      • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
      • 1 ⅓ cups milk
      • ¾ can sweetened condensed milk
      • 1 cup heavy cream
      • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1 box vanilla wafer cookies
      • 4 bananas, sliced

      Instructions

      • 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.
      • 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.
      • In individual cups or bowls, 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. Decorate with more banana slices and/or vanilla wafers. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

      Notes

      **Store in the refrigerator.  It'll taste delicious the next day....but you'll want to eat it within a day or two! 

      Nutrition

      Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 0.3mg
      Tried this recipe?Mention @wornslapout or tag #wornslapout!

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

        5 from 16 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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        Recipe Rating




      1. Angela

        March 27, 2020 at 10:21 am

        5 stars
        This recipe is like a step back into my childhood. What a great comfort food!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:31 pm

          5 stars
          Nothing like a good, nostalgic dessert -- especially during these times! Hope you love it!

          Reply
      2. Kushigalu

        March 27, 2020 at 10:31 am

        5 stars
        How gorgeous is this. Something new to try for me. So delicious

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

          5 stars
          Thanks so much! Hope you love it!

          Reply
      3. Mirlene

        March 27, 2020 at 11:52 am

        5 stars
        This is perfect to be served for Easter or Mother's Day!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

          That would be amazing!

          Reply
      4. Dannii

        March 27, 2020 at 12:09 pm

        5 stars
        My kids love anything with banana, so I am going to have to try this.

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

          Yesss! Lots of fresh bananas -- and no artificial banana flavoring1

          Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

          5 stars
          Let me know how they like it!

          Reply
      5. Sonia

        March 27, 2020 at 12:43 pm

        I love making easy dessert recipes and this is just perf! I have all the Ingredients and can't wait to make it this weekend for my fam... it will definitely cheer them.up!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          March 27, 2020 at 1:29 pm

          Isn't amazing when that works out -- when you have all the ingredients you need?! 👌🏼👌🏼

          Reply
      6. Tara

        January 22, 2023 at 3:02 pm

        5 stars
        Oh yum! Such fantastic pudding cups! I love all the flavors packed into the layers and the whipped cream on top.

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 22, 2023 at 3:09 pm

          Thanks, Tara! They are my husband's favorite for this very reason!

          Reply
      7. Stephanie

        January 22, 2023 at 3:31 pm

        5 stars
        My mom used to make something similar with vanilla pudding, but I'm not a fan of vanilla pudding. I love banana though! I'm definitely going to be making this tonight!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:25 pm

          That can easily be done. Hope you love it!

          Reply
      8. Amy

        January 22, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        5 stars
        Love how tasty this dessert was! This looks absolutely scrumptious!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:24 pm

          Thanks, Amy!

          Reply
      9. Mindy Fewless

        January 22, 2023 at 3:44 pm

        5 stars
        I love that these are in individual cups! They were delicious!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:26 pm

          Yes! They're fun to make for guests or to bring to work (in clear plastic "nice" cups)!

          Reply
      10. Eliza

        January 22, 2023 at 4:08 pm

        5 stars
        The ultimate pudding cups! The sweetened condensed milk and soft whipped cream in the pudding take it to a whole new level. So good!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:21 pm

          Thanks, Eliza! Thanks for coming here and leaving feedback.

          Reply
      11. Wanda

        January 22, 2023 at 6:11 pm

        5 stars
        I made this recently for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Everyone was asking for the recipe - so delish!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:20 pm

          I love that you made these for a dinner party. Such a great and easy dessert for company!

          Reply
      12. Jill

        January 22, 2023 at 10:45 pm

        5 stars
        Love that these are in individual cups. Going to try them for a baby shower I'm hosting soon. Thanks for the recipe!

        Reply
        • Kathryn

          January 28, 2023 at 8:20 pm

          Yesssss, Jill! I hope you love them!

          Reply

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      Hi, I'm Kathryn!

      Welcome to Worn Slap Out, a Southern-inspired recipe corner for busy people on the go. As a mom of two littles who also loves food, I need meals on the table ASAP but I also want to eat well. Here, you'll find quick, easy, and reasonably healthy meals you can make in a flash. Other loves include Georgia football, cake of all kinds, and elastic waistbands.


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