Description
Creamy, no-bake banana pudding with layers of vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and buttery wafers—plus 3 secret tricks to keep bananas from turning brown! Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a fuss-free family dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium ripe bananas (slightly underripe for best texture)
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers
- 1 cup whipped cream (or Cool Whip®)
- Optional: Caramel drizzle, toasted coconut, or chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Prep Bananas: Slice bananas into ¼-inch rounds and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Make Custard: Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes until thick. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Layer: In a trifle dish, alternate vanilla wafers, banana slices, and custard. Repeat 2-3 times.
- Chill: Refrigerate 4+ hours (or overnight) to set.
- Serve: Top with whipped cream and crushed wafers.
Notes
- No Brown Bananas: Use lemon juice and slightly underripe bananas.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble 4–6 hours before serving for best texture.
- Substitutions: Swap vanilla wafers for shortbread or graham crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Southern/American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-cup serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: banana pudding recipe, no-bake dessert, keep bananas fresh, Southern banana pudding, what keeps bananas from turning brown