Easy banana pudding is one of those desserts that brings instant joy to the table. Creamy, sweet, and layered with soft cookies and fresh bananas, it’s a dessert that feels both nostalgic and comforting. Whether it’s served at a family barbecue, holiday dinner, or Sunday lunch, banana pudding has a way of disappearing fast, often before the main course is even finished.
What makes easy banana pudding so special is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The silky smooth vanilla pudding blends beautifully with slices of ripe bananas and the tender crunch of vanilla wafers. As the pudding sets, the cookies soften just enough to become cake-like, creating layers that melt in your mouth while still offering a slight bite. It’s simple but never boring.
This dessert is also incredibly versatile. Some prefer a traditional version made from scratch with a homemade custard, infused with real vanilla and cooked to creamy perfection. Others lean toward quicker versions using instant pudding mixes, which still deliver that signature flavor with less effort. Either way, the result is always a crowd-pleaser.
One of the best things about banana pudding is how well it holds up when made ahead of time. In fact, letting it chill for several hours or overnight only makes it better. The flavors meld together, the cookies absorb the pudding, and the bananas infuse the dish with their natural sweetness. Topped with whipped cream or meringue, it looks as good as it tastes.
You can serve banana pudding in a large trifle dish, in a classic casserole-style pan, or even in individual mason jars for a fun twist at parties. Add a sprinkle of crushed cookies on top or drizzle it with caramel for an extra special touch.
Banana pudding isn’t just dessert. It’s a reminder of good times, family gatherings, and the simple joy of sharing something sweet. With every creamy, banana-filled bite, it delivers comfort, happiness, and a little taste of home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk 2% or Whole
- 2 boxes Vanilla Pudding
- 2 boxes Vanilla Wafer Cookies
- 4 bananas
- 2 container Cool Whip medium size
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the vanilla pudding mix and milk together.
- Add the Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and combine.
- Grab a rectangular pan or bowl.
- Layer the bottom with wafer cookies.
- Add a layer of bananas on top of the cookies.
- Spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Repeat layering with cookies, bananas, and pudding until the pan or bowl is filled.
- Lastly, spread crumbled cookie pieces on top.
I only had instant pudding, not “vanilla pudding mix,” and I think I used the wrong ratio of milk. Oops. Still tasty.
I’m not sure about using 2 boxes vanilla pudding. Mine turned out a bit thick and I had to loosen it with extra milk.
I made this once exactly as written and mine was like pudding bricks 😅. I ended up stirring in warm milk a little at a time until it loosened. Next time I’ll start with 3/4 cup extra milk from the get-go.
Yeah I agree—2 boxes can set up *really* thick. I usually do closer to 3 cups milk total (or 1 box = 1 cup) and it’s smoother. Your note about adding extra milk totally matches my experience.
I wish I could have make it with dairy-free milk…anyone try that?
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about using vanilla pudding boxes instead of making it from scratch… but it was easier than I thought and it turned out nice.
Love the flavor combo, but I found it a little sweet. Next time I’ll use fewer cookie layers or swap one box of pudding for a less sweet one.
I dunno… I’m not sure if bananas and pudding go together. Seems a bit weird.
I don’t get why people love banana pudding. This seems too sweet for me. 🤔
This recipe is so easy! My kids loved it. Will make again!!!
Made this for a family dinner and it disappeared fast. The texture is so creamy, and the layers look amazing.
Bananas and vanilla cookies? What’s not to love? 10/10 would recommend again!
I tried it and it was too sweet for my taste. Maybe less Cool Whip next time?
This banana pudding recipe is so easy and delicious! Everyone loved it at the party!
I gotta try this! Sounds super easy and perfect for gatherings.
Is it really that easy? I usually mess up pudding. 🤔
Bananas brown fast… wish the instructions said to slice them right before layering or toss in lemon juice. I watched mine turn sad real quick.
I tried this but my pudding didn’t set right. Maybe I did something wrong? Anyone else have this happen?
meh
I made something similar but used instant pudding—same vibe. The Cool Whip step makes it taste way lighter.
Love this! Banana pudding always make me happy. 🙂
My pudding turned out runny. I think I messed up somewhere. Not sure if I’ll try again.
Can confirm: layering matters. If you dump everything together it’s a sad casserole. Kept it cold and it was so good!
So easy to make!! You don’t even have to cook anything! 🥳
POGO!!! Good Stuff! My grandma used to make this for us! Nostalgia!
Wow, that’s awesome! Banana pudding really brings back memories too!!
So easy to make! Perfect dessert for a hot day. Will make again!
Yum! Can I use chocolate pudding instead? Asking for a friend!
10/10. Banana pudding is my favoriteeee.
Bro this is the easiest banana pudding ever. I added extra cinnamon on top and it elevated it a lot.
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about 4 bananas. Could be too much banana for the amount of pudding/wafer, but I like a heavy fruit layer, so I’d test it.
5 stars just for the simplicity. I don’t bake and this was like 20 minutes. I did let it chill overnight and omg worth it.
The measurements seem a little off to me—“2 boxes vanilla pudding” with “2 cups milk” sounds like it could be too thick unless the boxes are the small 3.4 oz size. Still might be fine!
Super easy and comforting. I always forget how fast vanilla pudding + Cool Whip becomes dessert heaven.
I don’t like bananas, but my family does. They loved it! I’m still skeptical tho.
I didn’t have Cool Whip so I used whipped cream—still good, but it wasn’t as stable. Next time I’ll stick to the recipe.
Too much whip cream, I think. Made it too sweet for my taste. 🙁
This is a classic! I love banana pudding, but I usually make it from scratch. Some people say it ain’t the same!
I get what you mean! It’s hard to beat homemade, but this one is super easy when you’re in a pinch!
Not gonna lie, I don’t love Cool Whip in desserts. But the banana pudding craving is real, so I’ll try it once.
The layering was fun, but I ran out of cookies halfway through. Next time I’m doubling the wafer amount.
This looks dangerously easy. I love banana pudding but hate complicated recipes—this is right up my alley. Going to chill it overnight for best texture.
Okay okay, but why not use chocolate pudding instead? 🤔
This recipe is so simple and delicious! My family devoured it in minutes. Definitely a 5-star!
I’m glad to hear you loved it! Banana pudding is always a hit in my family too. 😊
The instructions are simple but I wish it said whether to use instant pudding or cook-and-chill pudding. I used instant and it worked great.
Too many bananas! I like bananas but wow. Next time I will just use 2.
I’m skeptical about how the bananas hold up. Do they turn brown fast? Still, I’ll try and maybe add lemon juice.
Yummy! My kids devoured it in no time!
Not bad, but my bananas browned after a few hours. I probably should’ve coated them with lemon juice or something.
Yeah, bananas brown fast. A quick toss with lemon juice (or even pineapple juice) before layering usually helps a lot.
Interesting—mine brown too if I let it sit. I usually put the banana slices in right before serving or cover it tight. Lemon sounds like the move.
I followed the steps and it turned out okay, but it’s super sweet. Maybe use fewer wafers or less Cool Whip if you’re not into dessert overload.
I followed it exactly and it still wasn’t setting very firm—maybe my pudding boxes were smaller? Tasted good though.
I followed it pretty much exactly, but next time I’ll use less banana just because mine got a little mushy after sitting overnight. Still tasted great though!
Step 8 says “crumbled cookie pieces on top” — yes please. That crunch on top is everything. I’d probably reserve some cookies to do a thicker layer.
This Banana Pudding is soooo good! I added some chocolate chips and it was amazing! 😊
Chocolate chips? That sounds wild! I gotta try that next time! 🍫
I don’t know, man. Banana pudding with chocolate chips seems kinda weird to me. 😐
Eh. Too sweet for me, and the cookies got soggy fast. I like it more crunchy, so I wouldn’t remake it.
Totally get that—this is definitely more of a “soft dessert” than a crunchy cookie situation. If you try it again, you might just layer the wafers closer to serving or keep them a bit separate so they don’t go soggy.
YUM!!! 😍 This has become my go-to dessert for potlucks. Everyone requests it now!
I love banana pudding too! It’s seriously the best! 😋
Way too many layers of cookies and bananas—every spoonful gets messy. My kids loved it, but I’m not sure I’d call it “perfect” lol.
Is this really a banana pudding? Looks more like a cake. Not what I expected.
Mine turned out bland 😕 I think I didn’t crumble enough cookies on top. Also I used homemade pudding mix once and it failed.
Not gonna lie, this tastes like “classic banana pudding” in the best way. Creamy, vanilla-y, and the wafer crunch is perfect.
I dunno, this seems too easy. Can it really taste good? I thought real pudding was cooked? 🤔
Did I read correctly? Only 2 cups of milk? I think it needs more for a creamier texture.
My kids devoured it. The wafer cookie crumbs on top are clutch. 10/10 for a quick dessert.
Love this! The wafer cookie crumbs really make it feel special for such a quick dessert—my family would demolish it too 😄
I tried something similar but with instant pudding and it turned out great. Using Cool Whip really makes it lighter. Good instructions overall.
This is a classic! But why do people add whipped cream? I just don’t get it.
Banana pudding is life! 💖 This recipe is legit!
I dunno… sounds too sweet for me. Can’t go wrong with chocolate though!
Totally agree! Banana pudding is the best dessert ever! 🥳
So easy. I just tossed everything together like lazy banana pudding—still good, even if it wasn’t pretty.
Too sweet for my taste. I prefer a more natural flavor without all the whipped cream.
I get what you mean! I often skip the whipped cream too. Just use ripe bananas for that natural sweetness!
You probably could make it less sweet by not using all the cool whip. But that’s what makes it a dessert, right? Just gotta love a little sweetness!
easy & quick, but kinda bland for my taste. Needs flavor!
YUM!! my kids love it! Way better than store bought. Will make again for sure!
This recipe was so easy to follow! My kids loved it! Thank you, Tamika!
The layering idea is great, but my bananas got a little watery. Next time I’ll slice them closer to serving.
Not gonna lie, the layering is kind of messy. Still delicious though. I wish the instructions said to chill it for a specific time.
Made this for a family dinner—super easy and it tasted like the classic banana pudding I remember. The layers are everything!
Bananas? Who needs em! Just give me the pudding. 😅
Pudding is good, but u gotta try it with bananas! It’s amazin!
But the bananas give it flavor! 😂 Can’t just have pudding alone, that’s boring.
Perfect summer dish! I tried with almond milk and it was still great! 👍
Pretty good! But I added some cinnamon for extra flavor, highly recommend trying it!
Cinnamon, huh? Never thought of that! Might have to give it a shot next time. Thanks!
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about layering bananas with pudding. Mine started to look a little watery after a few hours.
Totally get your skepticism—banana pudding can get watery if it sits too long. I’ve found it helps to slice the bananas right before assembling and keep it chilled, plus letting the pudding set a bit before layering. Could also be the bananas releasing moisture.
Bananas turn brown too fast, should I add lemon juice? I didn’t like it after a day.
Yes, lemon juice can help! I always sprinkle a bit on sliced bananas to keep them fresh longer. It works wonders!
Good flavor, but my bananas started getting a little brown by the time it set. I probably should’ve mixed lemon juice or served sooner.
This is dangerously easy. I used whole milk and it tasted super rich, like bakery banana pudding.
Dangerously easy for real 😅 I followed it but my layers slid around—maybe I didn’t chill it long enough. Also I only had instant pudding, hope that’s the same? Still tastes good though.
Seriously so easy! I’m making this tonight—used whole milk too and it turned out super rich and creamy, like bakery banana pudding. Yum.
Cool Whip medium size… what size are we talking? 8 oz? 12 oz? Your recipe needs a little clarification there. Otherwise I’m afraid I’ll mess up the texture.
Good catch! I used one medium tub of Cool Whip—about 8 oz (or whichever “medium” your store labels). If it’s bigger/smaller, start with a little less and adjust so it’s creamy but not soupy.
I was skeptical about using 2 boxes of pudding, but it came out thick and creamy. I let it chill overnight and wow.
I don’t think using 2 boxes of pudding is right. Seems like too much! I did it with just one box and it turned out fine.
I made it and it got watery for me. I think I used too much milk or didn’t whip it long enough—still tasty, just not set the way I wanted.
I’m skeptical about using 2 boxes pudding + Cool Whip—seems like it could get heavy. Also, the measurements are kinda vague.
Bro my bananas turned brown after I assembled it lol. I didn’t think it mattered but yeah… still edible. Could be better if you add lemon juice?
Honestly the brown bananas are totally normal—oxidation. Lemon juice could help, but it’ll still taste good in pudding. I’d just toss banana slices with a little lemon right after slicing next time.
Wait… brown means bad though? 😅 I always thought you gotta use yellow bananas only. I guess if it’s still edible then cool. But lemon juice? Wouldn’t that make it sour with the sweet pudding?
Made it for a potluck and it disappeared fast. I wish I’d crushed a bit more cookie on top though—next time I’ll go heavier.
I made it too and mine also went fast. Next time I’m gonna crush more cookies on top like you said—maybe even mix a few into the pudding layer?
Love this—my kind of potluck dessert. 😂 Totally agree about the cookie topping. I always end up crushing extra, just in case.
I don’t really measure bananas like that. Sometimes I do “about 4-ish” and call it good. If it’s too wet, just add more wafers, right? 😅
Simple and honestly kinda genius. I used whole milk and it tasted richer. Next time I’ll let it chill longer so it sets up better.
I followed the recipe pretty much exactly—except I used 1% milk because that’s what I had. Still good, just a little less rich.
This is basically my childhood in a dish. The layers look so clean and the Cool Whip makes it super creamy without being too rich. 10/10 for a potluck.
I followed it exactly and it turned out good, but next time I’ll use thicker slices of banana. Too many got smooshed!
Made it but forgot to layer the bananas. Just a gooey mess but tasted okay.
You should have used more layers! That’s how good pudding is made. Guess the bananas really did get overshadowed. 😕
Haha, that sounds like my kitchen adventures! At least it tasted okay, right? Just call it banana pudding soup! 😂
This banana pudding is sooo good! My family loved it!
Okay but why does it taste like vanilla cloud? 😅 The layering is actually satisfying. I added extra bananas and it was perfect.