Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding from scratch is a quick and easy dessert. Rich and creamy vanilla pudding, combined with layers of crunchy vanilla wafers and perfectly ripe bananas. Easy to assemble and packed with flavor, this is a favorite at any gathering, potluck, picnic, or Holiday! Also try my Shortcut Banana Pudding Poke Cake for another banana dessert option!

The BEST Banana Pudding Recipe

 Creamy, flavorful, and downright amazing! This pudding is a Southern classic recipe and after one bite, you’ll understand why. The texture is spot on, just the right consistency. With layers of sweet vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and this pudding in every bite, you can’t go wrong. Plus, using only a few simple ingredients, you may never want to go back to the days of pudding mix! Make this ahead of time and allow to chill overnight so the flavors can all fuse together! Yum!

What is banana pudding?

Banana pudding is a pudding generally consisting of layers of sweet vanilla flavored custard, vanilla wafers and/or ladyfingers and sliced fresh bananas placed in a dish and served, topped with whipped cream or meringue.

The first mention of banana pudding seems to be from 1878 in a New York Times column called “Information Wanted.” As Robert Moss wrote in his article for Serious Eats, the first recipe appears to be from Good Housekeeping in 1888.

Since then, it has quickly become a Southern favorite recipe that is often served at parties, picnics, potlucks, and any Holidays! Creamy, refreshing, and flavor packed!

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Ingredients

Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this recipe. See printable recipe card below for exact measurements and step by step directions.

• Sugar
• Flour- feel free to use gluten free flour if preferred
• Salt
• Milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract- pure, not imitation
• Vanilla Wafers- you can also use lady fingers if desired
• Bananas- sliced, fresh is best

How to make Banana Pudding from Scratch

1. In a saucepan, mix the sugar, flour, and salt.
2. Whisk in the milk and cook over medium heat.
3. Allow to cook until thickened and bubbly.
4. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs.
7. Add in a small amount of the hot mixture to the eggs and mix.
8. Add egg mixture to hot mixture and return to heat.
9. Heat until a gentle boil starts, cook for about 2 minutes.
10. Add in vanilla and remove from heat.
11. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
12. In an ungreased 8-inch square pan, layer about 25 vanillas wafers on bottom, followed by half of the banana slices.
13. Pour half the pudding mixture on top. Follow layers one more time, ending with pudding layer.
14. Cover dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Allow to chill for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight.
15. Prior to serving, crush remaining wafers on top of pudding. Serve cold!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most popular questions I get asked!

Can Banana Pudding Be Made the Night Before?

Yes, in fact, that is probably best as that will allow all the flavors to really fuse together. If making the night before, simply omit placing the fresh banana slices on top and place pan covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator, uncover, and place fresh banana slices on top. You can also omit the crushed vanilla wafers from the top when chilling and place on top just before serving for an added crunch.

How Long Is Homemade Pudding Good For?

Homemade Banana Pudding, when covered and refrigerated, will last in for about 4 days.

How do I keep bananas from browning in banana pudding?

The bananas in the layers won’t brown since they’re not directly exposed to the air, but the Nilla Wafers will soften over time. The bananas on top will brown after a bit, which is why its best to place on top just prior to serving. Of course, browned bananas are not bad for you and do not taste any different, but won’t be as pretty as a look.

How to store Banana Pudding

Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Although you CAN, I do not recommend freezing this as it will lose the texture and consistency once thawed. Serve and enjoy within 4 days for best flavor/results.

Variations

• Omit the Banana- yes, you read that right! If you can’t have bananas due to allergies, preference, or health issues, simply omit! You’ll get a vanilla pudding treat that is still quick, easy, and delicious!
• Add Whipped Cream- for an added boost in flavor, you can spread a layer of whipped cream or even make a meringue topping before placing the crushed Nilla wafers and banana slices on top.
• Graham Crackers work in place of Vanilla Wafers or Lady Fingers.
• Boxed Vanilla Pudding- if you are short on time and don’t want to make homemade pudding, feel free to use boxed vanilla pudding and layer it with the Vanilla Wafers and fresh banana slices.

Tips for the best Southern Banana Pudding

• Use Nilla Wafers for the best flavor. I have tried using store-brand, lady fingers, and more and each and every time, I always go back to Nabisco Nilla Wafers. SO yummy!
• Feel free to serve warm as that is another classic way to serve this pudding. I prefer mine chilled so it can fully set up, soften the layers together, and fuse the flavors, but warm works great too!
• A fun way to serve this banana pudding is to layer it in a trifle bowl or serve the banana pudding in small jars.
• Use ripe bananas, if they aren’t ripe, the flavor won’t be as strong and the texture is a bit more firm.
• You can reduce sugar by up to 1/4 cup if you prefer things not as sweet.
• Don’t rush the thickening process! Trust me on this one, I have burned many of batches trying to cut time and I ended up having to start over due to burning/scorching the milk. Go slow, it will be well worth it, I promise!
• Make sure you add a little of the warm mixture to the eggs prior to adding eggs in. You don’t want to deal with scrambled eggs in this pudding. You want this step, so it brings the temperature up slowly.
• Don’t add fresh slices of banana until just ready to serve. Although this step is optional, be sure to add just before as no one likes the look of brown banana slices on this, right?!

More banana recipes to try:

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Incredible Banana Coffee Cake

Banana Bread

No Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Cinnamon Crumble Banana Bread