Banana Pudding from Scratch

Published: Sep 30, 2023 Last Updated: Feb 17, 2024 by Marye 1651 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

Homemade banana pudding recipe is made from scratch with lots of old fashioned flavor. Creamy vanilla custard, sweet bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers are layered to make a comforting dessert. Easy recipe.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Jump to Recipe

This classic southern dessert is homemade from scratch - no boxes of instant pudding or weird ingredients. Instructions for adding optional meringue are included.

Looking for something quicker? Try this Southern banana pudding with condensed milk.

A bowl of banana pudding with title text overlay.

Table of Contents

This is the best banana pudding recipe I've ever had!
🗝️ Key takeaways
🧾 Ingredients
📖 Variations
🔪 Instructions
🥫 Storage
💭 Tips
👩‍🍳 FAQs
📚 Related recipes
📞 The last word
📖 Recipe
Banana Pudding from Scratch
💬 Comments

This is the best banana pudding recipe I've ever had!

I have been looking for this recipe for a while. This is the best banana pudding recipe I've ever had! I've made many varieties of banana pudding. This one is amazing! I always use the variation of folding meringue in with custard and use fresh whipped cream in layers. It's so good!

Kim

🗝️ Key takeaways

This is the old-fashioned banana pudding with super creamy vanilla custard just like Grandma used to make.
Around here banana pudding goes on the dessert table for every, and I do mean every, occasion but it's always on the table at Easter and Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays.
Try folding the meringue into the pudding instead of putting it on top for a lighter, fluffier dessert.

This no-bake banana pudding recipe is homemade from scratch - none of that boxed pudding mix stuff, thank you very much!

Lots of fresh bananas, rich and creamy homemade pudding, and a serious amount of 'Nilla Wafers make this one of the very favorite southern desserts (like buttermilk pie) ever!

🧾 Ingredients

📖 Variations

Sometimes I whip the egg whites up into a stiff, sweetened meringue and then carefully fold it into the cooled custard right before putting it all together.

You end up with a lighter mouth feel with all the flavor and deliciousness of the pudding. Kinda like a mousse.

Try it that way once and if you don't like it just use the meringue as a topping next time instead of folding it in. Or, use the egg whites for something else.

Some southern banana pudding recipes use chessmen cookies instead of the 'Nilla Wafers.
This is the best banana pudding if you're looking for the classic recipe but try my Nutter Butter Banana Pudding if you're feeling adventurous.
Sliced strawberries, peaches, or raspberries are a delicious change from bananas.
Use graham crackers instead of the vanilla wafers.

🔪 Instructions

This old-fashioned banana pudding recipe is really simple to make - there's no need to use a boxed mix! Here's how, step by step -

Collage of images showing steps for making banana pudding.

Mix all-purpose flour and sugar then slowly whisk in evaporated milk.
Microwave on high until the mixture thickens then add a little of the hot mixture to the egg yolks whisking constantly. Carefully add the egg yolk mixture back into the hot milk mixture.
Cook until thick then add the butter and vanilla.
Put down a layer of vanilla wafers, then a layer of banana slices, and the warm, creamy vanilla pudding in a bowl or trifle dish.

🥫 Storage

Store leftover pudding in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.

I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: An old-fashioned secret to making the best banana pudding recipe is evaporated milk. I have tried half and half, heavy cream, whole milk, and combinations of those ingredients and nothing makes a pudding creamier than evaporated milk. You can substitute 3 cups of milk if you want to - but I am telling you the evaporated milk works best.

I don't recommend low-fat milk and I've never tried non-dairy milks. I try to stick with the classic recipe. It creates a super creamy pudding.
Dip bananas in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown. If you don't like the sour lemon you can dip the slices in 7-Up!
Cooking the rich vanilla egg custard in the microwave means that it doesn't scorch and is always rich and creamy. You can cook it on top of the stove if you want but stir it constantly!
Make this the day before you plan on serving it if you can. The cookies soak up all the flavor and it's just SO good.
For the best result use ripe bananas but not so ripe they're turning into liquid or mushy. They should still be firm. Save the extra ripe ones for banana bread.
You can save the egg whites and whip them to stiff peaks to make meringue for the top or just save them for another use.
Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip if you like.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Homemade banana pudding is even better the next day.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Why do my bananas turn black in banana pudding?

Bananas will darken when exposed to air unless they've been dipped in lemon juice.

How long is banana pudding good for after you make it?

At least 4 days if it's tightly covered and refrigerated.

Do you have to refrigerate banana pudding?

Yes - it shouldn't sit out at room temperature for more than an hour or two.

Why is my banana pudding watery?

Usually, it's watery because the custard hasn't been allowed to thicken enough when cooking or too much liquid has been used. It may also be watery if it's been in the fridge a few days and the bananas have started to deteriorate.

Two servings of banana pudding in bowls on the table.

Who doesn't love bananas? Here are some of my favorite banana desserts!

Southern Banana Pudding Cheesecake is a creamy New York cheesecake with big banana pudding flavor.
Nutter Butter Banana Pudding brings lots of peanut butter flavor to this version.
Banana Cake with gooey walnut filling is covered in a whipped cream cheese frosting that's light and fluffy. Best banana layer cake recipe ever!
Try this no bake banana pudding pie!

See more Desserts Recipes →

📞 The last word

Classic banana pudding is the ultimate comfort food!

It's one of those classic Southern recipes that finds its way to nearly every Texas table around just about any holiday.

As long as a glazed ham, some hot out of the oven rolls, and a creamy rich banana pudding are on the table it doesn't much matter what else fills it out.

Don't just make this for Christmas dinner.

Make it for that night when you changed a flat in the cold, found out you had the wrong size spare, and trudged three miles through sleet to get help.

Save this family favorite for a night when you want to watch a chick flick and cry. Save it for a night when the family is doing a 120000000 piece puzzle of Einstein's brain or playing Monopoly.

This easy banana pudding recipe is like your favorite sweats. Comfortable, warm, and cozy -not elegant or spectacular.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Originally published on October 14, 2014. This post was last updated on September 30, 2023, for editorial improvements.

Finished banana pudding in serving glasses.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them. She's been around the culinary block more than once, turning simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of wit, she makes cooking feel like a piece of cake (which she can also teach you to bake perfectly). When she's not conjuring up delicious dishes, you might find her sharing laughs with her family, reading by the fire, or scribbling down her next big recipe idea. Marye believes that a good meal and a hearty laugh are the best parts of life. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

Comments

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