Jello Banana Pudding
Y’all ain’t gonna believe how AMAZING this jello banana pudding is! I’ve been making it for years n still get excited every time. The secret? Using jello pudding mix instead of doing everything from scratch – total game changer! Honestly the combo of smooth pudding, sweet bananas n those crunchy nilla wafers just hits different. Been making this since forever n everyone always begs for seconds. Keep reading cuz I’m bout to spill all my secrets for the most incredible banana pudding u ever had!
Why This Easy Banana Pudding Recipe Is My Absolute Fave
K so funny story – first time I made this jello banana pudding was when my sister-in-law sprung a last-min BBQ on us. Had like zero time to make anything fancy. Threw this together in a panic n guess what? Everyone went NUTS for it! Totally stole the show from the fancy desserts other people brought lol.
What makes this banana wafer pudding so dang good:
- Takes like 15 mins to throw together (no joke!)
- Zero actual cooking required
- Uses basic ingredients u def already have
- Tastes better the longer it sits
- Looks impressive even tho it’s stupid simple
My grandma used to spend literally hours making banana pudding from scratch. Love that woman but ain’t nobody got time for that! This version with jello banana pudding mix tastes just as amazing but takes like a fraction of the effort. Plus u can customize it however u want – extra wafers, more nanas, whatever makes ur heart happy!
What You’ll Need For This Jello Banana Pudding
Grab these simple ingredients n let’s make some magic happen:
For The Pudding Layer:
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz) jello instant banana cream pudding (the yellow box)
- 3 cups cold whole milk (2% works but whole is better tbh)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
- Tiny pinch of salt (sounds weird but trust me)
For The Layers:
- 1 box nilla wafers (off brand works too but nilla is best)
- 4-5 ripe bananas (yellow with spots – not green n not brown)
- 1 container (8oz) cool whip, thawed (or real whipped cream if ur fancy)
- Lil sprinkle of cinnamon if ur feeling extra
The jello pudding is KEY here y’all – don’t try using cook n serve. Has to be the instant kind. If ur store doesn’t have banana cream flavor, vanilla works in a pinch – just add a mashed banana to the mix for extra flavor.
Pro tip: if ur bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, put em in a paper bag with an apple overnight. Magic!
How To Whip Up This Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers
Listen up cuz this recipe for banana pudding with vanilla wafers is so easy u might laugh:
- First grab a big bowl n whisk together the jello banana pudding mix n cold milk super fast for like 2 mins. Arm workout alert! Mix till it starts getting thick. Let it chill for bout 5 mins to set up.
- While that’s doing its thing, slice up ur bananas. Don’t do this too early or they’ll turn gross n brown.
- Get ur prettiest dish (clear glass works best so people can see the layers). Put down a layer of nilla wafers on the bottom. Don’t be stingy!
- Add a layer of banana slices all over those wafers. Make sure they’re touching so u get banana in every bite.
- Pour half the jello pudding all over that goodness n spread it out.
- Do it all again! More wafers, more nanas, rest of the pudding.
- Slather the cool whip all over the top. Make it look pretty if u want or just dump it on – tastes the same either way lol.
- Crush up a few extra wafers in ur hand n sprinkle em on top so people know what’s inside.
- Hardest part? Waiting! Let it chill at least 2 hrs, but honestly overnight is BEST. The wafers get all soft n merge with everything else omg.
If ur in a rush u can totally eat it right away, but letting those flavors marry is like magic. Also if ur trying to impress someone, make individual servings in mason jars or wine glasses – looks super fancy but takes zero extra effort.
Wild Variations Of This Jello Banana Pudding Recipe
Wanna switch things up? Try these insane twists on the classic:
- Cookies n Cream Banana Pudding – Sub in oreos for the nilla wafers. Sounds crazy but it’s BOMB. Crush some on top too.
- Boozy Banana Pudding – Add 2 tbsp rum to the pudding mix. Not kid friendly obvs but perfect for grown-up parties!
- Peanut Butter Cup Madness – Mix 1/3 cup peanut butter into the pudding n layer with chopped Reese’s cups. My hubby’s absolute fave.
- Banana Pudding Trifle – Layer everything in a tall trifle dish with extra layers of fresh berries. Looks super impressive at parties.
- Cinnamon Roll Banana Pudding – Add 1 tsp cinnamon to pudding n layer with small pieces of cinnamon roll instead of some of the wafers. Total breakfast vibes!
- Banana Split Pudding – Add layers of sliced strawberries, crushed pineapple (drained!), n chocolate sauce. Top with cherries n nuts. Like the ice cream sundae but in pudding form!
Btw if ur a banana pudding freak like me, u gotta check out this BANANA PUDDING ICE CREAM recipe too. It’s basically this same flavor but in ice cream form n I’m obsessed.
Jello Banana Pudding
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Serving dish (preferably clear glass)
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
For the Pudding Layer:
- 2 boxes 3.4 oz Jell-O Instant Banana Cream Pudding
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract optional
- 1 pinch salt
For the Layers:
- 1 box Nilla Wafers
- 4 –5 ripe bananas
- 1 container 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
- Cinnamon optional for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together instant banana pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until thick. Let it chill for 5 minutes.
- While the pudding sets, slice bananas (do this just before layering to prevent browning).
- In a glass serving dish, layer Nilla wafers on the bottom.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas on top of the wafers.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Repeat the layers: wafers, bananas, then the rest of the pudding.
- Top everything with Cool Whip, spreading evenly.
- Crush a few extra wafers and sprinkle over the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best) before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Questions Everyone Asks About Jello Banana Pudding
Does Jell-O have banana pudding?
Yup! Jell-O makes this awesome banana cream pudding mix that’s literally perfect for this recipe. It’s usually right by the other pudding mixes in the baking aisle. Sometimes it can be hard to find tho – I’ve legit bought like 10 boxes when I see it cuz my family demands this pudding constantly lol. If ur store doesn’t have it, the vanilla kind works too with some extra real bananas.
Is banana cream pudding the same as banana pudding?
Nope, they’re slightly different! Jello banana cream pudding already has banana flavor mixed into the powder. Traditional southern banana pudding uses vanilla custard with actual banana slices. Using jello banana pudding mix gives u double banana flavor – from both the mix AND the fresh bananas. It’s literally banana overload in the best way possible.
How to make pudding from Jell-O?
Literally couldn’t be easier! For jello banana pudding just dump the powder in a bowl, add COLD milk (has to be cold!), n whisk super fast for 2 mins until it starts thickening. The box usually calls for 2 cups milk per box but I use a little less (like 1.5 cups per box) to make it extra thick for layering. Let it sit for 5 mins n ur good to go! Pro tip: if u whisk it by hand u get an arm workout while making dessert – multitasking at its finest!
How to keep bananas from turning brown in banana pudding?
Ugh this is literally the most annoying part of any banana wafer pudding! After years of making this I’ve figured out some tricks:
- Slice bananas RIGHT before u need them, not ahead of time
- Toss sliced bananas in a little lemon juice or sprite (sounds weird but works!)
- Make sure EVERY piece of banana is completely covered in pudding
- Keep bananas away from the edges of the dish
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface if storing
My grandma used to sprinkle fruit fresh (that stuff for canning) on her bananas but honestly the lemon juice trick works just as well.
How to make banana pudding without the bananas turning brown?
Best trick I’ve found for preventing brown bananas in jello banana pudding – layer them in the MIDDLE only! Put pudding on bottom, then wafers, THEN bananas, then completely cover with more pudding. The less air that touches them the better! Also u can use slightly underripe bananas (yellow but firm) – they take longer to brown than super ripe ones. If ur making for a party, u can also assemble everything EXCEPT the bananas, then add sliced bananas right before serving.
How Long Does This Easy Banana Pudding Last?
Real talk – in my house it barely makes it 24 hrs before it’s completely demolished! But technically this jello banana pudding will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days max. After that the bananas get weird n the whole thing gets too soggy.
Cover it super tight with plastic wrap pushed right against the surface (this prevents that gross skin that forms on pudding). Don’t even try freezing it – I attempted once n it was a watery mess when thawed.
If ur making for a party next day, my secret hack is assembling everything the night before EXCEPT the top layer of banana slices. Add those right before serving so they look perfect.
The Perfect Dessert For Literally Any Occasion
Y’all I’m not even exaggerating when I say I make this jello banana pudding for EVERYTHING. Backyard BBQs, church potlucks, Tuesday nights when I’m craving something sweet… it never disappoints!
Every time I bring this to a family gathering my cousin Jen (who’s like a fancy chef) side-eyes me cuz it’s “not homemade” – but then I always catch her sneaking seconds when she thinks nobody’s looking lmao. Even cooking snobs can’t resist this stuff!
Reminds me of growing up in my mama’s kitchen. She’d let me arrange the wafers in the dish which I thought was the most important job ever. Now my own kids fight over who gets to do the wafer layer when we make it together.
If ur looking for other amazing desserts to round out ur recipe collection, u should def check out this STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CHEESECAKE (tastes just like those good humor bars!) or this fancy FRENCH CHEESECAKE. For holiday gatherings, this CHERRIES IN THE SNOW RECIPE is always a hit. And if ur feeling adventurous, this SWEET CORN ICE CREAM sounds crazy but is legit amazing.
For something totally different but just as delicious, check out this gorgeous MARBLE CAKE recipe too.
Listen I’m not gonna lie – this jello banana pudding recipe might seem basic but it’s literally the dessert I’m most famous for among friends n family. Sometimes the simplest things really are the best! Tag me if u make this cuz I love seeing y’alls versions!