Banana pudding has been a staple at every family get-together and church dinner I’ve ever attended. As a child I was not a fan of the cooked version topped with meringue. I bypassed the pudding and went straight to cake and pie. Then, one magical day, one of my aunts made this cool, creamy version of a Southern-style banana pudding recipe. I’ve been a fan ever since.
Southern Style Banana Pudding Recipe
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it can be whipped up in around 10 minutes, making it special enough for company but easy enough to make any time. Here’s my advice: If your family thinks you’ve fussed to make them a special dessert, don’t correct them. Maybe they’ll clean up the kitchen for you. This is my hope but it never works at my house.
Cooking Tips:
- This recipe can easily be made gluten-free with one small substitution. If you need a gluten-free version, simply omit the vanilla wafers or use gluten-free vanilla wafers.
- The recipe can be prepared in one dish for easy clean-up.
- If you want to prepare a “fancy” version for your company, begin with a 9″ by 9″ baking dish. Spread half the pudding evenly across the bottom of the dish. Top with 1/2 of the sliced bananas and Nilla wafers. Cover the banana and wafer mixture with the rest of the pudding. Then top with additional bananas and vanilla wafers.
- Use instant banana pudding in this recipe. The cooked version does not work as well.
- Don’t use overripe bananas in this recipe. You want the bananas to be firm so they don’t turn to mush in the pudding.
- To thaw the whipped topping in a hurry, remove the lid. Place the whipped topping in the microwave on high for 10-15 seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Ripe Bananas -depending on how much banana taste you would like, use 3 to 4. I use 4 bananas in my version.
- Sour Cream
- Frozen Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip)
- Instant banana pudding
- Milk
- Vanilla Wafers–If you want an “authentic” Southern-style taste, use Nilla Wafers. I’m not sure why this is the brand of choice, but it’s a Southern tradition.
Substitutions:
- You can use low-fat or fat-free sour cream in this recipe. I use low-fat and can’t detect a difference in taste.
- You can use low-fat, fat-free, regular, or extra creamy whipped topping in this recipe.
- Use any type of milk you’d like; skim, low-fat, 2%, or whole. You can also substitute almond milk if you prefer.
- If you need gluten-free pudding, leave out the vanilla wafers or substitute a gluten-free brand. We often use Hanah Max “Original” Gluten-free Cooking Chips to give it crunch or Schar Gluten-free Vanilla Wafers.
Printable Recipe:
This recipe will keep up to three days in the refrigerator. (If it lasts that long!) Because of the sour-cream used in the recipe, this does not do well frozen. To store; place the pudding in an airtight container to help retain flavor.
Southern Style Banana Pudding Recipe
15
minutesAn easy and delicious no-bake banana pudding your family will love. It can be made gluten-free with one simple substitution.
Ingredients
2 cups milk
1 (5.1-ounce) package instant banana pudding
1 container (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping (like cool whip), slightly thawed
3 cups Nilla wafers (omit or use gluten-free wafers for gluten-free version)
4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
Directions
- In a large bowl, add the milk and the pudding mix. Stir until the pudding is dissolved.
- Add the sour cream and whipped topping. Blend well.
- Spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9″ by 9″ dish.
- Layer 1/2 the banana slices and 1/2 of the Nilla wafers over the pudding.
- Spread the remaining pudding over the bananas.
- Layer the remaining bananas and Nilla wafers evenly over the top of the pudding. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
I hope you enjoy this no-cook banana pudding recipe as much as our family does. We’ve made a Facebook Live Video of us making Southern Style Banana Pudding if you prefer to watch cooking videos. Note: Our cooking videos are not Tasty quality videos but we gave it our best shot.
What is your favorite easy dessert recipe that your family loves?
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Love banana pudding and I absolutely love how creamy yours look. I like the idea of using some sour cream to give a layer of flavor. I can totally eat this for dessert any day 🙂
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Banana Pudding is my weakness. I seriously could just devour the whole thing!!
I love banana pudding and could eat it for dinner! I never used sour cream in mine till a friend of mine make it with sour cream and crispy pecans and I was hooked. That tangy sour cream makes a great compliment to the sweet bananas!
Tell your aunt that looks amazing!! And it’s one dish- so easy! I have a few almost ripe bananas that will be going into this pudding tonight!
I love banana pudding. I have wondered exactly how to make it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Banana pudding is popular at my church. However, I’ve never attempted the pudding homemade before. I’ve always sued the boxed kind and then added my own twists. Love this and I bet it’s much better than the boxed kind!
I do love banana pudding. I haven’t had it for such a long time though.
Wow looks and sounds so scrumptious! My husband loves banana pudding – I’ll have to try this recipe for him at home!
I’m fascinated by this, because my Southern family looooves banana pudding – but this is completely, entirely different than theirs! They make it with a thick homemade pudding/custard and top it with either freshly whipped cream or a toasted meringue. No sour cream, definitely no cool whip. I guess there is more than one southern style of banana pudding!
Yum! That looks so good. I will definitely be giving this a try sometime soon!
This looks yummy. I am glad there is a gluten-free option.
Banana pudding is so good, I haven’t had it in such a long time! Would love to make some and enjoy some though, so good!
No bake, one bowl, you definitely know how to catch a mom’s attention. I think this dessert is a must try! I love that you can edit it to make it gluten free. I’m keeping this recipe.
Love banana pudding. it is one of my favorite desserts. I love that this pudding can be made instantly if one has all the ingredients ready at home. You got me wanting some.
I forgot out much a absolutely LOVE banana pudding! I love that this is gluten free also because we are trying to stay gluten free around here. Cant wait to try this!
Wow – that is one very creamy and thick looking banana pudding! Looks delicious! I love banana pudding – in fact, strange as it may seem, I always want banana pudding when I have a sore throat. LOL
What a wonderful quick dessert. It would be easy to keep a box of pudding on hand and the rest of the ingredients we always have around. Thank you.
Oh wow! This looks SO good! Banana pudding is one of my all time favorite! Yum!!
woah. bannaa pudding looks so tasty! i wanna try it!
Wow such an easy treat to fix anytime!! Looks yum!
This look so pretty. I love Bananas – I bet this tasted Yum…!!
Banana pudding is always a welcome dessert in my family. I would love to try your recipe, the Southern Style. It looks so nice and creamy in the photos. I am sure they taste wonderful too.
I just went on a road trip through the South and I really enjoyed the food. However, I missed this one. Looks delicious, so creamy.
Oh, I would love to make this. I’m glad this is so easy to whip up! I definitely couldn’t forget to add wafers!
My mouth is watering! I haven’t had banana pudding since I was a kid.
Yum, I haven’t had banana pudding in a while. Never tried it with sour cream…I have to try this recipe.
Banana pudding is one of my FAVES! But I rarely make it, so I definitely need to try your recipe! 🙂
I LOVE banana pudding and this looks fantastic! I love that you have come up with a gluten-free version.
Banana Pudding is my absolute favorite dessert! Love this gluten free version!!
Banana pudding was one of those things you’d always find at our family gatherings as well! I love the fact you’ve made a quick, gluten free version!
We live in the south, so banana pudding is a staple. I love it with the Chessman cookies from Pepperidge Farm.
This is my husband’s favorite dessert. I’ll have to try your variation!
I didn’t know there was such a thing as Southern Style…. but I NEED to try this! I love it’s so easy but I bet the sour cream gives it a little tangy kick that would be amazing.
I love banana pudding. One of those things that just seems to scream… comfort food. Delicious!
This looks terrific! It’s hard to find good, fresh banana pudding up here in the Northeast, I haven’t seen it anywhere local lately.
I know banana pudding is traditionally associated with south, but I love to make it. It’s so good! I had it on a trip we took down to Tennessee, and I’ve never looked back! Om nom nom.
YES! This Georgia girl loves her banana pudding. It’s a major staple down here in the south. There is no holiday or potluck where this DOESN’T make an appoearance.