No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe

If you’re craving a dessert that’s creamy, sweet, and downright comforting without heating up your kitchen, you’re in for a treat with this No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe. I absolutely love how this comes together quickly, with layers of flavors and textures that will make you forget it’s no bake. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with complicated recipes!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for a handful of ingredients that work beautifully together to create that classic banana pudding taste, but with a little twist of creamy cheesecake. Make sure to grab ripe bananas and good quality vanilla wafers for the best flavor and texture.

• Vanilla Wafers: These make the perfect crunchy crust and add that nostalgic banana pudding vibe.
• Butter (unsalted): Melts into the wafers to bind the crust firmly without overpowering taste.
• Cream Cheese (low fat): Adds richness and tanginess that balances the sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Dissolves smoothly to sweeten the cream cheese layer without graininess.
• Cool Whip (fat free): Keeps the dessert light and fluffy, both in the cream cheese layer and atop the pudding.
• Jell-O Vanilla Pudding Mix: The heart of the pudding layer, making it creamy and full of vanilla flavor.
• Milk: Used to prepare the pudding; you can adjust for firmness as you like.
• Bananas: Fresh, ripe bananas give natural sweetness and an irresistible soft texture.
• Chocolate or Toffee Bits: Adds a little crunchy, sweet kick as a topping—highly recommended!

Variations

I love tweaking this No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe depending on my mood or what’s in season. This recipe is super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to make it your own!

• Use Greek Yogurt: I sometimes swap half the Cool Whip with Greek yogurt for a tangier, protein-rich dessert that still feels indulgent.
• Add Berries: Try layering sliced strawberries or blueberries along with bananas for a fresh berry twist that brightens the flavor.
• Chocolate Lovers Unite: Mix mini chocolate chips into the pudding layer or add a drizzle of chocolate syrup before serving for extra decadence.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free vanilla wafers to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

How to Make No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Crust

Start by crushing about a cup of vanilla wafers — I usually pop them into a ziplock and smash them with a rolling pin for a perfect crumble. Mix these crumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter until evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking dish to form your crust. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you get on with the rest.

Step 2: Make the Vanilla Pudding

Prepare the pudding according to package instructions but here’s a trick I learned: use slightly less milk than recommended if you want a firmer pudding that holds its shape better in layers. I usually use 2 cups of milk for 2 packages of the 1 oz Jell-O vanilla pudding mix. Whisk it well until thickened, then chill it in the fridge until you need it.

Step 3: Combine the Cream Cheese Layer

In a mixer, beat 4 ounces of low-fat cream cheese with ¼ cup of powdered sugar until smooth — this adds a lovely sweet tang. Then gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip until the mixture is light and fluffy. This layer is one of my favorites because it adds a cheesecake-like creaminess that makes this dessert feel extra special.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled vanilla wafer crust. Be gentle here to keep the crust intact. Next, arrange the sliced bananas — about 2 medium bananas work well — all over the cream cheese layer in a single layer. Bananas are the star here, so choose ripe ones but not too mushy.

Step 5: Add the Pudding and Topping

Pour the chilled vanilla pudding gently over the banana layer. I usually reserve about ¾ cup of pudding because I like thicker layers of cream and pudding, but you can use it all if you prefer it pudding-heavy. Finally, top everything with the remaining 2 cups of Cool Whip and sprinkle with shaved chocolate or toffee bits for a little crunch and elegance.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Pop the entire dish back into the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours to let it set properly. This step is vital — it helps the layers meld beautifully and firms up your dessert for slicing. When ready, cut into squares, serve cold, and enjoy the happy smiles!

How to Serve No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe

Garnishes

I often top mine with a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate or toffee bits — it adds a lovely contrast and a little crunch. Fresh mint leaves can be a nice touch if you want something green and fresh for presentation. Sometimes, I even stir in a handful of chopped nuts on top for extra texture.

Side Dishes

Honestly, this dessert shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a refreshing iced tea. If you’re serving it after a heavy meal, a light fruit salad or some citrus sorbet on the side balances the sweetness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this pudding in individual clear glass jars or pretty parfait glasses layered to showcase each element. I even tried it in banana leaves once for a tropical-themed party, and guests loved how it felt festive yet simple.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This dessert stores beautifully in the fridge. I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent it from absorbing other smells. It stays fresh and creamy for about 3 days — after that, the bananas might get a bit mushy, so best eaten sooner.

Freezing

While I don’t recommend freezing once bananas are involved — they tend to get watery and mushy — you can freeze the vanilla pudding separately if you make it in bulk ahead of time. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before assembling.

Reheating

This is a chilled dessert, so no reheating needed! Just let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it’s been in the fridge too long, so the flavors are more pronounced and the texture is silky.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe is one of those gems I keep coming back to whenever I need a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing dessert. I love that it requires no baking, is easy to customize, and always gets rave reviews. So next time you want something sweet but simple, I hope you’ll give this a try—you might just add it to your go-to recipe list like I did.

Print