The best banana pudding without bananas has layers of creamy instant vanilla pudding, cool whip, and Nilla wafers. No fresh bananas in this recipe.
I’ll show you step by step how easy it is to make this no bake banana-less dessert.
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Banana Pudding Without Bananas
Old fashioned banana pudding is just a classic summer dessert. Making and eating on the same day is the best way to enjoy it. Any longer the fresh bananas start to break down and become brown.
This recipe is perfect if you want no fresh bananas, just the banana flavor. You can also make it with a vanilla flavor only, with the ability to add in amazing flavors and toppings.
Check out this amazing Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding with a no bake shortcake crunch topping !!!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Pudding - Instant vanilla or banana creme pudding. Substitute homemade or stovetop cooked boxed pudding, if preferred.
Milk - Whole milk is best but 2% can be used in a pinch.
Whipped Topping - Any brand of whipped topping or cool whip will do.
Cookies- Any brand of vanilla wafers or Nilla’s.
How To Add Banana Flavor Without Fresh Bananas
If you love banana pudding but without the fresh bananas, the easiest swap is the vanilla instant pudding for banana creme pudding mix.
For even more banana flavor, add a couple teaspoons of banana extract or make this amazing 2 ingredient banana pudding crunch topping.
Mix In’s & Variations
It’s so easy to add flavors, mix in’s, and toppings to this chilled vanilla dessert.
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Spices - Cinnamon or Nutmeg
- Toasted Chopped Nuts
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Shredded Coconut
- Mini marshmallow or Fluff
- Nutella
- Cookie Butter
- Canned Pie Filling & Topping
- Dulce De Leche/Caramel Sauce
- Candy Bar
- Peanut Butter or Nut Butters
- Cream Cheese
- Condensed Milk
Try these No Bake 2-3 Ingredients Crunch Toppings recipes!!!!
Tips & Suggestions
Swap or substitute the vanilla wafers with chessman cookies, thin shortbread, lady fingers, or animal crackers.
Like soft and cakey? Make this pudding the night before so the wafers will enough time to become extra soft.
Add a whole box of Nilla wafers to make an almost no bake icebox cake. More vanilla wafers the better. Yum.
Make individual desserts in mason jars or disposable clear cups for a party.
This dessert is so good as is, but if you wanting to change up the flavor swap the vanilla wafers for oreos, ginger snaps, or pecan shortbread.
If using stovetop boxed or homemade pudding make sure it is chilled or cool enough to mix into the whipped topping.
Check out this amazing no bake recipes- Peach Cobbler Pudding, Strawberry Crunch Banana Pudding, and Fluffy Banana Pudding (Magnolia Bakery Copycat recipe) !!!
How To Serve Banana-less Pudding
You’ll want to serve this easy banana pudding without bananas at your next holiday dessert table, potluck, picnic, summer cookout or bbq.
Make sure this pudding is kept chilled and served cold. With a large spoon scoop out a serving into a bowl or dessert plate and sprinkle a crunch or crumble toppings.
Strawberry Shortcake, Toasted Almond, Chocolate Eclair, Nutter Peanut Butter Chocolate and Birthday Cake.
Make Ahead and Leftovers
I recommend making this recipe at least 3 hours or up to 8 hours ahead of serving it. The longer it is in the refrigerator the softer the vanilla wafers will get.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Grab all the ingredients.
2. In a large bowl mix together the instant pudding and milk. Make the pudding as directed on the box. You want it to set until nice and thick.
3. Fold in half the container of whipped topping. Reserving the remainder to spread as a topping later.
4. In a 8x8 or 9x13 dish add a few large spoonful of the pudding mixture. Smooth into a single layer.
5. Add a layer of vanilla or Nilla wafers.
6. Top with a few more spoonful of pudding mixture.
7. Add another layer of vanilla or Nilla wafers. Repeat the layer once more, about 3 layers of vanilla wafers all together.
8. Then add the final layer of the pudding mixture.
9. Spread the remaining reserved whipped topping.
10. Top with 12-16 vanilla wafers for garnish.
11. Cover and seal well with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours. I prefer overnight for the vanilla wafers to be extra soft.
12. Spoon onto a dessert plate and Enjoy.
Banana Pudding Without Bananas
Equipment
- 8x8 or 9x13 baking dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber Spatula or Mixing Spoon
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
- ⅔-1 11oz Box of Nilla or Vanilla Wafers
- 8oz Whipped Topping or Cool Whip, Thawed (divided into 2 portions)
- 5.1oz Instant Pudding, vanilla or banana
- 3 cups Whole Milk
Instructions
- Decide if you would like to use a 8x8 or a 9x13 baking dish. The 9x13 will require the whole box of vanilla wafers.
- In a large bowl mix together the instant pudding and milk. Make pudding as directed on the box. You want it to set until nice and thick.
- Fold in half the container of whipped topping. Reserving the remainder to spread as a topping later.
- In the baking dish, add a few large spoonful of the pudding mixture. Smooth into a single layer.
- Add a layer of vanilla or Nilla wafers.
- Top with a few more spoonful of pudding mixture. Repeat the layer two more times, about 3 layers of wafers all together. Then add the final layer of pudding mixture and spread the remaining reserved whipped topping.
- Top with 12-16 vanilla wafers for garnish.
- Cover and seal well with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours. I prefer overnight for the vanilla wafers to be extra soft. Enjoy.
Tracy says
Yummy.
Andrea Johnson says
Thank you, Tracy... It's so good.
Amanda says
This is awesome for those of us who don't like bananas lol
Andrea Johnson says
Right, I love just the banana flavor 🙂 Thanks Amanda.
Wayne says
How does this pudding get a "banana" flavor?
Andrea Johnson says
You can use banana extract or instant banana pudding. Thank you for asking.