An easy homemade Southern Banana Pudding Recipe. Rich and creamy homemade banana pudding between layers of vanilla wafers and fresh bananas and topped with an airy meringue. This makes the BEST banana pudding recipe! Always a favorite dessert!
Looking for more Southern desserts for the holidays? I think you’ll love my Caramel Cake, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Coconut Cream Pie recipes. They are delicious!
The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
Banana pudding is at the top of my list for banana desserts! I imagine it is one that immediately comes to mind for many. Here’s why I think you’ll love this recipe:
- Ultimate recipe. My recipe includes how to make the homemade creamy custard for the pudding as well as variations to make my no-bake banana pudding. It really is the only banana pudding recipe you’ll want or need! 🥰
- Easy, made-from-scratch recipe. You can not beat the flavor of this homemade banana pudding! This recipe is easy to prepare in just a few simple steps and is ready in 30 minutes!
- Simple ingredients. This recipe uses ingredients that you most likely already have in your refrigerator and pantry and can easily pronounce! It is made from real ingredients that you can feel confident feeding your friends and family!
- Impressive. This makes an impressive, beautiful dessert recipe!
What is Banana Pudding?
Banana pudding is an old-fashioned Southern dessert with layers of vanilla custard, vanilla cookies, and slices of fresh bananas. Fluffy, golden meringue tops my Grandmother’s traditional recipe. However, you can use whipped cream.
This recipe does not contain sweetened condensed milk and is made with wholesome, made-from-scratch ingredients! However, if you are looking for a recipe that uses vanilla pudding mix, I have provided that in the recipe variations below and in the recipe card.
Banana Pudding Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this banana pudding. I’ve included substitutions as well.
- all-purpose flour – if you are gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour option.
- sugar – the recipe uses granulated sugar for the pudding. See the common questions section below for a less sugar option.
- salt – just a pinch is all you need for the custard.
- eggs – you will use three whole eggs in this recipe; the egg yolks are in the custard, and the egg whites are used in the meringue.
- milk – use your favorite milk. I use whole milk.
- vanilla extract – I love to use my homemade recipe, but just be sure to use a really good vanilla extract.
- vanilla wafers – I love to use the Nilla wafers brand. You can use your favorite vanilla wafer or see my list of substitutions below.
- bananas – sliced fresh bananas give this pudding such an amazing flavor.
- cream of tartar – used in the meringue to hold shape. If you do not have the cream of tartar, you can omit it.
How to Make the Best Banana Pudding
This classic dessert is perfect for making for holidays, Sunday suppers, and celebrations! It is always a favorite! Be sure to watch the video where my Mama shows you how to make her mother’s delicious dessert! 🥰
Prep: Preheat the oven and chill the beaters from a hand mixer and a mixing bowl in the refrigerator.
Make the Custard: Add the dry ingredients to a large saucepan. Beat your eggs and milk together and whisk into your dry ingredients. Stir constantly until the custard has thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
How to Assemble the Banana Pudding:
- Arrange 1/3 of the vanilla wafers on the bottom oven-safe dish. You can use a glass bowl (as photographed) or a 9×13 baking dish.
- Slice bananas and place 1/3 of them on the vanilla wafer layer.
- Pour 1/3 of the pudding over the wafers and bananas.
- Repeat the layering process, ending with a layer of wafers.
- Top with meringue and bake.
How to Store Banana Pudding
Banana pudding will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Variations
- Banana-less Banana Pudding: Simply omit the bananas from the recipe. It is still delicious! This works great for those who don’t like or can’t have bananas!
- No-bake Banana Pudding: Top the banana pudding with whipped cream and omit the meringue. You will not need to bake!
- No-cook Easy Banana Pudding: Use 2 (3.4-ounce) packages of instant vanilla pudding mix, 1(14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in place of the custard ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, and milk). Use whipped cream in place of the meringue. Store in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.
Common Questions
Do you have to bake if making with the meringue?
Yes. Meringue is made of egg whites. It must be baked to be safely eaten. You’ll know that the meringue is cooked once the peaks have turned a golden brown.
How to know when the custard is ready?
Watch the recipe video for a visual example of how to know the custard is done.
Do you have to refrigerate?
Yes. You have to store the pudding in the refrigerator.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe?
This recipe is exactly how my Grandmother made her pudding, and it tastes incredible! You can reduce the sugar to 1 cup in the custard or use your favorite sugar substitute that was developed for baking. The cooking time of the custard may need to be increased to thicken the custard appropriately.
How to keep bananas from browning?
Bananas exposed to air will brown. Keep the bananas covered completely with the custard or pudding when assembling.
Can You Use Cool Whip?
You can use Cool Whip in place of the meringue or whipped cream. It will make the final dessert topping a bit sweeter.
Substitutes for Vanilla Wafers?
Use Graham crackers, animal crackers, or another similar cookie.
Here is Grandmother’s Southern Banana Pudding recipe. I know you’ll love it!
Southern Banana Pudding Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl oven safe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (297 g) sugar
- pinch (0.4) kosher salt
- 3 large (150 g) eggs, separated (you’ll need whites later for meringue)
- 3 cups (681 g) milk
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
- 1 (11-ounce) package (311 g) vanilla wafers, approximately 45 wafers
- 5-6 (575-690 g) bananas
- 3 egg whites, reserved from above
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.38 g) cream of tartar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 325º F. Chill the bowl and beaters for making the meringue (if making).
Make the Custard:
- Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large, heavy saucepan.
- Lightly beat egg yolks and combine with milk in a large bowl or measuring cup. Pour the egg and milk mixture into dry ingredients in heavy saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, until ingredients are thickened and smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla.
- To layer your banana pudding, begin by placing 1/3 of the vanilla wafers on the bottom of a 2 quart oven-safe glass bowl or baking dish.
- Slice bananas and place 1/3 on top of wafers.
- Pour one-third of custard over wafers and bananas.
- Repeat layering process two more times until all wafers, bananas, and custard have been used, ending with a final layer of the wafers.
For the Meringue:
- Whip egg whites with an electric mixer set at high speed.
- Allow egg whites to foam, add cream of tartar and then gradually add sugar one tablespoon at a time. Continue whipping until sugar is well-dissolved. Add vanilla once stiff peaks have formed and whip until well-combined.
- Spread the meringue over banana pudding, making sure to spread to the edges of the dish.
- Bake for about 25 minutes until the meringue is lightly browned.
Notes
How to Store Banana Pudding
Banana pudding will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Variations-
Banana-less Banana Pudding:
Omit the bananas from the recipe. It is still delicious! This works great for those who don’t like or can’t have bananas! -
No-bake Banana Pudding:
Top the banana pudding with whipped cream and omit the meringue. You will not need to bake! -
No-cook Easy Banana Pudding:
Use 2 (3.4-ounce) packages of instant vanilla pudding mix, 1(14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in place of the custard ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, and milk). Use whipped cream in place of the meringue. Store in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives, originally published 2011.
This is a very delicious recipe. The only problem is there is not enough pudding for a 13 x 9 inch dish. There is barely enough pudding for a 2 quart container, but it worked. If I were to make this recipe again, and I definitely will, I will double the pudding for a 13 x 9 inch dish and for a 2 quart container as well. If you use the 13 x 9 inch dish, you will need more than five bananas….more like 8 or 9 depending on how big they are and how big you slice them. You might need to double the meringue for a 13 x 9 inch dish, too. The meringue is absolutely delicious and the pudding is outstanding, but takes a long time to get thick, but it is worth the wait. Yum!!
I totally agree. I just made it, and barely had enough for an 8×8.
Howdy from Texas, Robyn. I’m going to make your recipe for Mothers Day. It is a request from my husband. ? I will have to use Graham crackers instead of wafers since I don’t have any on hand. I’ll let you know how it turns out. BTW my maiden name is Stone. ?Thank you for this recipe. It does bring back a lot of memories of my grandmother. Take care and God Bless You
Debra.
I love southern banana pudding with meringue!! Saving this one to try soon! 🙂
I hope you love it!
How long does it take to cool to set up after you remove it from the oven from browning?
I would love to make this for Easter this year…can it be made a day ahead of time? If so, should I wait to put the meringue on right before serving? Thank you!!
I tested this recipe last weekend before using on Easter dinner guests, and it was fabulous! So, I came here looking for the same advice…I won’t have time to make it tomorrow morning, I think I’m going to make it tonight and top it tomorrow. Hoping the bananas don’t brown too much!
I am going to do the same thing. FIngers crossed. I started placing my vanilla wafers in the bottom of the pan but it seems like there is only enough for two layers so I need to get back to the store 🙁 I used Kroger brand maybe they are as large of cookie or more in the brand name package.
My Southern Jewish grandmother from Mississippi made the PERFECT banana pudding as well as the crunchiest (and never greasy) fried chicken. In those days, no one worried about cholesterol…we would dine on these delights when she moved to where we live. It was pretty funny…Matzo ball soup, Southern Fried Chicken, Banana Pudding. What nice memories… I guess a box of Nilas is somehow going to make it on my grocery list soon.
I bet she had mouthwatering meals!!! And her menu of Matzo ball soup, Southern Fried Chicken, and Banana Pudding sounds mighty delicious!!! xo
My grandmother, mother and now me have all used a very similar recipe. I am totally going to indulge after i finish my cleanse. There really isn’t anything better than some homemade banana pudding fresh out of the oven accompanied by a cold glass of milk. So delicious.
Hi Jasmine,
I totally agree with you about warm, freshly homemade Banana Pudding – it’s a comfort dessert if there ever was one! And with a cold glass of milk…purely blissful! 😉
Thanks! xo
This was a staple in our household as well! I was born and raised in Mississippi and my fondest memories was the warm pudding for the first bowl and after a slightly different taste after it has been refrigerated. Both so amazingly wonderful. Cold or warm this is the best! I always wanted to take a nap after a bowl…:-)
You are so right, Fena! It’s equally delicious whether warm or cold – but each way has it’s own wonderful taste!
So many fond memories around this delicious dessert for me too!
Thanks for sharing, Fena! Glad to have you here!
This looks absolutely amazing and I need it in my life, Robyn!
It’s always been one of our favorites! Thanks so much, Julie! xo
Love this old standby, nothing quite like digging out those vanilla wafers and a nice chunk of banana all gooey with pudding. Yummy. I am hoping that perhaps you might be able to help me out. Several years ago I came across a banana pudding recipe that called for sour cream in the pudding. It was an especially good banana pudding. Unfortunately I didn’t hang on to the recipe and can’t seem to find one on line. Have you ever run across such a recipe?
I’ve not seen that one, Carla. This is the recipe my Grandmother and Mama always made, so of course it’s the one I love to make for my family. Thanks so much! xo
Hey Carla. I saw a recipe on here called sour cream banana pudding. I love sour cream so I would probably really like this but don’t think it could surpass this recipe in taste as it uses box pudding which just can’t stand up to yummy home made. Home made hot banana pudding is the best!!
I have tried blending cream cheese and condense milk together and adding it to the pudding mixture. I haven’t tried the sour cream.