This classic southern dessert is homemade from scratch - no boxes of instant pudding or weird ingredients. Instructions for adding optional meringue are included.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- Easy dessert for any family gatherings or casual dinners.
- Super creamy vanilla custard like Grandma used to make.
- Make it fancy with optional meringue topping.
This old fashioned banana pudding recipe is homemade from scratch - none of that boxed pudding mix stuff, thank you very much!
Lots of fresh bananas, rich and creamy homemade pudding, and a serious amount of 'Nilla Wafers make this one of the very favorite southern desserts (like buttermilk pie) ever!
🧾 Ingredients
🔪 Instructions
This old-fashioned banana pudding recipe is really simple to make - there's no need to use a boxed mix! Here's how, step by step -
- Mix all purpose flour and sugar then slowly whisk in evaporated milk.
- Microwave on high until the mixture thickens then add a little of the hot mixture to the egg yolks whisking constantly. Carefully add the egg yolk mixture back into the hot milk mixture.
- Cook until thick then add the butter and vanilla.
- Put down a layer of vanilla wafers, then a layer of banana slices, and the warm, creamy vanilla pudding in a bowl or trifle dish.
🥫 Storage
Store leftover pudding in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe.
📖 Variations
Sometimes I whip the egg whites up into a stiff, sweetened meringue and then carefully fold it into the cooled custard right before putting it all together.
You end up with a lighter mouth feel with all the flavor and deliciousness of the pudding. Kinda like a mousse.
Try it that way once and if you don't like it just use the meringue as a topping next time instead of folding it in. Or, use the egg whites for something else.
- If you're in a time pinch use instant banana pudding mix instead of homemade vanilla pudding. Not as good as real bananas but it works.
- You could use instant vanilla pudding mix instead of the homemade custard.
- Some southern banana pudding recipes use chessmen cookies instead of the 'Nilla Wafers.
- This is the best banana pudding if you're looking for the classic recipe but try my Nutter Butter Banana Pudding if you're feeling adventurous.
- Sliced strawberries, peaches, or raspberries are a delicious change from bananas.
- Use graham crackers instead of the vanilla wafers.
💭 Tips
Expert Tip: An old fashioned secret to the best banana pudding recipe is evaporated milk. I have tried half and half, heavy cream, whole milk, and combinations of those ingredients and nothing makes a pudding creamier than evaporated milk. You can substitute 3 cups of milk if you want to - but I am telling you the evaporated milk works best.
- I don't recommend low fat milk and I've never tried non-dairy milks. I try to stick with the classic recipe. It creates a super creamy pudding.
- Dip bananas in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Cooking the rich vanilla egg custard in the microwave means that it doesn't scorch and is always rich and creamy. You can cook it on top of the stove if you want but stir it constantly!
- Make this the day before you plan on serving it if you can. The cookies soak up all the flavor and it's just SO good.
- For the best result use ripe bananas but not so ripe they're turning into liquid or mushy. They should still be firm. Save the extra ripe ones for banana bread.
- You can save the egg whites and whip them to stiff peaks to make meringue for the top or just save them for another use.
- Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip if you like.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Homemade banana pudding is even better the next day.
👩🍳 FAQs
Bananas will darken when exposed to air unless they've been dipped in lemon juice.
At least 4 days if it's tightly covered and refrigerated.
Yes - it shouldn't sit out at room temperature for more than an hour or two.
Usually it's watery because the custard hasn't been allowed to thicken enough when cooking or too much liquid has been used.
📚 Related recipes
Who doesn't love bananas? Here are some of my favorite banana desserts!
- Southern Banana Pudding Cheesecake is a creamy New York cheesecake with big banana pudding flavor.
- Nutter Butter Banana Pudding brings lots of peanut butter flavor to this version.
- Banana Cake with gooey walnut filling is covered in a whipped cream cheese frosting that's light and fluffy. Best banana layer cake recipe ever!
- Try this no bake banana pudding pie!
🍽️ Serve with...
If you want a classic southern meal serve this old fashioned banana pudding with:
📞 The last word
Classic banana pudding is the ultimate comfort food!
It's one of those classic southern recipes that finds its way to nearly every Texas table around just about any holiday. As long as a glazed ham, some hot out of the oven rolls, and a creamy rich banana pudding are on the table it doesn't much matter what else fills it out.
Don't make this for Christmas dinner. Keep it instead for that night when you changed a flat in the cold, found out you had the wrong size spare and trudged three miles through sleet to get help.
Save this family favorite for a night when you want to watch a chick flick and cry. Save it for a night when the family is doing a 120000000 piece puzzle of Einstein's brain or playing Monopoly.
This easy banana pudding recipe is like your favorite sweats. Comfortable, warm, and cozy -not elegant or spectacular.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Banana Pudding from Scratch
Print Pin Recipe SaveIngredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup flour
- 28 oz evaporated milk
- 4 egg yolks, room temperature and whisked smooth
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons butter, cut in chunks
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 12 ounces 'Nilla Wafers
- 2 tablespoons bourbon, optional
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Instructions
- Mix together sugar and flour.
- Slowly add evaporated milk, whisking until well blended.
- Microwave on high for about nine minutes until the mixture thickens, whisking every few minutes.
- Add a little of the hot mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly.
- Add the yolks back into the pudding, whisking constantly to keep the eggs from curdling.
- Put back into the microwave and cook for 2 more minutes, whisking a couple of times.
- Remove from heat and add the butter. Whisk until it is mixed well.
- Stir in the vanilla (and bourbon if you're using it).
- Add a layer of 'Nilla Wafers to the bottom of your serving dish.
- Top with sliced banana.
- Add more pudding and repeat the layers, ending with the pudding.
- Sprinkle the top with cookie crumbs before serving.
Notes
-
Expert Tip: An old fashioned secret to really rich puddings is evaporated milk. I have tried half and half, heavy cream, whole milk, and combinations of those ingredients and nothing makes a pudding creamier than evaporated milk. You can substitute 3 cups of milk if you want to - but I am telling you the evaporated milk works best.
- I don't recommend low fat milk and I've never tried non-dairy milks.
- Dip bananas in lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Cooking the rich vanilla egg custard in the microwave means that it doesn't scorch and is always creamy. You can cook it on top of the stove if you want but stir it constantly!
- Make this the day before you plan on serving it if you can. The cookies soak up all the flavor and it's just SO good.
- For the best result use ripe bananas but not so ripe they're turning into liquid or mushy. They should still be firm.
- You can save the egg whites to make meringue for the top or save them for another use.
- Top with whipped cream if you like.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Homemade banana pudding is even better the next day.
Meringue
If you want to use the egg whites for a meringue topping you'll beat them with ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until stiff. Spread them over your chilled pudding and then bake at 325F for 15 minutes, until the meringue starts to get golden brown.Nutrition Facts
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.Originally published on October 14, 2014. This post was last updated on November 30, 2021 to improve images and instructions.
Michelle Higginbotham
Going to be making this asap!! Can’t wait to try it.
Linda
Love that you've shared this recipe. My mom made this every Christmas when I was growing up. It's super yummy. It really is so much better that the box stuff. Also, my mom would make a homemade pie crust, do the layers, ending with the pudding and simply top it with whipped cream. 😋 I'm looking forward to making this soon. I actually have bananas this go around😁 uhm, my only question that I have is; Do you know if this will freeze. I'll be the only one eating it.
Marye
Aww thanks! I'm sorry - it does not freeze well at all.
Addison
The evaporated milk, sugar, and flour mixture cause a huge mess in the microwave even with a cover 1/5 do not recommend.
Marye
You need to have a large bowl so when it cooks it doesn't spill over. You need to watch it and stir down when necessary. AND you never ever cover it. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
Kim M.
I have been looking for this recipe for awhile. This is the best banana pudding recipe I've ever had! I've made many varieties of banana pudding. This one is amazing! I always use the variation of folding meringue in with custard and use fresh whipped cream in layers. It's so good!
Marye
Thanks Kim! So glad you like it!
Richard P
Great, Great Banana Pudding, I live in Mississippi and we ALL love Banana Pudding. The evaporated milk does make a richer pudding ans the optional bourbon is the little something something that when your eating it your trying to figure out what it is (That is if your not the one who made it)
Marye
Definitely!
Marye Audet
I know! No control here either...
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Would it be too corny to say that I'm bananas over your banana pudding?! I'm now dying for this! I have some fabulous ginger cookies that would work well with this! I think tomorrow is the day 😉 Pinning - yum!
Marye Audet
LOL! Ginger cookies would be amazing
Emily
This looks amazing! I love bananas and I love bread pudding so I don't see how I could wrong with this recipe!
Marye Audet
🙂
Allie
Love homemade banana pudding Marye, this looks incredible!
Marye Audet
Thank you Allie!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
That's my childhood right there in that bowl. Great memories happy to have your recipe.
Marye Audet
Thanks Michelle! I love it!
Jordan Anderson
Banana pudding was pretty much a staple at every church potluck supper I went to in Arkansas, as well. And, we could always tell who'd been cooking from a box. 🙂
Marye Audet
Yep! LOL!
Florian @ContentednessCooking
Such a lovely breakfast idea!
Marye Audet
🙂
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
This looks SO delicious! Banana pudding is always a favorite!
Marye Audet
Thanks Ashley!
Heather Kinnaird
easily, one of my all time favorite dessert! and of course homemade is always best!!
Marye Audet
Totally! I love this stuff!
Heather | girlichef
I loooooove warm, homemade banana pudding. Like - too much. It kind of brings me to tears a little, it's so good. I'm totally digging those caramelized banana slices. I need some. Like, NOW.
Krystle (Baking Beauty)
I heart banana pudding and vanilla wafers. This looks super yummy!
Linda Cleary
I love this recipe! I rarely use the microwave, so I just cooked it stovetop like a regular pudding, low and slow! Thanks Marye!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
Never knew I could make my own banana pudding with out the help of a box. Totally need to make this for my kiddos. They would love it! Pinned!
Regina
Yummy, My Grandmother used to make homemade Banana pudding AND Vanilla wafers…This brings back multiple memories:)