This easy Banana Pudding Recipe has been a long-time favorite for our family! Don’t let the “easy” description fool you, this dessert does not skimp on flavor- it is amazing. It’s the perfect combination of vanilla pudding, bananas, vanilla wafers, whipped topping and an added tanginess from the secret ingredient- sour cream!
Unlike traditional banana pudding recipes, this recipe does not involve making a meringue topping. You can literally whip this recipe up in no time at all, and your family and friends are going to love it!!
How to Make Easy Banana Pudding
Mix up instant Vanilla Pudding per package instructions- (For the milk, do not use skim milk or 1% -the pudding won’t be as thick as it should be.)
Mix in the sour cream and Cool Whip (We use full-fat sour cream).
All mixed and ready to go! This combination tastes SO good even before layering!
Slice your bananas thinly.
Now for the fun part! Layer in a large bowl or trifle bowl your vanilla wafers, pudding, and bananas.
After adding the vanilla wafers, we used approximately 1/3 of the pudding, then bananas. We repeated these layers once more.
Then, we topped things off with the last layer of the pudding mixture…
Finally, we added another layer of Cool Whip (from our second tub). You could end the dessert with the pudding layer, but I love the swirly look of the Cool Whip (and you can never have too much Cool Whip)! I like to add a few last vanilla wafers as a finishing touch. Yum!
How Far in Advance to Make the Banana Pudding
I like to make this recipe the night before it will be served, or if I’m making it the same day, I’ll make it several hours before. This gives the vanilla wafers time to soften up, which makes it even better! This is a recipe that needs to stay in the refrigerator until it is close to time for serving.
Just look at this bowl of yumminess…
Easy and Delicious Banana Pudding

This Easy and Delicious no-bake Banana Pudding Recipe is the BEST! So simple to make and always a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 Box Vanilla Wafers
- 8 oz. Sour Cream
- Two Small Containers of Cool Whip
- 1 Large Package Instant Vanilla Pudding
- Milk (for pudding) Use Full Fat Milk for best results.
- 3-4 Bananas, thinly sliced
- *Large glass bowl or Trifle Bowl
Instructions
- Mix the pudding according to instructions and refrigerate to thicken.
- Stir in the Sour Cream and one small container of Cool Whip
- Layer the vanilla wafers into the bowl, followed about 1/3 of the pudding mixture, then the sliced bananas. (I repeated this again, and then finished things off with another layer of the pudding mixture. Reserve a few vanilla wafers for the top.
- Top things off with a layer of Cool Whip from your second small tub, spread to your desired thickness. Add a few remaining vanilla wafers to the top.
- Refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight so that the vanilla wafers have a chance to soften.
Very wonderfull.