Southern Style Banana Pudding Recipe Easy Homemade 5-Ingredient Dessert
A creamy, dreamy Southern style banana pudding made with just five simple ingredients, perfect for a nostalgic and fuss-free dessert that pleases both kids and adults.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups (720 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup (305 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 4–5 medium ripe but firm bananas
- About 60 vanilla wafers
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 3 cups (720 ml) of milk until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in 1 cup (305 g) of sweetened condensed milk and whisk again until fully incorporated.
- Peel and slice 4-5 ripe but firm bananas into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) thick rounds. Set aside.
- Spread a thin layer of pudding on the bottom of a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) dish.
- Add a layer of vanilla wafers, about one-third of the total wafers.
- Arrange roughly half of the banana slices over the wafers.
- Pour about one-third of the pudding over the bananas and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Add another layer of wafers, followed by the remaining banana slices, and top with the remaining pudding.
- Finish with a final layer of wafers if any remain.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Notes
Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid mushiness. Chill overnight for best flavor and texture. Customize with bourbon, cinnamon, or whipped cream if desired. For dairy-free, substitute milk and condensed milk with plant-based alternatives. Gluten-free options available by using gluten-free wafers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the prepared
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Protein: 3
Keywords: banana pudding, southern dessert, easy dessert, 5-ingredient dessert, vanilla pudding, banana dessert