Best Banana Pudding Recipe Ever!

Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Alaina Bullock

Banana pudding – it’s a Southern classic that has grown into an all-American family favorite.This old-fashioned banana pudding recipe is luscious and creamy and uses plenty of fresh bananas. Shredded pineapple and a layer of golden-brown marshmallows ensure that this ranks up there as the Best Banana Pudding Recipe Ever!

How to Make Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe

If you take a peek at the list of instructions below, you’ll notice that it’s very short and uses convenient ingredients. This banana pudding recipe could not be simpler to make.

And believe me when I tell you that it’s 110% better than anything you’d buy at the store too! If you’ve been looking for a genuine homemade banana pudding recipe, you have found it right here!

Ingredients You Will Need to Make Banana Pudding:

• vanilla JELLO cook and serve pudding
• Nilla Wafers
• bananas
• shredded pineapple
• mini marshmallows
• milk

Directions to Make Banana Pudding

Step One: Prepare Pudding Mix

• Prepare pudding according to instructions: bringing it to a boil over medium heat and stirring constantly. Once it comes to a full boil take the pudding off of the heat
• Stir in 3/4 can of pineapple.
• Place it to the side to cool.

Step Two: Slice Bananas

• Meanwhile, cut all of the bananas into small slices in a large bowl. I like to keep mine around 1/4″ in thickness.

Step Three: First Layer

• Line the bottom of an 8.5 x 11-inch baking dish with one-third of the vanilla wafers. 

• Then arrange half of the banana slices over the top of the wafers.

• Pour about one-third of the cooled pudding and pineapple mixture over the top of the cookies and banana layers, using the bottom of the ladle to help spread it around evenly.

Step Four: Add the Second Layer

• Begin a second layer using the other half of the bananas.

• Top that layer with a final layer of vanilla wafers

Pro Tip: stand some of the wafers up against the sides of the dish in order to make a frame around the edge. It makes the finished pudding look even better!

• Next, place any remaining banana slices on top of the cookies.
• Then pour the remainder of the pudding on top of the layers.

Step Five: Add Remainging Pineapple

• Using a fork, take the remaining crushed pineapple and spread it evenly across the top layer of pudding.

Step Six: Top with Marshmallows

• Top everything off with a layer of miniature marshmallows.

Step Seven: Broil

• Turn oven on to ‘broil’
• Place the pudding in the oven just long enough for the marshmallows to lightly brown.
• Once the top of the marshmallows has a lovely golden brown color, remove them from the oven

Pro Tip: This doesn’t take very long; maybe 45 seconds to a minute-and-a-half, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

Step Eight: Cool and Serve

• Lastly, let the marshmallows cool to room temperature.

And that is it! Now all that is left is to grab a plate or bowl and a spoon or fork and dig in!

Can Leftover Banan Pudding Be Stored?

Yes, take any leftover banana pudding and place it in an airtight continer. Then store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

I hope you find that this truly is the best banana pudding recipe ever. Go make it now, then leave a comment below letting us know what you think.