These Banana Pudding Jars are layered with creamy banana pudding, vanilla wafers and bananas. They are served in mini mason jars and are perfect for picnics. It's one of the easiest and most adorable desserts you'll ever make.
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This is one of the best no bake banana pudding recipes perfect for when you need a last minute dessert. You'll want to make extra if you plan on making this for a picnic or for a crowd because it will disappear quickly. They're that good!
Making this dessert in individual jars is a fun way to serve them, plus the screw on lids make these easy to transport, and to store in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All you need are a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes.
- This no bake recipe is so easy and you can whip it up in no time.
- This is a dessert that is loved by kids and adults.
- Perfect for entertaining, crowds, and picnics with little effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Banana Cream Pudding Mix: I use the 5.1 ounce box mix for this recipe. You can also use vanilla pudding.
- Milk: The milk is mixed with the pudding mix to create a creamy pudding.
- Banana: You will want to use ripe bananas, but not overly ripe and mushy.
- Vanilla Wafers: I use Nilla wafers for this recipe because I think they are the best. You can use the mini wafers or regular size.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Whisk together the banana cream pudding mix with the milk for about 2 minutes. Let the pudding set for 5 minutes until it becomes thick.
Step 2: Slice the bananas. Place some pudding into the jar, then layer in vanilla wafers and bananas.
Step 3: Repeat the layers until the jar is full, then top with sliced bananas. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Don't have mason jars, or don't need individual sized desserts? You can absolutely make this banana pudding in an 8×8 or 9×9 dish and layer it the same way.
- Ripe bananas are sweeter and have a softer texture, which makes them perfect for banana pudding. They also have a stronger flavor that adds more depth to the dessert.
- Vanilla pudding will work in this recipe too if you can't find banana flavored pudding. The sliced bananas in the pudding will still be delicious.
- You can substitute the vanilla wafers with graham crackers for a different flavor profile.
- Add some whipped cream to the top to make it even fancier.
Variations
- Chocolate: Substitute chocolate pudding mix for the banana pudding mix and add sliced bananas and crushed chocolate wafers between the layers.
- Peanut butter: Mix in some peanut butter into the pudding and add crushed peanut butter cookies between the layers.
- Strawberry: Add sliced fresh strawberries along with the banana slices between the layers.
- Coconut: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk and add toasted coconut flakes between the layers for a tropical twist.
- Oreo: Crushed Oreos can replace the vanilla wafers between the layers, giving the dessert a chocolatey twist.
- Caramel : Drizzle caramel sauce between the layers for an indulgent treat.
Storing
Store these jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, sealed tight. I do not recommend freezing these pudding jars.
Recipe FAQ's
If you keep the banana pudding sealed in the mason jars, they will last in the refrigerator for a few days. Just keep in mind that the wafer cookies will soften the longer they are refrigerated.
You can! The banana flavored pudding will still allow the dessert to taste like banana.
Yes! Cover and place in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead of time. When you're ready to serve, top with bananas and cookies.
More Banana Recipes You'll Love
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Banana Pudding Jars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5.1 ounce box banana cream pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 1 banana
- 20 vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Whisk together the banana cream pudding mix with the milk for about 2 minutes. Let the pudding set for 5 minutes until it becomes thick.
- Slice the bananas. Place some pudding into the jar, then layer in vanilla wafers and bananas.
- Repeat the layers until the jar is full, then top with sliced bananas. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Don't have mason jars, or don't need individual sized desserts? You can absolutely make this banana pudding in an 8×8 or 9×9 dish and layer it the same way.
- Ripe bananas are sweeter and have a softer texture, which makes them perfect for banana pudding. They also have a stronger flavor that adds more depth to the dessert.
- Vanilla pudding will work in this recipe too if you can't find banana flavored pudding. The sliced bananas in the pudding will still be delicious.
- You can substitute the vanilla wafers with graham crackers for a different flavor profile.
- Add some whipped cream to the top to make it even fancier.
- Store these jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, sealed tight. I do not recommend freezing these pudding jars.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
Asiel Salameh
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