Have the most blissful banana experience with this easy banana cream pie recipe made up of delicious banana flavor from layers for instant pudding, lots of banana slices, and an easy whipped cream topping.
Using fresh bananas and simple ingredients is the best way to make the best banana cream pie. It is the best no-bake pie recipe that is perfect for any special occasion. Quick desserts like this should be at the top of your favorite pies list, you can get the best results with only a few minutes of prep, and is probably one of the easiest pie recipes you will make this spring.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our banana cream pie, you need the following ingredients:
- Crust: use a pre-made graham cracker pie crust from the grocery store normally found in the baking section by the pudding
- Fruit: you will need to use fresh just barely ripe bananas
- Pudding: you will need to use a box of Jello vanilla instant pudding (banana pudding could work as well)
- Milk: use whole milk or whatever milk you have on hand, just be sure it is very cold
- Cookies: vanilla wafer cookies add the best texture for in between the pudding layers
- Cool Whip: cool whipped topping from the freezer section, but be sure to thaw the whipped cream ahead of time
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Banana Cream Pie
- In a large bowl, mix together vanilla pudding mix with milk. Set in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes until it sets up.
- Once your pudding has set, grab your pie crust and begin assembling your pie.
- Line the bottom of the pie crust with banana slices, then spread half of the pudding mixture on top. Place a layer of vanilla wafers on top of pudding, then add the rest of the pudding on top of the cookies. Spread the remaining banana slices on the pudding, then top with Cool Whip.
- Place pie in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving to let it set up.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Fridge: Cover the pie with plastic storage wrap and then aluminum foil on top and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like you can make your own homemade graham cracker crust. You won’t need to blind-bake it ahead of time. Just be sure to mix all fo the fine crumbs with the melted butter and put it in the fridge for 10 minutes before you start adding the Nilla wafers to the buttery pie crust.
To stop the bananas from browning (aka the oxidation process) you can chop up the bananas and then spray some lemon juice over the sliced bananas slightly. You don’t want to use a ton or you will only get the lemon flavor in this banana pie.
While many homemade cream pies might need you to bake the traditional p.ie crust, not this easy banana cream pie recipe.
You will use a store-bought crust, meaning you won’t be using a baked pie crust at all.
Using a mixture of instant pudding and graham cracker pie crust, there will be no need to bake this pie at all.
Enjoy More Delicious Pie Recipes
Pies and tarts are perfect for any occasion. Check out our comprehensive list of pie and tart recipes!
- Creamy Key Lime Pie
- Creamy Lemon Pie
- Homemade Buttermilk Pie
- No Bake Coconut Cream Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Peppermint Crunch Ice Cream Pie
- Sweet Potato Pie
Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
- 1 (9 inch) pre-made graham cracker pie crust
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box Jello vanilla instant pudding, (could also use banana cream pudding)
- 2 cup milk
- 25 vanilla wafer cookies
- 8 ounces Cool Whip frozen whipped topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together vanilla pudding mix with milk. Set in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes until it sets up.
- Once your pudding has set, grab your pie crust and begin assembling your pie.
- Line the bottom of the pie crust with banana slices, then spread half of the pudding mixture on top. Place a layer of vanilla wafers on top of pudding, then add the rest of the pudding on top of the cookies. Spread the remaining banana slices on the pudding, then top with Cool Whip.
- Place pie in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving to let it set up.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Ok, I seriously need to drop by less times than I do, or I’ll put on some serious weight! You always leave me mouthwatering!!!
Oh no!!!Another yummy dessert…I’m going to have to start running more! Thanks ladies!
This looks way too good! I’ll have to try it sometime! Yum!
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
I just read Hayley’s comment and laughed. You just haven’t had the right crust! 🙂 Love this pie!
YUM! I can’t wait to make this for my husband- banana pudding is his favorite dessert and this looks like banana pudding in pie form 🙂
My hubby loves banana pie and this looks so decadent. A must try.
That looks and sounds super yummy.
Sure looks good and to save my marriage I would eat it. 😉
I made this dessert and it was great. I did modify the recipe slightly. I’m not sure the servings you planned for this recipe, but I found that a whole box of nilla wafers (11oz.) made 2 9in pies. I left out the powdered sugar to decrease the sugar. I used vanilla pudding with bananas mixed in because I personally think banana pudding can taste artificial. My only criticism is that I think the cream cheese layer was too thick and the pudding layer was too thin, I would adjust this next time I make it. Thank you for the recipe it was a big hit with my husband and at work.
I think it will be delicious with or without cream cheese and the nilla wafers sound delicious and i have often thought of them in that manner but just wasn’t sure as how to incorperate them!! Now Thanks For Your Suggestion’s !!!
Best Regards Joy 🙂
Hi Rosie, we are so sorry for the trouble! I went ahead and updated your email address. You should receive a confirmation email. If you’re not seeing it in your inbox, be sure to check your spam folder and mark our address as “safe” so they will appear in your inbox in the future.
An even better choice is to forget the nasty cool whip and use 2 boxes of instant banana pudding and mix it with 2 cups half and half and 2 cups of whipping cream. Blend until set and layer with bananas in a graham cracker crust. Let set in the frig for a couple hours.
This recipe comes from a restaurant that has been in our area for 40 years.
Very easy, rich and delicious!!!
Hi there,
Should I use whole milk in this recipe or can I use 2%….Thanks!
Either will work just fine. So use what you have on hand.
I just found what i was looking for, it just popped up while scrolling. Anyway im glad it did. I usually follow you fot Instant pot ideas. And love them.Today im going to be making a banana cream pie. And your reciepe has exactly everything i have. Or need to get. But it will be made tonight. Thanks again. 🤗….
Saturday March 6th…….
This looks fabulous! But hubby only likes the flavor of bananas not the real fruit in the dessert. Therefore, I’m going to make it without the bananas. I hope it still taste delicious.
Can you make this a couple days ahead of time or will the bananas go bad?
Banana cream pie is not made ahead of time very well because of the banana issue.
Great recipe! My family grew up eating banana cream pie on an Oreo crust so I swapped out the Nilla Wafers for Oreos and it was delicious! Bananas + chocolate…yum! I also prefer vanilla pudding over banana pudding so I used that instead and doubled the amount, as suggested in another comment.