The Ultimate Easy Vegan Banana Pudding Recipe: A Dairy-Free Southern Delight
Get ready to fall in love with this incredible vegan banana pudding! It’s an irresistibly creamy and rich dessert, meticulously crafted with luscious layers of velvety pudding, perfectly sliced ripe bananas, crunchy yet tender vanilla wafers, and a generous topping of light and fluffy whipped cream. The best part? You only need 7 simple, readily available ingredients to whip up this plant-based masterpiece, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
Banana pudding stands as an iconic cornerstone of Southern dessert tradition, a comforting classic cherished by many. However, the conventional recipe often relies heavily on dairy products—think generous amounts of milk, a rich pudding base, and a crown of whipped cream. Some traditional scratch-made puddings even incorporate eggs, rendering them unsuitable for those following a vegan or dairy-free lifestyle. But fear not, dessert lovers! Embracing a plant-based diet doesn’t mean you have to bid farewell to this beloved old-fashioned treat. With just a few clever and simple ingredient substitutions, you can effortlessly create a vegan banana pudding at home that rivals its traditional counterpart in every aspect of richness and creamy texture.
Seriously, friends, this recipe delivers a vegan banana pudding that tastes exactly like the classic version you know and adore. Imagine: a sumptuously silky, banana-infused pudding forming the base, artfully layered with soft vanilla wafers that absorb just the right amount of moisture from the pudding, and vibrant slices of fresh bananas. Don’t you just appreciate how the pudding transforms those crisp cookies into melt-in-your-mouth delights? And to top it all off, a cloud of fluffy vegan whipped cream, garnished with delicate, crisp bits of wafers and a few extra banana slices for that perfect visual and textural finish. Oh, absolutely yes!
This dessert truly embodies perfection for warmer weather, offering a cool, creamy, and subtly tropical escape. It’s not only incredibly refreshing but also surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring minimal effort and calling for a concise list of only 7 essential ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, looking for a comforting family dessert, or simply craving something sweet and satisfying, this vegan banana pudding is sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection.
Notes on Essential Ingredients for Vegan Banana Pudding
Crafting the perfect vegan banana pudding begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired creamy texture and authentic flavor. Below, you’ll find detailed notes to guide you, ensuring your dessert is nothing short of spectacular. For precise quantities and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down.
- Cook & Serve Vanilla Pudding: This is a key swap for traditional pudding mixes. Ensure you choose a “cook and serve” variety, as instant puddings often contain dairy or other non-vegan ingredients. Brands like Jell-O’s “Cook & Serve” vanilla pudding are typically gluten-free and vegan-friendly, while 365 Everyday Value also offers a vegan vanilla pudding option. Always double-check the ingredient list for hidden animal products to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences.
- Cornstarch: Essential for achieving the perfect pudding consistency. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, giving the pudding its silky, rich texture without the need for eggs. It helps to ensure your pudding sets beautifully and holds its shape in those delightful layers.
- Non-dairy milk: The foundation of our creamy pudding. For the best flavor profile that allows the banana and vanilla to shine, opt for an unflavored, unsweetened variety. Almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk are excellent choices. Each might impart a slightly different subtle nuance to the pudding, so feel free to experiment with your favorite. Coconut milk can add an extra tropical dimension if you desire, but ensure it’s the lighter, drinkable kind, not canned full-fat coconut milk which can be too rich.
- Vanilla extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract is vital for enhancing the overall flavor of the pudding, complementing the natural sweetness of the bananas and the wafers. Use a high-quality extract for the best results, as it truly makes a difference in the finished dessert.
- Vegan vanilla wafers: These classic cookies are indispensable for authentic banana pudding. While traditional vanilla wafers often contain dairy or eggs, several brands now offer vegan alternatives. 365 Everyday Value vanilla wafers are a reliable vegan choice. If you can’t find vegan wafers, you can explore other plant-based cookie options like simple shortbread cookies or even vegan graham crackers for a slightly different, but still delicious, twist.
- Bananas: The star of the show! For optimal flavor and texture, select ripe but still firm bananas. They should be vibrant yellow with perhaps a few small brown spots, indicating sweetness without being overly mushy. Overly green bananas lack sweetness, while excessively brown ones can become too soft and oxidize very quickly.
- Vegan whipped cream: The crowning glory of this dessert. A tub of store-bought vegan whipped topping (often made from coconut, almond, or soy milk) is incredibly convenient and works perfectly here. Brands like So Delicious or Truwhip Vegan offer excellent, fluffy options. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also make your own whipped cream from chilled full-fat coconut cream for an extra homemade touch.
What Keeps Bananas from Turning Brown in Banana Pudding?
The natural browning of bananas, known as oxidation, can be a common concern in banana pudding. Unfortunately, it’s quite challenging to prevent bananas from turning brown completely, especially when exposed to air. However, there are effective strategies to significantly slow down this process and keep your pudding looking fresh for longer.
Bananas brown fastest when their surfaces are exposed to oxygen. This means the banana slices layered in the middle of your pudding, fully encased by the thick, creamy pudding, should remain appealingly light for several days. The bananas on the very top, however, are more susceptible to air exposure. To mitigate this, consider using firm, just-barely-ripe bananas for the top layer. Their flesh is denser and contains less sugar, which can slow down browning. A clever trick is to lightly brush these visible banana slices with a touch of acidic fruit juice, such as orange or pineapple juice. These juices contain ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), a natural antioxidant that inhibits the enzymes responsible for browning. While lemon juice also works effectively, orange or pineapple juice tends to complement the overall tropical and sweet flavors of banana pudding more harmoniously.
Even if some bananas do eventually develop a slight brown hue, rest assured that they are still perfectly safe and delicious to eat. The flavor won’t be compromised, and the pudding will remain a delightful treat.
How to Make Easy Vegan Banana Pudding
Creating this delicious vegan banana pudding is wonderfully straightforward, requiring no advanced culinary skills or complicated techniques. It’s a simple, assembly-style dessert that anyone can master! Follow these easy steps to bring this creamy dream to life:
1. Start the Pudding Base. In a small saucepan, combine your chosen non-dairy milk, the “cook and serve” vanilla pudding mix, and the cornstarch. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until all the dry components are fully incorporated and there are no lumps. Place the saucepan over medium heat, and continue to stir constantly using a whisk or rubber spatula. This continuous stirring is crucial to prevent scorching and ensure the pudding thickens evenly. Cook until the mixture visibly begins to thicken and just starts to bubble around the edges. Once it reaches this consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat immediately and allow the pudding to cool for a few minutes.
2. Prepare the Bananas. While the pudding cools slightly, take two of your ripe bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Using a fork or a potato masher, coarsely mash them until you achieve a lumpy yet soft pulp. If you prefer a completely smooth pudding without any banana chunks, you can opt to puree the bananas in a blender or food processor until perfectly smooth.
3. Finish the Pudding. Now, carefully transfer the slightly cooled pudding from the saucepan into the large bowl containing the mashed bananas. Add the vanilla extract at this stage. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold all the ingredients together until they are well combined. The goal is to evenly distribute the mashed bananas throughout the pudding, creating a harmonious, banana-infused base.
4. Chill the Pudding. To prevent a “skin” from forming on top of the pudding as it cools, cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Make sure to press the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding, ensuring it touches completely. This creates an airtight seal. Transfer the covered bowl to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 1 to 2 hours, or until the pudding is thoroughly cooled and set. This chilling step is essential for both texture and flavor development.
5. Incorporate the Whipped Cream. Once your pudding is perfectly chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Gently fold half of your vegan whipped cream into the chilled banana pudding. This step will lighten the pudding’s texture, making it even more airy and luxurious while adding another layer of creamy flavor.
6. Assemble the Pudding Layers. Now it’s time for the fun part: assembly! Grab a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similarly sized trifle dish if you want to showcase the beautiful layers. Start by spooning approximately one-quarter of the prepared pudding into the bottom of the dish, spreading it evenly. Next, arrange a single layer of vegan vanilla wafers over the pudding, followed by a layer of freshly sliced bananas. Then, spread half of the remaining pudding over the banana layer. Repeat with another layer of cookies, bananas, and finally, the remaining pudding. Crucially, ensure that the very top layer of pudding completely covers any exposed banana slices to help minimize browning.
7. Final Chill. Once assembled, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Return the banana pudding to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours. For the best flavor and texture development, allowing it to chill for up to 24 hours is ideal. This extended chilling period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the wafers to soften to that perfect, tender consistency.
8. Garnish and Serve. Just before you’re ready to serve this delightful dessert, retrieve it from the refrigerator. Now is the time to add the finishing touches! Spoon or pipe the remaining vegan whipped cream over the top. If desired, garnish with additional vegan vanilla wafers or freshly sliced bananas for an extra flourish. Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, dreamy layers!
Tips for Success with Your Vegan Banana Pudding
While this vegan banana pudding recipe is inherently easy to follow, a few expert tips can elevate your dessert from great to absolutely perfect. Keep these pointers in mind for a truly successful and delicious outcome:
- Choose the Right Bananas: This is paramount for both flavor and appearance. Aim for bananas that are ripe but still quite firm. They should be bright yellow with only a few small brown specks, indicating maximum sweetness without becoming too soft or mushy. Over-ripe bananas will brown much faster and can impart a slightly fermented taste, while under-ripe bananas lack the desired sweetness and soft texture essential for pudding.
- Ensure Complete Banana Coverage: To significantly slow down the oxidation process and keep your bananas looking fresh, make absolutely sure that every single banana slice in your layers is thoroughly covered by the pudding. The top layer of pudding is particularly important for sealing in the bananas.
- Garnish Just Before Serving: Resist the temptation to add your final garnishes—especially fresh banana slices and extra wafers—until you are literally moments away from serving. This ensures that the visible bananas remain bright and vibrant, and any crunchy wafers on top retain their satisfying crispness. If garnished too early, they can become soggy or discolored.
- Achieve the Perfect Pudding Consistency: When cooking the pudding, stir constantly and watch for it to thicken to a custard-like consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon. Don’t overcook, as it can become too thick, but ensure it’s thick enough to set properly when chilled.
- Chill Thoroughly: Patience is a virtue with banana pudding! The extended chilling time (4-24 hours) is not just for setting but also crucial for allowing the flavors to fully meld and deepen, and for the vanilla wafers to soften to that delightful, cake-like texture. Don’t rush this step.
- Use a Good Quality Vanilla Extract: As vanilla is a prominent flavor alongside banana, investing in a high-quality pure vanilla extract will significantly enhance the overall taste of your pudding.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic vegan banana pudding recipe is perfect as is, there’s ample room for creativity and customization. Feel free to experiment with these ideas to make it uniquely your own:
- Switch Up the Wafers: Instead of traditional vanilla wafers, try using vegan graham crackers for a slightly different texture and flavor profile. You could also use vegan Biscoff cookies for a spiced touch or even crushed vegan ginger snaps for a zesty kick.
- Add More Fruit: While bananas are the star, you can introduce other fresh fruits. Swap out some of the banana slices for fresh berries like sliced strawberries or raspberries, or diced mango for an extra burst of tropical flavor. Just be mindful that softer fruits might release more liquid.
- Tropical Twist: For an exotic flair, consider using coconut-flavored pudding mix (if available and vegan) instead of vanilla. Garnish the top with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and a pronounced tropical aroma.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Drizzle some vegan chocolate sauce or sprinkle mini vegan chocolate chips between the layers for a delightful chocolate-banana combination.
- Individual Servings: Instead of a large baking dish, assemble the pudding in individual clear cups or small mason jars. This makes for an elegant presentation and easy portion control, perfect for parties or packed lunches.
- Spiced Delight: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg folded into the pudding base can add a warm, comforting depth of flavor, especially appealing during cooler months.
How to Store Leftovers
Should you somehow manage to have any leftover vegan banana pudding (a rare occurrence, we predict!), proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and deliciousness. Store any remaining pudding in an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator, and it will keep beautifully for approximately 3 to 4 days. Always ensure the container is well-sealed to prevent air exposure, which can cause the bananas to brown more quickly and the pudding to absorb other refrigerator odors.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
Unfortunately, this vegan banana pudding recipe is not ideal for freezing. While it is technically possible to freeze it, the delicate textures of the pudding, bananas, and wafers tend to change significantly upon thawing. The pudding can become watery or grainy, the bananas might turn mushy and dark, and the wafers can lose their pleasant softened texture, becoming unpleasantly soggy. For these reasons, we strongly recommend enjoying this dessert fresh or storing it in the refrigerator for the recommended 3-4 days. Freezing would compromise the creamy, smooth consistency and fresh taste that makes this pudding so delightful, and even then, it would only maintain its quality for a week or two at most.
More Delicious Vegan Dessert Ideas
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies: Quick, chewy, and perfectly golden, these cookies are a game-changer!
- Vegan Carrot Cupcakes: Moist, spiced, and topped with a luscious vegan cream cheese frosting.
- Peanut Butter Cake: Rich, decadent, and incredibly satisfying for any peanut butter lover.
- Chocolate Chia Pudding (5 Ingredients, Vegan, Low Carb): A healthy, easy, and delightful breakfast or dessert option.
We hope you truly enjoy creating and savoring this fantastic vegan banana pudding, friends! If you give this recipe a try, we’d absolutely love to see your creations. Please snap a photo and share it on Instagram, tagging #jessicainthekitchen and mentioning @jessicainthekitchen. Your feedback means the world to us, so please also consider leaving a comment below and giving the recipe a rating. Thank you so much for your support!
Vegan Banana Pudding
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Ingredients
- 1 – 4.6 ounce pkg Cook & Serve Vanilla Pudding, 130 grams
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch, 24 grams
- 2 Cups Non-Dairy Milk, 480 ml
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 10 ounces Vegan Vanilla Wafers, 283 grams
- 5-6 Ripe but Firm Bananas
- 12 ounces Vegan Whipped Cream or Whipped Topping
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the non-dairy milk, vanilla pudding mix, and cornstarch. Whisk these ingredients together until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture begins to thicken and gently bubble around the edges. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Place two of the bananas in a large bowl and coarsely mash them to a wet pulp. For a completely smooth pudding, you can also puree them using a blender or food processor until no chunks remain.
- Transfer the slightly warm pudding from the saucepan into the large bowl with the mashed bananas. Add the vanilla extract. Gently fold all the ingredients together with a rubber spatula until well combined and the banana is evenly distributed throughout the pudding.
- Cover the pudding directly with plastic wrap, pressing it firmly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until the pudding is completely cool and nicely set.
- Once chilled, remove the pudding from the refrigerator. Add half of the vegan whipped cream to the pudding mixture and gently fold it in until just combined. This will lighten the pudding’s texture.
- To assemble the banana pudding, use a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similarly sized trifle dish. Begin by spreading about one-quarter of the total pudding mixture evenly on the bottom. Follow this with a layer of vegan vanilla wafers, then a layer of freshly sliced bananas. Next, spread half of the remaining pudding over the banana layer. Repeat with another layer of cookies, bananas, and finally, the remaining pudding. Ensure the top pudding layer completely covers all the banana slices to help prevent them from browning.
- Cover the assembled pudding tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally up to 24 hours. This extended chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften to the perfect consistency.
- Immediately before serving, decorate the top with the remaining vegan whipped cream. If desired, garnish with additional vegan vanilla wafers or a few fresh banana slices for an attractive finish. Serve chilled.
Notes
- 365 Everyday brand Vanilla Wafers are vegan. Always check labels for other brands.
- Jell-O brand “Cook & Serve” pudding (vanilla flavor) is often gluten-free & vegan, but always verify ingredients.
- 365 Everyday brand Vanilla pudding is vegan.
- For best results, use ripe but firm bananas. Avoid overly green or overly brown ones.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.