Banana Pudding 12 Ways

By Southern Living
Photo: Greg Dupree

From Quick & Tasty Banana Pudding to Banana Pudding Cheesecake, these twists on our favorite classic summer dessert will be the hit of the barbecue.

In the South, bananas aren’t just a side dish served with breakfast, or a healthy afternoon snack. They’ve earned their place as a staple of the Southern diet. Sliced and stacked on top fresh white bread that’s smeared with creamy peanut butter, they become the centerpiece of a lunch box classic. Baked into butter-rich batter with chopped walnuts, they become the namesake of banana bread, our favorite food gift. And layered between fluffy whipped cream, crispy Nilla Wafers and creamy vanilla pudding, they become part of an iconic Southern dessert—banana pudding. Universally loved and easy to make, this classic treat is ripe for riffs. Whether you prefer serving up your banana pudding in an oversized trifle for Sunday lunch, or caramelizing in ramekins then topping with homemade meringue for a dinner party, we’ve got a recipe you’re sure to go bananas for.

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Coconut-Banana Pudding

Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Banana Pudding

This new take on classic Southern banana pudding offers a taste of the tropics. Make the whole recipe to feed a crowd, family-style, or halve and serve in individual bowls. Keep banana slices from turning brown by tossing with 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

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Banana Pudding 

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding

These make great individual party desserts. We love it with extra wafers.

See more Sweet & Creamy Banana Pudding Recipes

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Nutter Butter®-Banana Pudding Trifle

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Nutter Butter®-Banana Pudding Trifle

This homemade pudding tastes divine! Instead of using the traditional vanilla wafers for banana pudding, we used Nutter Butter® sandwich cookies to add even more flavor.

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Banana Pudding Pie

Photo: pathannn

Recipe: Banana Pudding Pie

Treat your family to a delicious and easy dessert tonight. Use ripe bananas in this pudding recipe for the sweetest flavor.

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Banana Pudding Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Banana Pudding Cupcakes

Dreamcakes can never make enough of our Banana Pudding cupcakes. They are the ultimate comfort food. The creamy Fresh Banana Curd is a treat all its own, but pair it with our Banana Cake and whipped cream, and you'll come running back for more.

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Caramelized Banana Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick, Prop Styling: Annette Joseph, Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Caramelized Banana Pudding

This dressed-up banana pudding features bananas caramelized in brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.

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Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake

This sinfully sweet dessert is the perfect blend of fresh bananas, creamy cheesecake, and crunchy vanilla wafers.

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Quick & Tasty Banana Pudding

Photo: Van Chaplin; Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Quick & Tasty Banana Pudding

This super easy banana pudding calls for just four ingredients: a banana, thawed whipping topping, prepared vanilla pudding, and vanilla wafer.

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Banana Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding

This is definitely a cookie lover's version. Serve right away if you like crispy cookies, or chill overnight for softer texture. Delicious served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. If you omit the meringue, you won't need to bake the pudding.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce 

These puff much like soufflés, so present to guests right out of the oven. Encourage them to hold off enjoying the desserts for five minutes while they cool slightly. Finish it all off with delicious Peanut Butter Streusel Topping and Dark Caramel Sauce.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Layering pudding in half-pint jars gives you room to garnish and screw on the lids so you can place them in your cooler for easy transport.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie Recipe

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Cream Pie

This delicious pie is so simple it's foolproof. Be sure to let the crust and custard meld in the refrigerator for 4 to 48 hours before topping with cream.

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