My banana pudding with condensed milk is a creamy and comforting treat. I use fresh bananas and Cool Whip to get a light, fluffy texture my whole family loves!

My Family’s Favorite Banana Pudding Recipe with Condensed Milk

I love a good banana pudding and I wanted to create one that had a creamy, very sweet texture that I love with them. That’s how I created my banana pudding with condensed milk.

I knew I wanted to keep my recipe a no-bake one because it’s just simpler, and easy recipes are my specialty. That’s why I pulled the Cool Whip and condensed into it.

And, I think I nailed it because my sweets loving son Connor ate his whole bowl and then asked for more. His favorite part was the Nilla wafers inside of it.

Since then, I’ve made my banana pudding recipe with condensed milk at least 20 times. It’s a favorite in my house and I serve it at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter!

And, if you love banana recipes, try my recipes for banana pudding cake, 3 ingredient banana pudding, banana pudding brownies, banana bread using cake mix, banana pudding cookies, and banana pudding with sour cream.

Banana Pudding with Sweetened Condensed Milk Ingredients

• Vanilla pudding mix – I use instant pudding to make my pudding super easy and get the thickness it needs. Banana pudding works as well, but I find it has enough banana flavor in it.
• Milk – Activates the pudding mix and gives my recipe a creamy texture.
• Sweetened condensed milk – Adds more sweetness to my recipe and makes it more silky and thick.
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the vanilla flavors in the pudding.
• Cool Whip – This lightens and fluffs my recipe so it’s not too heavy from the sweetened condensed milk. Any kind of stabilized whipped topping will work, but whipped cream will not.

How to Make Banana Pudding with Condensed Milk

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding and cold milk until it’s smooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

STEP TWO: Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the bowl with the pudding mix and stir. Then, gently fold in the Cool Whip

STEP THREE: Spread an even layer of the pudding mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish. Create a layer of Nilla wafers on top of the pudding, followed by a layer of banana slices then half of the pudding mixture.

STEP FOUR: Repeat with another layer of the same ingredients.

STEP FIVE: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

STEP SIX: Before serving, top with sliced bananas and crushed Nilla cookie crumbs.

Tips for the Best Banana Pudding with Pudding

• I recommend using even amounts of each ingredient of cookies, bananas, and pudding throughout the dish. This balance is key to getting the perfect flavor combination in each bite. 
• I cover the pudding before letting it chill in the fridge so it stays fresh.
• I love using ripe but firm bananas for the best flavor. The peels should be completely yellow, and a few brown freckles are fine.
• For a velvety texture, I whisk the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until the mixture is super smooth. This helps avoid any lumps and ensures a consistent mixture.

Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers Variations and Substitutions

• If I don’t have any Nilla wafers, I swap them out for graham crackers, animal crackers, chessman cookies, shortbread, or even Oreos.
• To add a subtle spiced flavor, I add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the pudding mix.
• I love to drizzle a bit of caramel sauce between the layers to add a rich and buttery sweetness.
• My recipe works with all kinds of fruits and flavors, such as strawberry, blueberry, butterscotch, and chocolate.

Banana Pudding with Condensed Milk FAQs

How can I keep my bananas from turning brown?

I like to wait and top my banana pudding with sliced bananas until right before I serve it. But if I need to make it ahead of time, I just give them a quick dip into diluted lemon juice or orange juice.

How to serve my banana pudding recipe with condensed milk

I love serving my banana pudding in a 13×9 baking dish so it’s enough to share and dollop some homemade whipped cream on top. A caramel drizzle on top takes it over the top too.

How to store leftovers

I store leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that, the cookie layers will be too soft and may disintegrate into the pudding. 

More Easy Dessert Recipes

• Fruit salad with cool whip
• Pineapple dump cake
• Chocolate lasagna
• Cherry cookies
• Cool whip fruit dip
• Canned peach pie
• 3 ingredient no bake cheesecake
• Pineapple fluff