When it comes to summer desserts, nothing hits quite like the creamy, nostalgic flavor of banana pudding. But instead of serving it in a big bowl with a spoon, why not turn it into the perfect party-ready treat? These Banana Pudding Bites are layered with a buttery vanilla wafer crust, creamy vanilla pudding filling, and a fresh banana slice on top. They’re cute, cool, and absolutely craveable—ideal for barbecues, baby showers, or just because you want something sweet and simple.
This is one of those easy summer dessert recipes that gives big flavor with minimal effort. No need for a mixer or a long ingredients list—just a few shortcuts and some chill time in the fridge, and you’ve got a dessert everyone will love.
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Ingredients for Banana Pudding Bites
For the Vanilla Wafer Crust:
- 1 1/2 cup finely crushed vanilla wafers
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1¼ cups cold milk
Toppings:
- 1–2 ripe bananas, sliced
- Whipped cream
How to Make Banana Pudding Bites
Prepare the Crust:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Crush your vanilla wafters into fine crumbs. Please note, you need 1 1/2 cups of crumbs, which could be around 3 cups of whole cookies. You can crush them either with a food processor or a rolling ping.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the vanilla wafer crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture is like wet sand.
4. Line a mini muffin pan with mini cupcake liners and press about 1 tablespoon of the crust mixture into each liner. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to pack it down firmly.
5. Bake for 5–6 minutes until lightly golden and set. Let cool completely.
Make the Pudding Filling:
6. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Chill in the fridge for about 5–10 minutes to firm up slightly, then gently fold in the whipped topping if using.
Assemble the Bites:
7. Once the crusts have cooled, pipe or spoon the pudding into each cup until just full.
8. Top with a banana slice and a swirl of whipped topping.
Chill and Serve:
9. Refrigerate the bites for at least 1–2 hours to fully set. These are best served chilled the same day for freshest banana flavor and texture, but they’ll keep in the fridge up to 24 hours.
Pro Tips
- Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid mushiness and browning. You can brush slices lightly with lemon juice to slow oxidation.
- Slice the bananas on the thin side so they don’t fall over on your pudding bites.
- Foil or thick paper cupcake liners work best since they hold up to the pudding and won’t get soggy.
- Add a dash of cinnamon to the crust mixture for a subtle extra flavor boost.
- Try swapping the pudding flavor—banana, vanilla, or even cheesecake all work beautifully.
FAQs
Q: Do banana pudding bites need to be refrigerated?
A: Yes, since they contain dairy, they should be stored in the fridge. They’re best enjoyed within 1 day for peak texture and flavor.
Q: Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
A: Definitely! I would actually recommend that you use homemade whipped cream to top your banana pudding bites for the best flavor and texture. I usually beat together about 1 cup of heavy whipping cream mixed with ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla for my homemade whipped cream. Then, I put it in a piping bag with a Wilton 1M tip to make pretty swirls.
Q: How do I prevent the bananas from browning?
A: You can lightly coat sliced bananas in lemon juice to slow browning, or add them just before serving. Another trick is to place a layer of pudding between the banana and any air exposure.
Q: Can these be made ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble them a few hours in advance and store in the fridge. For the best texture, especially if you’re using cookies or wafers, avoid making them more than a day ahead or they might get too soft.
Q: Can I freeze banana pudding bites?
A: You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture of the pudding and bananas doesn’t hold up well to freezing and thawing.
If you’re looking for fresh, fun summer desserts that are as easy as they are impressive, these Banana Pudding Bites are your new go-to. They bring all the cozy flavors of banana pudding into a neat, handheld treat that’s perfect for pool parties, potlucks, or a lazy weekend at home. Keep them chilled, keep them simple, and watch them disappear.
Let me know if you make them—I’d love to see how yours turn out!
Banana Pudding Bites
Ingredients
Vanilla Wafer Crust
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs finely crushed, note you'll need more than 1 1/5 cups of whole cookies to get 1 1/2 cups of crumbs
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
Pudding Filling
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding 3.4 oz
- 1 1/4 cups milk cold
Toppings
- 1-2 bananas sliced
- whipped cream see note below
Instructions
Prepare the Crust
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the vanilla wafer crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture is like wet sand.
- Line a mini muffin pan with mini cupcake liners and press about 1 tablespoon of the crust mixture into each liner. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to pack it down firmly.
- Bake for 5–6 minutes until lightly golden and set. Let cool completely.
Make the Pudding Filling
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Chill in the fridge for about 5–10 minutes to firm up slightly, then gently fold in the whipped topping if using.
Assemble the Bites
- Once the crusts have cooled, pipe or spoon the pudding into each cup until just full.
- Top with a banana slice and a swirl of whipped cream (see note below about whipped cream)
