Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars

🎉 Introduction
These Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars take the classic Southern dessert and transform it into a rich, chilled, sliceable treat. With a buttery vanilla wafer crust, creamy banana pudding layer, fresh banana slices, and a fluffy whipped topping, every bite tastes like nostalgia wrapped in dessert-bar perfection. Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or any moment that calls for something irresistibly smooth and sweet.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Food processor or rolling pin
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Plastic wrap

🛒 Ingredients

For the Crust

• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp sugar

For the Banana Pudding Layer

• 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1½ cups cold milk
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Assembly

• 2–3 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1½ cups whipped topping (for the top layer)
• Extra vanilla wafers for garnish (whole or crushed)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the crust by combining crushed vanilla wafers, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Stir until evenly moistened.

Step 2: Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your baking dish. Freeze for 10 minutes to set.

Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 4: Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 5: Fold in 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream until creamy and fluffy.

Step 6: Arrange a layer of fresh banana slices on top of the chilled crust.

Step 7: Spread the banana pudding mixture evenly over the bananas.

Step 8: Top with an even layer of whipped topping.

Step 9: Garnish with crushed or whole vanilla wafers.

Step 10: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 9–12 bars
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Bananas may brown slightly over time—best served fresh.
• Not recommended for freezing due to texture changes.

🥄 Variations

• Banana Cream Cheesecake Bars: Add an 8 oz softened cream cheese block to the pudding mixture.
• Chocolate Banana Bars: Add a thin layer of melted chocolate over the crust before adding bananas.
• Peanut Butter Banana Bars: Swirl ¼ cup peanut butter into the pudding layer.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free vanilla cookies for the crust.
• Extra Banana Flavor: Use banana pudding mix instead of vanilla.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use homemade whipped cream?
   Yes—just whip heavy cream with a little sugar until fluffy.
2. Can I use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers?
   Absolutely—about 2 cups crumbs works perfectly.
3. How do I prevent bananas from browning?
   Lightly coat them with lemon juice or add pudding immediately.
4. Can I use cooked banana pudding?
   Instant pudding works best for firm bars.
5. Can this be made a day ahead?
   Yes—it’s actually better the next day.
6. What milk works best?
   Whole or 2% milk creates the thickest pudding.
7. Can I make this sugar-free?
   Use sugar-free pudding and sugar-free wafers.
8. Do I have to freeze the crust?
   No, but freezing helps it firm quickly.
9. Why is my pudding runny?
   The milk ratio was off or it wasn’t chilled long enough.
10. Can I add extra bananas?
    Yes—but avoid overloading or bars may get mushy.

🏁 Conclusion
These Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars deliver everything you love about banana pudding in a handheld, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dessert. With layers of buttery crust, luscious pudding, and fresh bananas, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd favorite—simple to make and impossible to resist.

Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars

These Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars take the classic Southern dessert and transform it into a rich, chilled, sliceable treat. With a buttery vanilla wafer crust, creamy banana pudding layer, fresh banana slices, and a fluffy whipped topping, every bite tastes like nostalgia wrapped in dessert-bar perfection. Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or any moment that calls for something irresistibly smooth and sweet.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Servings: 9 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

For the Crust

• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 2 tbsp sugar

For the Banana Pudding Layer

• 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1½ cups cold milk
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Assembly

• 2 –3 ripe bananas sliced
• 1½ cups whipped topping for the top layer
• Extra vanilla wafers for garnish whole or crushed

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Food processor or rolling pin
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Plastic wrap

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the crust by combining crushed vanilla wafers, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Stir until evenly moistened.

Step 2: Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your baking dish. Freeze for 10 minutes to set.

Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 4: Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 5: Fold in 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream until creamy and fluffy.

Step 6: Arrange a layer of fresh banana slices on top of the chilled crust.

Step 7: Spread the banana pudding mixture evenly over the bananas.

Step 8: Top with an even layer of whipped topping.

Step 9: Garnish with crushed or whole vanilla wafers.

Step 10: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Bananas may brown slightly over time—best served fresh.

Not recommended for freezing due to texture changes.

🥄 Variations

Banana Cream Cheesecake Bars: Add an 8 oz softened cream cheese block to the pudding mixture.

Chocolate Banana Bars: Add a thin layer of melted chocolate over the crust before adding bananas.

Peanut Butter Banana Bars: Swirl ¼ cup peanut butter into the pudding layer.

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free vanilla cookies for the crust.

Extra Banana Flavor: Use banana pudding mix instead of vanilla.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use homemade whipped cream?
Yes—just whip heavy cream with a little sugar until fluffy.

Can I use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers?
Absolutely—about 2 cups crumbs works perfectly.

How do I prevent bananas from browning?
Lightly coat them with lemon juice or add pudding immediately.

Can I use cooked banana pudding?
Instant pudding works best for firm bars.

Can this be made a day ahead?
Yes—it’s actually better the next day.

What milk works best?
Whole or 2% milk creates the thickest pudding.

Can I make this sugar-free?
Use sugar-free pudding and sugar-free wafers.

Do I have to freeze the crust?
No, but freezing helps it firm quickly.

Why is my pudding runny?
The milk ratio was off or it wasn’t chilled long enough.

Can I add extra bananas?
Yes—but avoid overloading or bars may get mushy.

🏁 Conclusion
These Dreamy Banana Pudding Bars deliver everything you love about banana pudding in a handheld, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dessert. With layers of buttery crust, luscious pudding, and fresh bananas, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd favorite—simple to make and impossible to resist.