Hey there, fellow foodies! Are you ready to indulge in the creamiest, most divine dessert ever? I’m talking about banana pudding, of course! Who doesn’t love a good banana pudding? It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds. In this article, we’ll be ranking the 7 best banana pudding recipes on the internet, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed. From classic homemade banana pudding to the famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, we’ve got it all covered. So, what makes the best banana pudding? Is it the type of milk used, the ripeness of the bananas, or the ratio of pudding to cookies? Well, let’s get started and find out!
1. Classic Southern Banana Pudding
This recipe rocks because it’s a traditional Southern dessert that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Nilla wafers are a must-have in this recipe, and you can’t skip the heavy cream for an ultra-creamy texture.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
5. Fold in Nilla wafers and chill in the fridge until set.
Why You’ll Love It
This classic Southern banana pudding is a staple for a reason – it’s creamy, dreamy, and utterly delicious. The combination of heavy cream and Nilla wafers takes it to the next level. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, so you can whip it up in no time.
2. Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
This recipe rocks because it’s the famous Magnolia Bakery recipe that’s been perfected over the years. Using a water bath is key to preventing the pudding from curdling, and high-quality vanilla makes all the difference.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon high-quality vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
3. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
5. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
6. Pour into individual cups and place in a water bath.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set.
Why You’ll Love It
This Magnolia Bakery banana pudding is the real deal – it’s creamy, rich, and utterly decadent. The water bath ensures a smooth texture, and the high-quality vanilla gives it a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist.
3. Homemade Banana Pudding with a Twist
This recipe rocks because it adds a unique twist to the classic recipe. Using caramel sauce instead of sugar gives it a deep, rich flavor, and crushed pecans add a nice crunch.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
- 1/4 cup crushed pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together caramel sauce, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
5. Fold in Nilla wafers and crushed pecans.
6. Chill in the fridge until set.
Why You’ll Love It
This homemade banana pudding with a twist is a game-changer – the caramel sauce adds a deep, rich flavor, and the crushed pecans provide a nice texture contrast. Plus, it’s still easy to make and perfect for a quick dessert.
4. Banana Pudding with Meringue Topping
This recipe rocks because it adds a fluffy meringue topping that’s perfect for a special occasion. Using egg whites is key to a stable meringue, and high-quality sugar ensures a smooth texture.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup high-quality sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
5. Fold in Nilla wafers.
6. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.
7. Gradually add in sugar and whip until combined.
8. Top the pudding with the meringue topping and bake until golden brown.
Why You’ll Love It
This banana pudding with meringue topping is a show-stopper – the meringue topping adds a fluffy, sweet texture, and the high-quality sugar ensures a smooth finish. Plus, it’s perfect for a special occasion or dinner party.
5. No-Bake Banana Pudding
This recipe rocks because it’s a no-bake wonder that’s perfect for hot summer days. Using Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor, and honey provides a natural sweetness.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, honey, and salt.
2. Gradually add in heavy cream, whisking constantly.
3. Stir in sliced bananas and vanilla extract.
4. Fold in Nilla wafers.
5. Chill in the fridge until set.
Why You’ll Love It
This no-bake banana pudding is a refreshing twist – the Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor, and the honey provides a natural sweetness. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and perfect for a quick dessert.
6. Banana Pudding with Cookie Crust
This recipe rocks because it adds a crunchy cookie crust that’s perfect for a fun texture contrast. Using chocolate sandwich cookies is key to a rich flavor, and high-quality butter ensures a crispy crust.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
- 1 cup chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1/4 cup high-quality butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a medium bowl, crush chocolate sandwich cookies and mix with melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into a baking dish and bake until set.
4. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
5. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
6. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
7. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
8. Fold in Nilla wafers and pour into the cookie crust.
Why You’ll Love It
This banana pudding with cookie crust is a fun twist – the chocolate sandwich cookies add a rich flavor, and the high-quality butter ensures a crispy crust. Plus, it’s perfect for a special occasion or dinner party.
7. Banana Pudding with Caramelized Bananas
This recipe rocks because it adds a caramelized banana topping that’s perfect for a sweet and indulgent treat. Using brown sugar is key to a deep flavor, and high-quality butter ensures a crispy texture.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Nilla wafers
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons high-quality butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas.
5. Fold in Nilla wafers.
6. In a separate pan, caramelize bananas with brown sugar and butter until golden brown.
7. Top the pudding with the caramelized bananas.
Why You’ll Love It
This banana pudding with caramelized bananas is a sweet and indulgent treat – the caramelized bananas add a deep flavor, and the high-quality butter ensures a crispy texture. Plus, it’s perfect for a special occasion or dinner party.

In conclusion, these 7 best banana pudding recipes on the internet are sure to satisfy your cravings for a creamy, dreamy, and utterly delicious dessert. From classic Southern banana pudding to the famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, and from no-bake wonders to caramelized banana toppings, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert or a special occasion treat, these recipes have got you covered. So, which one will you try first? With their perfect combination of speed, flavor, and convenience, you can’t go wrong with any of these amazing banana pudding recipes!
