Creamy, dreamy banana pudding fluff is the perfect no-bake dessert for your next potluck or party.
The rich pudding with sweet bananas is a heavenly combo we all know and love. And it comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
It’s like a short-cut banana pudding. So don’t be surprised when the bowl is licked clean.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Fluff
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just satisfying a sweet tooth, this quick and easy dessert is sure to become a family favorite.
Easy Prep: Thanks to the instant pudding mix, whipped topping, and vanilla wafers, it’s ready in minutes!
Nostalgic Flavor: Banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert. And this modern “fluff” puts a fun spin on the traditional layered treat so many grew up with.
Make It Your Own. Banana is a must in my house. But you can try this with whatever pudding you like!
Ingredients
All you need is a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a dessert that will make your taste buds sing. And they’re almost all pantry staples!
Here’s what you’ll need.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: The quick-setting base that adds creamy vanilla flavor in a flash.
- Cold Milk: The magic liquid that transforms pudding mix into luscious, spoonable bliss.
- Cool Whip: Fluffy clouds of whipped topping make every bite feel like a heavenly dream.
- Ripe Bananas: Soft, sweet fruit that infuses the fluff with tropical goodness.
- Lemon Juice: A spritz of citrus to keep those banana slices looking fresh and perky.
- Mini Marshmallows: Pillowy puffs of sweetness dotted throughout for a playful texture twist.
- Nilla Wafer Cookies: Crispy vanilla crumbles that contrast perfectly with the silky smooth pudding.
How to Make Banana Pudding Fluff
Picture a cloud of fluffy, whipped deliciousness with the perfect hint of banana and vanilla.
It’s like diving into a bowl of pure comfort. So much so, I couldn’t resist sneaking a few spoonfuls before sharing it with my family.
Luckily, it’s so easy to make, you can have one batch for the family and one bowl for yourself!
Here’s how it’s done:
1. WHISK the cold milk and pudding until smooth and thick. Cover and chill for 5-10 minutes.
2. STIR the whipped topping into the pudding. Add the lemon-brushed banana slices, marshmallows, and most of the cookie crumbs and stir until evenly combined.
3. CHILL the fluff in a serving dish, covered with plastic wrap, for 1 hour.
4. SERVE the pudding salad topped with the remaining cookie crumbs.
Tips For the Best Banana Pudding Fluff
This really is the perfect treat for any occasion. But before you start, check out these tips:
- Use firm, ripe bananas. You want them ripe for the added sweetness, but they should be firm, not mushy.
- Layer texture. Fold some chopped nuts into the fluff for added crunch!
- Gently fold. To keep this light, you need to mix the whipped topping and extras very gently.
- Optional mix-ins. Try mini chocolate chips, a swirl of caramel sauce, brownie bites, peanut butter, or even Nutella. Yum!
- Variations. For a fun twist, experiment with different pudding flavors, like cheesecake or banana cream. Or blend 8 ounces of cream cheese into the pudding to make it extra rich!
How to Store
Unfortunately, this isn’t the best make-ahead dessert. The cookies will go soft in the pudding, and the bananas will brown over time.
But since it comes together so fast, you don’t need to make it ahead!
That said, if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir extra cookies into the salad before serving.
Note: I don’t recommend freezing banana pudding fluff as the fruit will turn brown and watery.
More Banana Desserts You’ll Love
Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Banana Pudding Cake
Banana Zucchini Bread
Banana French Toast
Banana Pudding Fluff
12
servings15
minutes1
hour285
kcalDreamy banana pudding fluff is the perfect no-bake dessert for your next potluck or party. It comes together in minutes, and it’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients
1 (5.1 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
3-4 ripe bananas, sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups Nilla wafer cookies, roughly crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until smooth and thick. Cover and chill for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir the pudding, then gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined.
- Slice the bananas and brush on both sides with the lemon juice. Add them to the pudding with the mini marshmallows and about 1 1/2 cups of crushed Nilla wafers. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the banana pudding fluff to a serving bowl, cover, and chill for 1 hour.
- Stir the fluff, top with the remaining cookie crumbs, and serve.
Notes
- Use firm, ripe bananas. You want them ripe for the added sweetness, but they should be firm, not mushy.
- If you skip the lemon juice, eat banana pudding fluff on the day it’s made.
