This Banana Cream Pie Recipe is a delicious no-bake dessert made from scratch! Loaded with fresh bananas, vanilla pudding, graham cracker crust, and whipped cream, this quick and easy deep dish pie is an old-fashioned classic that never goes out of style.
What is Banana Cream Pie
Banana cream pie is the ultimate homemade dessert that’s perfect for spring and summer.
It’s all made from scratch and so good with a hot cup of coffee to start or end your day.
Watch the video on how to make this delicious homemade cream pie
It tastes amazing and my whole family just LOVES it when I make this simple banana pie.
I know your family will love it too!
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust: You can make your own crust with graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar or you can buy a pre-made crust from the grocery store to save time (but y'all know homemade is better!).
- Vanilla pudding: Make an easy homemade vanilla pudding for the best pie filling ever!
- Whipped cream: You can use whipped topping from the store or make your own whipped cream using cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Bananas: Ripe bananas are best for this pie. Choose ones that are yellow with some black spots on them.
How to make this easy banana cream pie recipe
Here’s a brief overview of how to make this dish. See the recipe card below for the specific recipe instructions.
1. Layer the slices from the bananas on the bottom of the graham cracker crust.
2. Spoon the vanilla pudding over the banana slices.
3. Top with whipped cream.
4. Add more sliced bananas to the top for decoration and more banana flavor.
5. Chill for at least 1 hour and enjoy!
Tips for success
Here are a few tips for success and variations you can use to make this the best banana cream pie you've ever had.
- Use this recipe for homemade vanilla pudding and be sure to cook it enough to make it a little thicker than normal pudding.
- Making your own graham cracker crust takes time, but it's sooooo much better than using a premade crust at the store.
- Pick bananas that are ripe, but not too soft. Bananas should be yellow with some black spots on them.
- Get creative and sprinkle the top with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate sauce, or powdered sugar.
Variations for this banana cream pie recipe
Here are some delicious variations of this cream pie recipe that you’ll love.
- Make this a black bottom pie by using chocolate cookies instead of graham crackers.
- Make a chocolate banana pie by making a chocolate pudding instead of vanilla.
- Add in some peanut butter, because what goes better with bananas than peanut butter?!
- Make a banana cream pie milkshake! Everyone will love drinking their favorite dessert.
- Swirl some caramel into the filling to make it fun.
- Make this into a cheesecake by adding a layer of it on the bottom.
- Add whipped meringue to the top of the pie.
- Make this larger pie into small individual mini pies to share with friends, kids, or family.
- Turn it into a real southern dish by using vanilla wafers instead of the graham cracker crust for a classic banana cream pudding dessert.
How can I thicken my banana cream pie
If your pie isn’t thick enough, scoop out the filling, put it in a pot and back on the stove over low heat.
Then stir in a little cornstarch and continue cooking until it’s nice and thick.
Put the filling back into the graham cracker pie shell, top with the whipped cream, cover and refrigerate until set.
Is this banana dessert good for you
While most desserts aren’t the best for your health, this banana cream pie isn't the worst dessert you could eat. Plus, bananas are loaded with health benefits!
The whole pie is cut into 6 generous servings, but cut it into 8 to 10 slices to save on the calories, fat, etc.
Another way to make it a little healthier is to use reduced fat graham crackers for the crust, reduced fat milk for the vanilla pudding filling, and less sugar in the whipped cream.
By making the entire pie from scratch, you can adjust the ingredients and make it exactly how you want it!
Why is my cream pie not setting
Before you run into this problem, let’s prevent it! The reason your cream pie won’t set is that the pudding isn’t thick enough.
Be sure to use whole or 2% milk when making the pudding and cook it long enough, until it thickly coats the back of a spoon.
Undercooked pudding pie filling is the number one reason for the inside of a pie not settling.
Bananas turn brown when they’re exposed to air. The bananas inside the pie won't turn brown because they are covered by the pudding.
The fresh bananas on the top of the pie will turn brown, but one great way to keep them from oxidizing is to dip, brush, or spray them with citric acid, like lemon juice.
This blocks the air from reaching them and helps prevent them from browning.
The filling of a pie will become watery when it’s not thick enough. While you are cooking the pudding, make sure it’s nice and thick before using it for this banana cream pie recipe.
Yes! This is a great pie to freeze for later, but the texture may change a little bit when it thaws.
To freeze: set the uncovered pie in the freezer for 15-30 minutes before wrapping it so the whipped cream top hardens. Take it out of the freezer and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place the pie back in the freezer and keep it there for up to three months.
Be sure to label and date it so you remember what you have saved.
Make sure your pie is tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and you’ll be able to keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
IF YOU LIKED THIS BANANA CREAM PIE RECIPE, YOU'LL LOVE THESE OTHER TASTY RECIPES
- White Chocolate Matcha Tapioca Pudding Recipe
- Nutella Espresso Rum Popsicles
- Creamy and Easy Butterscotch Pudding
- Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know! I LOVE to hear from you!
RECIPE
Banana Cream Pie {from scratch!}
Ingredients
- 1 8 or 9 inch prepared graham cracker pie crust
- 3 cups vanilla pudding
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 2-3 ripe bananas sliced
Instructions
- Layer the slices from 2 bananas on the bottom of the 8 or 9 inch prepared graham cracker crust.
- Spoon the vanilla pudding over the banana slices and top with the whipped cream.
- Chill for at least 1 hour. Can put extra sliced banana on top of the pie before serving. Cut into 6 pieces and enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Store leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Lori Martin
I love banana cream pie and this is the best recipe I've found so far! The whole family loved it and asked if I bought it from a bakery!