Quick and easy banana cream pie recipe is an old-fashioned favorite done in minutes! Sliced bananas and instant banana pudding make this no bake dessert amazing.
If you love quick pie recipes that are easy to make other favorites include key lime pie, homemade coconut cream pie and chocolate banana cream pie.
Table of Contents
Banana Cream Pie with Pudding
One of my very favorite pies is banana cream pie. We make it for our Thanksgiving menu every year along with a buttermilk pie.
It’s so simple to make using a box instant banana pudding and 3-ingredient pie crust. It’s both a delicious holiday pie and great in the Spring just like my lemon icebox pie!
Easy Banana Cream Pie Ingredients
All you need are 6 simple ingredients to create the best banana cream pie. It’s light, fluffy and full of banana flavor.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Crust: You can use a baked store-bought or homemade pie crust. Try a graham cracker crust, vanilla wafer crumb crust, pretzel crust or gingersnap crust.
- Instant banana cream pudding: Adds the best banana cream flavor, instant vanilla pudding can be substituted.
- Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk thicken and help pudding set.
- Cool Whip: One tub that is thawed or try homemade cool whip or homemade whipped cream.
- Bananas: Ripe with a few brown spots add sweet flavor and make this the best banana pudding cream pie.
- Toppings (optional). Pipe on a design with stabilized whipped cream then add banana slices on top (or caramelized bananas). Sprinkle on toasted coconut.
How to Make Banana Cream Pie
Whisk the cornstarch into the milk until dissolved.
Stir together the pudding mix and milk mixture until thickened. Fold in the bananas and Cool Whip.
Pour the pudding mixture evenly in the baked pie crust. To prevent browning ensure the pudding covers the bananas.
Place the banana pie in the refrigerator to chill at least 2 hours then garnish with homemade whipped cream and fresh bananas before serving.
Storing Cream Pies
- To make ahead. This pie needs to chill for at least 3 hours before serving in order to set, so it’s even better set overnight! Make the recipe according to instructions (do not add toppings) and then cover and place in the refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and fresh bananas.
- To store. Loosely cover the pie top with aluminum foil (or plastic wrap) and place in the fridge. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.
Love dessert recipes with bananas? You’ll also love my banana bars, banana bread and banana bread brownies.
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Easy Banana Cream Pie
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk , cold
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 (5.1-ounce) box instant banana cream pudding mix
- 2 medium bananas , sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- 8 ounces Cool Whip , thawed, or whipped cream, divided
- 1 baked pie crust , premade or homemade
Optional toppings: Cool Whip or Whipped Cream, Sliced Bananas, or Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Whisk milk with cornstarch. In small bowl, whisk together 2 cups milk and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch until dissolved.
- Make filling. In a large bowl, whisk the pudding mix and milk mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it has thickened. Fold in 2 medium bananas and 4 ounces Cool Whip. Add more Cool Whip until there is enough filling to fill the crust. Save the remaining 4 ounces for topping.
- Spread filling. Spread the filling evenly into the baked pie crust.
- Chill. Chill at least 2 to 3 hours before serving. Top with any remaining Cool Whip (or whipped cream) and fresh bananas. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Recipe for homemade graham cracker crust
- Recipe for homemade pie crust
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
If you can only find cook and serve pudding, simply prepare as instructed on the package and let chill in the fridge until the pudding is set. Then mix in the Cool Whip and banana slices before folding into the pie crust.
Although bananas brown pretty quickly, it’s not too big of a concern in this recipe. Because they’re mixed in with the pudding, they aren’t exposed to air which usually keeps them from browning.
If you’re adding fresh banana slices on top of the pie, then I’d recommend adding those on right before serving, so they stay fresh.
Yes! To make this pie with as little as effort as possible, purchase a graham cracker pre-made crust that requires no baking at all. Place it in a pie pan for a more elegant look.
If you forgot to add cornstarch to the filling it may not set up properly. If you need to avoid cornstarch, you can add less milk around 1 1/2 cup to 1 3/4 cups. You can also replace the milk with heavy cream.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Pies + Tarts, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I use to make with cook and serve pudding but can’t remember the milk quantity it was written on side of package but no longer there
Hello, for this recipe I only reccomend using Instant pudding so it sets properly.
Can you use whole lactose free milk?
Hi Jolyn! I haven’t tested this recipe using lactose free milk. If you try it out, let me know how it goes :)
If I’m usable Tenderflake pie crusts do I have to cook them first?
I have not tested it with that brand, but would check the back of the box for instructions.
Made this a couple years ago for Thanksgiving and now it’s a staple pie every year.
So easy and yummy! I didn’t have whole milk so I used 2 cups of 2% milk and it set just fine. Also, instead of cool whip, I made my own fresh whipped cream with vanilla extract. Drool worthy and so darn easy with a pre-baked crust. No baking is perfect for these hot summer days! Thanks so much for sharing!
Kathy! That sounds amazing! I love all your ideas and how you made it your own. Thanks for sharing!
Such an easy and delicious dessert.
For my family, they wanted more fresh slices of banana in the pie.
And maybe I misunderstood the recipe, after it chilled for 3 hours, I spread the other half of the KoolWhip on top. I don’t think I’ll do that next time, it seemed like it was too much.
I might try RediWhip in the can to make the designs on the top of the pie like you did.
Mine turned out delicious but mine Also did not set up. I even used the 2 cups of milk instead of 3 which was on the box. Think I’ll try the cook and serve instead of the instant. Hopefully it will set up.
How did you keep the bananas from turning brown?
If I’m adding bananas on top, I wait to add just until serving. The ones inside the pie don’t brown as fast, but they definitely stay the most fresh on the first day.
I am gg to try to make this using sugar free pudding . Problem is can’t find a large box of sugar free banana cream pudding mix . I am thinking of using vanilla pudding mix and adding banana extract to it. Problem is not sure how much extract to add. Any ideas ?
I haven’t tested that before, but I would start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more to taste.
Thank You The half tsp tip worked perfectly. Made a good snack for before bedtime.
Thanks Again Jack
For your future Banana Cream Pie endeavors, since I’m late to the party:
I actually prefer this recipe with VANILLA Instant Pudding Mix
(rather than the Banana flavored pudding mix).
For me, the Banana flavored pudding just tastes too artificial and a bit overkill for my liking. I find the Vanilla flavored pudding mix, combined with all of those sliced ripe bananas…surprisingly makes for a more natural banana flavor, and a mighty good pie.
Hope you found a good workaround for your Sugar-Free version of this recipe—and enjoyed every bite!
THANK YOU! I was on the fence about whether to use banana or vanilla, I thought banana pudding would be a little too… bananaeey. I was hoping someone could clarify if vanilla works.
Made pie left overnight in fridge. After dinner tried serving it was not set I had to scoop it out I followed recipe. Taste was good. I don’t know what happened?
Any suggestions? Thanks
Glad you still enjoyed the banana cream pie! Sorry it didn’t set for you. Did you mix in the cornstarch?
Do you think i could make this with whipped cream and not cool whip? I don’t like the way cool whip tastes
This is a fantastic banana cream pie. Thank you!
This is a definite crowd pleaser. Thanks for sharing!
This is my new favorite pie. We loved it so much.
This is one of my favorite pies. I love how creamy it is and also how easy it is. Happy Holidays, Wendy!
Super delicious and so creamy! This is my new favorite! Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing recipe! Highly recommended!
This would be a great pie for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing, Allyssa!