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.
More Easy No Bake Dessert Recipes
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
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.
This banana cream pie looks absolutely delicious! Making this ASAP!!!
I love this, looks so yummy.
I’m a sucker for pies, especially banana cream pie.
This is like a ray of sunshine in a sea of all things pumpkin….love it!!
I LOVE banana cream pie! My college boyfriend’s mom used to make it a ton and I never got the recipe. Can’t wait to try!
Every time I make banana cream pie or coconut cream pie with Graham cracker crust it always falls apart.
In reference to the Easy Banana Pie, can you use the Banana Pudding that you add milk to & cook until thick, instead of the instant banana pudding? & if you can, do I leave out the cool whip?
Thank you, my family seems to like the stovetop pudding better than instant!
Sharon
You could definitely use a heated pudding! Just let it cool in the fridge, then go ahead and mix in the Cool Whip (or substitute whipped cream) and the banana slices before folding into the pie crust.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! It turned out great and is the fastest (and one of the best!) pies that I’ve ever made! Thanks so much!
is the milk to make the pudding or is it for the recipe?
The milk is used with the pudding mix. :)
Can I substitute the milk with almond milk? Cows milk upsets my stomach.
Thank you
I’ve never tried that substitute, but it should work just fine! :)
I think deep dish would be better. The mixture is a lil too much for a regular pie crust. I just tried it today and it’s in the fridge as we speak.
I found the crust you mentioned for the recipe I wasn’t thinking when i posted the question….lol…I did make this and so far so good. Thanks
Where in the store do you get a pre made and cooked pie crust? I NEED TO MAKE THIS YUMMO….
Banana cream pie has been my #1 pregnancy craving so far! I made this today and used fresh whipped cream instead of cool whip & it was amazing!
Thank you!
Mmmm fresh whipped cream would be perfect on this banana cream pie! I need to make it again! :)
Did you mush the bananas up inside or are they still just in slices mixed in with pudding?
Hi Holly! The bananas are sliced and mixed in with the pudding! :)
So excited to try this!
Do you bake the pie crust before filling?
Looks so delicious!