Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla wafers (or gluten-free cookies, if preferred)
Vanilla wafers are the iconic base for banana pudding, but you can easily swap them out for gluten-free cookies if needed. - 2 ripe bananas, sliced
Fresh, ripe bananas are key to giving these bites that sweet banana flavor we all love. - 1 cup heavy cream
For the luscious, creamy pudding texture. - 1 cup whole milk
Used in combination with the heavy cream to achieve a smooth, rich pudding consistency. - ½ cup sugar
Just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bananas and cookies. - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Helps thicken the pudding, giving it that perfect creamy consistency. - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A touch of vanilla adds depth of flavor. - ¼ teaspoon salt
A pinch of salt brings out the sweetness and balances the flavors. - ½ cup whipped topping or whipped cream
For the finishing touch of creamy sweetness on top of each bite. - Optional: Crushed vanilla wafers or crushed graham crackers for garnish
These provide a crunchy topping that complements the softness of the pudding.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pudding
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir everything together over medium heat until it starts to warm up, then whisk constantly to avoid lumps.
- Once it begins to thicken, continue whisking for another 2-3 minutes until the pudding reaches a nice, smooth consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla adds a beautiful depth of flavor that complements the bananas and wafers perfectly.
Step 2: Cool the Pudding
- Let the pudding cool to room temperature. You can speed this up by transferring it to a shallow dish and placing it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Banana Pudding Bites
- While the pudding cools, slice your bananas into thin, round slices. The banana slices should be just thick enough to layer easily between the wafers but not too thick that they become hard to bite into.
- In mini muffin tins or cupcake liners, place a vanilla wafer in the bottom of each slot. This will be the base of your bites.
- Spoon a layer of pudding over the vanilla wafer. Add just enough to cover the wafer without overflowing.
- Add a slice of banana on top of the pudding layer.
- Repeat the process, layering another vanilla wafer, more pudding, and another banana slice, creating mini stacks. You can do 2-3 layers per bite, depending on how tall you want your bites.
Step 4: Top with Whipped Cream
- Once your bites are assembled, top each one with a dollop of whipped topping or homemade whipped cream. This will give them a lovely, creamy finish that adds a bit of lightness and texture.
- If you like a bit of crunch, you can sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers on top for garnish. It’s totally optional, but it adds a delightful texture contrast.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate the Banana Pudding Bites for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This will allow the pudding to set properly, and it gives the flavors time to meld together.
- When ready to serve, remove them from the fridge, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 15
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g