Strawberry and banana pudding… admit it, you’ve had days when you’re just staring at your wilting bananas and berries, cringing over tossing another mushy fruit in the trash. You want something comforting, something simple, and let’s be real, something sweet but not fussy. I totally get that. Life’s too short to stress over dessert. What if you could whip up a five-star treat using not much more than what’s already sitting in your kitchen? I promise, this one’s going to change up your after-dinner game. 
You Won’t Believe How Easy This Strawberry and Banana Pudding Recipe Is
Alright, confession time: I am all about those dump-it-in-the-bowl and mix recipes. That’s exactly what’s happening here. You don’t need a culinary degree, expensive gadgets, or even that much patience, honestly. Just grab your ripe bananas (the spotty ones are the best – trust me, extra flavor), a handful of strawberries, instant vanilla pudding mix (unless you’re feeling fancy and go homemade), some cold milk, and a few vanilla wafers. Layer everything together, pop it in the fridge, and just wait for the magic. My kitchen smelled like a summer fair and my family hovered, forks in hand. It’s a crowd-pleaser. 
The Ingredients You’ll Need For Success
When I say this is easy, I mean you can probably recite this list by memory after one try. Here’s the breakdown: bananas, strawberries, pudding mix, milk, vanilla wafers (or whatever plain cookies you find in the back of that cupboard). Some folks add a little whipped cream, sure, but that’s optional. Choose firm strawberries, not the ones with sad mushy spots. As for bananas, like I said, the older the better. Don’t skimp on the pudding mix brand – I once tried a generic one and, whoa, lesson learned. If you’re out of vanilla wafers, graham crackers work alright in a pinch.
Step-By-Step: The Magic Comes Together
Start with prepping your fruit – slice your bananas and strawberries. Keep ’em about the same size slices if you can, but don’t stress if they look wonky. Next, mix up the pudding with cold milk and let it thicken for a few minutes. (I always sneak a little taste right here, no regrets.) Now comes the layering part. Toss down a layer of wafers on the bottom of your bowl or dish. Add a layer of pudding, then pile up some strawberries and bananas. Repeat. Just stack it, don’t overthink. Finish with a big scoop of pudding on top – and, if you’re feeling extra, hit it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra berries. Chill for at least an hour before eating (hardest part, honestly). 
Tips To Keep Your Pudding Fantastic
So, first tip: Use super cold milk for the pudding. Room temp just makes it soupy and nobody wants a runny mess. If you’re prepping in advance, brush your banana slices with a whisper of lemon juice. Keeps them from going all weird and brown. Don’t forget to cover the dish with plastic wrap if it’s hanging out in your fridge for a while. If you like your cookies extra soft, build your pudding the night before. If you prefer a little crunch, make it just an hour ahead. Lastly, don’t be stingy with the fruit – it absolutely levels up the flavor.
Serving Suggestions For Strawberry and Banana Pudding
- Pop individual servings into mason jars for portable desserts.
- Crush a few of the wafers on the top for extra crunch (my mom swears by this).
- Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream (yeah, store-bought works too, I won’t judge).
- Add a tiny mint leaf if you want to make it Instagram-pretty for guests.
What Makes This Pudding So Special? Honest Thoughts
Here’s the thing. Lots of desserts are complicated, but this strawberry and banana pudding? It literally gives you the nostalgia of grandma’s house, but with a fruity, summery punch. The bananas go all creamy, the strawberries hit you with that tang, and the cookies… oh, the cookies. They soak up all that pudding and turn into little pillows of happiness. Once, I brought this dessert to a neighborhood BBQ and, no joke, I got three recipe requests in ten minutes. If you want dessert that tastes like you worked on it for hours, but actually took you ten minutes, this is it.
“I tried this last weekend because my kids kept begging for something fruity and sweet. You were right. It was devoured before dinner was even finished! Thanks for keeping dessert simple and so, so good.”
— Jen from Milwaukee
Common Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yep! Tastes even better the next day, if you ask me. Just keep it covered in the fridge.
Q: What’s the best way to keep bananas from turning brown?
A: Brush slices with a bit of lemon juice before adding to your layers.
Q: Can I swap out vanilla pudding for something else?
A: Absolutely. Banana or cheesecake flavor works. My cousin adds chocolate – kinda weird, but it’s not bad.
Q: How long does this dessert last?
A: Usually 2-3 days if stored in the fridge, but honestly, leftovers rarely happen at my house.
Q: Any dairy-free options?
A: For sure. Just use a non-dairy pudding mix and milk substitute. Still tastes rich!
Ready To Make The Best Strawberry and Banana Pudding?
Honestly, there’s not much standing between you and a giant bowl of strawberry and banana pudding bliss. To recap: keep it simple, don’t fuss, and always use those ripe-as-can-be bananas for super flavor. You’ll knock the socks off anyone craving good old comfort food. Still craving more ideas? If you want another spin on this, check out the Strawberry Banana Pudding – Global Dine In recipe for a global twist and some fresh tips. Now, do me a favor… go raid your fruit bowl and give this a shot tonight. You’ll kinda wish you made it sooner.
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Strawberry and Banana Pudding
An easy and delightful strawberry and banana pudding recipe that combines ripe fruit and creamy pudding for a nostalgic dessert.
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup vanilla wafers (or plain cookies)
- Optional: whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Slice the bananas and strawberries into even pieces.
- In a bowl, mix the pudding mix with cold milk and let it thicken for a few minutes.
- In a dish, layer the vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of pudding, then strawberries and bananas.
- Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of pudding on top.
- If desired, add whipped cream and sprinkle extra berries on top.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 60 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use super cold milk and brush banana slices with lemon juice to prevent browning. You can prepare this recipe a day in advance for softer cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
