This banana cream pie recipe is a quick version of an old-fashioned favorite.

A flaky pie crust is filled with layers of sliced bananas, velvety vanilla custard, and crowned with whipped topping!

Banana Cream Pie in the dish

As Easy As Pie

Banana cream pie is a staple in my kitchen (along with a classic apple pie). Banana cream pie can certainly be made from scratch with eggs (either just yolks or whole eggs); however, we love this version because it’s so easy and has a nice thick texture.

Crust for Banana Cream Pie

This banana cream pie recipe can be set in a traditional pastry pie crust or a no-bake graham cracker crust.

Graham Cracker Crust: A graham cookie crust doesn’t require baking. Store-bought graham crusts tend to crack as the pie is served, so I suggest making a homemade graham crust; it takes about 5 minutes. This crust can also be made with vanilla wafer crumbs.

Pastry Crust: If using a pastry crust (either homemade or frozen from the store), you will want to blind bake the pie crust (bake it empty in the pie pan).

adding whipped cream to banana pudding to make Banana Cream Pie

How to Make Banana Cream Pie (shortcut recipe)

  1. Bake the crust and cool completely if using pastry.
  2. Prepare the filling stir together pudding mix & milk, and fold in whipped topping (per the recipe below).
  3. Fill the crust with sliced bananas and top with the banana cream filling.
  4. Chill 4 hours or overnight, decorate with whipped cream and bananas.
mixing ingredients to make pudding layer for Banana Cream Pie

Quick Tips

  • When blind baking pastry, poke the crust with a fork to avoid bubbles.
  • If desired, this can be served in a no-bake graham crust (see notes)
  • Choose vanilla pudding; it really lets the fresh bananas’ flavor shine (banana pudding can overpower the fresh flavor).
  • Ensure the bananas are completely covered with the filling so they don’t brown.
a slice of banana cream pie on a plate

To Store Cream Pies

Once the crust is finished, this banana pie recipe does not need to be baked. It tastes best when served chilled, refrigerate at least 3 to 4 hours uncovered before serving! If storing longer than 4 hours, lightly cover with plastic wrap.

  • Refrigerator: You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days; if you keep it too long, the bananas may get a bit weepy, but it’ll still taste great!

More Banana Recipes We Love

Did your family love this Banana Cream Pie? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
a slice of banana cream pie on a plate
4.90 from 237 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Easy Banana Cream Pie

Whip up an easy banana cream pie using a pre-made crust for a quick and delicious treat!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 4 hours
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
buy hollys book

Ingredients  

  • 1 single pie crust baked and cooled
  • 2 bananas plus extra for decorating
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounces each
  • 2 cups whipped topping such as Cool Whip, thawed and divided

Instructions 

For the Pastry

  • If making a pastry crust, preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Roll the pie crust into a 12-inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the pastry and fold the edges under. Crimp as desired. Poke the bottom of the crust with a fork.
  • Cut an 11-inch circle of parchment paper and gently place in the pie crust and fill it with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for crust 15 minutes, remove the parchment and beans/weights and then bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool completely.

For the Filling

  • Slice the bananas and arrange over cooled pie crust.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let rest for 3 minutes to thicken. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.
  • Spread the pudding mixture over the bananas. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Top with remaining whipped topping and decorate with banana slices and caramel or chocolate shavings if desired.

Notes

For a No Bake Graham Crust, combine 6 tablespoons melted butter, 1 ½ cups graham crumbs, and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Chill for at least 15 minutes before filling.
4.90 from 237 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 293 | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert, Pie
Cuisine American

For all of you who have loved and made the original from-scratch version, you can view and print the original from-scratch banana cream pie recipe here or you can print the easy banana cream pie listed above.

Banana Cream Pie with banana slices and a title
plated Banana Cream Pie with writing
close up of Banana Cream Pie with writing
Banana Cream Pie in the dish and plated with a title

Categories:

, ,

Recipes you'll love

About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

Follow Holly on social media:

pinterest facebook twitter instagram

Free eBook!

Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

4.90 from 237 votes (198 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

    1. I haven’t tried with it cook and serve pudding so I can’t say for sure. The pudding is made slightly thicker than what is suggested on the package so it holds firm when slices. Let us know how it goes!

  1. couldn’t be easier and taste great. I went heavy on the bananas and made the pudding with half milk and half strawberry yogurt.5 stars

  2. This was SO good. My teenage daughter and I always make a banana cream pie together the day before Thanksgiving. Every year, we come across super elaborate recipes and get so-so results. Came across this one this year and it was SO good and SO simple. Used the recommended no-bake graham cracker recipe too. This is a keeper for sure!5 stars

  3. Am I able to make this ahead of time? Planning to make it the night before a party but not sure if the crust would get soggy?

  4. I’ve been making this for the past 3 years for my families thanksgiving and it’s a huge hit! I’ve been asked to make it for birthdays or just because lol. I will never use any other banana creme recipe than this. Thank you so much for this recipe!5 stars