Banana Cream Pie is an old-fashioned pie that everyone loves. A flaky pie crust is filled with fresh bananas and a rich creamy vanilla layer. It’s all topped off with whipped topping.
This dessert is best made ahead of time making it the perfect holiday treat!
A Homemade Pie Two Ways
Banana cream pie is a staple in my kitchen (along with a classic apple pie). I’ve made it several ways including from scratch with egg yolks, from scratch with whole eggs and an easy shortcut recipe.
Originally this recipe was posted with the egg yolk version and was later updated to include the whole egg version. While many readers have loved the from-scratch recipe, several of you struggled to get the pie set.
We took the recipes back to the test kitchen and have made 11 pies over the past 2 weeks and are unable to re-create the problem (in my kitchen as well as those of family and friends who have helped to test the recipes). We’ve tried everything from overcooking to undercooking and everything in between.
Here at SpendWithPennies.com, we are committed to sharing recipes that work in your kitchen as well as they do in ours. For this reason, we have updated the recipe below to include a shortcut version of banana cream pie.
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 print the shortcut version below.
Crust for Banana Cream Pie
Regardless of which version you choose to make, this pie can be set in a traditional pastry pie crust or a no-bake graham cracker crust.
Graham Cracker Crust: A graham cracker crust doesn’t require baking. Store-bought graham crusts tend to be a bit thin and don’t hold up as well. Making a graham crust takes only about 5 minutes.
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).
How to Make Banana Cream Pie (quick version)
- Bake the crust and cool completely.
- Prepare the filling (per the recipe below). Simply mix milk and pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping.o Assemble the Banana Cream Pie
- Fill the crust with sliced bananas and the filling mixture.
- Chill 4 hours or overnight. Decorate as desired and enjoy!
To Store Cream Pies
Once the crust is finished, this pie recipe requires no baking. It tastes best when served chilled so refrigerate at least 3-4 hours uncovered before serving!
- Refrigerator: You can keep it in the fridge up to 3 days, if you keep it too long, the bananas may get a bit weepy but it’ll still taste great!
- Freezer: Can Banana Cream Pie be frozen? Sure, you can freeze banana cream pie and it can be served frozen or partially frozen too.
The next time you’re planning a backyard barbecue or party, delight your family and guests with this light, refreshing dessert. It’s the perfect finish for any meal.
Delicious No Bake Pies
- Ultimate Coconut Cream Pie – deliciously fluffy!
- No Bake Key Lime Pie – Sweet, tart and delicious!
- No Bake Strawberry Pie – Summer perfect!
- Fresh Strawberries & Cream Pie – Zesty lemon filling
- Snickers Cream Pies – bite-sized snacks!
Easy Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust baked
- 2 bananas plus extra for decorating
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix 3.5 oz each
- 2 cups frozen whipped topping thawed and divided
Instructions
- Bake and cool pie crust per recipe directions.
- Slice bananas and arrange over cooled pie crust.
- Mix vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until combined. Rest 3 minutes to thicken. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.
- Spread pudding mixture over the bananas. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Top with remaining whipped topping and decorate with banana slices and caramel or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Originally this recipe was posted with a from scratch egg yolk version. While many readers have loved the from-scratch recipe, several of you struggled to get the pie set. We took the recipes back to the test kitchen and have been unable to re-create the problem.
Here at SpendWithPennies.com, we are committed to sharing recipes that work in your kitchen as well as they do in ours. For this reason, we have updated this to a shortcut version of banana cream pie.
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.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Hi there!
Here in Mexico is not so common the instant pudding, but what is very common is the Maizena brand atole, wich is just flavored cornstarch, to be cooked with milk to desired consistency, from drinkable to puddin-like.
Would this work here, or needs something extra?
Hi Ricardo, I have never worked with Maizena so I can’t say for sure. Maybe another reader can offer some guidance.
of your using Jello instant pudding,, why not just buy banana cream pudding mix. it’s right next to the vanilla.
sorry to state the obvious.
You definitely can if you prefer, Dave! We like to make it this way, but both would be delicious.
For folding in the whipped topping, is it an 8 ounce container or do you measure out 1 cup?
Hi Ben, we measure out 1 cup.
This pie sounds SO good! I’ve been wanting to make something special for my kids since they’ve been so stinkin patient and helpful while we’ve had some big home renovations. hey’ve only had banana creme pie a handful of times but they love banana anything, so I’ll definitely be trying this out cause I know they’ll love it! Thanks for sharing!
Love the reciepe
I made banana cream pie but I used the homemade from scratch & it turned out spectacular. I made 2 and only have 2 pieces left. It definitely was a hit and a wonderful dessert with any great meal. I made this for our Christmas feast.
y mother was old school she cut her bananas in glass pie pan and cooked the filling and pour the filling over the bananas that was mother way
I made this for Easter just as the directions stated and topped it with caramel drizzle and banana slices. It was easy, turned out delicious and was a hit! I was asked to bring it again next year. Thank you!
I’m confused, The recipe said this is from scratch! I always look at your recipes because they’re always really good! I am very disappointed that this is a box of vanilla instant pudding!
As mentioned in the notes, you can find a from-scratch version here. We have both versions. Enjoy the pie Bee!
I never made a banana cream pie before. This was easy and very delicious! I may make another one day soon! Great way to get rid of bananas!
Banana cream pie is one of my favorites. I’m going to try with Banana cream pudding instead of vanilla.
This pie is so good. I used one box of instant vanilla pudding and one of instant banana and mashed some banana in a bit of the milk before adding milk to mixture.
This recipe sounds good. How do you keep the bananas from getting dark, slimy in this recipe? For some reason that bothers me with recipes that have bananas slices.
When layered in the pudding mixture we don’t find they get brown or slimy. But we to prevent that from happening to the ones on the top we recommend adding them when you are ready to serve.
To help keep your bananas from turning brown:
Just toss your banana slices in some lemon juice to inhibit enzymatic browning. Full coverage, particularly on the cut sides, will help prevent the slices from turning brown. In addition to lemon juice, vinegar will also work.
So good! I didn’t have cool whip on hand so I used homemade whipped cream instead. The pie came out delicious! Will definitely make again.
will try this recipe.
The website link says “from scratch” and this uses pudding mix. One star for wasting my time
As mentioned in the notes, you can find a from-scratch version here. We have both versions. Enjoy the pie Christina!
perhaps you should read before taking pot shots at someone who is literally sharing something with you for free. your attitude of entitlement is neither reasonable nor appreciated, and Holly, in my opinion had much more patience and respect for you than deserved!!! put a sock in it, Christina!
Can’t wait to try this
I was thinking of trying this with a graham cracker pie crust maybe?
As mentioned in the post Sue, this pie can be set in a traditional pastry pie crust or a no-bake graham cracker crust. Enjoy the pie (I love this one!)!
Good
Little hard to do when in the country I come from we don’t have miracle whip or frozen pie crust. Although I’m originally from the US, would appreciate more alternatives or from scratch recipes to follow. Also, the majority of the world uses the metric system. Sorry the US can’t come to the party too.
As mentioned in the notes, you can find a from-scratch version here. The recipe calls for a baked pie crust (not a frozen crust), and you can find the recipe for that here! Enjoy the pie Martha!
Exactly I’ve made from scratch pie dough and store bought pie crust. Know it’s time to make this banana pie. Thanks for the easy recipe you shared and I didn’t need metric system. Our cooking system works just fine thanks to my mother recipes.
Holly, my previous post I submitted yesterday (01-02-2023) was intended for Martha for being so rude to you ,she posted back on (05-2021) All your recipes are simple to prep, cook and very delicious !!! Hubby always gives a thumbs up while shoveling it into his mouth !! You and I cook a lot in my kitchen together !!! :) Thank you, Thank you, Thank you !!!
Wow !! As my grandmother always said ” if you don’t have anything nice to say, then keep your d**n mouth shut !!!!
Delicious
would like to make pie
Enjoy it Juanita!
I’ve made this recipe a few times and it comes out great every time!! I made the two of them tonight. One following the exact recipe and one with a slight variation.. I wanted to add some more banana flavor to the pudding so, I mashed up 1 older/ripe banana with a little bit of milk and then blended it until a watery consistency and added that into the milk the recipe called for. It came out soo freaking good and added just the right touch of extra flavor i was looking for.
Great idea, thank you for sharing!
Jazzmin, Your change made a big splash with my family. Loving our new banana pie. And thank you !