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!
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).
How to Make Banana Cream Pie (shortcut recipe)
- Bake the crust and cool completely if using pastry.
- Prepare the filling stir together pudding mix & milk, and fold in whipped topping (per the recipe below).
- Fill the crust with sliced bananas and top with the banana cream filling.
- Chill 4 hours or overnight, decorate with whipped cream and bananas.
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.
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!
Easy Banana Cream Pie
Equipment
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
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Pie
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.
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.
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 !