Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

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Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 05/06/21Updated: 05/26/23

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This vegan banana pudding is a sweet, creamy, dairy-free take on a classic Southern treat. Vegan vanilla pudding layered with bananas and vegan vanilla cookies, with a dollop of dairy-free whipped topping to round it off. Dress it up in individual servings or make a big bowl for yourself.

Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (2)

🍌 What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • This homemade, Southern-style vegan banana pudding is so simple to make, and you don’t need any instant pudding packets to do it!
  • It’s a fantastic make-ahead dessert option. The pudding needs at least 3 hours in the fridge to set up, but you can make it as many as 3 days before you need it!
  • This can be a beautiful, elegant, neatly-layered dessert, or it can be a fun, casual, eat-it-straight-out-of-the-bowl dessert. It’s up to you! Trust me, it’s delicious either way.

Key Ingredients

Whipped Topping – Any kind of store-bought dairy-free whipped topping will work here! I used a container of Cocowhip I found in the freezer section at my grocery store. Alternately, you can chill a can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight, then use the thick coconut cream that forms on top as your whipped topping.

Maple Syrup – This is my sweetener of choice for vegan pudding, but you can use any liquid or granulated sweetener you like! For a vegan sugar-free sweetener, try erythritol.

Bananas – Since this is a Southern-style vegan banana pudding, the pudding itself isn’t banana-flavored – it’s vanilla! That’s why fresh bananas are super important. Without them you’ve just got vegan vanilla pudding. Use bananas that aren’t overripe. You don’t want them to be mushy!

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips

  • Instead of serving this pudding layered like a trifle, you can make it a chilled vegan banana pudding pie! Take a vegan pie crust, layer slices of bananas on the bottom, then top it off with the banana pudding.
  • Wait until you’re ready to assemble your pudding layers before you peel and slice the bananas. They’ll start to brown when they’re exposed to air, so slicing them too early will affect the texture and the presentation.
  • Traditional Southern-style banana pudding is made with Nilla wafers. If you have trouble finding vegan vanilla wafers, though, use any vegan vanilla cookies you like. You can also make this with vegan graham crackers instead.
Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (3)

🌱 Other Vegan Recipes You Should Try

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Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (4)

4.50 from 2 votes

Vegan Banana Pudding

Prep:10 minutes minutes

Cook:30 minutes minutes

Chill:3 hours hours

Total:3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

This vegan banana pudding is a sweet, creamy, dairy-free take on a classic Southern treat. Vegan pudding layered with bananas and vegan vanilla cookies, with a dollop of dairy-free whipped topping to round it off.

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8 servings

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch
  • 1 15-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch turmeric optional, for color
  • 1 9-ounce container vegan whipped topping divided, see Notes
  • 4-5 medium bananas peeled, sliced into discs
  • vegan vanilla cookies to taste

Equipment

  • 2 small bowls

  • whisk

  • Small saucepan

  • Refrigerator

  • Serving dishes

Instructions

  • In small bowl, whisk together almond milk and cornstarch until combined. Set aside.

    Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (5)

  • In small saucepan, heat coconut milk over medium heat. When hot, slowly whisk in almond milk/cornstarch mixture.

  • Simmer until thickened, approximately 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently.

    Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (6)

  • Stir in vanilla, maple syrup, and salt. If adding turmeric for color, stir in here.

  • Transfer mixture to bowl and let cool at room temperature 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, cover bowl and move it to refrigerator. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours until set and thickened.

  • Remove pudding from refrigerator. Stir in 1 cup of vegan whipped topping. Combine thoroughly.

    Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (7)

  • In dish(es) of choice, layer wafers, then bananas, then pudding. Repeat layers as needed. Top with remaining whipped topping and serve.

Notes

  • Whipped Topping: I used So Delicious Dairy Free Original Cocowhip.
  • Cookies: If you have trouble finding vegan vanilla wafers, you can use any vegan vanilla cookies you like. You can also make this with vegan graham crackers instead.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 283kcal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0g | Total Carbs: 36g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Net Carbs: 34g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 352mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed,notincluding any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (8)

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  1. Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (9)Cassie says

    Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (10)
    Very good! I think next time I would let it sit over night. Otherwise very easy to make and delicious

    Reply

    • Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (11)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Cassie!

      Reply

  2. Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (12)Rosa says

    Hello, on the coconut cream do I use all of it or am I skimming the top layer off and throw away the water?

    Reply

    • Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (13)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Hi! This recipe doesn’t use coconut cream – you’ll need a can of coconut milk, and yes, you’ll use the entire can. It’s heated on the stovetop in step 2.

      Reply

  3. Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (14)kennedy says

    hi, can i remove the whipped topping ? i temporarily live in a foreign country and can’t find that ingredient. i’m actually making it now and will try withou for.. maybe add xanthan gum for thickening. let me know, thanks !!

    Reply

    • Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (15)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Of course! If you’re able to find coconut cream (or coconut milk) you could whip the coconut cream with a hand mixer (or handheld whisk) for a quick dairy-free whipped cream.

      Reply

  4. Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (16)Savannah says

    This looks so good! Do you think I could substitute oat milk for the almond milk?

    Reply

    • Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (17)Anna Claire | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (18)
      Sure thing!

      Reply

Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is banana pudding a southern thing? ›

It's no secret that Southerners love banana pudding, but bananas hail from the tropics, and the first mention of the layered dessert came not from the South but from the New York Times in 1878, according to food historian Robert Moss for Serious Eats.

Is banana pudding good for high blood pressure? ›

Promotes Heart Health

The combination of potassium and fiber in banana pudding helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and improve cardiovascular health. It is a heart-healthy dessert choice compared to other high-fat options.

Why do BBQ places have banana pudding? ›

Meat is expensive, and at a barbecue joint that's all about showcasing high-quality meat cooked for hours, simple, inexpensive sides and desserts help keep the scales of financial and labor investment in balance. Banana pudding is a dish going back to the late 1880s and forever linked to barbecue.

How long will lemon juice keep bananas from turning brown? ›

However, if you sprinkle them with a little lemon juice, it lowers the pH levels and will keep browning at bay. Following the lemon trick, put them in the fridge, either wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight food storage container or bag. Stored this way, sliced bananas can stay fresh for three to four days.

Does pineapple juice keep bananas from turning brown? ›

Keep cut fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and peaches from turning brown by: Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice. Use a commercial anti-darkening preparation with fruits, such as Fruit-Fresh®*, and follow the manufacturer's directions.

Why do southerners love banana pudding? ›

The pudding certainly became a popular dish in the southern states, perhaps because of ports like New Orleans and their proximity to banana growing regions in the mid-1800s, making the banana an accessible fruit for Americans. But as it turns out, the first recipes for the dish weren't found in the South at all.

What country invented banana pudding? ›

United States

What can you put on bananas to keep them from turning black in banana pudding? ›

While lemon juice is possibly the most commonly used ingredient to slow the browning of bananas, other acidic juices work well too. Consider using another citrus fruit juice like orange, or try pineapple juice instead.

What is the number one fruit to lower blood pressure? ›

The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

What does eating two bananas a day do to your body? ›

They may improve your digestion and heart health, thanks to their fiber and antioxidant content. Plus, they may support weight loss because they're relatively low in calories, nutrient-dense, and filling. Both ripe (yellow) bananas and unripe (green) bananas can satisfy your sweet tooth and help keep you healthy.

Can I eat 2 bananas a day for high blood pressure? ›

Moderation is key when it comes to banana consumption for lowering blood pressure. While bananas offer various heart-healthy benefits, overeating can lead to excessive calorie intake, potentially offsetting their advantages. Aim for one to two medium bananas at most each day.

Does Patti LaBelle make banana pudding? ›

Beyond her musical talents, however, Patti LaBelle has also made a significant mark in the culinary world with her delectable desserts—particularly her famous banana pudding, which you can buy at some Walmart locations.

What is banana pudding called in England? ›

Typically if there's banana with a caramel or toffee flavour added then it'll get called banoffee, again that could be pie, profiteroles, ice-cream, all sorts of stuff. It would probably be called “banana pudding”.

How do you keep bananas from turning yellow in banana pudding? ›

While using acidic juice or a coating of honey can prevent browning, the way you construct your dessert also affects the bananas. For banana pudding, ensure you completely cover the layers of bananas with the pudding. Doing so forms a barrier between the bananas and the air, helping them stay fresh longer.

How do you keep bananas from turning brown in a banana cream pie? ›

* Treat the bananas with citrus juice: Lemon, orange or pineapple juice will prevent browning. To avoid changing the flavor of the pie, you want to use as little as possible. Brush it lightly on the slices, or place the juice in a spray bottle and spritz them.

How to stop bananas from turning brown once cut? ›

To prevent your banana slices from browning, you can use the same trick you've seen for apples: acid! 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.

How do you keep bananas from turning brown longer? ›

Wrap the stems with plastic wrap to keep the bananas ripe for longer or to stop them from becoming overripe too quickly. This method slows down the release of ethylene gas, which is responsible for ripening fruits. Prevent sliced bananas from browning by dipping them in lemon juice or orange juice.

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