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

Are Nilla wafers vegan? ›

Q: Are Nilla Wafers Vegan? A: Store-bought Nilla wafers contain eggs and dairy products so they're not vegan.

Is banana custard the same as banana pudding? ›

While most custard and pudding recipes both typically call for eggs, the main difference is that pudding uses a starch for thickening, whereas custard's thickening agent is the egg itself (or egg yolk, in most instances).

Is banana pudding a southern thing? ›

Banana pudding may feel like the quintessential southern dessert, but is it? 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.

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 isn't vanilla vegan? ›

As a result, it's safe to say that nearly all vanilla extract is vegan. This is because castoreum is no longer utilized in vanilla extracts since it is too expensive and difficult to obtain. As a result, employing castoreum to manufacture vanilla extracts is becoming increasingly unusual.

Is Queen imitation vanilla vegan? ›

Good news! The majority of Queen Products are in fact vegan. Simply click on the product name to read more info. What is the difference between Essence and Extract?

What state is known for banana pudding? ›

The National Banana Pudding Festival is held at the Centerville River Park in Centerville, Tennessee.

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 magnolia banana pudding made of? ›

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding – this is the ACTUAL banana pudding recipe from their cookbook. This classic dessert has layers of creamy vanilla pudding, bananas, and a layer of vanilla wafers. It's heaven and one of our favorite desserts.

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.

Is banana pudding African American? ›

Banana pudding has an old African American history. Black cooks in the South took a native African fruit (the banana) and reimagined this layered, originally English custard dish to perfection!

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.

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 do you make banana puree not turn brown? ›

Sprinkle a few drops of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange—into the purée to slow down oxidation. The juice contains ascorbic acid which prevents oxidation.

Does aluminum foil help bananas? ›

Cover the stem ends of each banana with plastic wrap or aluminium foil to reduce the release of ethylene gas. Bananas release high amounts of ethylene gas, which accelerates the proces of browning. Thus, to slow it down, separate the bananas from the bunch and then store them.

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