Strawberry Banana Pudding is a light and flavorful dessert that blends the natural sweetness of bananas with the vibrant tang of strawberries.
This easy-to-make recipe offers a creamy, decadent texture with layers of rich vanilla pudding, crushed Oreos, and whipped cream, creating a dessert that’s both satisfying and visually appealing. Not only is it a treat for your taste buds, but it also provides a burst of fresh fruit flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert to impress guests or a fun treat to enjoy with your family, this no-bake pudding is a go-to option. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can whip up this delicious dessert in no time, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute gatherings.
Banana Strawberry Pudding Ingredients
- Frozen whole strawberries
- Fresh strawberries
- Bananas
- Vanilla-flavored instant pudding
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Cream cheese, softened
- Vanilla extract
- Cool Whip
- Oreo cookies (or vanilla wafers)
How To Make Banana Strawberry Pudding
Prepare the Ingredients:
Crush the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a resealable bag and rolling them with a rolling pin. Heat the frozen strawberries in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, until softened, then mash them into a thick puree with a fork.
Slice fresh strawberries and bananas into thin, uniform pieces for layering.
Make the Pudding Mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and instant pudding mix. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of Cool Whip and mix until fully combined.
Layer the Dessert:
In a trifle dish (or individual serving cups), spread half of the pudding mixture as the first layer. Add half of the mashed strawberries on top of the pudding layer, followed by half of the sliced bananas. Sprinkle half of the crushed Oreo crumbs evenly over the bananas.Repeat the layers with the remaining pudding, mashed strawberries, bananas, and Oreo crumbs.
Top with Cool Whip:
Spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the top layer of Oreos. Garnish with freshly sliced strawberries and bananas.
Chill and Serve:
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours) before serving.
Pro Tips
For Even Layers: Use a spatula to spread the pudding and Cool Whip evenly for a visually appealing presentation.
Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Use bananas that are slightly ripe but firm to avoid mushiness.
Avoid Browning Bananas: Dip banana slices in lemon juice to keep them from browning in the dessert.
Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sweetened condensed milk to ⅓ cup.
Variations
Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips between the layers for extra texture.
Use Graham Crackers: Substitute Oreo cookies with crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
Swap Fruits: Replace strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of berries.
Whipped Cream Alternative: Use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip for a fresher taste.
Ingredient Substitutes
Cream Cheese: Substitute with mascarpone for a lighter texture.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Use evaporated milk with a touch of sugar if needed.
Pudding Mix: Try cheesecake-flavored pudding mix for a different twist.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that the bananas may start to brown after the first day.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as the pudding mixture and fresh fruits may lose their texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the layers a day in advance, but wait to add the fresh fruit garnish until just before serving to keep it looking fresh.
2. How can I keep the banana slices from browning?
Toss the banana slices in lemon juice before layering to prevent browning.
3. Can I use sugar-free pudding mix?
Absolutely! A sugar-free pudding mix works well if you’re looking to reduce the overall sugar content.
4. What’s the best way to crush Oreo cookies?
You can crush them in a food processor for fine crumbs or place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin for a chunkier texture.
5. Can I substitute frozen strawberries with fresh ones?
Yes, you can use fresh strawberries for the mashed berry layer, but the flavor may be less concentrated.
More Recipes
- Strawberry Pound Cake
- Strawberry Banana Poke Cake
- Strawberry Banana Milkshake
- Strawberry Banana Cake
- Vanilla Cake With Strawberry Banana Filling
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
- Strawberry and Banana Pudding Cake
Strawberry Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Strawberries whole frozen
- 3 medium Strawberries fresh
- 2 medium Bananas
- 3.4 oz Pudding vanilla flavor instant
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 16 oz Cool Whip
- 12 Oreo Cookies or you can use vanilla wafers instead
Instructions
- Pulverize the Oreos into crumbs using a food processor, or seal them in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Put the strawberries in a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup and heat them on high for approximately 2 minutes. Then, mash them with a fork and refrigerate until needed.
- In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to blend the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then, mix in about 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip at low speed until everything is well combined. If you prefer homemade whipped cream, gently fold it in with a spatula instead of using Cool Whip.
- Layer half of the pudding mixture in the bottom of the dish. Add half of the mashed strawberries on top, using a knife or fork to swirl them lightly into the pudding. Next, layer half of the sliced bananas over the strawberries, and finish with half of the crushed cookies.
- Create another set of layers by repeating the pudding, mashed strawberries, banana slices, and crushed cookies. Finish by spreading the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the top. Decorate the whipped cream with fresh strawberry and banana slices.
- Wrap the dish with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour before serving.