Crowded Kitchen

MENUMENU
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Sign Up
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Desserts

Easy Vegan Banana Pudding

Published: Nov 12, 2022 by Lexi

52 shares
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

With just 7 ingredients, this easy vegan banana pudding comes together in one pot and a blender, and takes just 30 minutes. It's a sweet and creamy dessert that's completely vegan.

Front view of banana pudding in a small jar.
Serve with vanilla wafers, fresh sliced bananas, and whipped cream.

Banana pudding is one of those desserts I don't often think to make, but whenever we do, I'm always reminded why it's so delicious!

Our vegan banana pudding is super smooth, not to sweet, and perfect for layering with crushed cookies and whipped cream. It's a great option for entertaining, since it can easily be prepped ahead of time.

Bonus: You could even turn it into a pie by adding the filling to a graham cracker crust and chilling overnight until set!

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Step-by-step Instructions
  • How to Serve Your Banana Pudding
  • Expert Tips and FAQs
  • More Banana Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Vegan twist on a classic: We took a classic, southern-style banana pudding, and made it vegan. It's just as creamy, sweet, and delicious as the original.
  • Super smooth: Most recipes call for just mashing the bananas, but we add them to a blender before cooking the pudding, ensuring a super smooth and creamy pudding.
  • Make ahead dessert: This is the type of recipe you can make up to a few days ahead of time, so it's a great option for holidays or dinner parties that require a lot of prep time.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this vegan banana pudding:

Overhead view of vegan banana pudding ingredients, including wager bananas, coconut milk, cornstarch, and maple syrup.
You only need 7 essential ingredients for this recipe.

Ingredient Notes

  • Bananas: It's best to use ripe bananas for this vegan banana pudding. They don't have to be totally brown/spotty – just make sure they are fully yellow with no green spots. If the bananas aren't ripe enough, this pudding may end up tasting bitter and not sweet enough.
  • Sweetener: We used maple syrup, but you could also try date syrup, stevia, or agave.
  • Lemon juice: We add this to help prevent the bananas from browning - this is optional if you're okay with the color being less-than-perfect.
  • Coconut milk: Be sure to use lite coconut milk (not full fat) in this recipe, as it will prevent the pudding from becoming too thick and heavy. You could also try almond milk, oat milk or soy milk.
  • Cornstarch: This is the key ingredient to create a thick, pudding style texture. You can also use arrowroot starch.
  • Wafer cookies: Completely optional – these are just for topping! If you want to keep this recipe gluten free, leave them out, or opt for a GF alternative. (Graham crackers work well, too.)

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Add bananas, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon juice, cinnamon and cornstarch to a blender and blend for 20-30 seconds, until smooth.

(2) Add banana mixture to a medium sized saucepan and heat to medium high, whisking constantly. Once the mixture comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, whisking often.

On the left: blending all ingredients. On the right: mixture after cooking in a pot.
Just blend everything together, cook, and refrigerate.

(3) Remove the pan from heat and let cool, then transfer to refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours, until completely cooled. Serve topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafers. 

How to Serve Your Banana Pudding

  • Enjoy it by itself, topped with sliced bananas.
  • Add chia seeds and let it sit overnight for a sweet and easy banana chia pudding.
  • Alternate layers of banana pudding, crushed cookies, and banana slices, then top with the nondairy whipped cream of your choice to create a parfait-style dessert.
  • Add 2-4 tablespoons of peanut butter to create a peanut butter banana pudding.
  • Nuts: chopped walnuts or slivered almonds add a nice crunch and a bit of flavor.

Expert Tips and FAQs

  • The pudding will thicken after a few hours in the fridge, so don't be too concerned if it doesn't look thick enough when it comes off the stove.
  • Blend thoroughly before cooking to make sure your vegan banana pudding is as smooth and creamy as possible!
  • Add turmeric for color: Since bananas will oxidize during the cooking process and during cooling, if you want a yellower color in your pudding, you can add ¼ - ⅛ teaspoon of turmeric. Don't overdo it, otherwise it will alter the flavor.
  • Use ripe bananas: These will be much easier to mash and will also create a creamier texture. Unripe bananas may also make this pudding taste bitter/not as sweet.
  • Stir constantly: While the pudding is cooking on the stove, be sure to whisk frequently to prevent burning/clumping.
How should I store banana pudding?

Transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge. It should keep for about 3-5 days.

Can I freeze banana pudding?

We wouldn't recommend it, as it will negatively affect the texture when defrosted.

Front view of banana pudding in a jar.

More Banana Recipes

  • Banana walnut muffin in a muffin tin with a bite taken out.
    Gluten Free Banana Muffins
  • Overhead view of strawberry banana mango smoothie with a raspberry on top.
    Mango Strawberry Banana Smoothie
  • Front view of banana chia pudding.
    The Best Banana Chia Pudding
  • Banana Bread Granola

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

Print

📖 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Front view of banana pudding in a jar.

Vegan Banana Pudding


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

With just 7 ingredients, this easy vegan banana pudding comes together in one pot and a blender, and takes just 30 minutes. It's a sweet and creamy dessert that's completely vegan.


Ingredients

Banana Pudding:

  • 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
  • 1 14.5 oz can lite coconut milk 
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch

To Make a Parfait:

  • Vegan vanilla wafers
  • Vegan whipped cream


Instructions

  1. Add bananas, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon juice, cinnamon and cornstarch to a blender and blend for 20-30 seconds, until smooth.
  2. Add banana mixture to a medium sized saucepan and heat to medium high, whisking constantly. Once the mixture comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, whisking often.
  3. Remove the pan from heat and let cool, then transfer to refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours, until completely cooled. Serve topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafers. 

Notes

Nutrition facts are for pudding only.

The pudding will thicken up once it's in the fridge, so don't be too concerned if it doesn't look thick enough when it comes off the stove.

Add turmeric: Since bananas will oxidize during the cooking process and during cooling, if you want a yellower color in your pudding, you can add ¼ - ⅛ teaspoon of turmeric.

Use ripe bananas: these will be much easier to mash and will also create a creamier texture.

Stir constantly: while the pudding is cooking on the stove, be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning the pudding.

Storage: Store in an airtight container and enjoy within 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 197
  • Sugar: 21.2 g
  • Sodium: 3.1 mg
  • Fat: 6.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2.3 g
  • Protein: 0.9 g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crowded_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #crowdedkitchen

More Dessert Recipes

  • Slice of strawberry shortcake on a plate with strawberries in the background.
    Sheet Pan Strawberry Shortcake
  • Mounds Bar Dates
  • Close up view of a slice of peanut butter mousse pie.
    Peanut Butter Mousse Pie (No Bake)
  • Overhead view of peanut butter Easter eggs that look like robin's eggs in egg container.
    Peanut Butter Easter Eggs

Comments

No Comments

Let us know what you think! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Lexi and Beth toasting with wine.

Hi, we're Lexi and Beth, a mother-daughter team from Michigan. The recipes you'll find here are a reflection of how we bring our family together around the dinner table despite various dietary differences.

More about us →

Seasonal

  • close up overhead view of vegan bean soup in a bowl on white linen surface.
    Three-Bean Vegetable Soup
  • Front view of strawberry pop tart.
    Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts
  • Overhead view of slice and bake cookies on a pink plate.
    Slice and Bake Heart Cookies
  • close up view of a passion fruit martini in a glass with dark backdrop.
    Passion Fruit Martini

Popular

  • Overhead view of fruit and nut crackers on a plate.
    Gourmet Fruit and Nut Crackers
  • overhead view of vegan mac and cheese in pot
    The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
  • Overhead view of hot honey chicken plate.
    Hot Honey Chicken Plate (Sweetgreen Dupe)
  • Overhead view of potato leek soup.
    Super Green Sheet Pan Soup

See more-->

Footer

Back to top ↑

About

  • Learn About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • See our Portfolio

Newsletter

  • Sign up for weekly emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Work With Us
  • As Seen In

Copyright © 2025 Crowded Kitchen