The Best No-Bake Banana Cream Pie

If you are a banana cream pie lover, then today is your lucky day! I am a big fan of pies, but to be honest, I almost never actually make them at home—it just always seems like so much work! I did, however, make this no-bake banana cream pie as I wanted to see how easy it felt compared to making a pie from scratch (and if it would be as good!), and I have to say, it was so easy and so delicious that I’m totally sold on the no-bake pie idea! You can make a few tweaks to make it even easier (or add a little more effort in spots) to adjust it to your taste and time level, but either way, I know it will be delicious!!

With a little more effort, you can change the flavor a bit by using a ready-made refrigerated or frozen pie shell instead of a graham cracker crust. You’ll have to bake that crust and let it cool completely first, so technically it won’t be a no-bake pie anymore, but it’s still a good option if you don’t love a graham cracker crust.

When it comes to the pudding, you can use either banana cream or vanilla pudding depending on how banana heavy you want the flavor to be. I love banana pudding so that was an easy choice for me.

I’m not a Cool Whip person myself, but if that’s your jam and/or you don’t feel like whipping up fresh whipped cream, you can totally sub in a whipped topping like that for your pie.

My daughter was so excited to watch me make this pie and even more excited to eat it when it was set! We all dug in once it was ready, and O.M.G. it was so freaking good!! It really surprised me that something that good and polished looking came out of such little effort and it’s totally something I would make for a gathering or a dinner now that I know how quick, easy, and delicious it is. Also, if you don’t love the look of the tin foil that a ready-made crust comes in, you can always pop the whole thing into a cute pie pan like mine and use a gold pie server, making it look more official instantly. Maybe some cute pink plates as well?? Are you a fan of the no-bake pie yet? If so, what’s your favorite to make? xo. Laura

P.S. Check out our archives for more no-bake recipe options!

The Best No-Bake Banana Cream Pie

Prep Time 15 minutes

Time in Refrigerator 2 hours

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust (graham cracker for super easy or a pie shell you bake for an extra step)
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 3.4-ounce box of instant banana cream pudding
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whipping cream (measure out 2 cups then whip) you can also use Cool Whip if you prefer the taste of that
• Nilla Wafer cookies
• 2 ripe bananas

Instructions

1. Take your pie crust and line the bottom with sliced bananas (should take about one banana to cover bottom).

2. Pour 2 cups of whipping cream into a bowl and beat on high with a hand mixer (or mix in standing mixer) until soft peaks form when you pull up a paddle. Set aside.

3. Pour your pudding mix into a bowl and add the milk and vanilla. Whisk to combine for 2 minutes and then fold in 1 1/2 cups of your whipped cream gently until combined.

4. Pour the pudding mixture over the layer of bananas in the pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.

5. Gently add the rest of the whipped cream to the top of the pie and spread out to cover the top of the pie.

6. Stick Nilla Wafers all around the edge of the pie.

7. Place in fridge for 2 hours to fully set. Decorate with fresh bananas right before serving and enjoy!

Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman.