I love having a couple of pie options that the younger kids can make by themselves for Thanksgiving. For a beginning cook, a pie like this Easy No-bake Banana Cream Pie is perfect! It uses a premade crust and a simple filling that is made from instant pudding. My 8-year-old, Trever, made this for our family. He felt so cool that he did it all by himself. Even better, it was delicious! It tastes very similar to this Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe. Grab these simple ingredients and put one of your kids in charge of this pie for Thanksgiving!
One of the things that makes this easy pie so yummy is the mix of one vanilla pudding and one banana pudding. I find that using two banana puddings gives an overpowering banana flavor to the dessert. Adding vanilla pudding really balances it out. Using cream in place of some of the milk makes the filling extra thick and decadent!
As you can see in the step-by-step pictures below, we like to slice some bananas and put them on top of the crust before pouring in the filling. I suggest skipping that step unless you are only making it one day in advance or the same day as it will be served. The banana slices have a tendency to get a little too soft if prepared too far in advance. Also, make sure to wait to add bananas to the top until right before serving.
More Simple Pies and Desserts Kids Can Make For Thanksgiving
- Pumpkin Pecan Crunch
- No-bake Peanut Butter Reese’s Pie
- 3-ingredient Lemonade Ice Cream Pie
- Key Lime Pie
- The Best Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
- Easy Eclair Pie
- The Best Pumpkin Pie
step-by-step pictures on how to make easy no-bake banana cream pie
Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Easy No-bake Banana Cream Pie
how far in advance can I make the pie?
The pie covered with plastic wrap or a lid will last up to three days in the refrigerator. If you plan to make it 2-3 days in advance, I recommend omitting the sliced banana layer. The bananas will become soft and mushy when prepared too far in advance of serving.
How ripe should the bananas be?
You want bananas that are firm and yellow and just beginning to turn ripe. They can have a little green on the peel, but steer clear of bananas with a lot of dark brown spots on them.
what type of milk works best?
Whole milk will work the best, but you can also use 2% or low-fat milk. I do not recommend non-fat milk.
I don’t like sour cream. Can I leave it out?
Yes, you can. I like to add sour cream to the pie because it turns out to have a thicker, creamery texture. The tangy flavor of sour cream also helps to balance out the sweeter ingredients in the pudding mixture.
can I use homemade whipping cream in place of the cool whip?
Absolutely. If you choose to make homemade whipping cream for the topping, you will need 2 cups of heavy cream for this recipe.
chef’s tools:
Recipes for Banana Lovers
- 2 perfect bananas
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant banana pudding
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1¾ cups milk (not skim if possible)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 premade graham cracker crust
- 2 cups Cool Whip (whipped topping)
- To make this easy pie, start by slicing one banana and placing the slices onto the bottom of the premade pie crust.
- Next, get a medium-sized mixing bowl and pour the two pudding packets, heavy cream, milk, and sour cream into the bowl. Whisk together until nice and smooth. It will start to thicken.
- Pour the thick pudding mixture into the prepared pie crust and spread it evenly.
- Next, spread the Cool Whip over the pudding layer. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When you are ready to serve, use the other perfect banana to garnish the pie or each slice as you serve it.
- Enjoy!
Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Absolutely winderful
Thank you!
Awesome. Sprinkled a little instant pudding on the bottom, and on the top of the bananas. ( my bananas were very ripe) so it would set up nicely. Whole family agrees this would s the best banana pie they’ve had!!
Awesome, I love hearing that Heidi! Great idea with the instant pudding!