Easy No-bake Banana Cream Pie

No-bake Banana Cream Pie is perfect for a beginner chef

I love having a couple of pie options that the younger kids can make by themselves for Thanksgiving. A pie like this Easy No-bake Banana Cream Pie is perfect for a beginning cook! It uses a premade crust and a simple filling 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 instead 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 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 for Banana Cream Pie:

• Premade Graham Cracker Crust (10-inch)
• Pie Dish with Lid
• Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Pie Server

More Easy No-Bake Cream Pies

Samoa Cookie Cream PieNo-Bake Oreo PieNo-Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

5.0 from 3 reviews

Easy No-bake Banana Cream Pie

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Put the kids in charge of making this delicious and super easy pie. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any day that calls for a yummy dessert!

Author: Maria

Recipe type: Pie/Dessert

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 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 (10-inch) premade graham cracker crust
• 2 cups Cool Whip (whipped topping)

Instructions

1. To make this easy pie, start by slicing one banana and placing the slices onto the bottom of the premade pie crust.
2. 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.
3. Pour the thick pudding mixture into the prepared pie crust and spread it evenly.
4. Next, spread the Cool Whip over the pudding layer. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. When you are ready to serve, use the other perfect banana to garnish the pie or each slice as you serve it.
6. Enjoy!

3.5.3251

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