No Bake Banana Split Dessert Recipe

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This No-Bake Banana Split Dessert will knock your socks off. A graham cracker crust, sweetened cheesecake layer, yummy banana pudding, Cool Whip, and your favorite banana split toppings all in a layered dessert you can share with everyone. No oven required!

Can’t get enough banana desserts? You need to try my No Bake Banana Pudding Pie, Banana Pudding Popsicles, and Banana Icebox Cake. They are all cool, creamy, and fun takes on classic banana pudding.

No bake banana split dessert with a graham cracker crust; layers of sweetened cream cheese, banana pudding, and Cool Whip; and topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry.

Are you on the hunt for a no bake sweet treat that won’t heat up your kitchen this summer? If so, you’re going to love this scrumptious no bake banana split lush. It’s creamy, dreamy, and a total crowd-pleaser.

It’s got all the flavors of your favorite banana split sundae but made into a sliceable dessert. You’ll drool over the layers of graham cracker crust, creamy fillings, banana pudding, and sweet toppings like chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and maraschino cherries. The delicious banana split dessert is served chilled, so it’s perfect for all those hot summer days.

Banana split lush dessert with chocolate sauce, sprinkles, whipped cream, and cherries on top.

Now, let’s get to the fun part! Whip up this delicious no bake recipe today. It’ll become a family favorite for the summer months.

Ingredients for Banana Split Lush

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients for banana split dessert in bowls on countertop.

Graham Cracker Crumbs — Used to make a buttery crust that holds the dessert together. If you can’t get your hands on a box of graham cracker crumbs you can make them yourself using a food processor.
Butter — Combines with the graham cracker crumbs to make the crust. Either salted or unsalted butter will work.
Cream Cheese — One of the ingredients for the creamy filling. The tangy flavor helps balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Confectioners’ Sugar — This ingredient sweetens the cream cheese mixture and is smoother than regular granulated sugar.
Instant Banana Pudding Mix — Make sure it’s instant pudding or else your dessert won’t set up properly.
Milk — I often use whole milk for richer flavor, but 2% or skim works, too. This is used to prepare the pudding mixture.
Whipped Topping — You’ll need two 8-oz containers or a 16-oz container divided. Half of it is combined with the cream cheese layer to make it nice and fluffy, while the rest is added to the top.
Chocolate Sauce, Rainbow Sprinkles, and Maraschino Cherries — Classic banana split toppings that you can add to the top of this dessert for that traditional flavor.

Equipment Needed

To make this delicious no-bake banana split dessert, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:

mixing bowls
9×13 baking dish – I recommend using an extra deep 9 x 13 pan to make sure you have room for all the luscious layers
hand mixer or stand mixer
measuring cups

How to Make No Bake Banana Split Dessert

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Make the graham cracker pie crust: Grab a medium bowl and combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together. You’re aiming for a slightly damp, sand-like consistency. Then, spread this mixture evenly at the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish, pressing it down to create a nice, firm crust.

Graham cracker crust pressed in 9 x 13 glass baking dish.

Whip up the cream cheese filling: Next, take your softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar and blend them in a large bowl. You can use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Make sure it’s smooth and nicely combined. Now, gently fold in half of your whipped topping. Once that’s done, gently spoon this mixture over the crust.

Cream cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl and the sweetened cream cheese mixture added to the baking dish in an even layer.

Prepare the pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and milk for about 2 minutes. Pour the pudding over the cream cheese layer, gently spreading it out to cover everything nicely.

Banana pudding in mixing bowl with wire whisk and the pudding added to an even layer in the baking pan.

Top with whipped cream: Now, it’s time to slather on the remaining whipped topping. Make sure it covers all the banana pudding goodness underneath.

Whipped topping spread into an even layer in a rectangular glass dish.

Add the finishing touches: Drizzle chocolate sauce all over the whipped topping. Scatter rainbow sprinkles over the top, and add maraschino cherries. Include some of your own favorite toppings if you’d like.

Dessert topped with chocolate syrup, rainbow sprinkles, and 12 dollops of whipped cream each topped with maraschino cherries.

Chill the dessert: Finally, pop the whole thing in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or better yet, overnight. This helps all the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this banana split ice box cake straight from the fridge or frozen. It’s delicious either way.

Storage and Freezing

Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: You can also store this in the freezer and serve it frozen. Let it sit out for about 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Spoonful of banana pudding lush dessert with slice, bananas, and sprinkles in background.

Tips and Tricks

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before blending it with the confectioners’ sugar. This will make it much easier to combine into a smooth mixture without lumps.
For cleaner slices, you can freeze this old fashioned banana split dessert- but freezing isn’t necessary for storing.
Make the dessert in a clear dish to show off the layers. You’ll need a 9×13 glass baking dish for this recipe, or you can half it and use a 9×9 or 8×8 pan.
If you have time, refrigerate the crust and the cream cheese layer before adding the pudding layer. This will help each layer set and maintain its distinct layer when slicing into the dessert.

Additions and Variations

Chopped nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or peanuts would add a nice crunch. A traditional banana split typically has crushed nuts on top.

Caramel sauce or strawberry sauce: For an extra drizzle of sweetness.

Chocolate shavings: If you don’t like the overpowering flavor of chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce, sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top instead.

Fresh fruit: Sliced fresh bananas or fresh strawberries would be yummy. If you add these, put them under the final whipped cream layer so your banana slices don’t turn brown. Or top each piece with sliced bananas just before serving.

Crushed pineapple: A little tropical flavor is a popular topping for a banana split.

Shredded coconut: For extra tropical flair and texture.

Fresh whipped cream: If you’d prefer, you can whip fresh cream until it forms stiff peaks and use that instead of the store-bought whipped topping. The taste will be a bit fresher and less sweet. However, only store it in the fridge for up to 2 days since fresh whipped cream tends to get watery much sooner than Cool Whip.

Square piece of no bake banana split cake on white plate with whipped cream and a cherry. Rainbow sprinkles and fresh bananas are next to the plate.

Banana Split Dessert Recipe FAQ

Can this dessert be made ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! This dessert is great for making ahead of time. It can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Can I use a different crust?

Sure. Swap out the graham crackers with a similar cookie like vanilla wafers. An Oreo crust would also be delicious.

Can I use a different pudding flavor?

Feel free to try different versions of this dessert with different pudding flavors. Although it wouldn’t be a banana split dessert, it’ll taste great with chocolate or vanilla pudding.

More No Bake Dessert Recipes

You don’t need an oven to make a sweet and delicious summer dessert. Here are some of our favorite no-bake recipes.

Lemon Lush — bright lemon flavor in a cool-you-off dessert that’s great for spring and summer.
No Bake Blueberry Dessert — for all you blueberry fanatics. It’s bursting with flavor!
No Bake Boston Cream Dessert — a cross between an éclair and Boston cream pie. Rich, decadent, and a crowd favorite.
Pistachio Pudding Icebox Cake — chopped nuts, pistachio pudding, whipped topping, and a buttery graham cracker crust.
Oreo Peanut Butter Pie — a mousse-like frozen peanut butter pie with a chocolatey oreo cookie crust.

No Bake Banana Split Dessert