Strawberry Banana Pudding

Strawberry banana pudding is a no-bake dessert layered with fresh strawberries, ripe bananas, creamy pudding, vanilla wafers, and fluffy whipped cream. This is one of my favorite summer desserts that looks as impressive as it tastes!

This strawberry banana pudding recipe is a trifle twist on the classic Southern banana pudding pie. It’s a layered dessert, much like my berry trifle with vanilla pudding, with a creamy texture and full of strawberry and banana flavors. It’s an easy dessert that’s versatile, as well as delicious, and one you’ll keep coming back to, especially if you love fruity desserts!

For more banana pudding dessert recipes try my banana pudding poke cake, banana pudding cookies, and banana pudding cupcakes.

This no-bake strawberry banana pudding is perfect for all your summer gatherings, potlucks, or to impress your weekend dinner guests. So, if you’re a fan of all things banana and strawberry, this crowd-pleasing treat is a must-make!

Ingredients for Banana Pudding with Strawberries

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.

• Heavy whipping cream – Keep the whipping cream chilled right up until you whip it so it whips faster. It’s not a bad idea to chill the bowl and beaters too.
• Vanilla instant pudding mix – You’ll use a bit in the whipped cream layer and reserve the rest for the pudding layer.
• Confectioner’s sugar – This sweetens the whipped topping but also helps to stabilize it.
• Evaporated milk, pure vanilla extract, and sour cream – Added to the pudding layer for a rich and creamy consistency. Keep the evaporated milk chilled as well, until you need it.
• Vanilla wafer cookies – Lightly crushed, these add a bit of crunchy texture to the pudding layers. I used full-size wafers, but you can use mini ones if preferred.
• Strawberries – Wash, hull, and slice your strawberries.
• Bananas – You want yellow bananas with just a few black spots. You can squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the banana slices to slow down browning. Slice the bananas just before adding them to the trifle dish to further prevent browning.
• Strawberry topping – I used a jar of Smucker’s strawberry topping, which is found in the strawberry toppings sections (with the sprinkles and chocolate syrup). Strawberry jam will work just as well.

How to Make Strawberry and Banana Pudding

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. 

Step 1: In a large bowl (preferably chilled), beat the cold whipping cream, a bit of vanilla pudding mix, and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. This means when you take the beaters of the bowl, the whipped cream should hold its shape and not droop.

Step 2: In a separate large bowl, whisk the remaining pudding mix with evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Once the pudding is completely mixed in, let that sit for 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Then, fold in the sour cream.

Step 3: Grab your trifle bowl and add half of the cookies and bananas to the bottom. Then, add a third of the prepared pudding mixture, followed by half of the strawberries and half of the strawberry topping.

Step 4: Add another layer of the pudding, followed by the remaining cookies and bananas. Top that with the remaining pudding and a layer of whipped cream, the rest of the strawberries, and strawberry topping.

Step 5: Garnish your strawberry banana pudding with the rest of the whipped cream (piping it looks great for presentation), and/ or sprinkle with crushed cookie crumbs. Serve immediately!

Storage

Store leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

I recommend eating any leftovers quickly, as the strawberries will water down the pudding and the cookies will get soggy. This pudding is best eaten right after it is made, or within 24 hours.

Additions and variations

• Swap the pudding flavor. Try vanilla pudding, strawberry pudding, or chocolate pudding instead.
• Use different fruits. Raspberries or blueberries would be tasty. Or stone fruit like peaches, plums, or cherries. Instead of using strawberry topping, you could buy a matching fruit jam and spoon it over your fruit.
• Use different cookies. Graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even Golden Oreos could be used.
• Cool Whip. You can use Cool Whip in place of the homemade whipped cream! Just skip over step #1 (where you make the stabilized whipped cream) and add the Cool Whip to the trifle in step #3. 
• Swap the evaporated milk. Use 3 cups of whole milk instead. Keep in mind, it won’t be as rich.
• Use a 9×13 baking pan. This dessert can be make in a rectangular baking pan as well. Simply reduce the layers to one layer of nilla wafers, bananas, pudding, strawberries, and whipped cream.

More No Bake Fruit Dessert Recipes

• Banana Pudding Ice Box Cake
• Banana Pudding Popsicles
• No-Bake Strawberry Jello Pie
• Strawberry Cheesecake Bars