Banana Cream Pie Bars. Fresh sliced bananas are placed on a vanilla wafer cookie crust and topped with vanilla pudding for a super simple and delicious dessert recipe.
This recipe was originally published March 12, 2018. It has since been updated to include new images and recipe tips.
Recipe Features:
- No-Bake: This recipe is perfect for hot summer days. No need to heat up the oven.
- Quick and Easy: Use your favorite pudding mix and wafer cookies!
- Family Favorite: We have made this recipe dozens of times and plan to make it many many more.
Is there anything better than a good old fashioned banana cream pie? I have had a major craving lately and knew I needed whip up the sweet dessert. I had a box of mini vanilla wafers, a favorite go-to snack, on hand and a couple of super overripe bananas ready to be used.
If that is not a sign, I really don’t know what it. Fast forward an hour or two and I had a fresh batch of our new favorite dessert: Banana Cream Pie Bar Recipe.
Banana Cream Pie Bar Ingredients:
The ingredients needed for these banana cream pie squares is relatively short. Most are even pantry staples, which means you could make these RIGHT NOW! And with how easy they are you might just want to keep all of these super simple items on hand to whip up a batch whenever the mood strikes.
- Vanilla Wafer Cookies- We opt for name brand here. There’s just something about them that make the most perfect rich and delicious crust.
- Butter- Specifically salted butter. It boosts the flavor like you wouldn’t believe.
- Bananas- Over ripe. You want to at least see some spotting on the peel if not have them mostly brown.
- Vanilla Pudding- You can use your favorite box mix (listed here) OR make your own!
- Milk- Whole milk is best, but use whatever you have on hand.
- Cool Whip- Or whipped cream. Both are delicious, but if you are going to be traveling opt for the first option.
How to Make Banana Cream Pie Bars:
Essentially this recipe is taking the classic banana cream pie and turning it into banana pudding squares. You will follow many of the same instructions with the one small change of a 9×13 pan vs a deep pie dish.
- Place the wafer cookies into a bag to smash, or into a high powered blender to pulse, into fine crumbs.
- Stir in the melted butter with a fork, mixing until well coated.
- Pour into a 9×13 pan, I like to line mine with parchment first for easy removal, and press firmly to the bottom.
- Slice the bananas and line, layering as necessary, onto the bottom of the pan.
- Whisk the pudding mix with the milk. Pour over the top of the bananas, making sure to evenly cover without mixing.
- Chill the bars for 20 minutes, or until the pudding layer has partially thickened.
- Spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer and return to the refrigerator. Chill an additional 1 to 2 hours, or until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips and FAQs:
- This recipe is amazing to serve to a crowd. You can cut them into 12 larger pieces or 24 smaller bite sized treats.
- Top the bars with additional cookie crumbs or mini wafer cookies for an elegant finished look.
- Want to top your bars with banana slices? To keep them from browning simple dip the sliced banana pieces in lemon juice.
If these bars are eaten within a reasonable amount of time, you shouldn’t see too much browning in the banana pieces. However, you can brush on a small amount of citrus juice. Lemon or pineapple juice works well, but avoid too much as it could alter the flavor of the treat.
These easy bars will last up to 2 to 3 days if stored properly. That means they are the perfect make-ahead dessert recipe for your parties! Although, they never last more than one day in our home.
You should store this recipe covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I do not recommend topping with fruit until you are ready to serve as the fruit will become slimy and less appealing.
You will know your bananas are ready to eat when they have brown spots, are soft to squeeze, and peel easily with no resistance. The longer you let the fruit brown the sweeter the flavor will be.
More Banana Recipes:
- Banana French Toast
- Banana Cream Cheesecake
- Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins Recipe
- Easy Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
- The BEST Banana Bread Recipe
- Homemade Banana Bread Granola
- Banana Waffles
- No-Churn Banana Pudding Ice Cream
- Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes
Still hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!
Banana Cream Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups Vanilla Wafer cookie crumbs
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 3 ripe bananas sliced
- 2 (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
- 3 cups chilled milk
- 2 cups cool whip
Instructions
- Place the wafer cookies into a bag to smash, or into a high powered blender to pulse, into fine crumbs.
- Stir in the melted butter with a fork, mixing until well coated.
- Pour into a 9×13 pan, I like to line mine with parchment first for easy removal, and press firmly to the bottom.
- Slice the bananas and line, layering as necessary, onto the bottom of the pan.
- Whisk the pudding mix with the milk. Pour over the top of the bananas, making sure to evenly cover without mixing.
- Chill the bars for 20 minutes, or until the pudding layer has partially thickened.
- Spread the whipped topping over the pudding layer and return to the refrigerator. Chill an additional 1 to 2 hours, or until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Equipment
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