Apple Pie Banana Pudding

Okay, this Apple Pie Banana Pudding? It’s the best of both worlds—cozy apple pie meets creamy banana pudding. Sweet, spiced, and full of soft layers that melt in your mouth.

I made it on a whim, and wow… it was gone fast. The cinnamon apples, fresh banana slices, and creamy pudding? Total comfort in a bowl.

No baking, no stress. Just layer, chill, and dig in. Let’s make it together—you’re gonna be obsessed with every spoonful!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The Best of Two Worlds: This dessert blends the nostalgic flavors of homemade apple pie with the creamy, chilled layers of banana pudding. It’s like having both desserts in one bite.
• Layered Texture: The contrast between tender apples, creamy pudding, soft bananas, and a slight crunch from the cookies keeps every bite interesting.
• No-Bake Convenience: Except for a short stovetop apple filling, there’s no need to turn on the oven. Perfect for summer or when you want an easy make-ahead option.
• Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: Sweet but not overly sugary, this dessert is great for family dinners, parties, or potlucks. It’s easy to scoop and serve.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: It actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge. Letting it rest allows the flavors to come together and the cookies to soften slightly, mimicking pie crust.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes — includes pudding mix, slicing bananas, and layering.
• Cook Time: 10 minutes for the apples to soften and caramelize on the stovetop.
• Chill Time: At least 2 hours in the refrigerator before serving (can be made a day ahead).
• Total Time: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Servings
This recipe makes about 8–10 servings, depending on how generous you are with each scoop. It fits well in a standard 9×13-inch dish or large trifle bowl. For individual servings, use small jars or cups.

Skill Level: Easy
No advanced techniques here — just a bit of stove time and layering. Even young helpers can assist with stirring, whisking, and assembling.

Required Kitchen Tools

You don’t need any special equipment. Here’s what to have ready:

• Medium Saucepan: For cooking the apples.
• Mixing Bowls: One for pudding, one for mixing apples.
• Whisk: To combine the pudding until smooth.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For stirring the apples and assembling layers.
• Knife and Cutting Board: For prepping apples and bananas.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accuracy with the pudding and apple mix.
• Serving Dish: A trifle dish, 9×13-inch glass pan, or dessert cups all work well.

Ingredients

These ingredients are grouped by layer so it’s easy to follow along while prepping:

For the Apple Pie Filling

This layer mimics the inside of a warm apple pie — soft apples cooked in a buttery cinnamon-sugar sauce.

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small cubes (Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – helps soften the apples and adds a rich flavor
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar – for sweetness
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar – adds a slight caramel note
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – essential for that apple pie warmth
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg – adds depth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice – balances the sweetness and prevents the apples from browning
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water – this makes a quick slurry to thicken the apple mixture into a pie-like filling

For the Vanilla Pudding Layer

This pudding is smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet. It acts as the soft foundation of the dish.

• 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix – don’t use cook-and-serve
• 2 cups cold milk – whole milk is best for creaminess
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk – makes the pudding extra rich
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances the pudding’s natural flavor

For the Cream, Banana, and Cookie Layers

These layers bring the pudding to life with contrast in flavor and texture.

• 3 to 4 ripe bananas, sliced into rounds (not overripe or they’ll brown too quickly)
• 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip) – for a fluffy, creamy layer
• 1 cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers – adds texture and brings in that “crust” feel
• Caramel sauce (optional) – drizzle on top for added sweetness and a finishing touch

How to Make Apple Pie Banana Pudding: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

1. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, even cubes. This ensures they cook evenly and soften at the same rate.
2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the apples in the mixture.
4. Cook the mixture for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy. You want them to hold their shape slightly.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
6. Pour the slurry into the apple mixture, stir constantly, and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and lightly coats the apples.
7. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. This step is important so the warm apples don’t melt the pudding or whipped topping in the next steps.

Step 2: Make the Vanilla Pudding

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, whisk again until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 10–15 minutes while the apple mixture cools and you prepare the rest.

Step 3: Slice the Bananas

1. Peel and slice 3–4 ripe bananas into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
2. If you’re not assembling the pudding immediately, toss banana slices lightly in lemon juice to prevent browning.

Step 4: Layer the Dessert

Use a large trifle bowl, 9×13-inch pan, or clear dessert cups for easy presentation.

Layer 1: Sprinkle a layer of crushed cookies at the bottom of the dish.
Layer 2: Spoon a thin layer of the pudding mixture on top.
Layer 3: Add a single layer of banana slices, covering the pudding.
Layer 4: Spoon over half of the cooled apple pie filling, spreading it evenly.
Layer 5: Add a generous layer of whipped topping and smooth it out gently.

Repeat the layers until all the components are used, ending with whipped topping on the very top.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. Cover the assembled pudding with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid.
2. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. This allows the cookies to soften and the layers to settle for easier serving.
3. Just before serving, drizzle caramel sauce over the top if using.
4. Optional: Garnish with extra crushed cookies, a few banana slices, or a light dusting of cinnamon for a finished look.

Variations for Apple Pie Banana Pudding

• Shortbread or Biscoff Cookies: Use instead of vanilla wafers for a deeper, spiced flavor.
• Apple-Cherry Twist: Add a handful of dried cherries to the apple mixture for a tart-sweet variation.
• Use Greek Yogurt: For a lighter pudding, substitute part of the whipped topping with plain Greek yogurt.
• Add Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Sprinkle some in the layers or on top for a nutty crunch.
• Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Fold cinnamon into whipped topping for extra pie-like flavor.
• Make it Individual: Layer in small mason jars or dessert cups for single-serve portions—great for parties.

Nutrition

Here is an approximate breakdown per serving (based on 10 servings):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~320 kcal
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	7g
Carbohydrates	50g
Sugar	35g
Fiber	2g
Protein	4g
Sodium	170mg

Note: Nutrition values will vary depending on the brands used and portion sizes. This estimate does not include optional caramel sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, it’s actually best when made in advance. Chill for at least 2 hours, but overnight works great too.

Q: Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
Absolutely. Use about 2 cups of lightly sweetened whipped cream. Just make sure it’s stabilized if prepping in advance.

Q: My bananas turned brown. What can I do next time?
Use just-ripe bananas and toss the slices lightly with lemon juice before layering. Assemble closer to serving time if possible.

Q: Can I skip the apples and just make banana pudding?
Yes, you can omit the apple layer and follow the same method for a more traditional banana pudding.

Q: How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The bananas may brown slightly but the flavor remains good.

Conclusion

Apple Pie Banana Pudding brings together the best of two beloved desserts in one easy-to-make, no-bake treat. With spiced caramel apples layered between creamy vanilla pudding, sweet bananas, and fluffy whipped topping, it offers comfort and flavor in every spoonful. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, potluck, or just a cozy night in, this dessert delivers the kind of simple joy that feels both familiar and fresh. It’s easy enough for beginners to master, but flavorful enough to impress guests. Once you try it, this might just become your new go-to dessert.