You don’t have to be from the South to get hooked on this creamy dessert classic-but it sure doesn’t hurt. This Banana Pudding recipe from Stephanie Harris of Montpelier, Virginia, is the epitome of comfort food-with a comforting memory to go with it. “I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him for the first time at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and busted out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my banana pudding,” she says. “He’s a true Southern boy!”
After one bite of this rich banana pudding, we know exactly how easy it can be to polish off a couple bowls. It’s thick, creamy, and loaded up with soft vanilla wafers and lots of banana-y goodness. And a little sprinkle of extra vanilla wafers on top gives it the perfect crunch. As so many people have said, this classic banana pudding recipe tastes just like grandma used to make-except, shhh, maybe even a little bit better! We won’t blame you if you keep this one all to yourself at home, but it’s perfect to take to group gatherings, too. Or try these 25 more potluck desserts to feed a crowd-and stand back as friends and family sing your sweet praises all day.
Check Out These Banana Recipes
Special Banana Nut Bread
This extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer so I have a last-minute gift on hand. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland
Strawberry Banana Crepes
My family often has company over for breakfast or brunch, and these light fruit-topped crepes are our favorite. The sweet sensations are as fast to make as they are fabulous. You can cook the crepes the night before, refrigerate them with waxed paper in between, then fill and top them in the morning. —Shelly Soule Las Vegas, Nevada
Bananas Foster Baked French Toast
Mmm…bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular dessert in fine fashion. —L G Nasson, Quincy, Massachusetts
Banana Brunch Punch
A cold glass of refreshing punch really brightens a brunch. It’s nice to serve a crisp beverage like this that’s more spectacular than plain juice. With bananas, orange juice and lemonade, it can add tropical flair to a winter day. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas
Roasted Banana & Pecan Cheesecake
We keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house they ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Banana Cream Pie
Made from our farm-fresh dairy products, this pie was a sensational creamy treat anytime that Mom served it. Her recipe is a real treasure, and I’ve never found one that tastes better! —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Banana Beignet Bites
When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they’re pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia
Best-Ever Banana Bread
Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Frosted Banana Bars
These bars are always a hit at potlucks here in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They’re so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don’t last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska
Jumbo Caramel Banana Muffins
Love banana bread? These flavorful muffins, drizzled with sweet caramel icing, will fit the bill in a big way. —Katherine McClelland, Deep Brook, Nova Scotia
Fruit Salad with Apricot Dressing
When I serve this lovely refreshing salad for picnics and holidays, the bowl empties fast. —Carol Lambert, El Dorado, Arkansas
Banana Bread Pudding
When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting pudding she’d make. With its crusty golden top, custard-like inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this bread pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, West Farmington, Ohio
Banana Cream Brownie Dessert
I always keep the ingredients for this extremely delicious dessert on hand because I make it quite often for potlucks and family gatherings. I’m always asked for the recipe. After one bite, you’ll understand why. —Julie Nowakowski, LaSalle , Illinois
Zucchini Banana Bread
I got this Zucchini Banana Bread recipe from a friend at work and now it’s one of my favorites. It makes three small loaves, but they freeze very well. —Donna Hall, Wolfforth, Texas
Mango Smoothies
Treat yourself to this yummy blend of mango, pineapple, banana and honey. The yogurt makes it rich and creamy, but a serving has only 2 grams of fat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Banana Split Icebox Cake
One day a friend showed me how to make a traditional icebox cake with just cream and graham crackers. I make it extra special with the fruit. Now everyone at your potluck can have a banana split, no muss, no fuss! —Shelly Flye, Albion, Maine
Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread
Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add bananas and pecans in this scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll ’em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Bananas Foster Oatmeal
This oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. —Carol Touchton, Seffner, Florida
Banana-Split Brownies
How’s this for a dish—all the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in my recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Connee Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland
Elvis’ Pudding Cake
I love the flavors of peanut butter and banana together, and this slow cooker pudding cake is just like eating an Elvis sandwich, only sweeter! Banana chips add a surprisingly crunchy texture; find them near the dried fruit in your grocery store. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Favorite Banana Chip Muffins
These banana chocolate chip muffins are one of the first things my husband gets hungry for when he’s home from deployment. I make sure to have the overripe bananas ready. They’re a family tradition. —Kimberly Duda, Sanford, North Carolina
Peanut Butter and Banana Waffles
I love bananas and I love to make breakfast, too. These are a refreshing change from your everyday waffles. I like to make big batches up so I can freeze the leftovers and reheat them later for a quick breakfast. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Cranberry-Banana Smoothies
When the big meal is over, I make a smoothie using leftover cranberry sauce. Don’t have a frozen banana? Use a regular banana and add more ice. —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Slow Cooker Bananas Foster
The flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this classic dessert made easy! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Beernana Bread
Really, it’s simple arithmetic…or something like that: Beer is good. Banana bread is good. Beernana bread is great! Even guys who don’t know their way around the kitchen can pull this one off. —Steve Cayford, Dubuque, Iowa
Marshmallow-Filled Banana Cupcakes
A friend gave me this recipe when I first moved into my neighborhood 40 years ago. It might seem more time consuming than it is, but it’s easy and the results are incredible. —Monique Caron, Buxton, Maine
Banana Rum Sundaes
You can serve this mouthwatering dessert any time because it takes just minutes to make. The warm, sweet fruit and the creamy, cold ice cream create a winning combination. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois
Banana Pudding
I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I first saw him at the airport last fall, I just grabbed hold of him and busted out crying. Back home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my banana pudding recipe. He’s a true Southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners’ sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don’t need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey
Banana Souffle
This pretty, golden-topped puff is so easy to whip up, but looks like you really fussed. Lightly laced with rum, the moist, tender, banana-rich souffle makes that perfect “little something” to wrap up any holiday dinner. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Moist Pineapple Banana Bread
Our four kids like slices of this moist tropical-tasting banana bread for breakfast. I sometimes bake it in mini loaf pans, then freeze the loaves so we can enjoy a small portion at a time. —Mary Watkins, Chaska, Minnesota
Favorite Banana Split Smoothies
I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake
My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I’ve been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Banana Squares
When we were first married, my husband was in the Navy. Stationed in Puerto Rico, we had banana trees growing in our yard, so I found ways to use dozens of ripe bananas at a time. I made these banana squares often. They freeze well and make a great snack to have on hand when friends drop in for coffee. —Susan Miller, Raleigh, North Carolina