Home Irresistible Desserts Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding

Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding

This beloved restaurant copycat recreates the iconic Chick-fil-A banana pudding with layers of creamy vanilla pudding enriched with sweetened condensed milk, pillowy marshmallow whipped cream, fresh banana slices, and crisp vanilla wafers. The combination creates a no-bake dessert that’s simultaneously light and indulgent, with the signature fluffy texture achieved through

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant Copycat Perfection – Faithfully recreates the famous Chick-fil-A banana pudding that fans rave about, delivering the same fluffy, creamy texture and sweet vanilla-banana flavor at home for fraction of the cost.
No Baking Required – Completely no-bake preparation means you can make this impressive dessert without turning on the oven, perfect for hot summer months or when oven space is limited.
Make-Ahead Essential – Requires overnight refrigeration for proper setting, which actually makes entertaining easier since you must prepare it in advance, eliminating last-minute dessert stress.
Feeds a Crowd – Yields 12 generous servings from a single 9×13 pan, making this ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, church socials, or any occasion where you need substantial dessert quantity.
Light Yet Indulgent – The whipped cream folded into pudding creates an airy, mousse-like texture that feels lighter than traditional banana pudding while still delivering rich, satisfying sweetness.
Nostalgic Appeal – Combines classic Southern banana pudding elements with modern techniques, creating something that tastes both familiar and special to multiple generations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pudding Base:

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk – Provides concentrated sweetness and rich, creamy base; use Eagle Brand or similar quality brand
1.5 cups ice-cold water – Hydrates the pudding mix and thins the condensed milk; must be very cold for proper consistency
3.5 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix – Creates the pudding foundation; use Jell-O brand for results most similar to the original
2.5 cups heavy whipping cream – Whips into the fluffy component that gives this dessert its signature light texture; must be very cold for proper whipping
⅔ cup marshmallow fluff – Adds subtle marshmallow sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream while contributing to the fluffy texture

For Layering:

5-6 large bananas, barely ripe – Provides fresh fruit element and classic banana pudding flavor; slightly underripe bananas hold shape better and resist browning
1 box (11 oz) Nilla Wafers – Creates the essential cookie layers that soften during refrigeration; Nabisco brand is traditional and recommended

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Pudding Base In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk with 1.5 cups of ice-cold water, whisking vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk energetically for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is completely lump-free and begins to thicken slightly. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight—this chilling period is essential for the pudding to set to the proper thick, creamy consistency.

Whip the Cream Mixture In a separate large, clean mixing bowl (make sure it’s completely dry and grease-free for best whipping results), pour the 2.5 cups of heavy whipping cream straight from the refrigerator. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until soft peaks begin to form—the cream should hold its shape when you lift the beaters but the peaks should gently fold over at the tips. Add the marshmallow fluff and continue whipping on medium-high speed for another 2-3 minutes until stiff peaks form—at this stage, the peaks should stand straight up when you lift the beaters without folding over.

Fold Whipped Cream into Pudding Remove the chilled pudding base from the refrigerator. Add about one-third of the whipped cream mixture to the pudding and gently fold it in using a large spatula, using a lifting and turning motion rather than stirring, which would deflate the air you’ve whipped into the cream. Once that first portion is partially incorporated, add the remaining whipped cream in two more additions, folding gently after each addition until only minimal white streaks remain visible. The mixture will look voluminous, fluffy, and light—don’t worry if it seems loose or runny at this stage, as it will firm up during refrigeration.

Assemble the First Layer In a 9×13-inch baking dish or large glass serving bowl, arrange a single layer of Nilla Wafers across the bottom, placing them close together but not overlapping—you’ll use about 40-45 cookies for this bottom layer. Slice 2 bananas into ¼-inch thick rounds and arrange them in a single layer over the cookies, covering as much surface area as possible. Spread approximately one-third of the pudding mixture (about 2 cups) evenly over the banana layer, using an offset spatula to smooth it gently from edge to edge.

Build Additional Layers Repeat the layering process two more times: arrange another layer of Nilla Wafers (about 40 cookies), followed by sliced bananas (2 bananas), and one-third of the pudding mixture. For the final layer, spread the remaining pudding mixture evenly across the top, smoothing it to create an attractive finish.

Decorate and Chill Crush a handful of Nilla Wafers into fine crumbs and sprinkle them decoratively over the top of the pudding, or arrange a few whole cookies in an attractive pattern. You can also save a few banana slices to arrange on top just before serving. Cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming and to keep the top layer of bananas from browning. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight—this extended chilling time allows the cookies to soften, the pudding to set completely, and all the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serve Cold When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap and use a large serving spoon to scoop generous portions into dessert bowls or cups, making sure each serving includes all the layers—cookies, bananas, and creamy pudding. Serve immediately while cold, as this dessert is best enjoyed chilled and will begin to soften if left at room temperature for extended periods.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Water Temperature – Using ice-cold water is crucial for the proper consistency of the pudding base; room temperature water creates a thinner mixture that doesn’t set properly.
Pudding Setting Time – The initial 4-hour refrigeration of the pudding base before folding in whipped cream is essential; skipping this step results in runny pudding that won’t hold its shape.
Whipped Cream Success – Ensure your bowl and beaters are completely clean and dry; any grease or moisture prevents proper whipping and you’ll end up with liquid cream instead of peaks.
Banana Ripeness – Use bananas that are just barely ripe with minimal brown spots; overly ripe bananas become mushy and discolor quickly, affecting both texture and appearance.
Preventing Banana Browning – For the best appearance, you can toss banana slices in a little lemon juice, or add the top layer of bananas just before serving rather than during initial assembly.
Make-Ahead Timeline – This dessert actually improves when made 1-2 days ahead, as the cookies soften to cake-like texture and flavors meld; it keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Nutritional Information

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 8+ hours (4 hours initial + 4 hours final)
Total Time: 30 minutes active + 8+ hours passive
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: Approximately 310 calories per serving (based on standard ingredients and 12 equal portions)

Perfect Pairings

Strong Black Coffee – Serve with hot, strong coffee that balances the sweetness and provides bitter contrast to the rich, creamy dessert.
Sweet Tea – For authentic Southern experience, pair with cold sweet tea that complements rather than competes with the dessert’s sweetness.
Fresh Berries – Offer a bowl of fresh strawberries or blueberries on the side for those who want tart, fresh fruit to balance the richness.
Caramel Sauce – Drizzle warm caramel sauce over individual servings for extra indulgence and visual appeal.

Ideal Occasions

Summer Gatherings – Perfect for outdoor barbecues, picnics, and pool parties when you need a no-bake dessert that stays cold and refreshing in hot weather.
Potluck Contributions – Ideal for church socials, office parties, or neighborhood gatherings where you need something that feeds many and transports easily.
Holiday Celebrations – Excellent for Easter, Mother’s Day, or Fourth of July when you want impressive dessert without oven competition from savory dishes.
Family Reunions – Appeals to all ages from children to grandparents with its nostalgic, universally beloved flavors and creamy, accessible texture.

Storage & Serving Tips

Refrigerator Storage – Keep covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; quality declines after this as bananas darken and cookies become overly soft.
Serving Temperature – Always serve cold directly from the refrigerator; this dessert doesn’t hold up well at room temperature and will become runny if left out too long.
Portion Control – Use a large serving spoon to scoop portions rather than trying to cut neat squares; the layered, soft texture doesn’t slice cleanly like cake.
Preventing Skin – Always press plastic wrap directly onto the surface when storing to prevent the top from developing an unappealing skin or the bananas from excessive browning.

Creative Variations to Try

Chocolate Banana Pudding – Replace vanilla pudding with chocolate instant pudding and use chocolate wafer cookies instead of vanilla for different flavor profile.
Peanut Butter Banana – Add ½ cup peanut butter to the pudding base and sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups between layers for Elvis-inspired twist.
Berry Banana Pudding – Layer fresh strawberries or blueberries along with the bananas for additional fruit and color contrast.
Individual Parfaits – Assemble in clear glasses or mason jars in smaller portions for elegant individual servings perfect for parties.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Runny Pudding – Didn’t refrigerate the base long enough before folding in whipped cream; always chill for the full 4 hours to ensure proper setting.
Deflated Whipped Cream – Over-mixed when folding into pudding or cream wasn’t whipped to stiff peaks; fold gently and ensure cream is fully whipped before combining.
Brown Bananas – Used overly ripe bananas or didn’t cover tightly; use barely ripe fruit and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface during storage.
Watery Consistency – Too much water in the pudding base or didn’t use ice-cold water; measure precisely and ensure water is very cold before mixing.

Why This Recipe Works

This copycat banana pudding succeeds by combining classic Southern banana pudding elements with modern lightening techniques that create Chick-fil-A’s signature fluffy texture. The sweetened condensed milk provides concentrated sweetness and richness while also contributing to the thick, creamy consistency that makes this pudding so indulgent. Using instant pudding mix rather than cooking pudding from scratch dramatically simplifies the process while still delivering proper vanilla flavor and structure. The genius lies in the whipped cream folded into the pudding base—this technique (similar to making mousse) incorporates thousands of tiny air bubbles that create an incredibly light, fluffy texture that distinguishes this from dense, traditional banana pudding. The marshmallow fluff serves dual purposes: it adds subtle marshmallow sweetness that enhances the vanilla flavor, and its corn syrup content helps stabilize the whipped cream, preventing it from weeping or deflating during the extended refrigeration period. The layering technique with Nilla Wafers is essential—during refrigeration, the cookies absorb moisture from the pudding and bananas, transforming from crisp wafers into tender, cake-like layers that provide structure and textural contrast. Using barely ripe bananas rather than fully ripe ones ensures they hold their shape during assembly and resist the enzymatic browning that makes overripe bananas turn dark quickly. The extended chilling time (at least 8 hours total) allows all components to meld together—the cookies soften, the pudding firms up completely, and all the flavors integrate into a cohesive dessert. At 310 calories per serving, this provides satisfying indulgence in reasonable portions, especially considering that the fluffy, mousse-like texture makes each serving feel more substantial than its actual volume.

Final Thoughts

Chick-fil-A Banana Pudding demonstrates how restaurant classics can be successfully recreated at home with attention to technique and proper ingredient selection. The beginner-friendly skill level makes this accessible to anyone who can use a mixer and fold ingredients gently, while the consistently impressive results ensure that even experienced cooks will appreciate having this reliable recipe in their collection. This dessert proves that no-bake doesn’t mean no-effort or low-quality—rather, it represents a different approach that prioritizes proper chilling and layering over oven time. Whether you’re a devoted Chick-fil-A fan craving their famous banana pudding without the drive-through visit, a potluck contributor seeking crowd-pleasing desserts that feed many, a Southern cook honoring banana pudding traditions with modern techniques, or simply someone who loves the combination of vanilla, banana, and whipped cream in perfect harmony, this versatile dessert adapts easily to your needs while consistently delivering that perfect spoonful where fluffy pudding, soft cookie, and fresh banana come together in light, creamy, nostalgically delicious perfection.