Looking for a playful twist on a nostalgic classic? Banana Pudding Popsicles capture all the creamy, dreamy flavor of your favorite southern dessert—transformed into a cool, refreshing treat perfect for hot days, BBQs, or just because! Each bite is layered with soft banana, crisp vanilla wafer, and the sweet, silky pudding base you love, all frozen on a stick for sheer, sunshiny joy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Childhood Nostalgia: Relive the magic of classic banana pudding in a grab-and-go frozen treat that’s as fun as it is delicious.
- Cool and Creamy Texture: The luscious combination of blended banana, sweet cream, and crunchy vanilla wafers makes every bite swoon-worthy.
- Simple & Family-Friendly: Just a handful of everyday ingredients come together in a snap—no fancy equipment required!
- Make-Ahead Magic: Banana Pudding Popsicles are perfect for prepping ahead for birthday parties, summer gatherings, or late-night treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Banana Pudding Popsicles is how their humble ingredients come together to create pure delight. Each one is easy to find, but essential for achieving the creamy custard flavor, silky texture, and signature nostalgic flair in every pop.
- Milk (whole or 2%): The base of our pudding, providing creaminess without being too heavy.
- Heavy cream: Just a splash adds luxurious richness and dreamy mouthfeel.
- Vanilla extract: A burst of fragrant sweetness that gives the pops their classic pudding aroma.
- Sugar: Sweetens the pops, balancing the bananas’ natural flavor and creating that comforting dessert vibe.
- Ripe bananas: Two are blended for luscious banana flavor, and two are sliced for fun texture in each bite. The riper, the better!
- Vanilla wafers: The undeniable star of banana pudding—layered inside each mold for a soft, cake-like crunch.
Variations
The best thing about Banana Pudding Popsicles? They’re endlessly adaptable! Feel free to make them your own with flavor tweaks, allergy swaps, or creative add-ins based on what you have or love most.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Swap in coconut milk and coconut cream for a creamy non-dairy version—just as decadent.
- Chocolate Swirl: Drizzle a little melted chocolate into the molds before freezing for a banana-chocolate pudding twist.
- Cookie Crunch: Try graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even gluten-free vanilla wafers in place of regular wafers.
- Extra Fruity: Add a handful of berries or swirl in strawberry puree for a punch of color and tang.
How to Make Banana Pudding Popsicles
Step 1: Heat the Pudding Base
Start by combining the milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sugar in a small saucepan set over low heat. Warm it gently, stirring every so often, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is cozy-warm (but not bubbling). This helps the flavors blend beautifully—think of it as coaxing out that classic pudding richness. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Blend with Bananas
Pour the slightly cooled pudding base into your blender. Add the two whole ripe bananas and blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You want those bananas fully incorporated—no lumps for this step! Your kitchen will already smell irresistible at this point.
Step 3: Layer the Popsicles
Next, grab your popsicle molds. Into each one, tuck two banana slices and two vanilla wafers (nestle them in for a playful surprise). Then, pour in the blended banana pudding mix, filling each mold just beneath the rim. The layers create that iconic banana pudding experience—on a stick!
Step 4: Freeze Until Set
Insert popsicle sticks about halfway down into each mold, making sure they stand upright. Transfer to the freezer and chill for at least 8 hours or until solid. Waiting will be the hardest part—but the anticipation only makes that first taste even sweeter.
Pro Tips for Making Banana Pudding Popsicles
- Banana Ripeness: Super ripe bananas (with brown speckles!) give the pops the deepest, most natural banana flavor—don’t use underripe fruit.
- Crispy to Soft Wafers: If you love super-soft wafers in your pudding, let them soak a bit in the pudding mix before freezing—if you like a bit of crunch, layer them in just before pouring and freeze immediately.
- Smooth Unmolding: Dip the bottom of your popsicle molds briefly in warm water to release the popsicles effortlessly—no tugging or broken pops!
- Mold Size Matters: If your molds are on the smaller side, simply cut the banana slices and wafers in half to fit—layers are key!
How to Serve Banana Pudding Popsicles
Garnishes
Want to dress up your Banana Pudding Popsicles? Roll them in extra crushed vanilla wafers right after unmolding for a beautiful, crumbly coating, or drizzle with a little caramel sauce for an indulgent touch. A fluffy dollop of whipped cream on the side doesn’t hurt, either!
Side Dishes
These popsicles truly shine solo, but they’re also a dreamy finish to summer cookouts, backyard BBQs, or alongside a platter of fresh berries and sliced fruit. For a sweet tooth extravaganza, serve with chewy blondies or buttery shortbread cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Set up a Banana Pudding Popsicles bar at your next party—offer bowls of assorted cookie crumbs, mini marshmallows, and nuts for dunking. Or stick them in a vase filled with ice and edible flowers for a whimsical centerpiece that guests can eat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frozen solid, Banana Pudding Popsicles can be kept right in the popsicle molds or transferred to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together!
Freezing
These popsicles keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Just seal them well to prevent freezer burn and preserve their luscious texture and fresh banana flavor.
Reheating
Since Banana Pudding Popsicles are meant to be enjoyed frozen, there’s no reheating involved—just let them sit out for a minute or two to slightly soften, then dive right in!
FAQs
-
Can I use instant banana pudding mix in this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re looking to save even more time, you can substitute the homemade pudding base with prepared instant banana pudding—just whisk according to the package directions, blend with bananas, and continue layering as directed.
-
How do I prevent the banana slices from turning brown in the popsicles?
Once the popsicles are frozen, browning slows way down, but you can dip banana slices in a little lemon juice before layering them in—they’ll stay bright and pretty even after days in the freezer.
-
Can I make these popsicles without a popsicle mold?
Yes! Try using small paper cups or silicone muffin liners as makeshift molds—cover with foil, make a small slit, then insert the sticks before freezing for perfect pops, no specialty mold required.
-
Are Banana Pudding Popsicles gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses vanilla wafers which contain gluten, but you can easily substitute with gluten-free vanilla wafers or cookies to make these completely gluten-free!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something irresistible about the joyful combination of creamy banana, sweet vanilla, and a touch of nostalgia in every Banana Pudding Popsicle. Whether you’re making them for a celebration, a hot afternoon, or a sweet walk down memory lane, I can’t wait for you to experience how magical—and easy!—they are to make. Give these pops a try, and let your inner kid do a happy dance!
Print
Banana Pudding Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 popsicles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a delightful frozen treat with these homemade Banana Pudding Popsicles. Creamy and sweet, these popsicles are a perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
Ingredients
For the Popsicles:
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 ripe bananas, 2 whole and 2 sliced crosswise about 1 inch thick
- 16–20 vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Prepare the Popsicle Mixture: In a saucepan on low heat, combine milk, cream, vanilla extract, and sugar. Heat until warm throughout. Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Blend the Mixture: Pour the liquid into a blender. Add 2 whole bananas and blend the mixture until smooth.
- Assemble the Popsicles: Place two slices of banana and two vanilla wafers each into popsicle mold, then pour the milk mixture into each mold.
- Freeze the Popsicles: Place one popsicle stick in each mold, pushing it about half-way down. Freeze until firm, or about 8 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popsicle
- Calories: Approximately 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
