Walking Banana Pudding is the dessert version of Walking Tacos. These are individual banana pudding in a bag! Single serving banana pudding served up in mini Nilla Wafer cookie bags. One of the easiest handheld desserts made in minutes.
Also called Walking Banana Pudding, this recipe for individual servings of banana pudding in a bag is perfect for concession stands, pool parties, birthday parties, backyard BBQ's, tailgating, and summer picnics.
Make and take this 4 ingredient banana pudding straight to your guests or make the day ahead so you can enjoy the gathering, too. If you like the cookies crisp, make them right before serving.
It's absolutely one of the most creative ways to serve banana pudding using instant pudding!
Who doesn't love good ol' Southern banana pudding? That's right. Almost everyone!
This walking desserts version may not be made with homemade banana pudding but it's such a quick and easy dessert to serve at parties everyone will love. You can always make it with homemade pudding, though!
Sometimes you just need easy dessert recipes with few ingredients and isn't made in one great big ginormous bowl! Especially when everyone is more mindful of the number of touches on the serving spoon.
The prep is minimal (It starts with instant pudding mix) and can be made ahead and stored in a fridge or placed on a tub of ice since the packages are foil-lined!
Personally, I love how making banana pudding ahead of time softens the vanilla wafer cookies. But you could make these on site, assembly line fashion in a concession stand or have your party guests make their own.
If you've never heard of Walking Tacos before, they are portable Frito pies you build in a mini bag of corn chips or Doritos. Start with opening the bag and adding taco meat on top of the chips, then shredded cheese.
Those are the most basic ingredients in Walking Tacos but you can add as many toppings as you like. For example Picky Palate has a huge list of toppings for "tacos in a bag".
Ingredients
So easy, even kids can make this recipe for banana pudding tacos. All you need is prepared instant pudding, vanilla wafers, bananas and your favorite whipped cream.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix + 2 cups milk to prepare it
- Individual serving packages of mini Nilla wafers
- Bananas, sliced
- Reddi Wip to spray or Cool Whip to dollop
This is a no-cook banana pudding recipe but if you have a favorite homemade pudding recipe, that will work, too!
How to Make Walking Banana Pudding
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the detailed, printable recipe. Pictures below will help guide you as you read the recipe.
It's super simple to assemble the banana pudding layers once you prepare the instant pudding mix and slice the bananas. Here are the steps:
- Prepare instant pudding according to package directions.
- Cut open the sides of the cookie packages.
- Slice the bananas and place on top of cookies.
- Spoon pudding on top of bananas. (Or reverse this order for softer cookies.)
- Top with a squirt of Reddi Wip whipped cream or dollop of Cool Whip.
Done. It's that easy!
You can easily make banana pudding for one, two, or a crowd by assembling only the number you need at a time.
How to make vanilla wafers soft?
To make the vanilla wafers soft in banana pudding, be sure to layer the pudding next to the cookies. The pudding will soften the cookies better than if the bananas are right next to the cookies. The longer the cookies are layered together with the other ingredients, the softer they will become.
How to store "banana tacos"
It can be a bit tricky since the stuffed bags tend to want to lay flat. So, I overlap mine on a baking sheet, large rectangle Rubbermaid container, or in a 13x9 baking pan so they are propped up at the open end. Cover loosely with plastic wrap in the refrigerator if your container doesn't have a lid.
How can I transport this easy summer dessert?
Place the Walking Banana Puddings in two large Rubbermaid containers or baking dishes with lids. You can also place them in baking pans and wrap the top with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Place the containers in a cooler of ice or in casserole travel carrier with cold packs.
How to serve Walking Banana Pudding dessert?
If you are serving them immediately from the fridge, place them on a platter or in a flat basket.
If serving outside at a pool party, backyard BBQ or tailgating event, arrange the cookie bags of banana pudding on a tub of ice cubes to keep them cold.
Where can I buy multi packs of mini vanilla wafers?
First, I always try to catch them on sale at my Publix. They go on BOGO (Buy One Get One) about every 6 weeks. I've also ordered mini Nilla wafer packages for a crowd from Amazon.
I also scored the 12-packs at my local Aldi store for $4.49. That's an awesome banana pudding buy, right there!
Lastly, Sam's Wholesale and Costco should carry the multi packs of mini vanilla wafers.
Watch the video
I made Walking Banana Pudding in the chef segment in the WBRC studio kitchen on Good Day Alabama. Click image to play video.
Variations and Substitutions
- Banana pudding no bananas- Do you like the cookies and pudding but not a banana-lover? Just leave out the bananas, no problem.
- Substitute another pudding flavor- Banana cream pudding mix, sugar free banana pudding mix, and cheesecake pudding mix will also work perfectly in this recipe.
- Banana Pudding No Bananas- Not a banana fan? To make this banana pudding without bananas simply leave them out of the layering in the bags.
- Make your own bags of cookies- Can't find or don't want to spend the money on individual bags of vanilla wafers? Use snack-size or sandwich-size zip-top bags and fill them with cookies from a box of vanilla wafers. You'll save a little money and it will still be delicious.
- Banana Pudding Cups- Layer the banana pudding, Nilla wafers, bananas, and Redi Wip in clear plastic, disposable cups or coffee mugs instead of the cookie bags.
How do you keep banana slices from turning brown?
To prevent bananas that have been cut from turning brown, lightly brush lemon juice on them. Bananas turn brown when exposed to oxygen. For this recipe, avoid tossing them in too much lemon juice because they can become "soupy" and change this sweet dessert to a tangy dessert.
A reader suggested brushing pineapple juice on them. That's a tasty idea!
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If you love banana bread, here's my recipe for Best Ever One Bowl Banana Bread that's easy peasy and makes two loaves.
If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to give the recipe a rating of 5 stars if you love it!
Other easy desserts you will love
- Mini S'Mores Pies
- Orange Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Disguised as Carrots
- No-Cook Key Lime Pie Popsicles
- Shortcut Chocolate Truffle Tart
- Shortcut Caramel Apple Pie
Walking Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix (or 2 cups prepared vanilla pudding)
- 2 cups 2% or whole milk (to mix with pudding mix)
- 12 1-ounce packs or bags mini vanilla wafer cookies
- 3 small to medium bananas
- Reddi Wip or Cool Whip or sweetened whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the vanilla pudding according to package directions using the milk. Cover and let chill 15 minutes to set up.
- Cut the cookie bags open on the horizontally on the side with a pair of scissors.
- Slice the bananas and evenly distribute bananas on top of cookies.
- Spoon about 2 1/2 tablespoons pudding on top of the bananas. For softer cookies, spoon pudding directly on cookies first.
- Add Reddi Wip or dollop Cool Whip on top of pudding.
- Arrange the bags of Walking Banana Pudding in a plastic container, baking pan or baking sheet, overlapping them so they are slightly propped up and will not spill out.
- Serve immediately or for softer cookies, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer they chill, the softer the cookies will be.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
Fran
I prefer cooked pudding or buy ready made to prevent that instant flavor. Use pineapple juice on banana slices to prevent browning for better flavor.
gritsandgouda
I completely agree that homemade vanilla pudding is the best! For this recipe, instant just made for a better fit since it is a shortcut idea for large parties, concession stands and those that just want a quick dessert. I love your suggestion to brush the bananas with pineapple juice. I'll add that to the blog post!