Banana Pudding Fluff
Banana pudding fluff is a no-bake dessert salad with banana pudding, Cool Whip, mini marshmallows, crushed Nilla Wafers, and fresh sliced bananas. The banana pudding mixed with whipped topping makes it light and the crushed vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and mini marshmallows give it texture. Perfect for potlucks, summer picnics, holiday dinners, or when you want all the flavors of banana pudding in an easy make-ahead dessert salad. Ready in 20 minutes plus 15 minutes chill time, and serves 8.
I’m a sucker for anything banana flavor. My mom ate a ton of banana popsicles when she was pregnant with me so I say that’s the reason. Not sure if that holds with actual science, but that’s what I’m going with.
You know those Runts candies? Yes, I’m the one that eats all the banana ones out of the bag. Thank goodness they started selling just the banana ones:)
I love banana so much I made a banana cream pie dip and some banana pudding truffles so I can switch it up. Even after I eat all the leftover bananas from the tennis match 😉
Bananas remind me of summer and this banana pudding fluff is the perfect thing to serve when the weather starts getting extra warm. It’s light, fluffy (no pun intended), and full of banana flavor. Think banana pudding without all the layering. Just messy, delicious, flavor!
It’s super easy to make and plenty of ways to switch it up too!
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Pudding – Use the standard size (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding (not the cook-and-serve kind). You can also use sugar free if you prefer! If you only have vanilla, just add a little banana extract or extra bananas.
- Whole Milk – Whole milk makes it extra creamy but 2% or skim milk works just fine. You can also use milk alternatives like almond milk.
- Cool Whip – Use the 8 oz container of the frozen whipped topping. The extra creamy one is even better! Thaw it overnight in the fridge so it’s easy to mix. Don’t use the canned whipped cream because it won’t hold up right.
- Marshmallows – I like to use the mini marshmallows but if you don’t have those, you can cut the larger ones into smaller pieces. Add the colored ones for a different look!
- Vanilla Wafers – These are traditional in banana pudding. Crush them into smaller pieces or swap them out for candied pecans to make it gluten free and a little unique!
- Bananas – Slice them just before adding so they don’t turn brown. Firm bananas work the best and will hold their shape better. You can also substitute banana chips for more crunch!
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How To Make Banana Pudding Fluff Salad
- In a large bowl, add the pudding mix and the mix. Whisk to combine until smooth.
- Chill for 10-15 minutes to let the pudding set up.
- Remove from the refrigerator and add Cool Whip and sliced bananas. Fold gently to combine. Don’t stir too hard or you’ll deflate the whipped topping.
- Fold in the crushed vanilla wafers and mini marshmallows until combined. Transfer to a serving dish. You can serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. This fluff tastes best cold.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Refrigerator: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The Nilla Wafers soften after the first day but it still tastes good. The bananas may brown slightly but it doesn’t affect the flavor.
Make-Ahead: Make up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate covered. The flavors actually improve after sitting overnight. Leave out the bananas and add them fresh right before serving if you’re worried about them browning.
Not Freezer-Friendly: Don’t freeze fluff salads. The Cool Whip and pudding separate when thawed, and the bananas turn mushy and brown.
More Fluff Salad Recipes
- Strawberry Shortcake Fluff – Cake chunks with fresh berries
- Orange Fluff – Dreamy marshmallow and mandarin oranges
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Fluff – Chocolate peanut butter candy heaven
- Ambrosia – Classic coconut, pineapple, marshmallow blend
Variations
- Peanut Butter Banana: Add ½ cup peanut butter to the pudding mixture and top with chopped peanut butter cups or Reese’s Pieces.
- Chocolate Banana: Use chocolate pudding mix instead of banana and add chocolate chips.
- Strawberry Banana: Add fresh sliced strawberries along with the bananas for fruity twist.
- Coconut Banana: Add ½ cup shredded coconut and top with toasted coconut flakes.
- Caramel Banana: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and add chopped toffee pieces.
- Extra Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for nutty crunch.
- Banana Split: Add maraschino cherries, pineapple chunks, and chocolate chips for banana split flavors.
- Also try these flavors/combos: Oreo fluff with cookies, pistachio fluff (another favorite of mine), cranberry fluff for the holidays, and this pina colada fluff for more tropical fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Make it up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate covered. The Nilla Wafers soften after the first day but it still tastes good. Add fresh banana slices right before serving if you’re worried about browning.
Toss sliced bananas with a little lemon juice before adding them to the fluff. The acid prevents browning. You can also wait to add bananas until right before serving.
Instant pudding works best for this recipe because it sets quickly in the fridge. Cook-and-serve pudding needs to be cooked and cooled completely which takes much longer.
I don’t recommend it. The Cool Whip and pudding separate when thawed, and the bananas turn mushy and brown. This is best made fresh and eaten within 2 days.
You can but Cool Whip is traditional for fluff salads and holds up better over time. Homemade whipped cream deflates and gets watery after a day.
Store covered for up to 2 days. The Nilla Wafers soften and the bananas may brown slightly but the flavor is still good.
Absolutely! Strawberries, pineapple chunks, or mandarin oranges all taste great mixed in with or instead of some of the bananas.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use whole milk for extra creamy pudding. Let the pudding set for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before adding other ingredients.
- Thaw Cool Whip in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Don’t microwave it or it gets watery.
- Use firm, ripe bananas, not overripe mushy ones. Mushy bananas break down when you fold them in.
- Slice bananas right before adding to prevent browning. Or toss them with lemon juice first.
- Fold gently when adding Cool Whip and other ingredients. Aggressive stirring deflates the fluffy texture.
- Crush Nilla Wafers into small pieces but not too small or they will lose their crunch when folded in.
- Serve cold straight from the refrigerator. This tastes best when chilled.
- Make it pretty by reserving some crushed Nilla Wafers and banana slices to arrange on top before serving.
This banana pudding fluff recipe is super easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect as a side dish or dessert!
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Ingredients
- 3.4 ounces instant banana pudding
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups vanilla wafers crushed
- 2 cups bananas sliced
Instructions
- Add the pudding mix and milk to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes so the pudding sets up.
- Fold in the whipped topping and sliced bananas. Don't whip too hard or the Cool Whip will break down.
- Gently fold in the crushed wafers and marshmallows until just combined.
- Chill until ready to serve. It's best when served cold. Garnish with crushed wafers and more sliced bananas for a pretty presentation.
Notes
- Use whole milk for extra creamy pudding. Let the pudding set for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before adding other ingredients.
- Thaw Cool Whip in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Don’t microwave it or it gets watery.
- Use firm, ripe bananas, not overripe mushy ones. Mushy bananas break down when you fold them in.
- Slice bananas right before adding to prevent browning. Or toss them with lemon juice first.
- Fold gently when adding Cool Whip and other ingredients. Aggressive stirring deflates the fluffy texture.
- Crush Nilla Wafers into small pieces but not too small or they will lose their crunch when folded in.
- Serve cold straight from the refrigerator. This tastes best when chilled.
- Make it pretty by reserving some crushed Nilla Wafers and banana slices to arrange on top before serving.
Nutrition
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