If you love classic Southern desserts and crave a creamy, dreamy treat to beat the heat, these Banana Pudding Popsicles are going to make your summer. Somehow both nostalgic and totally playful, they’re packed with ripe banana, sweet vanilla custard flavor, and those iconic vanilla wafer cookies—only in frozen popsicle form. Trust me, one bite and you’ll wonder why you haven’t been enjoying banana pudding on a stick all your life!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Banana Pudding…Reimagined: All your favorite flavors—banana, pudding, and vanilla wafers—in a cool, handheld popsicle that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious.
- Ridiculously Easy: Minimal prep, a handful of ingredients, and no fussy custard-making—just blend, assemble, and freeze.
- Perfect for Parties: These Banana Pudding Popsicles are a make-ahead dream, ideal for picnics, BBQs, or kid-friendly gatherings—no bowls, no spoons, just pure joy.
- A Nostalgic Crowd-Pleaser: Each bite brings you back to childhood banana pudding, but with the refreshing twist of a frozen treat that adults and kids will both adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Banana Pudding Popsicles plays a special role—creating that classic sweet custard creaminess, natural banana flavor, and the irresistible crunch of cookies. Nothing fancy; just simple things that transform into irresistible summer magic!
- Milk (whole or 2%): The base that makes these popsicles smooth and creamy, with just the right body and flavor.
- Heavy cream: Adds luscious richness, making each bite taste like banana pudding in frozen form.
- Vanilla extract: For that classic pudding note—don’t skip it, because it brings everything together!
- Sugar: Sweetens the mixture so you get those dessert vibes with every lick.
- Ripe bananas: Two get blended for full-on banana flavor, and two sliced add a tender, fruity surprise in each pop.
- Vanilla wafers: The crunchy, classic cookie that transforms into a dreamy, soft layer once frozen.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Banana Pudding Popsicles? They’re endlessly customizable! Whether you’re catering to dietary needs, using up what you have on hand, or just feeling creative, there are so many ways to make them your own.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use canned coconut milk and your favorite plant-based cream to mimic the traditional creamy texture with a hint of tropical flair.
- Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Swap out a few vanilla wafers for chocolate cookies or swirl in a little chocolate syrup before freezing.
- Nutty Surprise: Add a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts to each molds with the banana slices for a crunchy, toasty addition.
- Cookie Swap: Try using graham crackers or shortbread cookies if you’re out of vanilla wafers (or just want to experiment!).
How to Make Banana Pudding Popsicles
Step 1: Warm the Milk Mixture
Start by combining the milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Gently warm until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is pleasantly warm (but not boiling!)—this helps all the flavors meld for the creamiest popsicles. Let it cool off for about 10 to 15 minutes before moving on.
Step 2: Blend in the Bananas
Pour the slightly cooled milk mixture into a blender. Add in two whole, very ripe bananas (the riper they are, the sweeter and more intense your banana flavor will be!). Blend until everything is silky-smooth with no banana chunks left behind.
Step 3: Fill the Popsicle Molds
To each popsicle mold, tuck in two round banana slices and two vanilla wafers—these become the signature texture bits inside each Banana Pudding Popsicle. Pour in the banana-milk mixture, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion as they freeze.
Step 4: Add the Popsicle Sticks and Freeze
Gently place a popsicle stick into each mold, insert it about halfway down so every bite gets some cookie and banana. Move the molds to your freezer and let them chill, undisturbed, for at least 8 hours (overnight is perfect!).
Pro Tips for Making Banana Pudding Popsicles
- Banana Ripeness Matters: Use bananas with brown spots for the richest flavor and natural sweetness—they blend creamier, too!
- Wafers Placement: Press the vanilla wafers gently against the sides of the mold so they show through the finished popsicle for a pretty, bakery-style look.
- Easy Release: Briefly run warm water over the outside of the molds before unmolding for perfectly smooth pops every time—no broken popsicles!
- Batch for Later: Double the recipe and keep a backup stash in the freezer for instant dessert satisfaction all week long.
How to Serve Banana Pudding Popsicles
Garnishes
If you want to add a little extra “wow,” try sprinkling crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers over the finished popsicles just before serving. A quick dusting of cinnamon, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a dollop of whipped cream will make these Banana Pudding Popsicles totally irresistible.
Side Dishes
Serve them alongside fresh berries, fruit salad, or a platter of summer cookies for an easy, festive dessert spread. These pops are also lovely as a sweet finish after a summery meal like BBQ chicken or pulled pork sandwiches.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, display your Banana Pudding Popsicles standing in a bucket of ice, or nestle them into small mason jars with a layer of crumbled cookies on the bottom. Colorful popsicle sticks or little “pupil” flags add a fun, retro vibe for birthdays and picnics!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully frozen, keep any leftover Banana Pudding Popsicles in their molds or transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag, separated by parchment so they don’t stick together. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for several weeks—they almost never last that long at my house!
Freezing
Banana Pudding Popsicles freeze beautifully; just be sure to lay them flat when freezing initially. If you remove them from the molds, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap to keep them at their very best and prevent freezer burn.
Reheating
No need to reheat—these pops are meant to be enjoyed ice-cold! If they’re too frozen to bite right away, let them sit at room temperature for a minute or two so the creamy center softens just perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I make Banana Pudding Popsicles without a popsicle mold?
Absolutely! You can use small paper cups, sturdy ice cube trays, or even muffin tins lined with cupcake liners. Just insert a stick into each one after partially freezing for about an hour—they’re a little less polished but just as yummy.
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How ripe should the bananas be for best flavor?
The riper, the better! Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots; they’ll give you intense banana flavor and sweetness without any gritty texture.
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Are Banana Pudding Popsicles gluten-free?
As written, they’re not gluten-free because of the vanilla wafers. However, you can easily swap in your favorite gluten-free vanilla cookies to make them safe for gluten sensitivities—no other changes needed!
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Can I use frozen bananas instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen bananas will work in the blended mixture—just thaw them first so they blend smoothly. For the sliced bananas inside the pops, fresh works best for texture.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give these Banana Pudding Popsicles a try—because honestly, they’re a sweet little hug from the freezer all summer long! Whether you grew up with banana pudding at family gatherings or just want a fun, crowd-pleasing treat, this recipe never disappoints. Every cool, creamy bite will have you coming back for more. Happy freezing!
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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
These Banana Pudding Popsicles are a delightful frozen treat perfect for a hot summer day. Creamy, sweet, and bursting with banana flavor, they are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
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 a 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: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
