Traditional banana pudding recipes typically aren’t vegan-friendly. Fortunately, creating vegan banana pudding is pretty simple! By using plant-based ingredients, you can make a delicious vegan banana pudding that everyone can enjoy. In this guide, I will show you how to make this delicious dessert step-by-step.
Ingredients Needed
Vegan Pudding: You can choose a store-bought vegan pudding mix or make your own at home. If you want a store-bought mix, there are many options you can choose from. Jell-O offers vegan pudding mixes. If you prefer to make it from scratch, all you need is plant-based milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
Non-dairy Milk: There are so many vegan options out there that it can be hard to know which is best for a dessert like this. Unsweetened almond, soy, and coconut milk are the best options for vegan banana pudding. Not sure which to choose? I recommend choosing your favorite out of the three options.
Vegan Vanilla Wafers: There are several vegan vanilla wafers out there. For example, Whole Foods 365 brand offers vegan vanilla wafers. If you can’t find vegan vanilla wafers, shortbread or graham crackers can work well too. Just be sure to check the ingredients to confirm they are vegan.
Bananas: Use ripe but firm bananas to ensure they hold their shape in the dessert. They provide natural sweetness and a smooth texture. Avoid overripe bananas, as they can become mushy.
Vegan Whipped Cream: Adding whipped cream to this dessert adds a delightful finishing touch. For example, one of my favorite vegan whipped creams is the Reddi-wip non-dairy coconut milk whipped topping. It mimics real whipped cream really well! However, you can also make your own.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Step 1: Prepare the Pudding
If you’re using a store-bought pudding mix, follow the package instructions, but use non-dairy milk instead of regular milk. I’ve had the best experience with soy, but coconut and almond milk work great as well. Blend thoroughly to avoid clumps.
For a homemade pudding, you’ll need plant-based milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium/high heat. Gradually whisk the cornstarch into the milk until it’s fully dissolved. Cook the mixture until it thickens, and remember to stir constantly. Once the mixture has thickened you can remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the pudding to cool to room temperature before using it in your dessert.
Step 2: Prepare the Bananas
Peel your bananas and slice them as evenly as possible. This ensures even layering and a consistent texture throughout the dessert. If you’d like to keep the bananas looking as fresh as possible, you can toss them in a little bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning. This step is optional.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers
Start by placing a layer of vegan vanilla wafers at the bottom of your serving dish. Once that’s done, you’ll want to add a layer of the sliced bananas over the wafers. Next, pour half of the prepared pudding over the banana slices and wafers.
I recommend using a spatula so you can spread the pudding evenly. Repeat a layer of wafers and banana slices, and then pour the remaining pudding on top.
Step 4: Chill the Pudding
Cover the dish with plastic wrap, ensuring it touches the surface of the vegan banana pudding to prevent a film from forming. Refrigerate the pudding for a minimum of 4 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and gives the pudding time to set.
Step 5: Add Whipped Cream When Serving
When you’re ready to serve this dessert, you can make the whipped cream. Vegan whipped cream is much more stable when it’s freshly made. If you’re using store-bought whipped cream, only add it to the portions that are being served.
Wrapping Up
Creating vegan banana pudding is relatively straightforward and not much different from more traditional recipes. By replacing non-vegan ingredients with vegan ones, you can create a dessert that everyone can enjoy. Follow the simple steps mentioned in this guide, and you’ll have a delightful dessert in no time.
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