Southern-Style Baked Banana Pudding

4.7
(60)
47 Reviews
34 Photos

You'll love this baked banana pudding, especially if you like banana cream pie. Not only is there no pie crust to mess with, but I think the vanilla wafer cookies pair even more perfectly with the fruit and custardy pudding. We want the bananas to match the texture of the custard-soaked cookies, so make sure you buy them a week beforehand. Other than that, not much can go wrong with this simple Southern classic.

By
John Mitzewich
Chef John
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich — aka Chef John — has produced more than 1,500 cooking videos for Allrecipes. He's the actor, director, and screenwriter whose hands and voice confidently walk you through techniques.
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Updated on February 6, 2024
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 10-inch pan
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 4 large eggs

Custard:

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1 tablespoon banana liqueur (Optional)

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon cold butter

Pudding:

  • 3 very ripe bananas, or more to taste, sliced

  • 1 ½ teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1 (12 ounce) package miniature vanilla wafers

Meringue Topping:

  • ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

  1. Separate eggs, placing the whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and the yolks into a saucepan.

  2. Prepare the custard: Add sugar, salt, and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour to the yolks. Splash in about 1/4 of the milk and start blending mixture with a whisk. Pour in remaining milk and whisk until smooth.

  3. Cook and stir mixture over medium heat until hot to the touch, occasionally dipping your finger in to test. Whisk constantly until custard is thick enough to form ribbons.

  4. Remove custard from heat and add banana liqueur, vanilla, then cold butter. Whisk until butter dissolves. Set custard aside.

  5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  6. Begin to assemble the pudding: Toss banana slices with lemon juice.

  7. Spread 1/4 of the custard over the bottom of a baking dish. Add a single layer of vanilla wafers. Cover with 1/2 of the bananas and spread 1/2 of the remaining custard on top. Add another layer of vanilla wafers, using slightly fewer this time. Top with remaining bananas and custard. Smooth the top and tap dish against the counter to settle the pudding.

  8. Make the meringue topping: Add cream of tartar to the egg whites. Beat using the whisk attachment until foamy. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Spread meringue over the pudding using a soft spatula, creating ridges for contrast.

  9. Bake in the preheated oven until meringue is nicely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

Chef's Notes

For the traditional look, bake this in a clear oven-safe glass dish.

I think this is best served cold, but suit yourself!

This recipe is adapted from Alton Brown's famous version.

73 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

408 Calories
14g Fat
64g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 408
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g 17%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 102mg 34%
Sodium 272mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 64g 23%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 99mg 8%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 345mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.