Chick-Fil-A Banana Pudding Copycat Recipe ~ TO BE TASTY

🍌 Classic Banana Pudding with Marshmallow Whipped Cream

Layered with creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and Nilla Wafers — this nostalgic dessert only gets better the longer it chills!

🛒 Ingredients

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1½ cups ice-cold water
1 (3.5 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
2½ cups heavy cream
⅔ cup marshmallow fluff
5–6 large bananas, barely ripe (firm, yellow with no spots)
1 box Nilla Wafers

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Pudding Base

In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water until smooth.
Add the vanilla pudding mix and whisk vigorously until fully dissolved and no lumps remain.
Cover and refrigerate for about 4 hours, or until thickened and set.

2. Make the Marshmallow Whipped Cream

In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
Add in the marshmallow fluff and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.

3. Fold & Combine

Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding in batches, being careful not to deflate the cream.
Mix until fully combined with minimal streaks remaining.

4. Assemble the Layers

In a 9x13-inch baking dish or large trifle bowl:

Start with a layer of Nilla Wafers
Add a layer of sliced bananas
Spoon on ⅓ of the pudding mixture, spreading it evenly
Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with a smooth layer of pudding on top.
Optional: Sprinkle crushed Nilla Wafers over the top for a pretty finish.

5. Chill Again

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 more hours, or overnight for best results.

📝 Notes & Tips

Make Ahead Magic:
This dessert tastes even better the next day. The cookies soften into a cake-like texture and the flavors meld beautifully.
Texture Tip:
The pudding mixture will seem thin during assembly — that’s normal! It firms up in the fridge as it chills and the cookies absorb moisture.
Banana Browning:
Bananas will brown over time, which is natural. If you want to minimize this, skip layering the bananas and instead slice and add them fresh to each portion when serving — a trick used by many restaurants.