If you’re craving a creamy, comforting dessert, this Strawberry Banana Pudding is the answer. With a silky-smooth pudding base, fresh bananas, and strawberries, it’s a decadent treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or indulging in a little something special after dinner, this pudding will quickly become a new favorite. Simple yet delicious, this dessert combines the flavors of two beloved fruits with a rich, homemade pudding that you can feel good about.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Deliciously Creamy Texture

The homemade pudding is smooth and velvety, offering the perfect base for the fresh fruit that sits atop it.

2. Fresh and Fruity

With ripe bananas and fresh strawberries, this pudding has a natural sweetness and freshness that elevates its flavor.

3. No Fancy Ingredients

The ingredients are simple and wholesome, with everyday items you likely already have in your pantry.

4. Customizable Sweetness

You can adjust the sweetness of the pudding to your taste with honey or maple syrup, depending on your preference.

5. Great for All Diets

This recipe can easily be made plant-based using your favorite milk alternative, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.

Ingredients

For the Pudding:

2 ripe bananas (mashed to creamy perfection)
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced into thin, juicy pieces)
2 cups milk of choice (almond, oat, or coconut milk work beautifully)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (for that smooth, pudding-like consistency)
3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (depending on your preference for sweetness)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (to add a hint of aromatic depth)
1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance the flavors)

Variations

Add More Fruit: You can mix in blueberries, raspberries, or even peaches for a different fruity twist.
Use Coconut Milk: For a richer flavor, use coconut milk in place of regular milk for a tropical vibe.
Add a Crunch: Top your pudding with granola, crushed nuts, or crushed graham crackers for a delightful contrast in texture.
Layered Pudding: Create a layered pudding parfait by alternating layers of fruit and pudding for a more elegant presentation.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Slice the bananas and strawberries. Mash the bananas until smooth, and slice the strawberries into thin, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Make the Pudding Base

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, cornstarch, honey or maple syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously. As the mixture heats up, the cornstarch will help thicken the pudding.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Bananas

Once the pudding has thickened to a creamy consistency (about 5-7 minutes), remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Then, gently fold in the mashed bananas until combined.

Step 4: Chill the Pudding

Transfer the pudding to serving bowls or a large dish and allow it to cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help it set and become even creamier.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

After chilling, top the pudding with the sliced strawberries. You can also add extra banana slices for a double-banana twist! Serve and enjoy the creamy, fruity goodness.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Adjust Sweetness: Taste the pudding as you go and adjust the sweetness with more honey or maple syrup if needed.
Avoid Lumps: Be sure to whisk the cornstarch into the milk thoroughly to prevent lumps from forming.
Make it Dairy-Free: Use almond, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy-free pudding, and you’re good to go!
Prepare Ahead: This pudding can be made the day before and stored in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld.

How to Serve

For a Family Meal: Serve the pudding in individual bowls for a fun and easy dessert after dinner.
At a Party: Make a larger batch, serve it in a big dish, and let guests scoop out their own portions.
As a Parfait: Layer the pudding in parfait glasses with extra fruit and granola for a more elegant presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this pudding, as the texture may change once thawed.

Reheating

If the pudding thickens too much in the fridge, you can gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a little extra milk if it becomes too thick.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen fruit?

Fresh fruit is recommended, but if you use frozen fruit, be sure to thaw it first and drain any excess moisture.

2. Can I make this pudding without cornstarch?

Cornstarch is essential for creating the thick, creamy pudding texture, but you can substitute it with arrowroot powder if needed.

3. How do I make this pudding vegan?

Simply substitute the milk with a plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk) and use maple syrup instead of honey.

4. Can I add chocolate to the pudding?

For a chocolate twist, add some cocoa powder to the milk mixture or drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the pudding.

5. Can I make this pudding without bananas?

Yes, you can omit the bananas and simply use more strawberries or other fruit, but the pudding will lose its signature creamy texture from the bananas.

6. How do I store the pudding?

Keep the pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to top it with fruit just before serving to keep everything fresh.

7. Can I use other sweeteners instead of honey or maple syrup?

Yes! You can use agave nectar, stevia, or any other sweetener of your choice to adjust the sweetness.

8. Is there a way to make this pudding sugar-free?

Yes, you can replace the honey or maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.

9. Can I make this pudding without vanilla extract?

Vanilla extract adds depth to the flavor, but you can omit it or replace it with a different flavoring like almond extract.

10. Is this pudding good for kids?

Yes, this pudding is made with wholesome ingredients and is a great option for kids. Just ensure there are no food allergies, especially with the honey or maple syrup.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Banana Pudding is a simple, wholesome, and delicious dessert that everyone will love. With its creamy texture, fresh fruit, and balanced sweetness, it’s the perfect way to end any meal. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just as an everyday treat, this pudding is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!