My no-bake earl grey banana pudding is one of my favorite banana pudding flavors! It features silky, creamy earl grey pudding, softened vanilla cookies, and bananas. It’s not-too-sweet, great to make ahead, and is very customizable!
Love earl grey? Try out my popular earl grey sugar cookies!
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What is Banana Pudding?
Banana pudding is a beloved American dessert usually associated with southern food! It’s typically made with layers upon layers of vanilla pudding or custard, vanilla wafers, and fresh sliced bananas. Usual toppings include crushed Nilla wafers, whipped cream, or meringue, and it can be served cold or warm.
This no-bake banana pudding recipe is served chilled, and has been the go-to dessert for family gatherings and celebrations. Depending on what we’re feeling, I’ll sometimes swap out the vanilla wafers for biscoff cookies, or even flavor the pudding using tea or powders, like matcha, for matcha banana pudding. It’s so easy and quick to make, and a recipe I highly recommend, especially for beginner bakers!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to make! First, you make earl grey-infused milk by hot brewing or cold brewing tea leaves in milk. Then, you mix in instant pudding mix. After that, it’s just a matter of layering the rest of the ingredients—wafers, sliced bananas, and the prepared pudding. That’s it!
- It’s highly customizable. Instead of the vanilla wafers, you can use Graham crackers, Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, etc. For the toppings, you can use whipped cream or crushed nuts.
- It’s great for parties and get-togethers. It’s a classic party dessert for a reason. You can make it in advance, you can easily double the recipe to feed more people, and it’s a total crowd pleaser!
Looking for other no-bake recipes? Try out my no bake mango cake!
Ingredients
To make homemade earl grey banana pudding from scratch, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- The bananas should be slightly ripe or just ripe enough. We’re looking for bananas with a bright yellow color and very few brown spots on it. Overripe bananas will brown quickly and become too mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
- I use cold whole milk for the pudding mixture. You can opt to use plant-based milk, but make sure to use half the amount required for the recipe, or else it won’t set properly.
- I like to use the zero sugar version of the Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding. I like my banana pudding quite light and creamy, but if you want a thicker texture, use the family-sized packet!
- Make sure to thaw the Cool Whip before using. Similar to the Jell-O Pudding, I like to use the zero-sugar one, too! I recommend it over regular whipped cream because it’s a bit denser, with a marshmallow-like texture.
- Use your favorite earl grey tea brand! You can use bags or loose leaf tea.
- You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract/paste, or a pinch of salt to further enhance the sweet banana flavor!
For the full list of ingredients and measurements, see the recipe card below.
💡 Flavor Variations
- Swap out the vanilla cookies with Oreos, graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, etc.!
- Instead of instant vanilla pudding, try out instant coconut, banana, or chocolate pudding.
How to Make Earl Grey Banana Pudding
Step 1: Steep earl grey tea in hot milk for 4-6 minutes, then remove tea bags. Refrigerate the tea-infused milk until cold, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix in 1 packet of Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding. Whisk until combined and let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
Step 3: Fold in Cool Whip until smooth.
Step 4: In your serving container, add a layer of vanilla wafers, top with sliced bananas, and then spread an even layer of the pudding. Repeat until you use all of your ingredients, with the top layer ending in pudding. Add crushed Nilla wafers on top. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before eating. Serve chilled and enjoy!
For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
😋 More Banana Pudding Recipes
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Thank you so much! -Bianca ❤️
📖 Recipe & Video
Earl Grey Banana Pudding
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Equipment
- heat-safe cup or bowl to steep tea
- serving cups, bowl, or dish I like to split a 1x batch into a large trifle dish or in multiple mason jars/cups!
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons (8 g) earl grey tea leaves about 4 tea bags, use higher amount if you want a stronger tea flavor!
- 2 cups (488 g) whole milk if swapping in plant-based milk, use half the amount or it will not set!!!
- 1 ounce packet (28 g) Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding can use zero sugar
- 8 ounces (226 g) Cool Whip thawed; can use zero sugar
- optional mix-ins: vanilla extract/paste, pinch of salt
- 4-5 (544 g) large bananas sliced
- 1 box (311 g) Nilla wafers you may not need all of them!
Instructions
Steep the tea:
- Cold brew method: In a cup or bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons (8 g) earl grey tea leaves and 2 cups (488 g) whole milk. Stir to make sure tea leaves are incorporated. Cover and let sit in fridge overnight, or up to 24 hours.
- Hot brew method: In a heat-safe cup or bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons (8 g) earl grey tea leaves and hot 2 cups (488 g) whole milk. Let steep for 4-6 minutes. Strain out tea leaves and transfer tea-infused milk to fridge. Chill until it is fully cold, about 1-2 hours.
Make the pudding:
- In a large mixing bowl, add tea-infused milk and 1 ounce packet (28 g) Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding. Whisk until combined and let sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
- Fold in 8 ounces (226 g) Cool Whip until smooth. Optionally stir in mix-ins, like vanilla and salt.
Assemble the banana pudding:
- In your serving container(s), add a layer of vanilla wafers, top with sliced bananas, and then spread an even layer of the pudding. Repeat until you use all of your ingredients, with the top layer ending in pudding.
- Add crushed Nilla wafers on top. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before eating, so all the flavors meld nicely. Serve chilled and enjoy!
