Description
These Banana Pudding Bites are a delightful mini dessert featuring a crunchy Nilla wafer crust baked to golden perfection, filled with thick, creamy banana pudding, and topped with whipped cream, fresh banana slices, and a mini Nilla wafer for an irresistible treat perfect for parties or snacks.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups Mini Nilla wafer crumbs
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional)
Pudding Filling
- 1 box instant banana cream pudding mix (3.4 ounce size)
- 1 ¼ cup cold milk
Toppings
- Cool Whip or whipped cream
- 24 banana slices
- 24 Mini Nilla wafers
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan using non-stick cooking spray and set it aside for later use.
- Make Nilla Crumbs: Using a food processor or blender, pulse the Mini Nilla wafers until you achieve fine crumbs that will form the crust base.
- Combine Crust Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, mix the Nilla wafer crumbs with the melted unsalted butter and optional salt, stirring thoroughly to blend the ingredients evenly.
- Form Crusts: Spoon about 1½ tablespoons of the Nilla crumb mixture into each muffin cup. Press the crumbs firmly against the bottom and sides of each cup with your fingers to pack them tightly, ensuring the crusts stay intact after baking.
- Bake Crusts: Bake the crusts at 350°F for 10 minutes or until they turn a golden brown color. Remove from oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
- Prepare Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant banana pudding mix and 1¼ cups of cold milk until the pudding begins to thicken. Using less milk than recommended ensures a thicker, richer consistency.
- Fill Cups: Once the pudding has thickened to the desired consistency, spoon about one tablespoon of pudding into each cooled crust-lined muffin cup.
- Add Whipped Topping: Top each pudding-filled bite with a dollop of Cool Whip or your choice of whipped cream for added creaminess.
- Add Garnishes: Place a fresh banana slice and a mini Nilla wafer on top of each dessert bite for decoration and additional flavor and crunch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these banana pudding bites chilled or at room temperature and enjoy this easy, crowd-pleasing mini dessert.
Notes
- Press the crust mixture firmly into the muffin cups to avoid cracking or crumbling after baking.
- Using less milk than the pudding package calls for results in a thicker pudding perfect for these bites.
- Allow the crusts to cool completely before adding the pudding filling to prevent melting or sogginess.
- These bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for best freshness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute Cool Whip and milk with suitable dairy-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
