Easy Banana Pudding Cookies

Satisfy that sweet tooth with these tasty Banana Pudding Cookies that taste just like the classic dessert! Semi-homemade cookies that start with a snickerdoodle cookie mix, Nilla wafers, white chocolate chips, fresh banana, and banana cream instant pudding mix. 

For more desserts that use a handy & convenient cookie mix try my Butterfinger Cookies and these Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. 

Easy, Semi-Homemade Banana Pudding Cookies

A classic banana pudding dessert is my personal favorite! Wether it’s a creamy and fluffy Banana Cream Pie, these individual Banana Pudding Parfaits, or this show-stopper Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding, I will take banana pudding in any form. 

These banana pudding cookies are so delicious, full of banana flavor thanks to the fresh banana and banana cream pudding mix, plus the chunky mix-ins of Nilla wafers and white chocolate chips. 

It’s an easy cookie recipe because it starts with a package of snickerdoodle cookie mix! 

Ingredients Needed

• Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix – This is a package of the dry ingredients for making cookies. It also comes with a small package of cinnamon & sugar we won’t be using that in this recipe. I just throw the packet away or if you have another use for it, then use it for that. 
• Banana Cream Instant Pudding Mix – Do not prepare this before adding it into the mixing bowl. We just want the dry ingredients. 
• Ripe Banana – I prefer a soft, dark yellow banana for this recipe rather than a brown and ugly banana (like what you would use for banana bread). 
• Large Egg
• Salted Butter
• Chopped Nilla Wafers
• White Chocolate Chips – I recommend using a good-quality brand like Ghirardelli or Guittard brand. The taste is so much better than the vanilla-flavored chips from other brands. 

How To Make Banana Pudding Cookies (With a Cookie Mix!)

Follow these easy, step-by-step directions for making this banana pudding cookies recipe. Be sure and read to the bottom of the page where there is a detailed recipe card with all my tips and a handy printable option as well. 

• Step 1 : Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets (12″x18″) with parchment paper. 
• Step 2 : In a large mixing bowl, or you can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, whisk together the snickerdoodle cookie mix (NOT the cinnamon sugar packet, discard it) and the banana cream pudding mix until combined. 
• Step 3 : Add in the mashed banana, egg, and butter and beat until a thick dough forms. 
• Step 4 : Fold in the chopped Nilla wafers and white chocolate chips. 
• Step 5 : Scoop out the dough, in 1 1/2 tablespoon portions, and roll them into balls. Place 12 cookies per cookie sheet. 
• Step 6 : Bake for 9-12 minutes or just until the edges begin to get golden brown. 
• Step 7 : Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the warm cookie sheet for 10 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack. 

Banana Pudding FAQ’s

• How To Store These Cookies

  • Room Temperature (Preferred) : You can store these cookies in an airtight container, or Ziploc bag, at room temperature for up to 5 days. Leftovers actually taste really good because the fresh banana flavor intensifies as the cookies sit. My preferred time to eat the cookies tho is the day they’re made. So fresh and soft!
  • Fridge : To keep the cookies for longer store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. I recommend letting the cookies come to room temperature before serving, or try warming them up for a few seconds in the microwave. 
  • Freezer : Place the cooked, room temperature cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer of cookies. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, remove the desired amount of cookies and let them come to room temperature to soften before serving. 

• Can I Make Any Changes To This Recipe?

  • Here are a few ideas of ways that this recipe can be changed up a bit to add a little variety to the already delicious recipe. 
    • Cookie Mix : A sugar cookie mix will give similar results, or try something different and use an oatmeal cookie base or a peanut butter cookie mix base. 
    • Add-Ins : The white chocolate chips + Nilla wafers obviously are typical banana pudding ingredients but you can use anything you want! Change it up depending on what cookie mix you use. Try using peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, chopped graham crackers, dried cranberries, chopped nuts. 
    • Pudding Mix : You can use a vanilla pudding mix, but just know that the banana flavor will not be nearly as prominent as it is when using banana cream pudding. 

Expert Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Fun Ways To Serve These Cookies : Not only are these cookies delicious as a cookie but there are a couple other fun ways that my family likes to eat them. Make banana splits and top each bowl with a banana pudding cookie! Serve a scoop of chocolate chip or vanilla ice cream on top of a cookie, drizzle with chocolate syrup, top with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and chopped nuts if wanted. Think cookie sundae type dessert. Make ice cream sandwiches with two cookies + some vanilla ice cream in the center. 
• Banana Cream Pudding : We are not preparing this pudding, according to the box directions, beforehand. Simply dump the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl, that’s it. We just want the dry instant mix inside the box. 
• Nilla Wafers : I aim to chop these about the same size as the white chocolate chips, maybe slightly larger. You don’t want the chunk too big because remember that the dough balls are only 1.5 tablespoons, so if you have a huge chunk of Nilla wafer, it can take up most of the cookie. 
• Use a Cookie Scoop : I use a medium size cookie scoop that holds 1.5 tablespoons of dough in it. It creates equal sized cookies that are all the same size, which also means they will all cook in the same amount of time. I love this medium cookie scoop from OXO brand (one of my favorite brands for kitchen supplies). 

More Banana Recipes You’ll Love

• Buttermilk Banana Bread
• Amazing Banana Bread Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
• Lemon Blueberry Banana Bread
• Banana Crunch Muffins
• Nutella Banana Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
• Banana Pumpkin Bread
• Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins
• Easy Banana Nut Muffins