Banana Parfaits are an easy no bake version of banana pudding inside a cup! Easy to make with layers of instant banana pudding, freshly whipped cream, banana slices, and crushed Nilla Wafers.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword banana parfaits
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Assembly Time 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Calories 664kcal
Author Jessica - Together as Family
Ingredients
Whipped Cream Layer
2cupsheavy cream
1/2cuppowdered sugar
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Nilla Wafer Layer
1box (11 oz)Nilla Wafers
Banana Pudding Layer
8ozcream cheesesoftened
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1box (3.4 oz)instant banana cream pudding
2cupsheavy cream
1/2cuppowdered sugar
4medium bananas(plus lemon juice to prevent browning)
Instructions
Whipped Cream Layer
With a handheld electric mixer, or a stand mixer, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. * Start at low speed to avoid splashing and increase speed as it gets thicker. This process takes about 4-5 minutes. To speed it up, place the bowl and beaters inside the freezer about 30 minutes prior to starting. * I like to use my stand mixer to whip up the heavy cream while I am using my electric hand mixer to mix up the banana pudding layer. This way will cut down on prep time.
Nilla Wafer Layer
Roughly chop the Nilla Wafers into medium sized pieces. Not crumbs. You can even use the Mini Nilla Wafers as is instead. * Even if I am using the mini size, I still like to cut each one in half. You can leave the Nilla Wafers as large or as small as you want.
Banana Pudding Layer
In a mixing bowl, with a handheld electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and vanilla extract until combined and creamy.
Add the instant banana pudding and beat to combine. It will look chunky and weird, but don't worry, we'll fix that.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the heavy cream, and mix until it's combined well and smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and mix to combine.
Slice the bananas and place them in a bowl. Use bottled lemon juice (or fresh lemon juice works too) and pour some over the banana slices. * You don't need to submerge the bananas in lemon juice. Just splash some on to prevent browning.
Assembly
Use clear glass parfaits cups or plastic clear cups. Anything that is about 8 oz or 12 oz will work great.
Add a layer of Nilla Wafers in the bottom.
Add a layer of the banana pudding mixture.
Add a layer of banana slices.
Add a layer of whipped cream.
Continue with the layers until the cup is full.
Serve right away or you can let them refrigerate for 2 hours before serving to allow time for the flavors to develop and the Nilla Wafers to soften a bit. * I prefer to chill the parfaits for 2 hours before serving. Allows time for the Nilla Wafers to soften in texture, flavors to develop, and the parfaits taste better chilled.
Notes
Nilla Wafers : You only use about half of the box in this recipe. No exact measurement for this ingredient. You will need as many as you need to create the layers in the cups. Serving Size : This recipe makes 8 parfait cups when using a 12 oz size cup. If you use larger cups, or smaller, then the serving size will be different. You can use plastic clear cups, glass parfait cups, wine glasses, or just any glass cup you have. For the best presentation, make sure you use clear/glass cup so you can see the pretty layers. I have linked (affiliate links) some of the parfait cups that I have used for this recipe up in the post under FAQ's. Lemon Juice : This will help prevent the bananas from browning too fast. Bottled lemon juice is great for this, or fresh lemon juice if you want to squeeze the lemons for it.
Here is what I do : I slice a banana and place it on a plate or bowl, I then take the bottle of lemon juice and sprinkle some over the bananas. I slice another banana and do the same thing, repeat with all the bananas.
Layers : You can either use a spoon to spoon the banana pudding and whipped cream into each cup for the layers, OR you can put it inside a piping bag with a large 1A tip or inside a gallon-sized Ziploc bag that has the corner snipped off, and pipe the layers in that way.