Easy Banana Pudding (No Cornstarch!)

Banana pudding is an incredibly underrated dessert and turns out incredibly easy to make as well! It’s a dessert that feels both indulgent and also incredibly nostalgic especially if you add in chunks of vanilla wafer....

Instead of using boxed pudding mix or cornstarch, this recipe uses gelatin to achieve that silky texture making it extra light, smooth, and delicious.

If you want to lighten it up, you can swap out some of the heavy cream for milk (it will be less moussey texture and more traditional pudding texture) 

If you’ve never made pudding with gelatin before, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. With just a few wholesome ingredients, you’ll have a dessert that looks impressive yet comes together in less than 20 minutes of active time.

Why Make Banana Pudding with Gelatin?

Traditional banana pudding recipes rely on cornstarch or flour as a thickener. By swapping in gelatin, you get a few benefits:

• A silky-smooth texture that sets beautifully.
• No starchy aftertaste, just pure banana flavor.
• A dessert that feels lighter while still creamy.
• Easy, make-ahead convenience (it sets in the fridge).

Ingredients

• Goose Goods Gelatin
  
• Banana
• Heavy Cream (or Milk & Heavy Cream)
• Egg Yolks
• Sweetener of choice (I like to use Cane Sugar)
• Vanilla Extract
• Salt
• Cookies/Graham Crackers

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bloom the gelatin: Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tbsp of cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
2. Blend the base: Add the banana, heavy cream and/or milk, banana and egg yolks to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. 
3. Cook the base: Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and whisk in the sugar and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and begins to steam (about 5–7 minutes). Do not boil.
4. Add gelatin & vanilla: Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until it fully dissolves. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Pour: Add vanilla wafers/cookies to serving cups or a larger dish before pouring for soft chunks of wafer. Pour the mixture into the dishes. Top with more crumbled cookies.
6. Chill: Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
7. Serve & enjoy 

A Classic Dessert, Elevated

This banana pudding with gelatin is everything you love about the traditional dessert. It's creamy, smooth, and full of banana flavor without relying on boxed mixes or artificial flavorings! It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat, but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party. 🍌✨

Shop Goose Goods Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin here.