
If you’re craving something sweet, tropical, and downright comforting, this Coconut Banana Pudding is about to become your new obsession. Imagine layers of creamy coconut pudding, soft banana slices, vanilla wafers that melt just enough to become cake-like, and a cloud of whipped cream sprinkled with toasted coconut. Yep — it’s as dreamy as it sounds.
This recipe takes the classic banana pudding we all know and love and gives it a delicious tropical twist. The coconut milk adds a rich, velvety flavor that pairs perfectly with the bananas, while the toasted coconut on top adds just the right amount of crunch. It’s light, indulgent, and totally irresistible — basically summer vacation in a dessert cup.
Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner, a potluck, or just treating yourself on a cozy night in, this pudding hits the spot every single time.
Some More Recipes To Try:
- Delightful Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe
- Super Easy & Delicious Coffee & Walnut Pumpkin Bread
- Delightful Brown Sugar Baked Pears with Pecans
Why You’ll Love This Coconut Banana Pudding
There’s something so nostalgic about banana pudding — it’s one of those desserts that reminds you of home, comfort, and second helpings. But this version steps it up a notch. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- It’s creamy, silky, and rich without being too heavy. The mix of coconut milk and whole milk gives you that perfect texture — smooth and luxurious.
- No boxed pudding mix here! You’re making this pudding completely from scratch, but don’t worry — it’s easier than you think.
- It looks fancy but is secretly simple. Layering it in glasses or a trifle dish makes it look like a gourmet dessert, even though you probably had it ready in less than 30 minutes of hands-on time.
- It’s make-ahead friendly. You can prep the pudding the day before and assemble it when you’re ready to serve — making it perfect for parties or holidays.
- The toasted coconut on top is the cherry on the cake (or, well, the coconut on the pudding). It adds texture and that irresistible nutty aroma that ties everything together.
How To Make This Creamy Banana Pudding

Ingredients For Banana Pudding
1 (14-oz.) can light coconut milk – This is where all that tropical flavor comes from
½ cup whole milk – Adds richness and balance to the coconut milk
2 large egg yolks – These make the pudding silky and thick
½ cup sugar – For just the right amount of sweetness
¼ cup cornstarch – Helps the pudding set up perfectly
1/16 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract – Adds that warm, classic flavor
2 tablespoons butter – For a touch of creaminess and shine
1 cup heavy whipping cream – Whipped up for that dreamy topping
2 tablespoons powdered sugar – To sweeten the whipped cream just enough
2 large bananas, sliced – Fresh, ripe, and ready to layer
40 vanilla wafers – The backbone of any banana pudding — soft, sweet, and nostalgic
4 tablespoons toasted coconut – Adds crunch, flavor, and a pretty garnish
Instructions to Make Coconut Banana Pudding
This pudding looks and tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, but you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make at home. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Step 1: Heat the milk

Start by pouring the coconut milk and whole milk into a medium saucepan. Place it over medium heat and warm it just until it’s about to boil. You’ll see small bubbles forming around the edges — that’s your cue to move to the next step.
Step 2: Whisk the pudding base

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. This mixture will look thick and a bit pale yellow — that’s exactly what you want.
Step 3: Temper the eggs

Once your milk is hot, pour a ladleful into your egg mixture while whisking constantly. This process, called tempering, gently brings the eggs up to temperature so they don’t scramble when you add them to the hot milk.
After that, pour the warmed egg mixture into the saucepan with the remaining milk and whisk everything together.
Step 4: Cook the pudding

Keep the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly — this is important to avoid lumps or burnt pudding. After about 5–6 minutes, you’ll notice the mixture thickening into a smooth, glossy pudding. When it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it’s done.
Step 5: Add flavor and chill


Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter. Whisk until the butter melts completely and the pudding looks silky smooth.
Pour it into a bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface (to prevent that weird pudding skin from forming), and refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until completely cooled.
Step 6: Make the whipped cream


Once the pudding is chilled, it’s time for the fluffiest topping ever. In a large bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together until soft peaks form. You can use a hand mixer or a whisk — whichever you prefer.
Step 7: Assemble your pudding cups




Now for the fun part! Grab 4 serving glasses (or one big trifle dish if you prefer) and start layering:
- Begin with a layer of vanilla wafers.
- Spoon in a layer of coconut pudding.
- Add a few banana slices.
- Repeat the layers until you reach the top.
Finish it off with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut.
Tips for the Perfect Coconut Banana Pudding
- Use ripe, but not overripe bananas. You want them sweet and creamy, but still firm enough to hold their shape in the layers.
- Make it ahead. This pudding tastes even better after chilling overnight — the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Toast your coconut properly. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes, keeping a close eye on it. It burns fast!
- Want to make it dairy-free? Use full-fat coconut milk instead of whole milk and skip the butter or use a plant-based alternative. The pudding will still be rich and creamy.
- Get creative with presentation. Serve it in mason jars, dessert cups, or even small glass bowls for a cute and easy-to-serve treat.
Storing Your Pudding
If you have leftovers (which, honestly, is rare), cover them tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The wafers will soften over time, making the pudding even more luscious. Just keep in mind the bananas may darken a bit, so if you’re making it ahead for guests, add the banana slices right before serving.
Coconut Banana Pudding is that perfect mix of comfort and elegance — it’s easy enough for a weeknight treat but fancy enough to serve at brunch, holidays, or baby showers. The coconut flavor gives it a fun, tropical twist while still keeping all the cozy vibes of a classic pudding dessert.
And let’s be real — anything that combines bananas, coconut, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream can’t be bad.
So go ahead, grab those ingredients, and whip up this irresistible pudding. It’s creamy, coconutty, and just sweet enough to make every bite feel like a mini vacation.
Creamy Coconut Banana Pudding
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium4
servings10
minutes10
minutes2
hours20
minutesThis Coconut Banana Pudding is a creamy, dreamy dessert layered with smooth coconut pudding, fresh banana slices, and vanilla wafers, topped with fluffy whipped cream and toasted coconut for the perfect tropical twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
1 14-oz. can light coconut milk
1/2 cup whole milk
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/16 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbs. butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tbs. powdered sugar
2 large bananas, sliced
40 vanilla wafers
4 Tbs. toasted coconut
Directions
- Heat the coconut milk and whole milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it is just before the boiling stage.
- In the meantime, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small bowl.
- Once the milk is hot, pour one ladle of milk into the egg mixture and whisk to temper the egg yolks. Pour the warmed egg mixture into the saucepan with the remaining milk and cook, stirring constantly, until a thick and smooth pudding forms, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Remove the pudding from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter. Whisk until the butter melts into the pudding. Cover the pudding with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to cool for 2 hours.
- Once the pudding has cooled, whip the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- To assemble the pudding cups, layer vanilla wafers, pudding, and banana slices between 4 serving glasses and finish with whip cream on top and sprinkle with toasted coconut.






































































