Yields: 4 Generous Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours (or overnight for best results)
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (mostly hands-off chilling)
Recipe Intensity: Easy
Ingredients
For the Protein Pudding:
-
2 cups (500g) plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5% fat recommended)
-
2 scoops (approx. 60-70g) vanilla or banana cream protein powder*
-
¼ cup (65g) smooth peanut powder (like PBfit) or 2 tablespoons real peanut butter
-
3-4 tablespoons milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat), as needed
-
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
For the Layers:
-
2 large, ripe-but-firm bananas, sliced
-
1 cup vanilla wafers (or graham crackers)
-
Optional Garnish: Light whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, crushed wafer crumbs, or a drizzle of sugar-free chocolate syrup.
**Chef’s Note: The type of protein powder is key. Whey/casein blend or plant-based blends like pea and brown rice work best for thickening. 100% whey isolate can sometimes become gritty.*
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Create the Creamy Protein Pudding Base
Begin by selecting a large mixing bowl. Add the plain Greek yogurt, protein powder, and peanut powder. Using a whisk or a hand mixer on low speed, vigorously combine the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
At this stage, the mixture will likely be very thick. This is when you’ll add your milk, one tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition until you reach a thick but spreadable pudding consistency—similar to a classic whipped cream cheese. Taste the pudding and decide if you’d like it a touch sweeter. If so, whisk in the optional honey or maple syrup.
Pro-Tip: If you are using real peanut butter instead of peanut powder, gently warm it for 10 seconds in the microwave to make it easier to incorporate into the yogurt mixture.
Step 2: Prepare Your Banana and Wafer Layers
Take your ripe-but-firm bananas and slice them into ¼-inch thick rounds. Using bananas that are yellow with a few brown speckles is ideal, as they are sweet but will still hold their shape and not turn to mush.
If you are using whole graham crackers instead of wafers, place them in a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin until you have a mix of small pieces and crumbs.
Step 3: Assemble the Pudding Layers
Now for the fun part: building your pudding! You can assemble this in one large trifle dish, a medium-sized serving bowl, or individually in four 16-ounce jars or glasses for perfectly portioned meals.
Start by spreading about one-third of the protein pudding mixture onto the bottom of your dish(es). This first layer acts as a cushion and ensures every spoonful gets a bit of everything.
Next, create a single layer of vanilla wafers (about half of them), gently pressing them into the pudding. Follow this with a layer of sliced bananas (using about half of your slices).
Step 4: Repeat and Complete the Layers
Repeat the process: add another third of the protein pudding, smoothing it over the bananas. Top with the remaining vanilla wafers and then the remaining banana slices.
Finish by spreading the final third of the protein pudding over the top, sealing in all the layers beneath. Give the dish a gentle tap on the counter to settle everything.
Step 5: The Essential Chill
Cover the pudding tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming and the bananas from oxidizing (turning brown).
Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, but for the ultimate authentic banana pudding experience where the wafers soften into a cake-like layer, let it chill overnight.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, add your final garnishes. A dollop of light whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, a sprinkle of crushed wafer crumbs, or a delicate drizzle of chocolate syrup not only makes it look beautiful but adds an extra dimension of flavor and texture. Serve cold and enjoy the guilt-free, creamy delight!
Chef’s Notes & Recipe Variations
-
The Banana Browning Solution: If you’re making this more than 8 hours in advance, you can prevent banana browning by tossing the sliced bananas in a teaspoon of lemon or orange juice before assembling. The citrus flavor pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients.
-
Dietary Adaptations:
-
Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free vanilla cookies or wafers.
-
Dairy-Free: Use a thick, plain dairy-free yogurt (like coconut or soy) and a plant-based protein powder with dairy-free milk.
-
Lower Carb: Use a sugar-free protein powder, omit the honey, and use low-carb cookies like Simple Mills almond flour crackers.
-
-
Flavor Adventures: Feel free to get creative! Use chocolate protein powder for a chocolate-peanut-banana version. Substitute the peanut powder with 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a chocolate-hazelnut vibe. A dash of vanilla extract can also enhance the flavor if your protein powder isn’t very potent.
-
Meal Prep Champion: This pudding is a perfect weekly meal prep recipe. Assemble it in individual jars for a ready-to-go breakfast or snack that lasts 3-4 days in the fridge.
Storage and Making Ahead
This Protein Banana Pudding is designed to be made ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Note that the bananas will continue to soften and may brown slightly over time, and the wafers will become very soft, which is part of the classic pudding’s charm.
We do not recommend freezing this recipe, as the yogurt and banana layers will separate and become watery upon thawing.
Nutrition Information
(Please note: The following nutrition information is an estimate and can vary significantly based on the specific brands of protein powder, yogurt, and wafers you use.)
Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe (approx. 1 heaping cup)
-
Calories: ~350
-
Total Fat: 9g
-
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
-
Cholesterol: 50mg
-
Sodium: 280mg
-
Total Carbohydrates: 35g
-
Dietary Fiber: 3g
-
Sugars: 20g (Includes natural sugars from banana and milk)
-
Protein: 25g
Dietary Note: This recipe is high in protein and a good source of calcium from the Greek yogurt. It can be adapted to be gluten-free and dairy-free as noted above. The sugar content is significantly lower than traditional banana pudding recipes, with much of the sweetness coming from the natural banana and the protein powder.