No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (2024)

No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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  • 8

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  • 11 comments

This chocolate banana cream pie is filled with a rich chocolate filling and then topped with a layer of bananas and even more whipped cream!

If you love bananas, you’ll also love my banana cream pie and banana pudding.

No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Classic No-Bake Dessert

This chocolate banana cream pie recipe takes all the shortcuts and we’re not the least bit sorry about it! It means the whole thing can be assembled in just 10 minutes!

We’re using a premade pie crust which makes this officially one of the easiest, no-bake desserts you’ll ever make. However, if you choose to make your own homemade pie crust or even a graham cracker crust, it’s absolutely worth it.

No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (3)

What is Chocolate Banana Cream Pie?

Chocolate banana cream pie is a chocolate version of the classic banana cream pie and you’re going to love it. The filling is a combination of a luscious creamy pudding made lighter and airier with the addition of cool whip or whipped cream.

Layered with slices of sweet bananas and topped with a layer of pure whipped cream and sprinkled with the option of chocolate chips or chocolate shavings. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for serving a crowd.

Tips & Variations

  • This recipe is meant to be quick and ready to dig into as soon as possible. If, however, you do want to take the time to make a homemade graham cracker crust, pie crust, chocolate pudding from scratch, and a homemade whipped cream, you totally should!
  • Using whole milk helps with texture and consistency. The richness of the fat in whole milk helps the pudding to set and thicken up. If you use any low-fat, almond, or soy milk you won’t get the same results.
  • My favorite store-bought crusts to use are Keebler graham cracker crust or frozen Marie Calendar.
  • Chill for a minimum of 2 hours before slicing into it, otherwise, it won’t hold its structure as nicely.
No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (4)

Make Ahead

This pie can be made up to 3 days ahead. Make it up to the point of adding filling to the pie crust and chilling. Continue chilling for up to 3 days and when you’re ready to serve, layer sliced bananas over top and top with a layer of whipped cream and serve immediately.

No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (5)

Other Easy No-Bake Desserts:

  • Oreo Peanut Butter Pie
  • No-Bake Cheesecake
  • Banana Split Dessert
  • Snickers Caramel Apple Pie

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No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (6)

Chocolate banana cream pie

5 from 8 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

This chocolate banana cream pie is filled with a rich chocolate filling and then topped with a layer of bananas and even more whipped cream!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Chill: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust , pre-made or homemade
  • 5 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix , 1 big box
  • 2 cups whole milk , cold
  • 1 cup cool whip or whipped cream , thawed
  • 2 medium bananas

For garnish (optional): whipped cream and more sliced bananas, mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

    Instructions

    • Bake pie crust according to direction if needed (no need to bake a store bought graham cracker crust). Whisk the instant pudding mix and milk in a large bowl. Whisk fast for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it has thickened. If you lift the whisk, the pudding shouldn't fall off.

      No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (7)

    • Fold in 1 cup of cool whip or whipped cream. Then slice 1 banana into thin slices and stir into the pudding. Evenly spread the filling into the pre-made pie crust.

      No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (8)

    • Chill at least 2 to 3 hours before serving. Slice 1 banana over the top of the chocolate pie.

      No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (9)

    • Then evenly spread the remaining whipped cream (about 1 cup) over top. Slice and serve chilled.

      No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (10)

    Notes

    Milk: Make sure to use whole milk. If you use skim milk, almond milk or soy milk it will not thicken properly.

    Whipped cream: I prefer making homemade whipped cream for this recipe. Simply mix 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 to 2 Tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer until a peak forms.

    Crust: You can use a store bought or homemade crust for this recipe. My favorite brands for store bought are the Keebler graham cracker crust or frozen Marie Calendar.

    • My favorite homemade graham cracker crust
    • Recipe for homemade pie crust

    Nutrition

    Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Dessert

    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Pies + Tarts, Thanksgiving

    No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (11)

    Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

    More about Jamielyn Nye

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    Add a comment

    11 comments

      • Sunny

      Can I add melted dark chocolate to the pudding mix to elevate the chocolate flavours and what do you feel about adding banana extract to the whipped cream to give it a stronger banana flavour?

      • Reply
        • Jamielyn Nye

        I haven’t tried, but that sounds delicious! Let us know how it goes :)

        • Reply
      • Sandy

      Can I use cooked pudding and cool it first?

      • Reply
        • I Heart Naptime Community

        Yes, that should work!

        • Reply
      • Jeanna Taber-Parson

      I’ve made this quick and so easy chocolate banana cream pie it was a big hit in my household they ask me to make it again so that’s what I’m doing

      • Reply
        • I Heart Naptime

        So happy to hear it was a big hit, Jeanna!

        • Reply
      • Dewik
      • No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (16)

      This turned out great! It was a big hit!

      • Reply
        • I Heart Naptime

        Yay! So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)

        • Reply
      • Natalie
      • No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (17)

      This is the quickest pie to make & one of the best!! You can’t get better than chocolate & bananas!!

      • Reply
      • Allyssa
      • No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (18)

      This is so delicious and really tasty! Thanks a bunch for sharing this chocolate banana cream pie recipe! Will surely have this again, Highly recommended!

      • Reply
      • Beth
      • No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (19)

      Oh my goodness! This was such a delicious and rich dessert. My two chocolate lovers absolutely loved this recipe and loved the twist of making it chocolate! I’m so excited to make this lovely pie again!

      • Reply
    No-Bake Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - I Heart Naptime (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you keep bananas from turning dark in banana cream pie? ›

    * Treat the bananas with citrus juice: Lemon, orange or pineapple juice will prevent browning. To avoid changing the flavor of the pie, you want to use as little as possible. Brush it lightly on the slices, or place the juice in a spray bottle and spritz them.

    Does banana cream pie need to be refrigerated? ›

    Should banana cream pie be refrigerated? You should definitely refrigerate banana cream pie as it is filled with dairy, which should not be left out for longer than an hour or so. Cover with a large cloche or arrange some tin foil loosely over the pie and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

    How to thicken banana cream pie filling? ›

    Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the creamy filling. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, but it won't make your pie taste salty.

    What is a interesting fact about banana cream pies? ›

    In a 1951 survey conducted by the United States Armed Services, banana cream pie was ranked the soldier's favorite dessert! If your banana cream pie has a "black bottom", that means that it has chocolate on the bottom!

    Why does my banana cream pie get watery? ›

    Why is my banana cream pie filling runny? A runny filling can occur if you don't cook the filling long enough or chill the pie adequately. The key is to cook the filling over medium heat until it's thick. You must also let the pie chill for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow the filling to set properly.

    How to fix a runny cream pie? ›

    To fix this, you can cook the pudding mixture over low heat until it thickens, or add a thickener such as cornstarch or tapioca flour. Another possible reason for a runny banana cream pie is that the pie filling was not chilled properly before being added to the crust.

    Why is my banana pudding so runny? ›

    Pudding that has been stored for too long will not feel fresh anymore and start to runny. Therefore, do not let the pudding stay in the refrigerator for days so that it does not runny.

    How do you thicken a no bake pie filling? ›

    Add Gelatin or Cornstarch

    If your filling is really runny, you can add a little bit of gelatin or cornstarch to thicken it up. Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm.

    What is the best ingredient to use in thickening the filling of cream pies? ›

    Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed.

    What thickens a cream pie? ›

    All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

    What is the most favorite pie in the world? ›

    Apple Pie. Apple pie is arguably one of the most popular pie flavors. A symbol of America, the apple pie was actually invented by the British. Apple pie is simply made with sliced apples on double-crusted pastry dough.

    How long until banana cream pie goes bad? ›

    (Best to garnish with banana slices immediately before serving, but whipped cream can go on the pie up to 1 hour in advance.) Slice and serve. Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Where did banana pie originate? ›

    Why did the bananas in my banana pudding turn black? ›

    However, you also shouldn't expect banana pudding to last longer than a day or so. Beyond that, the bananas will start to darken wherever some of the pudding has been spooned out, exposing them to air. You may just need to treat banana pudding as a fleeting pleasure and plan accordingly.

    Does pineapple juice keep bananas from turning brown? ›

    Keep cut fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and peaches from turning brown by: Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice. Use a commercial anti-darkening preparation with fruits, such as Fruit-Fresh®*, and follow the manufacturer's directions.

    How to keep banana puree from turning brown? ›

    Sprinkle a few drops of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange—into the purée to slow down oxidation. The juice contains ascorbic acid which prevents oxidation.

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