Love cheesecake but aren’t comfortable making it at home? Try this EASY no-bake banana pudding cheesecake and have it ready in half the time!

slice of no bake banana pudding cheesecake on white plate

No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake

You can make a homemade no-bake cheesecake so many different ways, but this one in particular uses a simple pudding, fresh bananas, and whipped cream all piled on top of the cheesecake filling and a vanilla wafer crust.

I’m normally such a die hard for a graham cracker crust, but when I finally got my hands on Julianne’s No Bake Treats cookbook I just had to try her Nilla Wafer crust. It looked like perfection as do all of the desserts in her book. We have so many cookbooks we’ve become rather picky about what we keep on hand. A no bake dessert book was a must as far too often we are asked to bring a treat somewhere and I want a show stopper, but without all the fuss.

We’ve followed Julianne since the very beginning and were so excited to hear that she had a cookbook out. Every recipe in No Bake Treats has a big beautiful picture, easy to follow instructions and everything is something you’d normally make in real life, so not a page is wasted.

We’ve made this cheesecake three times now and this is where I have to admit our failure. Every cheesecake was a total show stopper. Absolutely beautiful with perfectly defined layers and the most beautiful topping. And then we made one to photograph. It was a dream and the pictures turned out amazing.

And then I deleted them. Usually I try to upload my photos on the same day I take pictures but this time we left for Italy and I didn’t have a chance. When we got back I was out of space on my card so I formatted it and the moment I did I knew I’d made a mistake.

But it only gets worse. Right then and there I whipped up another cheesecake. When I spread it over the cheesecake it looked fine, though I noticed something was a little off. By the time I opened the springform I knew, I hadn’t let the pudding thicken completely. UGH!!!

It still turned out which says so much about the recipe and how good it is. I debated and debated about making it again, and finally decided this, we have a great relationship with our readers, and we seem to all be in the same place, good people trying to raise good children and just do good things. Making another cheesecake would have required us to work instead of snuggling on the couch for a promised movie date, so please forgive us that the layers are not as clearly defined as they could be.

However, take this as a good sign, even when I failed the recipe still turned out. It’s fail-proof. Which is awesome. It tasted delicious and I didn’t feel bad about it at all anymore. In fact, we snapped a few pictures and ate the rest with a pile of forks and no plates at all. I’d say it was still a success. Definitely a cookbook to buy.

slice of banana pudding cheesecake on plate in front of cake stand

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Ingredients

This no-bake banana pudding cheesecake has four layers: the Nilla Wafer crust, the vanilla pudding layer, the cheesecake layer, and the banana topping. Here’s what you’ll need to make this banana cheesecake: 

  • Egg yolks
  • Granulated sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Nilla Wafers
  • Butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Bananas

banana cheesecake on white cake stand

 How to Make No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Although this no-bake banana cream cheesecake is incredibly easy to make, it does take quite a while to prep since certain layers need to set in the fridge before you can move onto the next step. Here are the basic steps to making this no-bake banana pudding cheesecake: 

  1. Make the homemade vanilla pudding, then place in fridge for 2 hours to set. 
  2. Make the Nilla Wafer crust and press firmly into springform pan. Let chill in the fridge while you make the remaining layers. 
  3. Stir together the no-bake cheesecake filling and pour into prepared crust. Let chill for 2 hours. 
  4. Place banana slices on top of cheesecake layer, then spoon pudding over top. 
  5. Top the pudding layer with homemade whipped cream, then chill for another 2 hours. 
  6. Garnish with crushed Nilla Wafers just before serving. 

How to Remove No-Bake Cheesecake From a Springform Pan

If you’re new to the world of easy no-bake cheesecakes, you may be a little intimidated at the thought of removing this banana cream cheesecake from the springform pan. Don’t worry, it’s not so bad! Here’s how to remove cheesecake safely from a pan:  

  1. Chill the cheesecake overnight. This crucial step will make the biggest difference in your banana cheesecake’s final appearance. 
  2. Loosen the sides with a knife and hot water. 
  3. Use heat to loosen the banana pudding cheesecake from the base.
  4. Remove the sides of the pan.
  5. Slide the banana pudding cheesecake onto a platter.

Hint: You can cut a piece of parchment paper a little larger than the bottom of the pan. Line the pan before assembling and pouring the cheesecake in. The parchment paper will make it easier to remove from the base of the pan.

slice of banana cream cheesecake on white plate

Do I Have to Use a Springform Pan?

Any cake pan or pie plate will do just fine as a substitute for a springform pan. Line the pan with foil or parchment paper so that you can gently lift the cake out when it’s done. Leave a good length of foil or paper hanging out of the pan to make it easier to lift.

Can You Freeze No-Bake Cheesecake?

Yes, you can make any type of cheesecake in advance and store it in the freezer or freeze leftover pieces.

Tips for Making Banana Pudding Cheesecake

If you don’t have Nilla Wafers on hand, you’re welcome to make a traditional graham cracker crust instead. And if neither graham crackers nor Nilla Wafers are sold in your area, try using another crisp, mildly sweet cookie in the crust. 

Note that you need to use brick-style cream cheese in this banana pudding cheesecake recipe. Lite or whipped cream cheese won’t give you the same consistency. 

Same logic applies to using half and half or whole milk in place of the heavy whipping cream. I know this no-bake banana cheesecake isn’t the lightest of desserts, but you need to use real whipping cream to achieve the right texture and flavor. 

More No-Bake Cheesecake Recipes: 

More Banana Dessert Recipes: 

No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake

4.80 from 5 votes
Servings: 10
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Description

Love cheesecake but aren't comfortable making it at home? Try this EASY no-bake banana pudding cheesecake and have it ready in half the time!

Ingredients 

For the Pudding

  • 2 Large Egg Yolks, slightly beaten
  • 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
  • Dash of Salt
  • 1 1/2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For the Crust

  • 11 ounces Vanilla Wafers
  • 8 Tablespoons Butter

For the Cheesecake

  • 16 ounces Cream Cheese, 2 bricks, softened
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

For the Topping

  • 2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Whole Bananas, sliced
  • 6-8 Vanilla Wafers , for garnish

Instructions

For the Pudding

  • Measure out all of the ingredients before starting the recipe so you can quickly go through the pudding without stopping.
  • Place the egg yolks in a bowl.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the flour, salt and sugar and whisk to combine. Add the heavy cream and vanilla and whisk. Heat the mixture until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Pour a little of the mixture into the yolks, while whisking vigorously. Now pour the egg mixture into the cream in the saucepan and heat while whisking until thickened. Make sure it's thick like pudding before removing from the heat.
  • Strain the pudding through a fine mesh sieve in order to get out any lumps.
  • Place in a clean bowl and press plastic wrap down on it, then straight into the fridge for two hours.

For the Crust

  • Prepare a 9 inch spring form pan by spraying it with nonstick spay and then wiping it smooth with a paper towel.
  • Crush the vanilla wafers into fine crumbs like sand and melt the butter. Stir everything together and press into the prepared pan. Place the pan in the fridge while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

For the Cheesecake

  • Beat the cream cheese in a bowl, using an electric hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.
  • Slowly add the sugar while mixing, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • Next, add in the whipping cream and vanilla.
  • Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Pour over the crust and cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

For the Topping

  • Place a mixing bowl and whisk attachment for a stand or hand mixer in the fridge.
  • Once chilled, beat the cream until soft peaks form.
  • Add the powdered sugar and beat until the mixture turns to stiff peaks.
  • Separate out 1 1/4 cups for the decoration.
  • Place banana slices over the cheesecake and spread the pudding on top.
  • Cover with the whipped cream.
  • Using a piping bag filled with the remaining 1 1/4 cups of whipped cream, decorate the outside edge.
  • Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until set.
  • Remove from the fridge and sprinkle the cookie pieces on top.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Left overs can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 868kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 7gFat: 64gSaturated Fat: 37gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 232mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 251mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 2225IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 500+ Best Dessert Recipes
Cuisine: American

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Everyone loves cheesecake but most don't feel comfortable making it at home. Try this no bake banana pudding cheesecake and have it ready in half the time!