Need a quick treat that you and your kids will love? Make this easy Banana Bites snack! With just a few ingredients, this fun stacked finger-food idea is delicious, easy to make and ready in just minutes.
There are a few desserts that I crave. And I'm just too lazy to make them. This is probably good because I'd end up weighing 400+ pounds. Banana Pudding Pie is one of those things I dream of from time to time. But it's far too many steps.
These easy Banana Bites are crazy good. Inspired by Banana Pudding Pie, this Nilla Wafer dessert idea gives you all the flavors without the work! And they make a great after-school snack idea!
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Why This Recipe Works
You could call these Banana Pudding Bites since they give you the essence of that banana pudding pie but since they don't actually have pudding, it would be misleading.
But these totally hit the spot. Using whipped cream instead of making banana pudding cream really speeds up the process and still makes this treat taste delicious. I guess we can call it a hack.
This recipe (which is hardly a recipe - just the way I like it) makes quick and easy after-school snacks that your kids are going to love. (And you too, because yum).
Just 4 ingredients, this fun idea with Nilla Wafer treat uses mostly store-bought items to make them fast!
It's a great snack idea that your kids can help make and since they are one bite-sized, you don't need to dirty too many dishes.
While these are great for playdates, they would also make a fun party appetizer!
Looking for even more easy snacks? Check out my easy Strawberry Snack, Chocolate Yogurt Fruit Dip, and Fried Cheerios.
Ingredient Notes
Vanilla Wafer Cookies are the heart of this recipe. Of course, Nilla Wafers are the greatest of all time. But you can substitute a store-brand version if you see one.
Because Nilla Wafers are essential to the pudding dessert, it helps to set the tone of these delicious banana bites.
In this recipe, whipped cream takes the place of the vanilla pudding. It adds creaminess and flavor without adding any stress. You could substitute a dollop of ready-made vanilla pudding if you want it to resemble the classic dessert more closely.
Store-bought caramel sauce (salted caramel is my favorite!) adds the perfect finishing touch. I feel like this ingredient bridges the gap and helps to make up for the lack of pudding.
And caramel is never a bad idea. I like to keep things extra easy but if you're up for making it you can use this recipe).
How to Make Banana Bites
• Lay the Nilla Wafers flat on a platter or plate.
• Slice your banana and lay one banana slice on top of each cookie.
• Top each banana with a spritz of whipped cream.
• Drizzle caramel sauce on top.
Once you try these mini Banana Bites, you'll want to make them all the time.
I love one-bite finger foods for our after-school snacks so these Banana Bites are perfect. Plus they are no-bake which means you can put them together no matter what time of year. (I hate to heat up my kitchen with the oven).
If I'm being totally honest. I don't really like bananas (except for baked bananas!). But I can get on board when there is a crispy vanilla cookie and some whipped cream.
A little drizzle of caramel is the perfect finishing touch.
These are the perfect thing to throw together when you want a sweet little treat that doesn't require baking, etc. Of course, you can make a mug cake, but these are even easier!
You can make this Nilla Wafer dessert a little more sophisticated by adding a little bit of sea salt on top. I think I've finally gotten my kids on board with salted caramel. It feels like winning the lotto.
Tips
- These Banana Bites aren't a recipe that can be made ahead of time. They are best when the bananas are sliced and the whipped cream is piped just before eating.
- Jazz these up even more by adding mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top of the whipped cream.
- This is a great recipe to have the kids help with! Set out the ingredients and let your kids do all the work!
- While these are great as an after-school snack, they are excellent any time when you need a sweet treat.
- This recipe can make a lot of treats! It's just as easy to make a handful as it is to make enough for a crowd!
Unfortunately, this Nilla Wafer dessert works best when made just before serving. The whipped cream won't last for very long before it melts and the sliced bananas will start turning brown if left out too long.
Yes, you can make these more like mini pudding bites by using vanilla pudding instead of whipped cream. You can make vanilla pudding from scratch or use store-bought.
Yes, banana bites are a great snack idea but there are a few different ways you can make them. While I like to make them this way, since they taste like my favorite banana pudding, you can make them to suite your kid's flavor preferences.
You can take two banana slices and spread some peanut butter between them for a quick treat. Or you can dip the banana slices in chocolate and then roll them in oatmeal. You can get super creative and make them however you want to.
Related Recipes
- If bananas are your thing give this Banana Oat Smoothie a try! With oatmeal, it's filling and totally delicious.
- Baked Bananas are another one of my favorite recipes to make for the kids. This one is great to pop in the oven as we start dinner so we can have a sweet treat when we're done.
- No Bake Strawberry, Jello and Angel Food Refrigerator Cake is one of my most popular recipes and a long time family favorite!
- This Fruity Candy Popcorn Recipe is unique and drool-worthy!
- Churro Cream Cheese Fruit Dip is a great way to get the kids to have some fresh fruit!
Banana Bites with Nilla Wafers and Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 Box Nilla Wafers Use as many cookies as you need for as many Bites as you want.
- 1-2 Bananas sliced (depending on how many total you want to make)
- 1 Whipped Cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Lay your cookies flat on a platter or plate.
- Slice a banana and lay one slice on top of each cookie.
- Top each banana with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Drizzle caramel sauce on top.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- These Banana Bites aren't a recipe that can be made ahead of time. They are best when the bananas are sliced and the whipped cream is piped just before eating.
- Jazz these up even more by adding mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top of the whipped cream.
- This is a great recipe to have the kids help with! Set out the ingredients and a let your kids do all the work!
- While these are great as an after-school snack, they are excellent when you need a sweet treat.
- This recipe can make a lot of treats! It's just as easy to make a handful as it is to make enough for a crowd!
Nutrition
This post was originally published on April 3, 2018 and has now been updated with better instructions so you can recreate this Nilla Wafer dessert perfectly every time.
Bonnie Speeg says
I LOVE your writing style/personality. You make funny when it counts, just enough. (It's fruit. It counts.). This is how I think when I write...and maybe it's the Southern California where you are and I miss it...so there!
Gathering the ingredients for my 9-year-old granddaughter to make at her house; I cannot be with her now, though I live close by. Covid19! Ugh.
I assemble all of it in a cute box with a print out of your recipe.
Thank you so much!
Sharon Garofalow says
Thank you so much for the kind words!! It's been so hard to not be able to spend time with the grandmas during this time. I hope your granddaughter loved it!