10 Creamy Banana Cream Pie Recipes

I’ve always had a soft spot for banana cream pie—it takes me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen in the 80s. Every Sunday after church, she’d whip up her signature version with ripe bananas sliced just so, layered in a flaky crust, and topped with clouds of homemade whipped cream. The smell of vanilla custard simmering on the stove was pure magic, and sneaking a taste while it cooled was my favorite childhood ritual. Those pies weren’t just dessert; they were love on a plate.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking the classic to make it healthier, quicker, or even boozier for date nights. With bananas at their peak ripeness this season, I’ve tested over a dozen variations, perfecting creamy fillings that hold up without sogginess. Banana cream pie matters today because it’s nostalgic comfort food that’s endlessly adaptable—gluten-free, vegan, or indulgent—and it’s a crowd-pleaser for potlucks or weeknight treats.

Classic Homemade Banana Cream Pie

This timeless recipe features a buttery graham cracker crust filled with silky vanilla custard, fresh banana slices, and fluffy whipped cream. Ingredients: 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust, 3 ripe bananas (sliced), 2 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 4 egg yolks, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup heavy cream (for topping).
To make it, heat milk in a saucepan until simmering, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and yolks in a bowl, temper with hot milk, then cook until thickened. Stir in butter and vanilla, layer half over crust with bananas, pour remaining custard, chill 4 hours, and top with whipped cream. It’s a beginner-friendly bake with 400 calories per slice, offering potassium-rich bananas for heart health and pure satisfaction.

No-Bake Banana Cream Pie

Ideal for hot days, this fridge-set pie skips the oven with a press-in crust and instant pudding for ultra-creamy results. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, 2 pkgs instant banana pudding mix, 2 cups cold milk, 3 bananas (sliced), 2 cups whipped topping.
Mix crumbs and butter for crust, press into pan, chill 15 minutes. Beat pudding with milk until thick, fold in half the whipped topping, layer with bananas, chill 3 hours, and top with remaining topping. No-bake means less heat and time (ready in 20 minutes active), plus it’s lighter at 300 calories, perfect for casual entertaining.

Vegan Banana Cream Pie

A plant-based dream using coconut milk for rich creaminess without dairy. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups vegan graham crackers, ¼ cup coconut oil (melted), 2 cans full-fat coconut milk (chilled), ⅓ cup cornstarch, ⅓ cup sugar, 3 ripe bananas, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Pulse crackers with oil for crust, press and chill. Scoop coconut cream solids, whip with cornstarch slurry, sugar, and vanilla over heat until thick; layer with bananas and chill 4 hours. Dairy-free and 350 calories per slice, it supports vegan diets while delivering tropical indulgence and natural sweetness from bananas.

Chocolate Banana Cream Pie

Decadent fusion with a chocolate cookie crust and cocoa-infused custard. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, 2 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup cornstarch, 3 egg yolks, 3 bananas, 1 cup whipped cream.
Form crust with crumbs and butter, bake 10 minutes. Cook milk with sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and yolks until thickened, layer with bananas, chill, and top with cream. At 450 calories, the antioxidants from chocolate and bananas boost mood and heart health in this elevated treat.

Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie

Nutty twist pairing creamy PB with bananas for Elvis-inspired bliss. Ingredients: 1 pre-baked pie crust, 3 bananas, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup whipped cream.
Whisk milk, sugar, cornstarch, and PB over heat until thick, add vanilla, layer with bananas in crust, chill 4 hours, top with cream. 500 calories per slice provide protein from PB for sustained energy, making it a filling dessert hybrid.

Coconut Banana Cream Pie

Tropical vibes with toasted coconut and coconut cream filling. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups graham crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, 2 cups coconut milk, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 3 bananas, 1 cup shredded coconut (toasted), whipped cream.
Press crust, chill. Simmer coconut milk with sugar and cornstarch until pudding-thick, layer with bananas and coconut, chill, top with cream. 380 calories with healthy fats from coconut for skin glow and exotic flavor escape.

Gluten-Free Banana Cream Pie

Almond flour crust keeps it crumbly and GF-friendly. Ingredients: 2 cups almond flour, ¼ cup melted butter, 2 cups milk (or alt-milk), ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 4 egg yolks, 3 bananas, vanilla, whipped cream.
Mix flour and butter for crust, bake 12 minutes. Make custard as classic, layer bananas, chill, top. 420 calories, naturally GF with nut-based crust for better digestion and inclusive baking.

Mini Banana Cream Pies

Bite-sized for parties, using muffin tins. Ingredients (for 12): 1 ½ cups graham crumbs, ⅓ cup butter, 1 pkg instant pudding, 1 ½ cups milk, 2 bananas (diced), whipped cream.
Press crumb mix into muffin tins, chill. Mix pudding and milk, portion with bananas, chill 2 hours, dollop cream. Portable at 150 calories each, great for portion control and fun gatherings.

Rum Banana Cream Pie

Boozy adult version with a splash of rum. Ingredients: 1 pre-baked crust, 3 bananas, 2 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 3 egg yolks, 3 tbsp rum, 1 tsp vanilla, whipped cream.
Cook custard with rum added at end, layer bananas, chill, top. 410 calories with rum’s warming notes for sophisticated dinners and relaxation benefits.

Greek Yogurt Banana Cream Pie

Lightened-up with yogurt for tang and protein. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups graham crumbs, ⅓ cup butter, 2 cups Greek yogurt, ¼ cup honey, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 3 bananas, 1 tsp vanilla, whipped cream.
Press crust. Mix yogurt, honey, cornstarch over low heat until thick, layer bananas, chill. 320 calories, high-protein (15g/slice) for guilt-free indulgence and gut health.

There you have it—10 ways to creamy banana cream pie heaven, from classic to creative twists. Grab some ripe bananas and dive in; your taste buds (and guests) will thank you. Which one will you try first? Share your pics in the comments!