Gluten Free Banana Cream Pie with Instant Pudding

Gluten Free Banana Cream Pie with Instant Pudding is rich, indulgent and silky. Full of banana flavor and fluffy cool whip make this the ultimate recipe. Get ready for delicious banana flavor in every bite.

For this easy recipe, I purchased a gluten free frozen pie crust from the Maine company. They make really good gluten free pie crusts.

When it comes to desserts, I’m all in. Pies are the way to my family’s heart. They’re always perfect for gatherings and holidays. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• My gluten free banana cream pie with instant pudding recipe is loaded with flavor.
• This is one of the easiest desserts you can make.
• This can be made ahead and is a crowd pleaser.
• You can use gluten free crust or graham cracker crust.
• You can make this dairy free.

Another great feature is that this pie recipe doesn’t use any fancy ingredients or gadgets. All the ingredients are readily found in your grocery store, if you don’t already have them on hand.

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Obviously, when I have time, I do love making my own home-made pie crust. Once in a while, it’s ok to use shortcuts and I’m all about that whenever possible.

This banana cream pie holds vanilla pudding with fresh bananas above and below- topped with a generous serving of cool whip.

Looking back, I cannot remember the last time I made a cream pie. With Spring here, I just was craving a cream pie. Banana cream pie was the first one that came to mind.

Banana cream pie a classic dessert that can be eaten year round.

MAKE SURE TO THAW YOUR COOL WHIP

Cool whip does need to thaw for about 3 to 4 hours prior to making your pie.

CAN I USE A DAIRY SUBSTITUTE?

I personally haven’t made this with a dairy substitute, however, you can sub out your favorite dairy free version of milk and there are a couple dairy free cool whip options. So delicious is one that holds up well, and actually tastes pretty good for a dairy free alternative.

WHY IS MY BANANA CREAM PIE RUNNY?

Your banana cream pie can be runny if you didn’t allow the instant vanilla pudding to thicken enough. It should coat the back of a spoon when ready.

CAN I MAKE THIS IN ADVANCE?

Banana cream pie should be made the day before or early on the day that you’re serving. It needs at least 4 hours in the fridge.

IS JELLO INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING GLUTEN FREE?

While Jello does not put a gluten free label on their products, nearly all of them are made without gluten. Per Jello-does not contain any of the 8 major allergens. Whole Foods does sell vanilla pudding that is gluten free, but it is not instant, so you would need to wait about 4 hours for the pudding to set before making the pie.

THERE ARE FOUR BASIC COMPONENTS TO A BANANA CREAM PIE

• Crust
• Fresh Bananas
• Custard
• Whipped Topping

WHY SHOULD I USE FIRM BANANAS?

Because this pie is refrigerated, you need firm bananas. First of all, if you start with over ripe bananas, it is going to make your pie really soggy and no one wants a soggy pie.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• You should definitely refrigerate banana cream pie as it has dairy in it. This pie shouldn’t be left out for more than an hour. Cover loosely with foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• You can use a regular gluten free pie crust or a graham cracker crust. Both work very well in this recipe.
• If you do not prefer the taste of cool whip, you can make your own whipped cream by whipping up heavy whipping cream with a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar. Then top the top of the pie with the home-made whipped cream.
• I recommend using whole milk for richness.
• Banana should be firm. Brown overripe bananas will be too soft and mushy, which will affect the texture and color of the pie.

HOW TO MAKE HOME-MADE WHIPPED CREAM

If you are interested in learning how to make homemade whipped cream instead of using cool whip, check out my cup4 cup strawberry shortcake recipe. It has all the details and instructions needed.

OTHER AMAZING DESSERTS

• Gluten Free Cheese Danish
• Gluten Free Blueberry Cobbler

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR GLUTEN FREE BANANA CREAM PIE RECIPE WITH INSTANT PUDDING

• Jello Instant Vanilla Pudding and Pie Filling- 5.1 Ounces
• Bananas- 4 Firm
• Gluten Free Frozen Pie Crust- 1 9 Ounce Pie Crust
• Cool Whip- 8 Ounce Container
• Whole Milk- 3 Cups
• Pie Weights- 3 Containers

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE BANANA CREAM PIE WITH INSTANT PUDDING

• Start out by making the instant vanilla pudding. Per the directions- whisk the pudding mix and 3 cups of milk for about 2-3 minutes, until thickened. Cover the top part with saran wrap to prevent a film. Put in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the pie on a baking sheet and put in the oven for the recommended baking time. For my pie crust, it took 15 minutes. To prevent the crust from rising, I put a layer of parchment paper over the pie crust, and put pie weights on the parchment paper (three packages).
• Remove the pie crust and let cool. Remove the parchment paper and the pie weights once they are no longer hot.
• Slice the 4 firm bananas and set aside.
• Once the pie crust has cooled, add two of the four bananas around the base layer of the pie crust.
• Add the instant vanilla pudding. For a very full pie, you can double the vanilla pie filling.
• Top the vanilla pudding with the remaining two slices of bananas.
• Top with the cool whip and put in the fridge for at least 4 hours. You can also double the cool whip for a very full pie.
• Serve and enjoy.

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