Re-think the classic southern dessert with my Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie recipe!
Hi everyone,
As a good Southern girl, banana pudding has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Grandmother, Bea used to make it every time we visited her in Chattanooga. Her beautiful creation would always be on the table after a farm-fresh lunch. I got older she taught me out to make my own. Bea's version involved real meringue on top... of course. It was rich, loaded with real egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla wafers.
Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie recipe
Fast forward a few years and I finally meet the love of my life... the Hubs. He's from Pittsburgh and before he moved south for college had never heard of decadent delights like sweet tea and banana pudding. Once he moved south though it was game on for him as those two things became two of his all-time favorites. He says he came to the South to play baseball and stayed for the sweet tea and banana pudding.
As the Hubs and I started dating I learned of his love for Banana Pudding and started making it for him on special occasions. Luckily for him, I had a tried and true family recipe. I like to think I won him over with my pudding skills.
So Banana Pudding is truly a dessert that has run through the story of my life. I hate to mess up a good thing... BUT... as a healthy food blogger, I can never pass up the opportunity to take a sweet classic treat and turn it into something a little BETTER.
Or at least a little healthier...
Meet my new Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie recipe. It's a fresh interpretation of my Grandma's classic and the Hubs favorite.
Why You'll Love this Banana Pudding Shake recipe...
This version uses frozen bananas and spices to get that vanilla pudding flavor. Since there is no real replacement for a good ole' vanilla wafer... I decided to blend two into the smoothie. Because of that, I'd say this is more of a dessert smoothie than breakfast. This Banana Pudding Shake or Smoothie is still pretty darn healthy though.
The real dessert has a huge handful of these things though, so two is a nice balance.
Somehow with the whipped cream, it all comes together and with that familiar Banana Pudding taste. It's downright addictive.
I haven't given up on my classic family recipe at all, but this is a fun way to mix it up in between those special occasions.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas
- ¼ cup vanilla greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup almond milk
- Optional:
- 3 vanilla wafers
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients, including 2 of the wafers in a blender and mix well.
- Serve immediately! If you like you can top it with whipped cream and use the last wafer as garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Like this Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie recipe? Find it later by pinning this to your favorite Pinterest board! Thank you so much for the support.
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing some fitness fashion favorites.
Your turn!
Do you have a family recipe you make?
I’m linking up this Healthy Banana Pudding Smoothie recipe with: Meatless Monday , Meatless Monday, Full Plate Thursday Foodie Friday, and the Weekend Potluck. Thanks so much ladies for the link up parties!
Mary says
Oh Goodie! I moved away from the South recently, and I had almost forgotten how much I love banana pudding... Is there any better use of nila wafers than layered between gooey banana-y goodness? Giving this recipe a try tonight!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
your smoothies always look so inviting!
JulieWunder says
I'm so glad! Hope you enjoy it.
Annmarie says
This looks like a delicious and healthy way to enjoy banana pudding!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I have not had banana pudding in forever fun twist on it!
Farrah says
I haven't made banana pudding in the longest time--this looks awesome + I love how you healthified it and transmuted it into smoothie form!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Ooooh yum! This looks delicious and healthy! I've always loved banana pudding but haven't had it in forever!
Miz Helen says
Of course I have to have one of these awesome smoothies! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you will come back and visit us again real soon!
Miz Helen
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Thank the Lord for good Southern Girls ๐ Totally sending this to my mom!
JulieWunder says
haha! #truth
Debbie@debbiethisandthat.com says
Banana pudding is a favorite, so I'm happy to see a healthier version available. Thanks, Julie!
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Debbie!
Catherine says
Whatwould happen using lactose free vitamin D milk instead of almond, flavor?
Emily @ Pizza @ Pull-ups says
Yum! I love banana pudding, will definitely have to give this a try. Thanks!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Emily!
Edith Bryson says
Julie, I think this is one of your best posts; I really enjoyed it.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Edith!
Paula says
Can't wait to make this, as the weather is hot and humid, my go to for lunch is a smoothie, and this one will be like eating dessert only for lunch.
Thanks for sharing
JulieWunder says
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks!
Emily says
I TOTALLY agree that banana pudding is one of those wonderful classic summery desserts. And I love that you made it into a smoothie. ๐
JulieWunder says
Thanks Emily! So tasty!
Shelley Marcy says
Obviously you already "wow'd" your husband, but if you ever want to turn it up a notch, then you have to learn the recipe to make cantaloupe pie! Now that's a southern delight!
JulieWunder says
Cantaloupe pie?!Say wa???? What's in that?