When you’re trying to “clean up” your diet, desserts are one of the first things to go.
Most just have too many calories and too much sugar to make the cut.
Unfortunately, getting rid of tasty treats doesn’t get rid of cravings.
And that’s why banana pudding is awesome.
It can be just as sweet and delicious as your favorite desserts, and, as you’ll see, extremely versatile and nutritious, as well.
If you want something fast and simple, try the Cheater Banana Pudding. If you want something more indulgent, try the Almond Butter & Banana Chia Seed Pudding. And for a high-protein snack, make the Banana Pudding Protein Smoothie.
Enjoy!
For a vegan banana pudding, try using tofu as a base instead of dairy. It’ll make a thick, creamy pudding that’s just as delicious as the original.
It still has plenty of ripe bananas, plus peanut butter and cinnamon for extra flavor. No one will be the wiser about the tofu – they’ll just be wondering how you made the banana pudding extra rich.
290
Calories13 g
Protein32 g
Carbs15 g
FatPudding:
1 cup soft tofu
1 1/2 cups mashed banana, very ripe
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. coconut sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Garnish:
1 banana, sliced
1 tsp. coconut sugar
1/2 cup freeze-dried fruit, crushed
1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, crushed
Get the RecipeTaking 15 minutes to roast the bananas is an easy way to make a low-fat banana pudding that’s every bit a flavorful. You don’t even have to unpeel them before they go in the oven, yet the extra step transforms the fruit by caramelizing the natural sugars.
For more healthy recipes like this, pick up Cooking that Counts, the latest cookbook by the editors of Cooking Light.
295
Calories4 g
Protein57 g
Carbs6 g
Fat5 unpeeled bananas (about 2 lbs.)
2 cups low-fat milk
2/3 cups sugar, divided
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 container (12 oz.) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
45 vanilla wafers, divided
Get the RecipeYou can get the flavor of your favorite dessert in a sippable format. Not only that, but a banana protein shake has four times the protein of a typical pudding with all the flavor you love. Finish with whipped topping and vanilla wafers for the full banana pudding experience.
247
Calories23 g
Protein37 g
Carbs1 g
Fat1 scoop WHEY+ vanilla protein isolate
1 large banana
2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. sugar-free, fat-free vanilla pudding mix
1 cup water
Get the RecipeThis isn’t your classic banana pudding, but it’ll still be satisfying by using the rich flavor of almond butter rather than heavy cream.
And it’s easy to make with chia seeds, so you don’t have to cook it on the stove. Just mix everything up – including whey protein powder – and leave it in the fridge overnight.
368
Calories26 g
Protein36 g
Carbs17 g
Fat1 ripe banana
2 cups milk
1 scoop WHEY+ vanilla protein isolate
3 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 Tbsp. almond butter
Dash of ground cinnamon
Get the RecipeThis is a classic pudding that’s cooked on the stove until thick, then chilled in the fridge. And it’s easy because you just blend together three ingredients, heat them up, and then wait for it to finish in the fridge.
This 3-ingredient banana pudding takes about 15 minutes to make, and then you’ll just need patience while the pudding chills.
258
Calories9 g
Protein46 g
Carbs5 g
FatThis lightened up version of banana pudding has half the sugar, half the fat, and all the flavor of the original Southern dessert.
If you use Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies instead of vanilla wafers, you can reduce the sugar. And the pudding will still be rich if you mix in cream cheese along with low-fat milk and a bunch of bananas.
227
Calories5 g
Protein40 g
Carbs7 g
Fat1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
3 egg yolks
1 cup low-fat milk
1 box chessman cookies
6 bananas
2 Tbsp. low-fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Dash of salt
Get the RecipeFor a quick banana pudding, you don’t need the instant cardboard box. This homemade dessert uses Greek yogurt instead, so you don’t have to cook anything.
It takes just a few simple ingredients and five minutes to make. You can sweeten it with honey, if desired, or fold in whipped cream for a richer dessert with a lighter texture.
289
Calories12 g
Protein51 g
Carbs5 g
FatUse your favorite dessert as inspiration for breakfast. This yogurt parfait is doctored up like banana pudding with crushed ‘nilla wafers and banana slices.
You can also layer in granola to add whole grains, or add coconut whipped cream to make it more of a treat.
308
Calories28 g
Protein67 g
Carbs18 g
Fat4 vanilla wafers, crushed
1 small container (6 oz.) nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
1/4 cup granola
1/2 large banana, sliced
Whipped cream (optional)
Get the RecipeIt’s possible to make dairy-free banana pudding, and you can still use your classic recipe. Heat up a can of coconut milk in a saucepan, temper in the egg yolks, and return to the stove to cook until it’s thickened.
The mashed bananas are mixed in at the end just before it goes into the fridge. Then, to keep it paleo, this one is topped with crushed walnuts instead of using cookies.
485
Calories6 g
Protein46 g
Carbs33 g
Fat4 egg yolks
1/4 cup pure honey
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
1 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, sliced
Get the RecipeCraving banana pudding – like the entire bowl of creamy banana pudding? When you make it with cottage cheese as the base, you can eat as much as you want.
This one also has protein powder, Greek yogurt, and a whole banana for a nutrient-dense dessert, breakfast, or post-workout snack.
525
Calories61 g
Protein50 g
Carbs9 g
Fat1 ripe banana
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese
1 serving (8 g) instant sugar-free, fat-free banana cream pudding
1 1/2 scoops WHEY+ vanilla protein isolate
1/4 cup fat-free banana cream Greek yogurt (or vanilla)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
Get the RecipeWho knew quarantine cooking could be so tasty?
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