Vegan Banana Cream Pie (Gluten-Free Option)

This vegan banana cream pie is pure comfort in every bite with a creamy vanilla custard, sweet bananas, and a buttery graham cracker crust. Finished with a generous swirl of whipped topping, it’s a dreamy, plant-based dessert that is always a crowd favorite. The recipe can be made vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or regular.

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Why You’ll Love This Vegan Banana Cream Pie Recipe

Made from scratch with fresh, readily available ingredients, this no-bake banana cream pie is simple to prepare and easily adaptable to your dietary preferences. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe for banana cream pie.

Versatile – Make a full-sized pie or prepare mini pies using a muffin tray or ramekins.

Perfect Flavor Combination – Buttery graham cracker crust with sweet bananas and vanilla pudding is a blissfully delicious combination.

Dietary/Lifestyle Friendly – A recipe tailored to all dietary/lifestyle needs.

What Makes up a Vegan Banana Cream Pie

This classic American dessert is made with a crispy graham cracker pie crust, a creamy vanilla custard filling, fresh sliced bananas, and decadent whipped topping.

Crust – I used a graham cracker crust as I love the cinnamon flavor, but any crust will work.

Vanilla custard filling – Vanilla pudding makes the filling super rich and creamy.

Whipped topping – Decadent whipped topping finishes off the pie nicely.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are a few key ingredients for this cake, but make sure you scroll to the bottom recipe card for the complete ingredient list.

Crust

Butter: Becel plant-based bricks are my favorite for baking, but any brick-style dairy-free, vegan, lactose-free, or regular salted butter will work.

Graham crumbs: Found in the baking aisle, you can use regular graham cracker crumbs or pick up a box of vegan ones. If you can’t find any, you can make your own graham crackers. In a pinch, a store-bought crust is also an option. Biscoff cookies or golden Oreos would be a phenomenal twist.

Brown sugar: I added brown sugar to sweeten the crust; white, coconut, or cane sugar will also work.

Filling

Bananas: You’ll need large ripe bananas. They should be bright yellow with no hints of green. The riper the sweeter.

Plant-based milk: I like to use unsweetened almond milk to make this dairy-free banana cream pie, but any milk will work.

Instant vanilla pudding: Instant pudding is the yummiest and easiest “custard” for the banana pie. I like to use this instant pudding.

Vegan whipped topping: I used SoDelicious Cocowhip plant-based whipped topping that was thawed and divided, but you could use a dairy-based topping such as Coolwhip.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Vegan Banana Cream Pie

1. Combine the crust ingredients: melted butter, graham crumbs, brown sugar, and salt, and mix until a coarse, sand-like texture is achieved.
2. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of an 8 or 9-inch pie plate and freeze while you prepare the filling.
3. Whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and let it sit to thicken.
4. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping.
5. Slice the bananas and arrange them in a single layer over the chilled pie crust.
6. Spread the pudding/topping mixture over the bananas and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Top with more whipped topping and decorate with additional banana slices before serving.

Banana Cream Pie Flavor Variations

• Change the flavor of the pudding: Use butterscotch, chocolate, banana, or your favorite flavor.
• Switch up the crust: Instead of graham crackers, use Oreo or Biscoff cookies, or even a traditional pastry pie crust.
• Add a drizzle: Drizzle the top of the pie with caramel or chocolate sauce.
• Swap the bananas: Try a layer of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries instead of the bananas.

How to Store or Freeze a Began Banana Cream Pie

Store leftover pie in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This banana cream pie can be fully frozen, except for the banana slices on top. To thaw, take it out the night before serving and place it in the fridge. This allows the plant-based banana cream pie to slowly thaw without condensation forming.

FAQs About Vegan Banana Cream Pie

Can I use a regular pie crust?

Yes, though a graham wafer crust adds a nice flavor, a traditional pie crust will also work. You can use a fresh or frozen crust. If you want to prepare a gluten-free banana cream pie, make sure you choose a gluten-free pie crust.

How do I prevent the banana slices from turning brown?

Though they are safe to eat, brown banana slices may not be super appetizing. If you want to make sure yours don’t turn brown, you can drizzle them with a touch of lemon juice before placing them on top of the pie. Personally, I don’t top the pie with banana slices until right before serving.

The Best Vegan Banana Cream Pie

This vegan banana cream pie layers a golden graham cracker crust with silky vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and fluffy whipped topping. It’s creamy, classic, and completely dairy-free—perfect for any springtime sweet treat.

An adaptable ingredient list allows you to tailor this recipe to suit all dietary or lifestyle needs. Everybody deserves pie, and now they can have it!

Tag me on social media @cakedbykatie and leave me a star rating and review below if you make it. I cannot wait to see!

Other Banana-Inspired Recipes

• Banana Coffee Cake (GF & DF Option)
• Gluten Free Banana Cake (Dairy-Free)
• Funfetti Banana Bread

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