Vegan Banana Pudding (Southern Style) - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is banana pudding a southern thing? ›

It's no secret that Southerners love banana pudding, but bananas hail from the tropics, and the first mention of the layered dessert came not from the South but from the New York Times in 1878, according to food historian Robert Moss for Serious Eats.

I make my banana pudding the same way, but instead of vanilla wafers, I use Italian lady finger cookies.

Promotes Heart Health

The combination of potassium and fiber in banana pudding helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and improve cardiovascular health. It is a heart-healthy dessert choice compared to other high-fat options.

However, if you sprinkle them with a little lemon juice, it lowers the pH levels and will keep browning at bay. Following the lemon trick, put them in the fridge, either wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight food storage container or bag. Stored this way, sliced bananas can stay fresh for three to four days.

Banana pudding has an old African American history. Black cooks in the South took a native African fruit (the banana) and reimagined this layered, originally English custard dish to perfection!

The pudding certainly became a popular dish in the southern states, perhaps because of ports like New Orleans and their proximity to banana growing regions in the mid-1800s, making the banana an accessible fruit for Americans. But as it turns out, the first recipes for the dish weren't found in the South at all.

While lemon juice is possibly the most commonly used ingredient to slow the browning of bananas, other acidic juices work well too. Consider using another citrus fruit juice like orange, or try pineapple juice instead.

Beyond her musical talents, however, Patti LaBelle has also made a significant mark in the culinary world with her delectable desserts—particularly her famous banana pudding, which you can buy at some Walmart locations.

Refrigerating it in a closed plastic container will keep it in good shape for at least 3-4 days. Freezing this yummy dessert for too long is another bad idea. Once you defrost your banana pudding, the taste and appearance won't be the same.

Can you use Nilla wafers instead of ladyfingers? ›

Nilla Wafer Desserts

NABISCO has made it super fun and easy to remix classic BBQ recipes with their delicious line of treats. I found NILLA Wafers to be the perfect substitute for lady fingers in these easy Tiramisu Cups.

The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

They may improve your digestion and heart health, thanks to their fiber and antioxidant content. Plus, they may support weight loss because they're relatively low in calories, nutrient-dense, and filling. Both ripe (yellow) bananas and unripe (green) bananas can satisfy your sweet tooth and help keep you healthy.

Moderation is key when it comes to banana consumption for lowering blood pressure. While bananas offer various heart-healthy benefits, overeating can lead to excessive calorie intake, potentially offsetting their advantages. Aim for one to two medium bananas at most each day.

The best way to minimize this is to make sure the banana slices are completely enveloped by vanilla pudding to prevent any contact with room air or are treated with citric acid. If you toss your banana slices in lemon juice, orange juice, or Sprite, the citric acid will delay the oxidation process.

* Treat the bananas with citrus juice: Lemon, orange or pineapple juice will prevent browning. To avoid changing the flavor of the pie, you want to use as little as possible. Brush it lightly on the slices, or place the juice in a spray bottle and spritz them.

Wrap the stems with plastic wrap to keep the bananas ripe for longer or to stop them from becoming overripe too quickly. This method slows down the release of ethylene gas, which is responsible for ripening fruits. Prevent sliced bananas from browning by dipping them in lemon juice or orange juice.