Bananas are kind of keto-taboo—high sugar, high carb, easy to overdo. But I missed banana pudding bad. After experimenting, I realized you don’t need much banana to get that classic flavor—just a few slices per serving, plus sugar-free banana pudding mix, gets you there.
This one hits all the creamy comfort notes without wrecking your macros. No baking, no eggs, no complicated layers—just a quick whip, layer, chill, and boom. Dessert.
💡 Why This One Works So Well
- Instant sugar-free banana pudding gives it flavor without sugar or starch overload.
- Half and half + heavy cream = thick, rich pudding texture without needing eggs or cooking.
- Five banana slices per cup adds just enough natural flavor (about 3g net carbs from banana per serving).
- Crumbled High Key vanilla wafers give that nilla crunch you thought you had to give up.
🧾 What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- 1 pkg sugar-free instant banana pudding – Sweet, flavored, and 0–2g net carbs depending on brand (Jell-O brand is about 1g/serving).
- 2 cups half and half – Less fat than cream, more body than milk. Keeps the pudding thick without curdling.
- 1/2 banana, sliced – Divided across 4 servings = ~3g net carbs from banana per person.
- 1 pack High Key vanilla wafers, crumbled – Keto-friendly crunch; low-carb and gluten-free.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream – Whipped for topping.
- 1 tsp natural sweetener (erythritol, monkfruit, or allulose) – Optional for whipped topping if your cream isn’t sweetened.
🔁 Custom Tweaks I’ve Tried
| Want to Change It? | Try This Instead | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Half and half | Almond milk + cream | Thinner texture but still works—just chill longer |
| Real banana | Banana extract | Zero-carb but can taste artificial—use sparingly |
| High Key cookies | Crushed nuts or keto grahams | Texture changes, but still gives that crunch |
| Whipped cream topping | Greek yogurt swirl | Higher protein, but tangier and thinner |
⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Runny pudding | Used almond milk or too much liquid | Stick to half & half or add cream for stability |
| No banana flavor | Skipped banana completely | Even 2–3 slices adds massive flavor—don’t skip |
| Grainy topping | Didn’t whip cream fully | Whip to soft peaks, and add sweetener while whipping |
👩🍳 Compact How-To (With Texture Cues)
- In a bowl, whisk sugar-free banana pudding mix with 2 cups half and half. Let it thicken (about 5 min).
- In small serving cups, layer pudding, crushed High Key cookies, and 5 banana slices each.
- Whip 1/2 cup heavy cream with 1 tsp sweetener to soft peaks.
- Top each serving with whipped cream.
- Chill if desired—or eat right away.
🧠 My Go-To Low-Carb Hacks
- Let the pudding sit at least 10 min—it thickens more as it rests.
- Want cleaner layers? Chill the pudding before assembling.
- I use a measuring spoon to portion banana slices so I stay within macro limits.
🧊 How I Store and Track It
- Fridge: Keeps 2–3 days. Cover with plastic wrap to avoid pudding skin.
- Freezer: Don’t freeze fully assembled—separates on thaw. But you can freeze the whipped cream topping separately.
- Net carbs per serving: ~4g depending on banana thickness and pudding brand.
❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers
Is this actually sugar-free?
✅ Yes. The pudding mix is sugar-free, the sweetener is zero-calorie, and the banana is minimal—about 1/8 of a banana per person.
Can I eat this on strict keto?
Depends on your carb tolerance. At ~4g net carbs per serving, most people can fit it in—especially post-dinner when cravings hit.
What if I can’t find High Key cookies?
Try crushed pecans, a keto graham-style crust, or skip the crumble and serve it parfait-style.
📊 Full Nutrition Facts – Per 1 Serving (Out of 4)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 274 kcal |
| Total Fat | 25 g |
| └ Saturated Fat | 15 g |
| Cholesterol | 76 mg |
| Sodium | 93 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| └ Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| └ Sugar (natural) | 8 g (mostly from banana) |
| Net Carbs | 4 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
Check out More Recipes:
- Sugar-Free Banana Muffins – Naturally Sweet, Kid-Approved, and Sneakily Nutritious
- Banana Bread – Keto, Low-Carb, and Still Sweet Enough to Satisfy
- Low Carb Keto Banana Pancakes
Sugar-Free Banana Pudding – No-Bake, Low-Carb, and Surprisingly Legit
Description
A creamy, nostalgic banana pudding made low-carb with sugar-free pudding, real banana slices, and crunchy keto vanilla wafers—ready in 15 minutes flat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk pudding mix with half and half until smooth and thickened.
- In each dessert cup, layer pudding, crushed cookies, and 5 banana slices.
- Whip heavy cream with sweetener to soft peaks.
- Top each pudding cup with whipped cream.
- Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- Use banana extract if you want to skip real banana entirely, but flavor will be less rich.
- For thicker pudding, replace 1/2 cup of half and half with heavy cream.
- Don’t over-layer cookies—they absorb moisture fast and can get mushy.
- Best eaten the same day; bananas may brown slightly if stored overnight.
