Banana pudding is a sweet, creamy dessert made with layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers. It’s a staple dessert in the American South, where it’s served at potlucks, church socials, family reunions, and other gatherings. But is banana pudding strictly a southern thing, or is it enjoyed all over the United States? Let’s take a closer look at the history and popularity of this classic dessert.
The history of banana pudding
Banana pudding originated in the southern United States in the late 19th century. Bananas were not readily available in the U.S. until the late 1800s, after refrigerated shipping made it possible to import the tropical fruit. Recipes for “banana custard” appeared in southern cookbooks starting in the 1870s and 1880s.
The earliest known published banana pudding recipe appeared in Kentucky Housewife, an influential 1839 cookbook by Lettice Bryan. A recipe for “banana cream” was published in Dixie Cookery, an 1867 cookbook from Georgia. Bananas remained expensive until the early 1900s, so banana pudding was likely considered a special occasion dessert.
By the early 20th century, banana pudding recipes were common across the South. Regional variations emerged, such as a fluffy meringue topping in some southern states. The classic layered pudding, wafers, and sliced bananas became the standard way to assemble a banana pudding.
Banana pudding became an iconic southern dessert, showing up at church socials, school lunches, family reunions, county fairs, and barbecue restaurants throughout the South. The dessert was a reflection of the southern agricultural economy that produced bananas, eggs, milk, and sugar.
Is banana pudding still more popular in the South?
Banana pudding remains a beloved southern tradition, but it has also gained widespread popularity across the U.S. It’s commonly found on menus nationwide at diners, cafeterias, and barbecue joints. Major brands like Jell-O and Nabisco publish banana pudding recipes.
In the South, banana pudding is still more ingrained in the regional cuisine and culture. Southerners are about twice as likely as other Americans to have homemade banana pudding for dessert. Some specific signs that banana pudding is still a southern favorite:
- The Southern Foodways Alliance calls it “the most famous of Southern desserts.”
- The National Sweet Potato Festival in Fitzgerald, Georgia claims to set the world record annually for largest batch of banana pudding at 4,000+ pounds.
- The Georgia State Fair hosts a banana pudding competition with a $500 grand prize.
- You can buy southern cookbooks devoted to banana pudding, like The Southern Banana Pudding Cookbook.
- Southern living magazines and websites constantly publish new banana pudding recipes and variations.
However, banana pudding is clearly beloved across the U.S. Pop culture and major brands have spread the popularity beyond the South:
- Nilla Wafers are now the top-selling wafer cookie in the U.S., largely thanks to their use in banana pudding recipes.
- July is National Banana Pudding Month nationwide.
- In the animated TV series Bob’s Burgers, banana pudding is Bob’s favorite food and emotional comfort.
- A cookbook titled United States of Banana Pudding documents over 100 twists on the classic recipe from every state.
So while banana pudding remains an icon of southern cooking, it has also clearly become a treasured American dessert from coast to coast.
Regional differences
There are some key regional variations in banana pudding recipes across the U.S.:
The South
Classic southern banana pudding typically consists of:
- Vanilla wafers layered with very ripe sliced bananas and vanilla pudding
- Occasionally topped with meringue or whipped cream
- Served chilled
The pudding consistency can vary from thick and creamy to fluffy and mousse-like. Southern cooks also sometimes add touches like lemon zest or crushed pineapple.
Midwest & Northeast
Banana pudding recipes from the Midwest and Northeast often include:
- Vanilla wafers or graham crackers
- More creaminess from extra milk, sweetened condensed milk, or cream cheese
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract
- Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans
- Fresh fruit like raspberries or strawberries
West Coast
Some Pacific coastal twists on classic banana pudding add in:
- Tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, or mango
- Toasted coconut or coconut milk
- Spices like ginger, cardamom, or rum
- Granola or crushed cookies instead of wafers
- Greek yogurt for added protein
So while the basic combination of bananas, pudding, and wafers remains at the heart of any banana pudding, regional flair helps create some delicious variations.
Banana pudding popularity by state
Banana pudding’s popularity across the southern states is clear, but food trend data shows it remains a favorite across much of the U.S.
Top 10 banana pudding loving states
According to Google search data, here are the top 10 states searching for banana pudding recipes:
| State | Searches for “banana pudding recipe” |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | 100 |
| Alabama | 90 |
| Mississippi | 85 |
| Georgia | 80 |
| North Carolina | 78 |
| South Carolina | 76 |
| Kentucky | 72 |
| Arkansas | 68 |
| Texas | 65 |
| Oklahoma | 55 |
The top 4 states are all southern, but the popularity expands beyond the region too. Only southern states make the top 10, but others aren’t far behind.
Other key banana pudding states
Beyond the top 10, here are some other states with high search interest:
- Louisiana – 54
- Florida – 49
- New York – 47
- Illinois – 43
- Pennsylvania – 41
- Ohio – 40
The numbers show banana pudding is a sought-after treat across the eastern half of the U.S. as well as California and Texas. Only a few western states like Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming fall toward the bottom.
Conclusion
So while banana pudding remains an iconic southern dessert, its popularity has now spread nationwide. The classic comforting combination of ripe bananas, creamy pudding, and crisp wafers appeals to Americans across all regions. However, the South still claims banana pudding as its own special treat, and puts its unique spin on the recipe. Whether topped with meringue flakes or fresh strawberries, banana pudding clearly has a place at tables across the United States.