Whipped Cream: Provides elegant finishing touch and extra creamy layer.
Banana Slice: Optional fresh element that boosts visual appeal and natural fruit flavor.
Tools to Make Banana Pudding Shots Quickly
Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining pudding ingredients.
Whisk: Essential for blending pudding mix and creating smooth texture.
Measuring cups: Precise measuring of milk and alcohol.
Shot cups: Small serving containers for individual pudding portions.
Spatula: Helps fold whipped topping gently into mixture.
Piping bag (optional): Allows neat, decorative filling of shot cups.
Sharp knife: For slicing banana garnish.
Cutting board: Surface for preparing banana slice topping.
How to Assemble Banana Shots with Layered Texture
Blend Pudding Base Whip banana pudding mix with milk until silky and luxurious, creating a smooth foundation for your delightful treat.
Spike the Mixture Introduce vodka or rum, stirring thoroughly to infuse the pudding with a playful adult twist.
Fold in Fluffiness Gently incorporate whipped topping, transforming the mixture into a cloud-like consistency that melts in your mouth.
Crunch Factor Sprinkle crushed Nilla wafers throughout, adding a delightful textural surprise to each creamy bite.
Fill and Chill Distribute the dreamy concoction into shot glasses, then refrigerate until perfectly set and wonderfully chilled.
Garnish and Serve Crown each shot with a dollop of whipped cream, extra wafer crumbs, and an optional banana slice for a picture-perfect finish that’ll make your guests swoon.
Recipe Tweaks to Match Your Sweetness Level
Prepare shots up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator for hassle-free party prep.
Use instant pudding mix for a smoother consistency and ensure all ingredients are well-chilled before mixing to prevent separation.
Swap vodka with rum for a more tropical flavor or use bourbon for deeper, richer notes. Control alcohol strength by adjusting liquid quantities.
Create gluten-free version by using gluten-free vanilla wafers. For vegan option, substitute dairy milk with coconut milk and use dairy-free whipped topping.
Experiment with different pudding flavors like chocolate or vanilla to create unique shot variations. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra depth.
Serve Banana Pudding Shots in Mini Cups or Glasses
Party Perfection Platter: Create a stunning dessert display with multiple shots arranged on a decorative tray, garnished with whole Nilla wafers and fresh banana slices around the edges.
Cocktail Hour Companion: Pair these creamy shots with light, crisp drinks like champagne or a classic mojito to complement the banana and vanilla flavors.
Dessert Bar Delight: Set up a DIY station where guests can add their own toppings like chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or extra wafer crumbs for a personalized touch.
Adult Brunch Treat: Serve these shots alongside other brunch favorites like mini quiches or fruit skewers for a playful, indulgent morning gathering.
Store These Shots in the Fridge Until Party Time
Refrigerate shots for at least 1 hour to develop rich, creamy texture and allow flavors to blend perfectly.
Mix pudding shots up to 3 days before your event, storing tightly covered in the refrigerator to maintain peak freshness and taste.
Use small disposable plastic shot glasses or reusable mini dessert cups with tight-fitting lids for easy transport and clean storage.
Keep shots chilled until moments before serving to maintain ideal consistency and prevent potential separation of ingredients.
Sinful banana pudding shots bring Southern comfort to cocktail hour, blending creamy vanilla custard with banana liqueur and graham cracker crumbs. Smooth, boozy dessert bites offer sweet nostalgia in compact glasses you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
½ cup vanilla vodka or spiced rum
¾ cup cold milk
1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding mix
8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
½ cup crushed Nilla wafers (plus more for topping)
1 banana, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Whipped cream, for topping
12–14 plastic shot cups
Instructions
Blend Pudding Base: Whisk banana pudding mix with milk until silky and thickened, creating a smooth foundational cream.
Infuse Spirits: Incorporate vodka or rum into the pudding mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute alcohol evenly.
Create Texture: Fold whipped topping into the mixture, generating a luxurious, airy consistency that enhances the pudding’s richness.
Add Crunch: Mix in crushed Nilla wafers, distributing the cookie fragments to provide delightful textural contrast.
Assemble Shots: Carefully fill shot glasses with the creamy mixture, ensuring uniform distribution and aesthetic appeal.
Chill and Set: Refrigerate shots for minimum one hour, allowing flavors to meld and mixture to firm up completely.
Garnish and Serve: Crown each shot with a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle additional Nilla wafer crumbs, and optionally garnish with a fresh banana slice for a stunning presentation.
Notes
Select a high-quality vodka or rum that complements the banana flavor without overpowering the sweetness.
Adjust liquor quantity based on preference – less alcohol for milder shots, more for a stronger kick.
Add crushed Nilla wafers just before serving to maintain crunch and prevent them from becoming mushy in the pudding.
Allow minimum 1-hour refrigeration to help shots set properly and develop richer, blended flavors.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.