Banana Parfait

Made of luscious layers of creamy vegan banana pudding, crunchy vegan cookie crumbles, and fresh banana slices, this homemade Banana Parfait is an easy, no-bake treat that is bursting with sweetness and freshness in each spoonful! It is ideal when you are looking for a gourmet-style dessert that you can whip up in just 10 minutes using 8 simple and budget-friendly ingredients.

What is a Parfait?

Did you know that Parfait is a French word that means “perfect?” An apt description of this delectable dessert if you ask us! Parfait cream is traditionally made using cream, egg, sugar, and syrup boiled until it thickens and turns custard-like. It is then layered with fresh fruits, yogurts, nuts, ice cream, and other ingredients in a tall clear glass.

This simple vegan version does not require cooking at all and uses a mix of banans, firm silken tofu, and potato starch to achieve a deliciously creamy pudding. We layered it with crumbled vegan Fat Badger Cookies, slices of bananas, topped them with vegan whipped cream, and served them in jars. They are perfect when you need a last-minute dessert or if you are simply looking for a late-night sweet treat. You can make the banana pudding ahead of time and keep it in the fridge so you can simply assemble one when the craving hits!

Vegan Banana Parfait Ingredients

You only need 8 ingredients to make this delectable dessert! Here’s the list with possible substitutions that you can use too. However, this dessert is totally customizable, so don’t let this list stop you from unleashing your creativeness by using other fruits and goodies!

• Firm silken tofu – This Japanese-style tofu is denser than soft silken tofu but is more delicate and crumblier than regular firm tofu. If you cannot find this, you can use soft silken tofu and add more potato starch instead. Here’s a Guide to Tofu if you want to learn more about the different types!
• Ripe bananas – We used 2 whole bananas to make the pudding, and the rest were sliced into thin pieces for layering.
• Potato starch – This flavorless starch will give the pudding a thicker consistency. You can also use cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a substitute.
• Lemon extract – This will instantly brighten the pudding with its fresh and citrusy flavor! You can also use the juice of one small lemon or other citrus fruits you have.
• Vanilla extract – Adds a delicate flavor and amazing aroma!
• Granulated sugar – For sweetness. You can reduce or add more depending on the natural sweetness of your bananas.
• Fat Badger Cookies – If you have not had the opportunity to try these vegan cookies, now is a great time to do so! Fat Badget Bakery offers vegan cookies of different flavors such as chocolate sea salt, classic chocolate chip, vanilla bean, cinnamon sugar, chocolate mint, oatmeal chip, sweet raspberry, and toasted coconut. Feel free to choose any flavor or combo to make your Parfait!
• Vegan whipped cream – for garnishing. This is optional but adds another layer of creaminess and fun! You can also top your Parfait with vegan ice cream or plant-based yogurt.

Possible Add-ons and Variations

• Aside from bananas, you can use other fruits and berries in season to layer your Parfait. Ripe mangoes, peaches, kiwis, blueberries, and strawberries are perfect for this recipe!
• Add a crunchy layer to your Banana Parfait by using nuts like cashew, macadamia, walnuts, pecan, and pistachio.
• Add a dollop of peanut butter or a dash of vegan chocolate syrup to your pudding mixture for some flavor variation!
• Aside from vegan cookies, you can also layer your Parfait with crushed wafers, oats, or granola. You can also top them with grated vegan chocolates, vegan chocolate chips, or coconut shreds.

How to Make Banana Parfait from Scratch

1) Using a food processor or high-powered blender, blend silken tofu and bananas until smooth and creamy.

2) Then, add the potato starch, lemon, vanilla, and sugar and process for another minute. Make sure to scrape the side of the bowl to get a smoother consistency.

3) In a jar, add a ½-inch thick layer of crumbled Fat Badger cookies, then pour in the banana pudding on top for about an inch thick, then layer with sliced bananas. Add another layer of crumbled Fat Badger cookies, banana pudding, and garnish with more banana slices and vegan whipped cream.

Helpful Tips for You!

• If your pudding is not thick enough to your liking, you can add more bananas or potato starch until you get the consistency you are after.
• Slice the bananas once you are ready to use them; otherwise, they will turn into a brownish color. You can also use frozen banana slices.
• You can also use regular tall glasses to make this recipe if you do not have mason jars. If you plan to serve them as party desserts, you can use short, stubby glasses instead.
• Any leftover banana pudding can be used with your morning oats or poured over a vegan pie crust and frozen to make a banana pudding pie!
• If you like a parfait for breakfast, try my Yogurt Parfait made of fresh berries, granola, and plant-based yogurt.

How to Store Banana Parfait

Once assembled, you can place the jars in the fridge to chill for a few hours before serving. You can also make the banana pudding in advance and put it in a sealed container or plastic bag. Refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 weeks.

If you love banana-infused desserts, you can also try these:

1. Banana Cheesecake – A no-bake cheesecake that is so delicious and incredibly easy to make! It’s also nut-free with a tofu base that makes each spoonful exceptionally smooth and creamy.
2. Banana Ice Cream – 3 Ways! – Is super easy to make and only needs a couple of easy-to-find at-home ingredients. It will please both little ones and grown-ups, and it can be very refreshing on hot days.
3. Peanut Butter Banana Bars – Are easy to prepare and will be loved by the whole family. If you’re looking for a decadent but healthy snack, these banana bars will hit the right spot.

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Banana Parfait

5 from 9 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 3 jars

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Made of luscious layers of creamy vegan banana pudding, crunchy cookie crumbles, and fresh banana slices, this homemade Banana Parfait is an easy, no-bake treat that is bursting with sweetness and freshness in each spoonful!

Equipment

• Blender
• Food Processor
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring Cups

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 carton firm silken tofu ~16-ounce
• ▢ 2 ½ pieces ripe peeled bananas divided
• ▢ 1 tablespoon potato starch
• ▢ 2 tablespoon of lemon extract or juice of 1 small lemon
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ▢ 4 to 5 pieces Fat Badger Cookies your choice on flavor, crushed
• ▢ Vegan whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Instructions 

• Add the tofu and 2 bananas to the bowl of a food processor or high-powered blender, and process until creamy.
• Add the potato starch, lemon, vanilla, and sugar, and process for another minute.
• In each of the jars, pack a layer of crumbled Fat Badger cookies about ½-inch thick, topped with 1-inch of banana pudding, followed by a thin layer of banana slices and ½-inch of crumbled cookies, topped with another layer of banana pudding, and garnished with extra banana slices and vegan whipped cream, if using.

Notes

• If your pudding is not thick enough to your liking, you can add more bananas or potato starch until you get the consistency you are after.
• Slice the bananas once you are ready to use them; otherwise, they will turn into a brownish color. You can also use frozen banana slices.
• You can also use regular tall glasses to make this recipe if you do not have mason jars. If you plan to serve them as party desserts, you can use short, stubby glasses instead.
• Any leftover banana pudding can be used with your morning oats or poured over a vegan pie crust and frozen to make a banana pudding pie!
• If you like a parfait for breakfast, try my Yogurt Parfait made of fresh berries, granola, and plant-based yogurt.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 9gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 66mgPotassium: 668mgFiber: 3gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, French

Method: no-bake

Diet: vegan

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