Banana Candy Bites

Featured in Appetizers & Snacks.

These delightful Banana Candy Bites take the classic Southern banana pudding and pack it into irresistible handheld treats. A mix of crushed wafers, mashed bananas, and cream cheese forms the base that’s turned into bite-sized pieces. They’re coated in smooth white chocolate for flavor and freshness, and each bite is topped with a crunchy banana chip for texture. They’re perfect for parties, gifts, or whenever you crave something sweet. The best part? They’re fast to prep and require no baking, so you can whip them up with ease.
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Updated on Mon, 19 May 2025 20:33:55 GMT
A plate with cookies, banana, and a sweet treat. Pin it
A plate with cookies, banana, and a sweet treat. | tasteofmoms.com

These Banana Pudding Truffles take a beloved Southern favorite and turn it into fancy, small bites that pack all the nostalgic taste in one perfect mouthful. You'll love how the smooth, banana-flavored inside contrasts with the snappy white chocolate coating, while the crunchy banana chip on top looks great and adds a punch of flavor. These sweet treats work just as well at casual family get-togethers as they do at fancy dinner parties, bridging the gap between homey comfort food and upscale dessert.

When I made these for my sister's bridal shower alongside some fancy petit fours, these simple truffles were the first to vanish. Everyone loved how they combined that familiar taste with fancy presentation—like comfort food dressed up for a special occasion. Even my grandma, who's pretty picky about her banana pudding, couldn't help admitting they captured what makes her dessert so special.

Key Ingredients and Smart Picking Advice

  • Vanilla Wafers: Regular Nilla Wafers give you that classic taste, though any vanilla cookie can do the job.
  • Bananas: Go for really ripe ones with brown spots for the strongest, sweetest banana flavor.
  • Cream Cheese: Stick with full-fat Philadelphia-style for the richest, creamiest results.
  • White Chocolate: Good quality stuff with real cocoa butter will melt much better than cheap alternatives.
  • Banana Chips: Pick the crispy kind to give a nice textural difference from the soft filling.
A plate of white balls with nuts on top. Pin it
A plate of white balls with nuts on top. | tasteofmoms.com

Simple Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Make Your Cookie Base:
Smash up 50 vanilla wafers until they're fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
Mix In Your Bananas:
Squish 2 very ripe bananas until smooth, then stir them into your cookie crumbs.
Add The Sticky Stuff:
Mix in 8 ounces of softened cream cheese until everything sticks together nicely.
Cool It Down:
Pop the mixture in the fridge for 30-60 minutes so it's easier to handle.
Shape Your Treats:
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Chill For Better Dipping:
Stick the truffles in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before you coat them.
Get Your Chocolate Ready:
Melt 16 ounces of good white chocolate using a double boiler or short bursts in the microwave.
Dip Like A Pro:
Drop each cold truffle into the melted chocolate, let extra drip off, then place on parchment paper.
Top Them Off:
Quickly stick a banana chip on top of each truffle before the chocolate hardens.
Let Them Set And Store:
Let truffles harden at room temp or chill for 15 minutes. Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

My Family's Southern Connection

My grandma was known for her amazing banana pudding with its perfect layers of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and homemade custard. These truffles honor that tradition while making it easier to serve and share. The first time I brought them to a family gathering, even my doubtful grandma had to admit they captured the heart of her signature dessert, making them an instant hit in our family.

Perfect For Busy Hosts

I love making these truffles when I'm having people over because I can fix them way ahead of time. I often make several batches, keeping some in the fridge for soon and freezing others before dipping. This trick has made holiday parties much less stressful, letting me hang out with my guests instead of rushing around the kitchen at the last minute.

From Kitchen To Gift Box

I've started packing these in gold-lined boxes with little tags saying 'Grandmother Lillian's Banana Pudding Truffles,' and they've become my go-to homemade present. They're not just tasty treats but also carry a bit of my family story, which makes them much more special than anything from a store.

Getting The Perfect Texture

Finding just the right consistency took some trial runs. My early attempts came out either too mushy or too crumbly. The game-changer was freezing the truffles before dipping them in chocolate, which kept the creamy inside while maintaining the shape. Using super ripe bananas also made a big difference in both the flavor and how well everything held together.

Choosing The Right Chocolate

The quality of white chocolate really matters for these truffles. Cheap kinds with vegetable fats leave a waxy coating, but good chocolate with real cocoa butter melts nice and smooth. Sometimes I switch things up by dipping half the batch in milk chocolate, which brings out different sweet notes in the banana flavor.

Making these Banana Pudding Truffles helps me stay connected to my Southern roots while sharing those flavors in a new, fun way. I love watching someone's face light up when they take that first bite and recognize the familiar taste of banana pudding in such a surprising package. Food traditions can change over time, but the heart of them stays the same—just like these truffles keep the soul of my grandma's famous dessert alive in every bite.

A plate of four desserts with nuts on top. Pin it
A plate of four desserts with nuts on top. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Are ripe bananas okay for these bites?
Yep! Spotty, overripe bananas work wonderfully since they’re sweeter and mash smoothly. Just steer clear of fully black or mushy ones.
→ What can I use instead of banana chips?
Try dried banana pieces, crushed wafer crumbs, a drizzle of white chocolate, or yellow-tinted chocolate for a fun finish.
→ How long will these Banana Candy Bites keep?
Store them in the fridge in a sealed container and they’ll stay fresh for 5-7 days. The banana flavors might get stronger as they sit.
→ Can I freeze them for later?
Definitely! Freeze the bites individually on a tray first, then toss them in a freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the fridge before serving.
→ What’s a foolproof way to melt white chocolate?
A double boiler is great, but the microwave also works. Heat it in 30-second bursts at half power, stirring each time. Adding a bit of coconut oil makes it smoother for dipping!

Banana Candy Bites

Tasty little bites inspired by banana pudding, made with crushed wafers, bananas, and cream cheese, all covered in white chocolate and finished with banana chips.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Ashley


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Southern Comfort

Yield: 30 Servings (30 bites)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Coating & Garnish

01 20 banana chips for decorating
02 8 ounces of white chocolate

→ Truffle Filling

03 2 bananas, extra ripe and mashed
04 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
05 11 ounces of crushed vanilla wafers

Instructions

Step 01

Toss the vanilla wafers into a food processor and blitz until they’re smooth crumbs.

Step 02

Add the mashed bananas and softened cream cheese to the crumb mixture in your processor.

Step 03

Blend everything until the mix gets thick and fully combined.

Step 04

Scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into round, bite-sized balls about 1.5 inches wide.

Step 05

Pop the rolled balls into the freezer and let them firm up for 15 minutes before coating.

Step 06

Melt the white chocolate on the stove using a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over simmering water. Stir until smooth.

Step 07

Take the chilled balls, dip each one into the melted chocolate, then place them on parchment paper to set.

Step 08

Quickly stick a banana chip on top of each truffle while the chocolate is still melty.

Step 09

Put the coated truffles back in the fridge until the chocolate is completely solid.

Step 10

Serve them chilled. Keep any extras in the fridge to stay fresh.

Notes

  1. These bite-sized treats take the classic flavors of banana pudding and pack them into an easy-to-enjoy truffle.
  2. Since these include cream cheese and bananas, you’ve got to keep them refrigerated.
  3. Go for bananas with brown speckles. They’ll give you the sweetest and richest flavor!

Tools You'll Need

  • A food processor
  • A double boiler or heat-safe bowl to melt chocolate
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop or spoon to portion dough
  • A plate or baking sheet for freezing and setting the truffles

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (cream cheese, white chocolate)
  • Contains gluten and wheat (found in the wafers)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 122
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 1 g