Growing up, my best friend’s mom was known for her show stopping desserts that magically disappeared within minutes at every gathering. The moment she unveiled her banana cream pie, the crowd would hover around the table, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Years later, I tried replicating that nostalgic taste, but with a healthier twist and more portion friendly sizes. That’s how these Mini Banana Cream Cups were born individual treats that offer a creamy bite of banana goodness, minus the heavier guilt. They still carry the comforting flavor of a classic banana cream pie, but they’re scaled down in both size and calories.

When I’m in the mood for something sweet but light, these cups do the trick. There’s a gentle sweetness from fresh bananas, a fluffy texture courtesy of Greek yogurt, and a crumbly base that gives a crunchy element for contrast. Because they’re served individually, it feels extra special when you lift one from the tray, like you’re treating yourself to a fancy pastry that has just the right amount of sweetness. You can whip these up for a quick family dessert, prep them for a party, or keep them in the fridge for whenever the craving calls. Let’s explore how to create these miniature delights that will remind you of a classic banana cream pie, just with lighter ingredients and a little less fuss.

Prep Time, Chill Time, Calories, and Servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour (for setting)
Calories: About 120 per mini cup
Servings: 8 mini cups (depending on the size of your molds or cups)

Step-by-Step: Creating Mini Banana Cream Cups

Craft a Light Graham Cracker Base

Start by taking a few low sugar graham crackers and crushing them into fine crumbs. Mix these crumbs with melted light butter (or coconut oil if you prefer) and a small sprinkle of coconut sugar or your favorite low calorie sweetener. The goal here is to get the crumbs barely moist so they hold shape when pressed into your mini molds or small dessert cups.

Potential Issue: Crumbs too dry or too wet.
Helpful Tip: If the mixture feels too crumbly, add a little more melted butter or a splash of water. If it’s overly moist and sticky, stir in extra cracker crumbs until it’s just right.

Press a tablespoon of the crumb mixture into the bottom of each mini dessert cup or silicone muffin cup. A small spoon or the back of a measuring cup works well for pressing it down evenly. Place the cups in the fridge to firm up while you prepare the filling.

Prepare the Creamy Banana Layer

In a mixing bowl, mash a ripe banana until it’s smooth, leaving only tiny lumps if you enjoy a bit of texture. Next, blend in Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain), a spoonful of light cream cheese (optional for extra richness), and a dash of natural sweetener. If you’re looking for extra protein, you could even add half a scoop of vanilla protein powder here. Stir or whisk until everything combines into a creamy mixture.

Potential Issue: Overly strong tang from the yogurt.
Helpful Tip: Use vanilla Greek yogurt, or balance the flavor with a touch of honey or maple syrup if it feels too tart.

Fold in Banana Slices

Thinly slice another banana or two and fold those slices into the cream mixture. This adds fresh banana flavor that pops with each bite. Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the slices too much.

Potential Issue: Sliced bananas browning quickly.
Helpful Tip: Toss them in a little lemon juice if you’re concerned about color, but it’s not strictly necessary since they’ll be mixed into the creamy layer and chilled.

Spoon into Cups and Chill

Remove the cups with the chilled cracker base from the fridge. Spoon a generous portion of the banana cream into each cup, leaving a bit of space at the top for optional garnish. Smooth the surface lightly with the back of a spoon.

Cover the cups or the muffin pan with plastic wrap, then place them in the fridge for at least an hour. This chill time allows the flavors to meld and the base to become more solid. It’s a quick pass at letting the dessert set without needing to turn on the oven or fuss with complicated steps.

Potential Issue: Cream layer not thickening enough.
Helpful Tip: If you prefer a firmer consistency, stir in a tablespoon of instant pudding mix or a half teaspoon of gelatin dissolved in warm water. This step is optional but can yield a firmer set.

Garnish and Serve

Once the cups are chilled, you can top each with a small dollop of light whipped topping or coconut whipped cream. A single banana slice on top or a sprinkle of crushed nuts adds visual charm. Serve immediately if you’re placing fresh bananas on top, or garnish just before serving so they remain bright and tasty.

Nutrition Facts

A single mini cup typically provides:

Calories: ~120
Carbs: 15–18g
Protein: 4–6g (depending on added protein powder)
Fat: 4–6g
Fiber: 1–2g
Sugar: ~8g (natural sugars from banana + any sweetener)

These values can shift if you alter the sweeteners, base ingredients, or portion sizes. Using a protein rich Greek yogurt can give you a nice bump in protein while helping maintain a creamy texture.

Tips for Maximum Freshness and Storage

Keep these mini cups chilled until you’re ready to enjoy them. They hold up well in the fridge for about three days. If you plan to keep them longer, note that fresh banana slices might become slightly discolored over time, although the taste won’t change significantly. You can store them in a sealed container or cover them individually with plastic wrap.

Freezing: Consider a short freeze time (about an hour) if you want them extra cold on a warm day, but avoid freezing them solid unless you want more of an ice cream treat. If you do freeze them completely, let them thaw a bit before eating to recapture their creaminess.

A Personal Take on Flavor Additions

Sometimes I stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter to the filling for a banana peanut butter flavor. Another favorite twist is adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of cocoa powder for a chocolate banana vibe. You could also use sugar free chocolate chips for a fun swirl of flavor, or drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate on top right before serving.

For those seeking extra texture, a few finely chopped walnuts or almonds mixed into the base can enhance the crumb factor, pairing really well with the creaminess of the filling. And if you love the smell of toasted coconut, sprinkle shredded coconut on top as a finishing touch for a tropical spin.

Pairing Suggestions with Other Recipes

These cups are a delightful finale to a balanced meal or a sweet mid afternoon treat. If you’re looking to round out your day with a nourishing dish, check out our Cabbage Fat-burning Soup from Easy Gym Recipes, which contrasts nicely with this sweet dessert. Or pair the cups with an Easy Detox Smoothie for a refreshing beverage that balances the creaminess of the banana filling. If you’re on the hunt for meal planning ideas, don’t forget our downloadable planners, which make it simpler to include small indulgences in your routine without losing track of your goals.

Pin This Recipe for Later

Feel excited to give these cups a try? Pin these Mini Banana Cream Cups with a simple note: “Saving these sweet bites for an easy snack or dessert!” That way, you’ll always have the recipe at your fingertips when a craving arises.