Rethink traditional Banana Cream Pie: A velvety vanilla custard is combined with fresh bananas and then tops a peanut butter pretzel crust, creating a perfectly sweet and salty bite of heaven.
March 14 is National Pi Day.
As a former Math teacher, this is a day I do not forget, even though my students may have wished that I did!
I know for pie lovers, it is a day celebrated as well.
I don’t care for pies. Go ahead, call me crazy!
But there are a few exceptions. Peanut Butter Pretzel Banana Cream Pie.
Yes, you heard me correctly–PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL BANANA CREAM PIE.
I mean come on, what is there NOT to love?!
I am a bit obsessed with peanut butter and it always pairs perfectly with bananas. I could eat a wrap or piece of toast slathered in peanut butter and topped with a banana everyday of the week—maybe even twice a day!
So to take a creamy vanilla custard and layer it with sweet bananas and place that in a crust that is salty and sweet and held together with peanut buttery goodness-well, I have died and gone to heaven!
Trust me, one bite of this pie, and you will NEVER want to have banana cream pie any other way.
And let me be honest, this is more like a tart than a pie–it is rather thin.
But it is also just perfection.
Let’s start with the crust. And it could not be easier. Just pretzels, peanut butter, sugar and water. Process in food processor and press into pan. Bake for 10 minutes and DONE!!
The filling is a bit more complicated due to the homemade custard, but is still nothing to be afraid of. And sure, you could use a boxed pudding, but have you seen the ingredients in those things. Plus, this tastes SO much better. I mean LIGHT YEARS BETTER!!!
And to top it all off, I reserve a bit of the crust and crumble over the top–because it is pretty and tastes good!!
Salty and sweet are always a perfect match. Try one bite of this pie and you will want to kiss me or clean my bathrooms–and I will let you, clean the bathrooms that is!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups crushed salted pretzels
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- Filling:
- 3 ripe bananas sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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For the crust: Preheat oven to 350.
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Process the pretzels until they are crushed in food processor. Add peanut butter, sugar and 1 tablespoon water and pulse until mixture resembles wet sand (adding up to one more tablespoon water. Reserve 3 tablespoons of crust for topping.
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Press the mixture firmly into a 9 inch tart pan or a 9 inch spring-form (cheesecake) pan (which is what I used.) A pie pan will work as well.
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Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely before pouring filling onto crust.
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For Filling:
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Place sliced bananas onto chilled crust.
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Whisk flour, cornstarch and sugar together in large stock pan. Add milk, whisking until well combined. Heat mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until mixture begins to thicken.
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Take 1/4 cup of heated milk mixture and whisk into eggs in separate bowl. Add egg mixture to remaining milk mixture and whisk well for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and thickened. Take off heat and stir in vanilla.
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Pour custard on crust and smooth out with spatula. Cover loosely with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
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Before serving, sprinkle reserved crust over pie and loosen from sides of tart pan or spring-form pan.
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Serve.
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
My niece was telling me yesterday that Saturday is Pi Day and she wants to make a pie! 🙂
This looks incredible, I am such a fan of the sweet/salty combo!
Kristen Chidsey says
Well, this is the pie to try 🙂
Martha @ A Family Feast says
What a unique twist on a banana cream pie! I love salty-sweet desserts and with the peanut butter added too – incredible!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Martha!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
I love everything in this pie….pb, pretzels, bananas! So unique and yummy!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Ally! It is really a great combo of flavors!
Melanie says
This is such a fun twist on banana cream pie. I love salty and sweet together!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Melanie. Sweet and Salty are the best!
Chicago Jogger says
I’m also obsessed with the peanut butter banana combo – how perfect to include it in a pie! Definitely pinning for later, this looks like the perfect summery dessert.
Kristen Chidsey says
Thank you! You will love this combo for sure!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love pretzel pie crusts! Sweet and salty is the best!
Kristen Chidsey says
This pie crust adds so much to a simple custard pie!
Clare Speer says
I LOVE LOVE peanut butter! This looks so yummy!
Kristen Chidsey says
Peanut butter is the best!!! You will love this pie!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Of course the custard looks and sounds amazing, but I just *love* the crust! What a delight!
Kristen Chidsey says
The crust is where it is at Patricia!!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
This sounds amazing! You’ve managed to throw all things that I love into a single pie and to top it off it sounds like the perfect sweet and salty combo. I’ll be pinning this one for later!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Miranda! The flavor combo hits all my favorites as well.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Oh my gawd….that crust!
Kristen Chidsey says
It is pretty crazy!!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Oh my goodness Kristen – I LOVE this pretzel crust!! I’m so making that soon – and the banana filling just beckons!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Alisa. I hope you enjoy every last crumb.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Pretzel crust? What a great idea! I love the savory twist!
Kristen Chidsey says
It counteracts the sweetness perfectly.
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
Oh that pretzel crust is seriously calling my name. That and the peanut butter of course 😉
Kristen Chidsey says
It is a combination that never disappoints
[email protected] says
Can I have a piece, no make that two, NOW! Please!
Kristen Chidsey says
I would gladly share with you, Kristi!!
Catherine says
Dear Kristen, What a delicious pie. That crust is perfection. xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks so much Catherine.
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love the sound of that crust. What a great concept. Would love apiece of this pie right now. Maybe two slices. 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
The crust makes it out of this world!!!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
This sounds like the perfect combination of salty and sweet! Plus it combines peanut butter and bananas? Yum!!
Kristen Chidsey says
Sweet and salty is the best!!
Natalie says
I love the PB and banana combination in this pie. It looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Natalie! Peanut butter and banana are always a great combo!
Betsy | JavaCupcake.com says
I need a fork and knife so I can dig in ASAP! Looks amazeballs!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Girl!