If you love banana pudding and cobblers, then this Southern Banana Cobbler is about to become your new favorite dessert! With sweet, caramelized bananas, a buttery cobbler base, and a crunchy pecan-oat streusel topping, this dish is pure Southern comfort in a bowl.

Perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or just because you’re craving something warm and delicious, this banana cobbler is easy to make and even easier to devour. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Southern Banana Cobbler

Unique Twist on a Classic: Like banana pudding meets peach cobbler—pure magic!
Easy to Make: No complicated steps, just mix, pour, and bake!
Sweet & Buttery: The cobbler filling is rich and tender, with just the right amount of banana flavor.
Crunchy, Nutty Streusel: The oat-pecan topping adds the perfect contrast to the gooey filling.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a Sunday dinner or a special gathering, this cobbler is always a hit!

What Does It Taste Like?

This cobbler is warm, gooey, and full of caramelized banana flavor, with a buttery cobbler layer that soaks up all the sweet juices. The streusel topping adds a slight crunch from the oats and pecans, making every bite a perfect balance of soft, sweet, and crunchy. If you love banana bread and cobbler, this is the best of both worlds!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Streusel Topping:

• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar (adds a deep caramel flavor)
• ½ cup self-rising flour (helps create a slightly crispy topping)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for that rich, buttery goodness)
• 1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats (adds a chewy texture)
• ½ cup chopped pecans (for a nutty crunch)

For the Cobbler Filling:

• 1 cup self-rising flour (creates a fluffy, tender cobbler base)
• 1 cup sugar (balances the banana’s natural sweetness)
• 1 cup milk (makes the batter rich and moist)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (adds buttery flavor throughout)
• 4 ripe bananas, sliced (the star ingredient!)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (adds depth and warmth)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but enhances the banana flavor!)

Tools You’ll Need

9×13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Whisk & spatula
Oven

How to Make Southern Banana Cobbler

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pour melted butter into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 2: Make the Cobbler Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk together self-rising flour, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the batter directly over the melted butter in the baking dish—do not stir! (This helps create that perfect cobbler texture.)
Evenly layer the sliced bananas over the batter.

Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, self-rising flour, oats, and pecans.
Cut in the softened butter using a fork or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.

Step 4: Assemble & Bake

Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cobbler batter and bananas.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cobbler is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving (if you can wait that long!).

How to Serve & What to Pair It With

Vanilla Ice Cream: The warm cobbler + cold ice cream = perfection!
Whipped Cream: Light, fluffy, and a perfect complement.
A Glass of Cold Milk: A simple yet classic pairing.
Coffee or Chai Tea: The warm spices in chai pair beautifully with banana flavors.

Tips for the Best Banana Cobbler

Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cobbler will be.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: A light mix keeps the cobbler tender and fluffy.
Make it Extra Caramelized: Sprinkle an extra tablespoon of brown sugar over the bananas before baking!
Customize the Topping: Swap pecans for walnuts or add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.

How to Store & Reheat

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual servings for 30 seconds.
Freeze: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?
Yes! Just add 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt per 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake it a day in advance and warm it up before serving. The flavors get even better overnight!

3. What if I don’t have pecans?
No problem! Try walnuts, almonds, or even leave them out for a nut-free version.

4. Can I add other fruit?
Yes! Sliced strawberries, blueberries, or even peaches pair wonderfully with bananas in this cobbler.

5. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free self-rising flour and swap the oats for gluten-free oats.

Wrapping It Up

This Southern Banana Cobbler is the ultimate warm, buttery, and comforting dessert that brings all the best flavors of banana pudding and cobbler into one dish. Whether you serve it fresh out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy leftovers the next day, it’s bound to be a crowd favorite!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your photos and tag me on Pinterest or Instagram—I can’t wait to see your delicious cobbler creations!

More Southern Desserts to Try:

Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler
Classic Southern Banana Pudding
Coconut Cream Pie

Happy baking, and enjoy every warm, gooey bite!