I Tried 7 Flavors of Jell-O Pudding, Here’s My All-Time Favorite

My memories of Jell-O pudding go way back. My grandpa’s famous chocolate mud pie relies on a box of this instant dessert to come to life. When I was a kid, a pudding cup was a must in my lunchbox. These days, I still grab a few packs around the holidays to make banana pudding. It’s a trusted kitchen shortcut for a reason: it’s quick, foolproof, and when you get the right flavor, it’s delicious.

But that got me thinking, while I can easily tell you which Jell-O flavor works best for each recipe, I’ve never really considered which ones I enjoy on their own. I wanted to find one that could stand up without a buttery graham cracker crust or a box of cake mix to bring it to life. So, I tested a few flavors to see which one is truly the best. I’m talking about pudding so good that you can eat a bowl of it and be satisfied. I rounded up seven popular picks, and one surprising flavor rose to the top.

How I Chose the Jell-O Pudding Flavors

For this test, I only picked up boxes of Jell-O pudding that are widely available at popular grocery stores and retailers. While researching flavors, I realized how easy it is to fall down a rabbit hole trying to track down every last one. And while you can find discontinued flavors, such as the brand’s iconic Pumpkin Spice pudding on eBay, I didn’t want to include anything you’d have to hunt down. I kept it simple with options that are easy to snag in stores.

How I Tested the Jell-O Puddings

To achieve the best results, I followed the instructions on the back of each box to prepare the different Jell-O pudding flavors for this test. I never tried more than three puddings in one sitting, so I could give each flavor a fair chance. I also made sure to taste them all chilled and paid close attention to their sweetness, flavor accuracy, and overall texture.

The Best Jell-O Pudding Flavors, Ranked

7th Place: Jell-O Lemon Pudding

I love creamy citrus treats like lemon meringue pie or cakes with lemon custard, but this pudding from Jell-O just didn’t measure up. It had a medicinal, overly tangy flavor and was way too sugary. After just one bite, I found myself reaching for water to cleanse my palate. While the texture was smooth, it lacked the rich, milky flavor that most classic puddings have. 

6th Place: Jell-O Pistachio Pudding

I really wanted to love this flavor from Jell-O, but unfortunately, it ended up tasting overly artificial. The only aspect of this pudding that I appreciated was its nice textural balance, thanks to the bits of crushed pistachio folded into it. However, it was overbearingly sweet with dominant floral notes. I couldn’t imagine a world where I would eat this on its own or use it as the base for a dessert.

5th Place: Jell-O White Chocolate Pudding

As a kid, I’d always beg my mom to grab Jell-O pudding snack packs from the store, and this flavor was always my go-to. Even years later, making it from the box still brings back that same nostalgic feeling. Compared to the chocolate fudge pudding, this one is definitely sweeter, which is typical for white chocolate-flavored treats. It’s creamy and has a smooth, milky flavor. After a few bites, it cured my hankering for a sweet treat, but I think it would work better as a pie filling, where its sweetness and texture could be balanced with a buttery crust.

4th Place: Jell-O Banana Cream Pudding

This flavor from Jell-O has a nostalgic taste that’s truly unmatched. It reminds me of the holidays when a delicious banana pudding made with Chessmen cookies is glistening on the dessert spread. Overall, this one definitely has a strong banana flavor, but it is on the sweeter side. If you’re not a huge fan of sugary treats, you may want to skip this one. However, when paired with salty, buttery toppings or crust, it would definitely mellow out. 

3rd Place: Jell-O Cheesecake Pudding

When I took a bite of this Jell-O pudding flavor, I was surprised by how much it actually resembled cheesecake. It’s slightly tangy with a punchy vanilla finish. In terms of texture, it’s creamy yet fluffy. Despite having a sweet profile, it was balanced and didn’t become overwhelming when finishing a whole bowl. Overall, it stands on its own as a delicious dessert and would do wonders in a no-bake pie with a graham cracker crust and whipped cream topping.

2nd Place: Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Pudding

The best way to describe this flavor is to imagine a spoonful of hot fudge that’s been slightly chilled after sitting on top of an ice cream sundae—that’s exactly the experience you get with Jell-O’s pudding version of this treat. It’s rich in flavor but not cloying; instead, notes of semi-sweet chocolate rise to the surface. In terms of texture, this one is thick yet creamy, and could easily pass for a mousse-like dessert thanks to how light and airy it is.

1st Place Winner: Jell-O Tapioca Pudding

I’ll be honest, whenever I think of tapioca pudding, my grandmother comes to mind, but not in a good way. In the past, I saw tapioca as an old-school dessert to skip, but after making Jell-O’s version, my opinion changed completely. This sweet, milky treat bursts with rich flavor and just the right amount of tapioca pearls that gently pop with each bite.

The pudding has subtle hints of vanilla and strikes a sweet balance without being overly sugary. I love desserts with textural variety, where each bite feels dynamic instead of one-note. This one delivers creamy smoothness along with satisfying bursts of tapioca, making it stand out from the rest of the contenders.