Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe 🍋 (2024)

Published: Aug 26, 2023 · Modified: Jan 25, 2024 by Sarah Mock As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links.

Making this no-bake key lime pie is a piece of cake, and the taste is absolutely delightful.

With a hearty graham cracker crust and a smooth, airy, lime-infused filling, every forkful offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, leaving you feeling refreshed.

This easy recipe for no bake key lime pie is the perfect dessert for a hot summer day when you want something refreshing but don't want to turn on the oven.

Full of key lime flavor, this no bake dessert would pair perfectly with a blood orange margarita, a champagne margarita or pull out the pitcher and make margharitas in a big batch for a crowd.

If you love this recipe you will want to try this recipe for sugared prosecco grapes.

💘 Here is why this summer dessert is the best:

• Effortless Preparation: Making a no-bake key lime pie eliminates the need for baking, saving time and effort in the kitchen. The simple assembly process allows you to create a delicious dessert without the complexities of traditional baking.
• Heat-Free Option: Especially during hot weather or when you want to avoid heating up the kitchen, a no-bake recipe like key lime pie provides a cool and refreshing dessert without having to use the oven.
• Quick and Beginner-Friendly: This recipe is perfect for beginners or those with limited cooking experience. The step-by-step process and absence of baking make it accessible to novices in the kitchen, resulting in a delightful treat that anyone can enjoy.
• Balanced Flavor Profile: The combination of tangy lime filling and sweet crust offers a harmonious blend of flavors. The no-bake method ensures the pie retains its refreshing taste without altering the lime's zesty qualities.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Since no-bake key lime pie requires chilling rather than baking, you can prepare it in advance. This makes it an ideal dessert for gatherings or events, as you can focus on other tasks closer to serving time.

🍋 Ingredients needed for easy no bake key lime pie:

Indulge in the essence of summer with a delectable no-bake Key Lime Pie. This zesty and refreshing dessert features a graham cracker crust, creamy pie filling with the perfect balance of tangy lime juice and sweet condensed milk.

Savor the ultimate summer treat that's both a pie and a tart in one, topped with delightful whipped cream and vibrant lime zest. A hassle-free, 5-star dessert that captures the essence of summer.

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

📝 Ingredient notes:

Crust Ingredients:

• Graham cracker crumbs: These provide the base of the pie, offering a delightful texture and a mild sweetness that complements the tangy filling.
• Unsalted butter, melted: The melted butter helps bind the crumbs together, creating a solid crust that's easy to slice.
• Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust, enhancing its overall flavor.
• Salt (optional to balance out sweetness): A small amount of salt can help balance the sweetness of the crust and bring out its flavors.

Filling Ingredients:

• Full fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature: Cream cheese gives the filling its rich and creamy consistency, ensuring a velvety texture.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and a luscious texture to the filling, while also helping it set without baking.
• Lime juice: The star ingredient, providing the zesty and refreshing lime flavor that defines the pie.
• Fresh lime zest: Enhances the lime flavor and adds a burst of aromatic fragrance to the filling.
• Cool Whip, thawed: This whipped topping contributes to the pie's light and airy texture, balancing the creaminess of the filling.

Toppings:

• Whipped cream: Adds an extra layer of creaminess and a luxurious finish to each slice.
• Lime zest: A visually appealing garnish that reinforces the lime flavor and adds a vibrant touch to the presentation.
• Lime Slices: thin slices of limes, split and twisted.
• Graham Crumbs: a sprinkle of crushed graham crumbs.

Tip: When incorporating lime zest, make sure to use a fine grater or a zester to carefully extract the outer layer of the lime peel. Avoid grating the bitter white pith underneath.

🔄 Can I useregular limesin place ofkey limes?

Absolutely, you can use regular limes as a substitute for key limes in a no-bake key lime pie! While they have a slightly different flavor profile, traditional limes can still work well and produce a delicious pie. Here's how to make the substitution:

1. Key Lime Juice: use an equal amount of fresh regular lime juice. The flavor will be a bit different, but it will still be delicious.
2. Tartness Adjustment: grocery store limes are generally slightly less tart than key limes. To mimic the tanginess you might consider adding a touch more lime juice or a small amount of lemon juice.
3. Zest: Keys have a distinct aroma, so if you have access to traditional limes with zest, consider adding a bit of lime zest to enhance the flavor.
4. Sweetness: Keep in mind that the pie's sweetness might need a small adjustment to balance the flavor change. Taste the filling as you go and add a bit more sweetener if needed.
5. Texture: The texture might vary a bit due to the differences in acidity between the different types of limes. However, the pie should still set and hold its shape with regular lime juice, it just might be a bit 'softer'.

Can I use a storebought crust?

Instead of using a graham cracker crust, you have the choice to go for alternative cookies like Golden Oreos, Nilla Wafers, shortbread cookies, or gingersnap cookies. Another option is to use a ready-made pie crust available at the store.

🔪 How to make this recipe

1. Spray a 10 inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.
   
2. Add the graham crackers into the food processor or high speed blender and pulse until you get fine crumbs.
   
3. Transfer the crumbs into a small mixing bowl and then combine with the sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and mix until well combined.
   
4. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Place the crust into the freezer for at least 10 minutes to set while making the filling.
   
5. In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer on medium high speed, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
   
6. Add the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and zest and beat until well combined.
   
7. With a rubber spatula, fold in the thawed Cool Whip or homemade whipped topping.
   
8. Remove the pie crust from the freezer and then pour the pie filling into the prepared crust. Spread evenly with an icing spatula. Go back and forth, lightly pressing down to remove any air pockets.
   
9. Place the pie into the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This will allow the filling to set and hold its shape when cutting. It will also give the flavors time to blend together.
   
10. When ready to serve, pipe with whipped cream and garnish with fresh lime slices and freshly grated lime zest. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

❄️ Can you freeze no-bake key lime pie?

Freezing a no-bake key lime pie is possible and can be quite convenient. Remember, freezing may slightly alter the texture of the pie, but it should still be delicious. Here's how to do it:

1. Prepare the Pie: Make sure your pie is properly assembled with the crust and filling.
2. Wrap Well: Wrap the pie securely in plastic wrap. This will help prevent freezer burn and maintain the pie's freshness.
3. Double Protection: For added protection, place the wrapped pie inside a resealable freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
4. Label and Date: Don't forget to label the package with the name and date. This will help you keep track of how long it's been in the freezer.
5. Freeze: Place the wrapped and bagged pie in the freezer. Make sure it's placed on a flat surface so it freezes evenly.
6. Thawing: When you're ready to enjoy the pie, move it to the refrigerator to thaw. This slow thawing process helps maintain the pie's texture and flavor.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Once thawed, your no-bake pie should be ready to be sliced and served. The flavors should still be delicious!

🕰️ Canno-bakekey limepiebe made ahead?

Making a no-bake key lime pie ahead of time is a great idea! It can save you time and allow the flavors to meld together for an even more delicious dessert. Here's how you can do it:

1. Assembly: Assemble the pie completely, including the crust and the lime filling.
2. Cover Properly: Once the pie has set, cover it securely with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. This helps prevent the pie from absorbing any odors in the refrigerator.
3. Chill: You can keep the pie in the refrigerator for up to 24-48 hours before serving. This time allows the flavors to develop and the pie to chill thoroughly.
4. Overnight: For even better results, you can make the pie the day before you plan to serve it. Allowing it to chill overnight allows the flavors to intensify.
5. Garnish Before Serving: If your recipe calls for any garnishes like whipped cream, lime zest, or fresh fruit, it's best to add them just before serving. This ensures they stay fresh and visually appealing.
6. Storage: Once the pie has chilled and set, you can keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
7. Serve and Enjoy: When you're ready to serve, simply take the pie out of the refrigerator, add any final touches, and slice it up for everyone to enjoy.

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip

How can I ensure the pie crust maintains its shape when I add the filling?

This crust doesn't require baking. For a firm base when you add the filling, I suggest freezing it for roughly 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can choose to bake it at 350°F for 7-10 minutes, then ensure it's fully cooled before proceeding with the filling.

How can I achieve neat and tidy slices of the pie?

For the most pristine slices, I suggest freezing the pie for 1-2 hours before serving to achieve a firm texture for slicing. Remember to let the slices thaw for about 10 minutes before serving.

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📖 Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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