This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This No Bake Key Lime Pie recipe features an irresistible sweet and tangy filling in a buttery, homemade graham cracker crust. The refreshing lime flavor makes it the perfect summer pie for cookouts and parties!

Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie

Are you looking for an easy dessert recipe that packs a punch without the fuss? Then, pucker up, because this key lime pie is one you’re going to want to keep on hand.

Nestled in a homemade pie crust, the scrumptious, velvety-smooth filling is both sweet and slightly tart. Some might say it tastes like a little slice of summertime!

The great thing about this no-bake dessert recipe is that you won’t even have to turn on your oven. It takes about 15 minutes to whip up, and it’s ready for the fridge. If you’re in the mood for more fruity goodness, this Pineapple Pie is another one of our favorite no bake desserts.

Key lime pie from above with a bowl of key limes

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy to make: It only takes 15 minutes to whip up this recipe, with no baking required. You just mix, chill, and it’s ready to serve.
Cool and refreshing: The cool, refreshing, and tangy flavors of this delicious key lime pie are perfect on a hot summer day.
Crowd-favorite: Whether it’s for potlucks, pool parties, or BBQs, no matter where you take it, this pie always gets rave reviews.

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:

Graham cracker crumbs
Unsalted butter, melted
Granulated sugar
Salt (used to balance out sweetness)

No-Bake Pie Filling:

Full fat, softened cream cheese
Full fat sweetened condensed milk
Fresh Key lime juice
Fresh key lime zest
Cool Whip, thawed

Toppings:

Whipped cream
Extra lime zest

Recommended Tools:

Food processor
Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
10 inch pie plate
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula

How to Make the Best Key Lime Pie Recipe

For The Crust

Step 1. Spray your 10-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2. Add the graham crackers to the food processor. You can also use a high speed blender and pulse until you get fine crumbs.

Crushed graham crackers in food processor

Sugar and salt mixed in graham cracker crumbs

Step 3. Pour the crumbs into a small mixing bowl and add the sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and mix until well combined.

Graham cracker crust mixture in glass bowl

Step 4. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Place the crust in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to set while making the filling.

For The Filling

Step 1. Add each block of cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium high speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Step 2. Next, pour in the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and zest. Beat until well combined.

Cream cheese with other ingredients for key lime pie filling

Step 3. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip.

Key lime pie cream cheese mixture with cool whip

Filling for key lime pie in clear glass bowl

Step 4. Take the crust out of the freezer and pour the pie filling into the graham cracker crust. Spread evenly with an icing spatula. Go back and forth, lightly pressing down to remove any air pockets.

Step 5. Place the pie in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow it to set. This will also give the flavors time to blend together.

Tip: Don’t rush the chill time. This is needed for the filling to set and keep its shape when you slice the pie.

Step 6. Before serving, pipe with whipped cream and garnish with freshly grated zest. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe Variations and Add-ins

Crust options: Instead of a graham cracker crust, you can use other types of cookies. Golden Oreos, Nilla Wafers, shortbread cookies, or gingersnap cookies are all great options. You can also opt for a store-bought, pre-made pie crust.

Shredded coconut: Amp up those tropical flavors with shredded, toasted, or untoasted coconut. You can add some to the filling or sprinkle it on top of the pie as a garnish.

Nuts: Try this recipe with crushed macadamia nuts, pistachios, pecans, or toasted almond slivers added to the crust for more crunchy goodness.

White chocolate chips or shavings: For even more sweetness, you can mix white chocolate chips into the filling and shavings on the top.

Spices: Add a depth of warm flavors to this delicious pie by adding a little bit of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the crust.

Whipped topping: This easy recipe uses Cool Whip, but you can make your own with heavy cream and powdered sugar.

Garnish: This recipe uses fresh lime zest to give the pie a pop of color. You can also use fresh lime slices, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.

Sweetened milk: For added coconut flavor, you can make the pie using sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of the regular kind.

Storage Recommendation

Fridge: Like a lot of no bake desserts, the creamy filling has dairy, so you should store this pie in the refrigerator at all times. Keep it covered in a pie keeper or other airtight container for 3-5 days.

Freezer: If you want to store the pie for a longer period, you can freeze it. Wrap the pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container that is also freezer-safe. Frozen key lime pie can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the pie in the refrigerator before serving.

Tip: To keep the pretty toppings intact, you may want to wait to add them just before serving the pie.

Should I Bake The Crust?

This pie crust for this recipe is a no-bake version. You’ll add it to the freezer to help it keep its shape after you add the filling. But if you prefer a baked crust, you can bake it for 7–10 minutes at 350 F. Make sure you allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.

What’s the Difference Between Regular Lime and Key Lime?

Regular limes are those bright green ones you always see at the grocery store. They’re bigger and a lot more common. Because they’re a bit tangy, they’re great for cocktails and cooking.

A true key lime is like the smaller, more intense cousin of the regular kind. They have more of a greenish yellow color when ripe and are sweeter with an almost floral taste.

Can I Make This Pie with Regular Lime Juice?

Yes, you can use regular lime juice instead. Though they are slightly more tart than key limes, the flavor difference between the two won’t be significant enough to affect the flavor of your pie too much.

Another option, though it can be hard to find in stores, is bottled key lime juice.

Juicing Tip

Microwave the limes for about 10–15 seconds before juicing. This helps loosen the juice and make it flow more easily.

Want More No-Bake Dessert Recipes?

Let’s be friends!

Did you love this post? Make sure to comment below and let me know your thoughts! And don’t forget to follow on your favorite social network below!

Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie

Why We Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust: