Easy key lime pie is a refreshing, no-bake summer dessert that is perfect for summer cookouts and pot lucks.
My easy key lime pie recipe is a summer treasure, internet friends. Minimal effort, maximum deliciousness and all the refreshing vibes make this one a hit, y’all.😎
Side note: This particular recipe reminds me of the days after I first gave birth to Canon almost 6 years ago! My mom came and stayed with us, and she made this a bunch of times. Sweet memories!
Mom has made this for us for many years prior to that too, and it is so easy and delicious! And I love that it is sticking to me no-cook theme that I have been running with lately. 😆👌🏻This recipe is perfect to make on vacation at the lake or the beach.
And if you prefer lemons, you make want to make my no bake lemon cheesecake instead.
Tips for making easy key lime pie
You can make a homemade crust if you insist, but in the spirit of chill and easy I used a store-bough graham cracker crust. 💁🏼♀️
Also, I do not use true key limes, but just regular limes.🤷🏼♀️ To me, the difference in taste is minimal and doesn’t justify all the extra work of juicing all those key limes.
But feel free to use actual key limes if you prefer. You’ll need to zest 3 or 4 of them, instead of just 1.
You will want to let your cream cheese come to room temperature. Mine sat out for about 2 hours in a 75 degree house, and it was perfect.
This step is key for creamy consistency. If it is still chilled, your filling will be a little lumpy. It’ll still taste good, though, speaking from experience. 😉
How to make easy key lime pie
The filling is super simple to make, and it only has three ingredients: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and lime juice + zest. I just add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl and pour everything over top.
You want to use about 1/3 cup of lime juice. This was the juice of two large-ish limes for me. (👈🏻A citrus juicer is very helpful for this.) Plus, you will want the zest of one of them. I added about 2/3 of that zest to the mixing bowl (eye-balling it), and I reserved a little to sprinkle on top later.
Once you have everything in there, you are going to beat it with a mixer.
It’ll look lumpy at first. 😬Like this.
No worries, though! A few minutes with the mixer will make it creamy like this. This is where softened cream cheese is key!
Then you pour your creamy filling into the shell, and spread it around to even things out.
And sprinkle the remaining lime zest on top.
Then you refrigerate for a few hours to let everything firm back up. Mine took about 3 to 4 hours. And you are left with the yummiest dessert. Nobody will suspect how little time and effort you put into it either. This is summer recipe jackpot, my friends. 😎🙌🏻
Garnish with lime slices if you want to fancy things up a bit. Honestly, I did this for the photos. We don’t have patience for that in real life.😜😆👌🏻
Enjoy the best easy key lime pie you will ever make!
Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe
If you try this recipe, give it a star rating. If it looks good to you, please pin it and share it!
Easy Key Lime Pie (no bake)
Easy key lime pie is a refreshing, no-bake summer dessert that is perfect for summer cookouts and pot lucks.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese (I used 2 8 ounce blocks, softened at room temperature)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- 1/3 cup lime juice (2 large limes was enough for me, but get some extras just in case)
- zest of 1 lime divided (leave 1/3 for garnish)
- graham cracker crust (10-inch, store bought)
Instructions
Add softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and 2/3 of the lime zest to a large mixing bowl, and beat on high until smooth and creamy (about 4 minutes).
Transfer to a graham cracker crust.
Sprinkle reserved lime zest in top, and refrigerate until filling is set, about 3 to 4 hours.
Serve chilled, and garnish with extra lime slices, if desired.
Recipe Notes
I used a store-bought crust, but if you want to use homemade, that works too!
It may set quicker than what I recommend here, but this is how long until I checked mine.
You could use light (1/3 less fat) cream cheese, but for best taste use regular. I would not recommend fat free cream cheese.
I do not use true key limes, but just regular limes.🤷🏼♀️ To me, the difference in taste is minimal and doesn't justify all the extra work of juicing all those key limes. But feel free to use actual key limes if you prefer. You'll need to zest 3 or 4 of them, instead of just 1.
Denise says
I followed this recipe to the letter and mine tastes terrible!! Did you use sugar and forget to put it on the recipe? I wasted all these ingredients!! 😢
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Denise! The sweetness/ sugar comes from the sweetened condensed milk. Did you use unsweet by mistake?
Roseann Uzzo says
Loved this recipe; it’s so easy! Key limes were so plentiful while living in Florida, but it is so hard to find key limes here in the northeast and this variation of a true key lime pie cheesecake is so refreshing…thank you!
I have decided to try it out as key lime cheesecake cupcakes.
I am going to mix up some gram cracker crumbs for the base and form them into the liners of a cupcake pan, add filling and refrigerate. I think when they are set, I will add some cheesecake frosting, some zest and a thin slice of lime for presentation. What do you think, @APinchofHealthy?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! A cupcake version sounds great. 😍👌🏻
Vernus says
was wondering if you can add a cup of whipped cream to this?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I would probably recommend using whipped cream as a garnish on top. That would be delicious!
Vernus says
I think I will give it a try, let you know how it turns out.
Heidi says
I have tried so many different versions of Key lime pie.
I got busy and tried it. My handmixer quit on me, so I finished it with a whisk. I did not have any limes on hand, so I did without.
The pie still tastes great. I will be making it again in the future.
I am already looking at some of your other yummy recipes.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am glad you are enjoying it!
Pam says
Made this tonight for a cookout and it was a hit. I added a bit more lime juice as I wanted it a bit more tart. Everyone loved it. Thank you.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay, I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it!💚
Miguel says
Thanks for sharing your beautiful recipe we used c chocolate oreo cookie crust for a different taste and it was delicious!!!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Miguel! I am so happy to hear y’all enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and feedback.
Lisa says
Thank you for giving us a great recipe
I lived in the South ..and I haD THE ORIGINAL recipe and fixed and ate it daily. this is a quick version for us busy moms that want a simple quick dessert!
Thank you again!!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Lisa! It is one of our favorites. 💖🙌🏻
Jeffrey Mohler says
Please,
As a key lime pie officianado, I implore you, this is NOT KEY LIME PIE, please quit calling it such.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
With all due respect, I stand by the recipe as it is, as well as what I call it.🙌🏻 The intention was to create an easy version of the more traditional recipe. I’m not trying to convince you of anything, though. And I am not attached to anyone approving of my recipes. If I like it, I share it. 💁🏼♀️✌🏻💖😎
Anita Dobbs says
I crushed up Ginger snap cookies and used as a garnish by dusting the dollops of cool whip and A sliced lime (twists). SO YUMMY and an EASY, REFRESHING dessert. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad that you enjoyed it! Your additions sound delicious too. 😋👌🏻