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
Tip 1
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. 💁🏼♀️
Tip 2
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.
Tip 3
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
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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.
Steve says
I have become my wife’s caregiver, so I have taken over as chief cook and bottle washer. While she appreciates my efforts, she challenged me to expand my cullinary expertise. Your recipe popped up while I was searching for “something different”. I love the simplicity and ease. Regarding ‘messy’, just use a deeper mixing bowl if you have one, then lick the whisk blades before washing them.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I absolutely love hearing this Steve! 💙 I am glad y’all enjoyed it.
Beth Ball says
Steve, 5 stars for stepping up for your wife and expanding your culinary repertoire!
Leigh Rowe says
Hi. I’m from Australia and I had to convert from ounces to grams. This is when I completely stuffed up. I got myself so confused (I don’t usually get confused when cooking) and have put the correct amount of cream cheese into the recipe, but about 1 1/2 times the amount of condensed milk needed. It tastes great but not sure now if it will set. I did enough filling for 2 store bought tart shells (pie crusts) and a 6 pack of mini tart shells with a bit left over. Here’s hoping…
Sharon says
Do you put the graham crust in the oven for a few minutes? I’m talking about a purchased crust. If so, what temp. (F. please) and for how long?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Sharon! No, I use it straight off the shelf, as is. Enjoy!
Renee says
I’m confused about the limes. My key limes are much tinier than those two limes you have in the picture. I don’t believe those were key limes if you only needed two limes. Can you please clarify? Thank you.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Renee. I use regular limes to save time and b/c I cannot notice a flavor difference for all that extra work (see tip 2 in the post above). If you want to use key limes, feel free. 👌🏻 You are correct that you will need much more than 2 key limes, though.
Anna says
I made this recipe. I did not have condensed sweetened milk. By mistake I used mail not filled. That has oil and no butterfat. The pie is runny after sitting overnight. Have any suggestions to make it solid?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Anna! I am not sure I understand your comment. Looks like autocorrect may have changed your question (mail not filed?).😉 The original recipe gives the most consistent results, though. Once you start substituting ingredients, it may not set/ work properly.
Peggy says
I am making this tomorrow but bought low fat condensed milk. Will it work with this recipe?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Peggy! I have not tested this myself, but my best guess is that it would work fine. Please make sure you are using *sweetened* condensed milk, though. Not plain. Otherwise it will taste terrible😜
Peggy says
I decided to scrap the low fat and got the regular sweetened Condensed milk the recipe was easy to make and my guests loved it. It’s a keeper for sure.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so happy to hear that Peggy!💚
Karla Suits says
Can I let use Keylime juice instead of juicing the limes?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yes! That will work👍🏻 Enjoy!💚
Randy cr says
Flavor and texture was unremarkable and pie would not set.
Added the following:
1/4 cup cold heavy cream
1/2 Ripe creamed avocado
3/8 tsp red Ancho red chilli
Pinch pink Hem salt
1/4 tsp lime drink mix (Cool Aid)
Lime is still the star. All else just adds texture and taste complexity.
Randy_c says
Flavor and texture was unremarkable and pie would not set.
Added the following:
1/4 cup cold heavy cream
1/2 Ripe creamed avocado
3/8 tsp red Ancho red chilli
Pinch pink Hem salt
1/4 tsp lime drink mix (Cool Aid)
Lime is still the star. All else just adds texture and taste complexity.
Baker1 says
Love this easy and delicious recipe. I used 2 limes as recommended and it turned out perfect. Thank you for sharing!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay!💚
Heather says
I have been going through a key lime pie phase lately. I am a cake decorator at a local supermarket chain and there we sell key lime pie that’s amazing. BB it my boss is on vacation and we haven’t ordered more and won’t until she’s back. So I said I’ll make my own.! This recipe is easy and affordable which i love. A similar situation occurred when I had an enormous baklava addiction and couldn’t find it anywhere so I made my own and now I sell trays of it to many people because they swear it’s the most delicious baklava they have ever had! I know this keylime pie will be a winner! Thank you!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks Heather! 💚 Enjoy