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.
Timberly says
Easy, summer dessert. Easy recipe to use for other no bakes! Thanks for sharing!
Amy says
Perfect recipe! Easy and delicious!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
So glad to hear this Amy!🙌🏻
Timberly says
Easy, summer dessert. Easy recipe to use for other no bakes! Thanks for sharing!
Mehjabeen says
Hi is this a cheesecake somewhat or entirely different
Cathy Costello says
Aloha! I just made this pie and it is very yummy! This is my husband’s favorite pie! Thank you for this yummy rendition of key lime pie I will be making this in near future! 🫶🏽🤙🏽
Mahalo,
C C
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Aloha, Cathy! So happy to hear this.💕
Sharon C says
It said key lime pie,but how can you put cream cheese in there and call it key lime pie?. Should call it lime cheese cake. I’m looking for just plain key lime pie,a real tart one.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Sharon! This is an easy no-bake version. If you want the more traditional key lime pie, you will need to find a different recipe.😉👌🏻
Sharon C says
I like the no bake key lime pie recipe, it’s easier and faster. I’m sure you can give me the no bake key lime pie recipe without cream cheese from your recipe with a little change, since you’re a good baker.
Thanks!
Sharon C says
Hi Marjorie,
I like no bake key lime pie recipe better, it’s easier and faster. I thought maybe you can give me a no bake key lime recipe from your recipe without the cream cheese, since you’re a good baker,that probably an easy thing for you to do better than I can.
Thanks
Sarah says
How can you call it key lime pie when there’s no key lime in it? Lime juice is not substitute. It’s a lime pie not a key lime pie. They taste totally different. Sorry!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Sarah! This is addressed in the post. Feel free to juice the little key limes, if you wish. I did both, and I did not think the taste difference was worth the extra effort.
Naomi says
My pie didn’t set. Why? I followed the recipe to the letter.
Evelyn King says
I made 2 pies for hubby’s 70th Bday celebration/party! It went over well & making again this weekend for another celebration! Great no bake & chilled within 3 hrs as someone stated! Thx! This is my go to pie & grands loved as well!
Isabelle says
This was awesome! Thanks for this!! We loved it very much!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Glad you enjoyed it Isabelle!💚
Emma T says
I am going to make this pie today, however, I was wondering if I could freeze the leftover pie for later.
I am a self-taught chef and know without making this pie that it will be delicious and one of my favorite desserts. We are a family of two and I am the dessert eater in the house, however, I am keeping my fingers crossed that my husband will taste the pie and fall in love with it. LOL
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
It should freeze well, Emma!👍🏻 I hope y’all enjoy💚