No-Bake Key Lime Pie
No-Bake Key Lime Pie is an easy-to-prep dessert that’s made with only a few, simple ingredients and ready in less than 20 min. A perfect, quick summer recipe!
No-Bake Key Lime Pie is one of my favorite summer desserts! With its creamy and tangy cheesecake filling this lime pie makes a perfect summer dessert that is refreshing and so flavorful. You could even freeze it and serve it partially frozen for an even more refreshing treat on a hot summer day.
This recipe only requires a few ingredients and is so simple to throw together in minutes, check out my tips and tricks to make it even easier. You’ll want to keep this easy no-bake recipe on file for summer parties for sure! Whipped Key Lime Pie is perfect when you don’t want to turn the oven on!
Are you looking for more easy no-bake desserts? Check out my Chocolate Mousse Cake and my Lemon Mousse Recipe, both are super easy and can be whipped up in minutes. And if you are looking for a lemon version of this pie check out my Easy Lemon Cream Pie Recipe.
Tips and FAQ for this recipe
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed key lime juice is the best choice flavorwise for this recipe! But regular limes work as well, the difference in flavor is not that big. I promise this lime pie will taste great even without key limes!
- Extra flavor -You can add 2 tsp finely grated lime zest to the filling if you like the texture in the filling.
- Pan – You can also make this recipe in a 7 or 8-inch springform pan. I find it easier to make pretty slices when I use a springform pan. Make sure to press the crumb mixture up the sides of the springform pan.
- Make it easier – To make this recipe even easier, use a prepared 9-inch graham cracker pie crust and bottled key lime juice.
- Substitutions – If you can’t find graham crackers you can also use the same amount of digestive biscuits (UK) or Vollkorn-Butterkekse (Germany).
- Whipping cream – Whipping cream can be tricky, I recommend using extra cold cream and putting you mixing bowl into the freezer for a few minutes. You could also try using a hand mixer because it gives you more control. Check out my post for homemade whipped cream, where I share all my tips and tricks.
Do I have to use key limes?
No, you don’t! I use regular limes and the taste difference is so minimal it doesn’t justify the extra work of juicing all those tiny limes in my opinion. But feel free to use key limes if you prefer! You can also use bottled key lime juice.
How many limes do I need?
You’ll need about 20 key limes to get 1/2 cup of juice or 4-6 ‘regular’ limes. But if you don’t have time you can also use bottled key lime juice.
Can I make this recipe without cream cheese?
If you don’t want to use cream cheese you can replace it with mascarpone. This Italian cream cheese is not as tangy as regular cream cheese and has a creamier, richer taste because it’s made from whole milk.
Can I freeze this pie?
Yes, you can! I love that I can make this Key Lime Cream Pie several days in advance and store it in the freezer. Perfect for parties! I just let the pie thaw for about 20 minutes to return to its perfect creamy texture, garnish it with fresh whipped cream, and serve it. Who doesn’t love a cold, refreshing dessert on a hot summer day?!
No Bake Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
For the crust (or use a store-bought graham cracker crust)
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
For the filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more for decorating
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup key lime juice, or lime juice
- 1 Tbsp lime zest, finely grated (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until combined then press tightly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Chill the crust for 30 minutes or longer.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment whip up the heavy cream until stiff, then transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat cream cheese at low-medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk slowly then beat until smooth and well mixed.
- Add the whipped cream and mix until combined.
- With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the key lime juice. The mixture will start to thicken and to get creamy. Continue to mix for 1 more minute.
- Pour into prepared pie dish and refrigerate for atleast 6 hours or overnight until firm.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Post originally published in 2017, updated with slightly tweaked recipe and additional tips and tricks.
This is a wonderful recipe! I added lime zest to the filling and also sprinkled some on top. I will make this again for sure!
If I’m using regular limes do I still use half a cup quantity? Got confused with the 4 to 6 regular limes which produced over a cup of lime juice
Yes, use 1/2 cup of juice! And wow, sounds like you hit the lime jackpot, mine never have so much juice :-)
I think it’s funny that you used pictures of Persian lime slices rather than key limes. Key limes are yellow when ripe, so they are not as photogenic!
My husband’s people are conchs (from Key West) and use only the juice and milk. It’s tart! In the old days they could not get cream cheese.
This pie set up just fine; I was hoping for something more tart. If I added 3/4 cup lime juice would it still set up?
I don’t think that would work but you could add some lemon extract.
Thank you Julia, so nice to get some feedback. Actually the next day, the pie was plenty tart! Everyone loved it. :) I’m making it again for Easter.
In our house we use a premade crust, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup of lime juice and a can of whipped cream. Takes about 5 minutes. I keep the can of milk in the frig so its already cold. Don’t know how long it keeps because it gets eaten immediately!!! We just use the juice ov 3 limes and don t measure.
When you store it overnight in the fridge, do you cover it with foil or Saran Wrap?
I cover the springform pan with plastic wrap. It doesn’t touch the pie because I leave the ring of the springform pan attached.
Too much trouble….Just read the instructions on the back of the key lime bottle and mix key lime juice with sweetened condensed milk and 3 egg yolks. Stir with a spoon until mixed and bake in crust for 15 min. at 350. Cool 10 min. and refrigerate. Top with whipped cream. Yummy!!
The whole idea here is that it’s the no bake version!
I made this pie for Memorial Day. Yum! Thank you for the great easy recipe.:)
Would it work just as well with a pre-made graham cracker crust and cool whip?
A Pre-Made Graham Cracker crust would work for sure but I’m not sure about the cool whip because I haven’t tested this recipe with cool whip. Let me know if it works if you try it!
It does work with cool whip. I also use a half can of frozen limeade or lemonade.
I use can of sweetened condensed milk, 8oz of cool whip and 1/2 can of frozen limeade but it never seems to set (or get stiff). Any advise please!??
I’ve been making this for many years. If you stir the key lime juice into the condensed milk, it starts to thicken immediately. Then I fold in a half container of cool whip, the rest goes on top. It freezes great, just like ice cream. I prefer it without the cream cheese. Very simple, easy.
Could this be made in a springform pan for a little more heigh? Or is the filling too soft?
You could use a springform pan if you also press the crumb mixture up the sides and refrigerate overnight so the mixture really sets.
The absolutley best key lime pie recipe & so easy to make! Used mascarpone not cream cheese. My daughter said it’s like eating a cloud. Don’t wait for summertime — we made it for Thanksgiving!! Only tip is don’t keep it out of the fridge too long as it does soften. But right out of the fridge — perfection!
Do you whip the whipped cream or pour it in as liquid
I whip it first most of the time (see step 2) but the recipe will also work if you don’t whip it first :-)