Key Lime Pie

overhead shot of a whole pie garnished with lime

A graham cracker crust and tangy filling make this key lime pie a favorite homemade dessert in our family.

Table of Contents

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe Ingredients
Key Lime Pie Recipe (No Bake) Substitutions And Additions
How To Make The Best Ever Key Lime Pie
How To Serve This No Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe
Storing No Bake Key Lime Pie
You Will Love This No Bake Key Lime Pie
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

Cool, creamy, and luscious, this simple key lime pie is the perfect dessert. A buttery graham cracker crust and tangy citrus filling make this no-bake pie a favorite homemade dessert.

close up shot of a slice of pie garnished with lime on a plate

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe Ingredients

Key Lime Pie raw ingredients that are labeled

Indulge in the lusciousness of a key lime pie, where the creamy Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk create a velvety base.

The star ingredient, zesty lime juice, adds a refreshing tang that beautifully contrasts with the richness.

Nestled in the graham cracker crust, each bite offers a tropical escape of textures and flavors.

You’ll need:

1 (16-ounce) container of Cool Whip whipped topping
14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk (1 small can)
½ cup of lime juice
1 premade graham cracker crust (store-bought or use our graham cracker crust recipe)

Key Lime Pie Recipe (No Bake) Substitutions And Additions

CREAM CHEESE: Some people love to mix in eight ounces of cream cheese or sour cream to the key lime filling for an even creamier texture if you’d like to give that a try.

GRAHAM CRUST: You can either pick up a premade crust at the grocery store or, if you have graham crackers or graham cracker crumbs on hand, make your own homemade graham cracker crust using our easy recipe.

LIMES: Either key lime juice or regular lime juice work fine for this recipe. They can be substituted 1:1, so ½ cup of juice from either variety is perfect.

How To Make The Best Ever Key Lime Pie

With only a handful of ingredients and no baking required, you’ll be amazed at how easily this pie comes together.

STEP ONE: Mix the Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl. Stir in the lime juice and mix well.

cool whip and condensed milk whisked together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and spread evenly.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I like to put my premade pie crust into a glass pie pan for added stability when taking it in and out of the fridge.

STEP THREE: Refrigerate for four hours or overnight before serving.

PRO TIP:

Add a little whipped cream and fresh lime zest on top before eating.

How To Serve This No Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe

This perfect key lime pie is a refreshing and delightful treat to serve for dessert on a summer day.

Add a scoop of no-churn vanilla ice cream on the side and a dollop of whipped cream on top for a great way to finish off your meal.

For more great pie recipes that are just as easy and just as delicious, check out our custard pie, Oreo pie, and creamsicle pie.

MORE PIE RECIPES

Pie Recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Pie Recipes

Pumpkin Pie (No Sugar)

Storing No Bake Key Lime Pie

Here’s all you need to know about storing your tropical pie:

MAKE AHEAD: You can absolutely prepare your key lime pie in advance! Whip up the pie as per the recipe, and once it’s fully set, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh.

Refrigerate until you’re ready to indulge.

IN THE FRIDGE: If you don’t eat all of this easy pie immediately, just cover it with plastic wrap and pop it back in the fridge until you’re ready for more.

If you are using a store-bought crust, the plastic insert that comes with it can be flipped over and used as a dome cover.

IN THE FREEZER: You can definitely pop this creamy pie treat into the freezer. Just be sure to remove it and let it thaw a few minutes before slicing and serving.

You Will Love This No Bake Key Lime Pie

Simple and no-bake, this old-fashioned key lime pie recipe comes together in a snap. It’s easy to see why this is a Southern classic with its sweet and rich flavor, plus smooth and creamy texture. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

This easy key lime pie recipe is best made ahead since it needs to chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving it.

What is the difference between key limes and regular limes?

Key limes, also known as Mexican limes, are smaller than regular limes and tend to have a more intense lime flavor. You can use key lime juice and regular lime juice interchangeably.

Can I make my own graham cracker crust for this recipe?

If you would prefer to make your own crust for this great recipe, you certainly can.

What does key lime pie taste like?

Key lime pie is a tart, creamy dessert with a distinct citrus flavor. It consists of a graham cracker filled with a sweetened condensed milk filling that has been flavored with lime juice and sometimes lime zest. The top is usually covered in whipped cream.

Why is my key lime pie crust soggy?

If your key lime pie crust is soggy, it’s likely because too much moisture was transferred to the crust during preparation. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you are using a pre-baked crust and refrigerate the finished pie for several hours before serving to allow it to set.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

5 from 6 votes

A graham cracker crust and tangy filling make this key lime pie a favorite homemade dessert in our family.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 4 5

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

16 ounces Cool Whip
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 small can)
½ cup lime juice
1 graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Mix the Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl. Stir in the lime juice and mix well.
Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and spread evenly.
Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Video

Notes

I like to put my premade pie crust into a glass pie pan for added stability when taking it in and out of the fridge.
Add a little whipped cream and fresh lime zest on top before eating.

Nutrition

Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb

Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Rhadonda Sedgwick Creative Director
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Andra Willits Writer + Editor

No Bake Key Lime Pie