This gluten free key lime pie recipe is super easy, uses only a few ingredients and is a huge hit! You can’t go wrong with this tasty dessert which features a gluten-free graham cracker crust and a tangy and decadent gluten free key lime filling. Don’t forget to add a dollop of homemade whipped cream topping. Your guests will have no idea this simple dessert is gluten-free!
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There are many ways to prepare a classic key lime pie – egg yolks or no eggs, baked or no-bake, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream or even Greek yogurt key lime pie – it’s challenging to select the best recipe!
And let me make things just a little more complicated. If you love easy dessert recipes, be sure to check out my Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies, No Bake Coconut Rum Balls, Air Fryer Banana (delicious on ice cream!) and Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies. You will also love this Lemon Pie with Condensed Milk if you want a lemon version!
When people say authentic key lime pie, some will want the best-frozen key lime pie while other may want a tradition baked version. This gluten free key lime pie (or gf key lime pie for short) has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember and this gluten free pie filling is the ideal balance of sweet and tangy.
If you don’t want to prepare your own gluten-free graham cracker crust, this gluten-free key lime pie recipe will just take you five minutes to make. Using a gluten-free pie crust ready-made makes it quick and easy.
And frankly speaking, the premade crusts are super tasty! Like, oops, I broke this one! I better eat it.
If you want to make your own gluten free graham cracker crust, you can follow any easy graham cracker crust recipe and substitute gluten free graham crackers for regular. Easy peasy!
Why This Recipe Works
I love this gluten-free key lime pie recipe for my family and friends. It’s a crowd-pleasing and spectacular dessert that requires minimal effort!
- This recipe is easy to make! You can use homemade whipped cream or store-bought which balances perfectly with the tart key lime flavor.
- Don’t let the gluten free label fool you! Although gluten free, this gluten free key lime pie will fool friends and family who are not gluten free!
- This gluten free key lime pie requires minimal ingredients and is a FAST recipe that brings a homemade and loving touch to your party or family feast.
Ingredients
- Egg Yolks: Any eggs will work. However, if you want to use organic or cage-free eggs, those are super delicious in this recipe.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Found in a can in most baking sections of the grocery store. You can also purchase sweetened condensed milk online (there are also coconut milk versions). You can use a soy based lactose free sweetened condensed milk if you want a lactose-free key lime pie.
- Freshly Squeezed Key Lime Juice: If you can’t get key limes, you can use regular limes. You can also use bottled lime juice for key lime pie.
- Freshly Grated Lime Zest
- Vanilla Bean Paste: I recommend Trader Joe’s Vanilla Bean paste. If you don’t have vanilla bean paste you can use vanilla extract.
- Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Crust: You can make this recipe using a pre-made graham cracker crust, such as Mi-Del, or a gluten free graham cracker crust mix. You can also make your own homemade graham cracker crust if you prefer. Most any graham cracker crust recipe will work. Simply substitute regular graham crackers. Schär, Pamela’s and Kinnikinnick are some of the gluten-free Graham cracker brands available on the market.
- Whipped Cream Topping (Optional): You can make your own homemade whipped cream or use store bought.
How to make gluten free key lime pie
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Wash and zest key limes or limes. Set zest aside.
- In a small bowl, squeeze key lime juice and set aside.
- In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime zest and vanilla bean paste. Beat until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add in your key lime juice ¼ cup at a time, beating after each addition. Beat until thoroughly combined.
- Pour gluten free key lime filling into gluten free graham cracker pie crust.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Key lime pie should be mostly set and only slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes on cooling rack.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. You can also put key lime pie in the freezer if you wish.
- Optional: Add whipped cream topping and garnish with thinly sliced limes.
Is key lime pie gluten free?
The filling of a key lime pie is generally gluten free. However, the crust is where you will generally find gluten. In order to make your pie gluten free, you can use one of the many excellent gluten free brands on the market which offer pre-made gluten free graham cracker crusts and gluten free graham crackers.
Can you substitute lime for key lime?
Yes! In fact, I tested this recipe multiple times using both key limes and regular limes and they are both winners! Certainly there will be key lime purists out there, but if you cannot find key limes at the grocery store, do not be afraid to go for the limes.
The main differences between key limes and limes are the size and color. Regular limes are larger and more green in color. Key limes are small and more yellow-green.
As far as flavor, key limes tend to be slightly less acidic that regular limes and can have a nice floral undertone. However, with the balance of the sweetness in the sweetened condensed milk, the tartness of regular limes mellows out in the gluten free pie filling.
How to make homemade gluten free graham cracker pie crust
Homemade gluten free graham cracker pie crust is super easy to make! You can use any of your favorite recipes for a 9 inch crust and simply substitute gluten free graham crackers such as Schär, Pamela’s or Kinnikinnick.
Some crusts will generally just use graham crackers and unsalted butter, while others may add sugar. With the sweetness of the key lime filling, an overly sweet crust is not necessary but I will leave that up to you!
FAQ and expert tips
Yes, you can freeze key lime pie. In fact, some versions are served this way. Be sure to tightly cover your key lime pie before freezing. If you want to get creative, you can turn your key lime pie into a mason jar key lime pie and store it that way.
Key lime pie is a dessert popular in the summer. It generally consists of a crust, often graham cracker, and a filling made of sweetened condensed milk, eggs (or egg yolk) and key lime juice. Some variations include sour cream or yogurt.
A lemon key lime pie is made the same way as a key lime pie, only using lemons! It is a delicious option if you cannot find key limes or if you prefer the taste of lemon to lime.
Looking for other easy dessert recipes?
- Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies
- No Bake Coconut Rum Balls
- Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
- Soft Gingerbread Cookies
- Tamarindo Candy
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Gluten Free Key Lime Pie
Equipment
- Oven, whisk or electric beaters
Ingredients
- 1 9 inch prepared gluten free graham cracker pie crust
- 2 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 cup freshly squeezed key lime or lime juice about 10 key limes or 5 full size limes (this can vary based on size)
- 1-2 tablespoon freshly grated key lime zest (or lime zest)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (preferred) or vanilla extract
- 1-2 cups whipped cream topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Wash and zest key limes or limes. Set zest aside.
- In a small bowl, squeeze key lime juice and set aside.
- In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime zest and vanilla bean paste. Beat until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add in your key lime juice ¼ cup at a time, beating after each addition. Beat until thoroughly combined.
- Pour gluten free key lime filling into gluten free graham cracker pie crust.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Key lime pie should be mostly set and only slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes on cooling rack.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. You can also put key lime pie in the freezer if you wish.
- Optional: Add whipped cream topping and garnish with thinly sliced limes.
Angela
This gluten free key lime pie is SOOOO good. The perfect balance of tangy, sweet and creamy. Thank you!
Chelsea
This gluten free key lime pie is amazing! I never knew key lime pie was so easy to make. The filling is naturally gluten free which is great and I used a gluten free pre-made Graham cracker crust. It took me like 10 minutes and it was in the oven. My family went crazy for it.
Aubrey
Thanks Chelsea!