Last Updated on July 9, 2025 by Jennifer Osborn
When it’s too hot to bake—or your oven's on strike—this no-bake key lime pie saves dessert. It’s creamy, tangy, and egg-free. The secret to big citrus flavor? A splash of Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice and plenty of fresh lime zest in the filling and on top.
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No-Bake Key Lime Pie Basics
Fresh lime zest is key for this no-bake dessert.
A citrus zester (I've used this Microplane for years) is essential for adding citrus flavor whether you're grating lime skin or lemon skin.
Room-temp cream cheese is a must.
If it’s too cold, it won’t fully blend with the sweetened condensed milk—leaving you with sneaky little lumps. Your pie will still taste great, just not as silky-smooth.
Kitchen Tools You'll Need
- Rasp or Microplane grater
- Pie plate
- Electric mixer (if you don't have one, borrow one, otherwise you'll be forever at the counter mixing the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together.)
- Measuring cups
Ingredients You'll Need
- 16-ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (one 14-ounce can minus ¼ cup)
- ⅓ cup Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Pie Juice
- Zest from one lime (1 Tablespoon) plus more for garnish
- Juice of one fresh lime (1 Tablespoon)
- 1 graham cracker pie crust or make a homemade graham cracker pie crust
- Whipped Cream (for garnish)
How to Make Key Lime No-Bake Pie
This is the easiest key lime pie you'll ever make. Just mix, pour, chill, and eat.
- Add cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest to a large bowl.
- Mix on medium-high with an electric mixer for 3–5 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a graham cracker crust and smooth the top.
- Chill in the fridge or freezer for at least 3 hours until set.
5. Top with whipped cream, more zest, and fresh lime slices before serving.
Common Questions About No-Bake Key Lime Pie
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes! You can make it up to 2 days ahead. Store it in the fridge and add whipped cream just before serving.
Can I freeze this pie?
Yes, but chill it first to set, then wrap well and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge before serving. Wrap twice, first in wax paper or plastic wrap then tuck the pie into a freezer safe resealable container.
What’s the best lime juice to use?
Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice is ideal—but fresh lime juice works too. Just don’t skip the zest.
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Recipe
No Bake Key Lime Pie
Whip up a delicious no-bake key lime pie without turning on the oven. This egg-free recipe is smooth, tangy, and sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 16-ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (one 14-ounce can minus ¼ cup)
- ⅓ cup Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice
- Zest from one lime (1 Tablespoon) plus more for garnish
- Juice of one fresh lime (1 Tablespoon)
- 1 graham cracker pie crust or make a homemade graham cracker pie crust
- Whipped Cream (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Zest the lime. Add the zest to the bowl.
3. Slice the lime in half and juice it, adding the juice to the bowl.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat until creamy, three to five minutes on medium-high.
5. Pour into pie shell.
6. Cover pie and put in fridge or freezer for at least three hours.
7. Serve with slices of lime for garnish and whipped cream.
Notes
Be sure to use room temperature cream cheese so that it marries well with the sweetened, condensed milk and forms a nice, creamy batter.
Fine to use a premade graham cracker crust but a homemade graham crust is always delicious.
Freshly grated lime zest is essential for making a fresh, tangy key lime pie whether no-bake or not. Don't worry about finding key limes to zest, a regular Eureka lime or whatever is available in your produce section at the grocery will be fine.
Be sure to use sweetened, condensed milk--not evaporated milk. The recipe won't turn out with evaporated milk.
You migiht also like Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust or 3-Ingredient Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Pie.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 771Total Fat 46gSaturated Fat 21gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 94mgSodium 615mgCarbohydrates 81gFiber 2gSugar 47gProtein 12g
What to do with leftover key lime juice.
How long does lime juice last?
How to Extract the Most Flavor From Citrus
Love key lime flavor? You're in the right place. Try my traditional 3 ingredient Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Pie or Key Lime Pie Bars.
An easy way to make this pie even more flavorful is by making your own homemade graham cracker crust.
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