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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Frozen Key Lime Pie recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: August 3, 2021 By Toni Dash 10 Comments

    Frozen Key Lime Pie recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    frozen key lime pie from overhead title

    Calling all key lime lovers! This easy Frozen Key Lime Pie is a perfect summer dessert. It’s whipped together in 15 minutes and will cool down your day with tangy sweetness.

    frozen key lime pie from overhead title

    Move over baked desserts! We’ve taken the favorite key lime pie recipe and put it in the deep freeze.

    It makes a silky smooth tangy, sweet lime pie in a cookie crumb crust (we use our favorite graham cracker pie crust). Perfect for hot summer days.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie
    • PRO TIPS for Juicing and Zesting Key Limes
    • How to make it – Step-by-Step
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie

    It’s hard to get excited to bake desserts on a hot day. This is an easy way to enjoy refreshing lime goodness in a different form than a traditional lime pie.

    If key limes are difficult to find, everyday limes can be used. Because the pie is frozen, the flavor of either type of lime is delicious.

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    key lime pie ingredients

    Graham cracker crust. We use our favorite recipe for graham cracker crust for this frozen key lime pie. You’ll need:

    • Graham cracker crumbs. You can buy crumbs or make your own by putting graham crackers in a mini chopper or food processor. Regular or gluten-free crumbs work.
    • Unsalted butter. Melted.
    • Granulated sugar. Used in the pie crust.

    Sweetened condensed milk. Adds the sweetness and velvety layers of texture.

    Evaporated milk. You’ll need two cans.

    Key lime juice. You’ll need 1 cup of juice. Freshly juiced limes have the best flavor but bottled juice can be substituted.

    Also because the pie is frozen the flavor difference between key lime and regular limes is less noticeable.

    Regular lime juice can be substituted or combined with key lime juice.

    frozen key lime pie slice

    The Difference Between Key Limes and ‘Common’ Persian Limes

    Key Limes are found through the Florida Keys in the United States.

    They are much smaller than regular ‘Persian’ limes, about the size of a ping pong ball.

    Their rind is smooth and thin. Key Limes have a yellow-green flesh and many seeds.

    The most distinct difference is the flavor. Key limes are not tart like regular limes.

    They have a distinct tanginess that is a signature flavor making them different than other citrus fruits.

    Once you’ve tried anything with key limes, this key lime pie included, it will become a favorite!

    Use Fresh Key Limes if possible

    If you can find fresh key limes, use them for this pie recipe.

    Fresh citrus juice DOES taste different.

    Granted it’s a bit of work to juice or zest these little lime gems but worth the time.

    To yield one cup of lime juice you’ll need around 40 key limes or two 1-pound bags.

    frozen key lime pie slice removed

    PRO TIPS for Juicing and Zesting Key Limes

    Zest the key limes before juicing.

    My preferred tool is this zester. It zests like a dream.

    It will quickly remove the outer zest without digging into the bitter pith. It’s fast and feels like zesting butter.

    How to Get the Most Juice

    Place the key limes in the microwave for 10 minutes before juicing them.

    They will produce more juice. NOTE: this works for any citrus fruit before juicing.

    Though a citrus reamer can be used, I like using a hand held lime juicer.

    Lime juicers are smaller than juicers for lemons or oranges.

    It makes fast work out of juicing the little limes.

    • Slice the limes in half
    • Squeeze them in the hand held juicer
    • Flip them to the other side and squeeze again

    You’ll get a bit more juice.

    Bottled Key Lime Juice

    If key limes are unavailable or you’d like to skip the time to juice the limes, use bottled key lime juice (real key west lime juice).

    It’s a time saver and will still deliver the signature key lime flavor.

    frozen key lime pie slice from side

    How to make it – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.

    STEP 2. Make the crust

    Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar in a large bowl. Mix (photo 1).

    Press mixture into a crust in the prepared 9-inch pie pan (photos 2-3). Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven (photo 4).

    frozen key lime pie recipe steps 1-4 making the crust

    STEP 3. Make the pie filling and pie

    The filling can be made in a blender or whisked by hand in a mixing bowl.

    Combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and lime juice until smooth (photos 5-8).

    frozen key lime pie recipe steps 5-8

    Pour the key lime mixture into the baked pie shell pan (photos 9-10).

    Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer covered until fully set/frozen preferably overnight.

    frozen key lime pie recipe steps 9-10

    STEP 4. Serving

    When ready to serve remove from the freezer 15 minutes before slicing. Remove the sides of the pan.

    If easily removed from the pan bottom transfer the frozen pie to a cutting board for perfect slices .

    Use a large, heavy sharp kitchen knife. TIP: dip the knife blade into hot water before slicing. The warmth helps cut through the dense frozen filling.

    Add some whipped cream, lime slices or lime peel as garnish. Sprinkling key lime zest on top will give color and a nice pop of flavor too.

    How to Store

    Store in an airtight container in the freezer. Or it can be wrapped well with plastic wrap followed by foil.

    This will prevent freezer burns.

    frozen key lime pie slice from side on plate

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • {DIY} Key Lime Infused Vodka
    • Key Lime Panna Cotta
    • Strawberry Mojito recipe with a twist!
    • Mini Mascarpone Key Lime Curd Cheesecakes in Jars

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and PINTEREST!

    Recipe

    Frozen Key Lime Pie

    Silky smooth frozen key lime pie is full of tangy sweetness of regular key lime pie in a delicious frozen pie. Very easy to make and perfect for hot summer days.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Freezing Time (minimum): 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Servings: 12 to 14 slices
    Calories: 122kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs regular or gluten-free
    • 6 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
    • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

    Filling

    • 2 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 12-ounce can evaporated milk
    • 1 cup key lime juice regular lime juice can be substituted or use a combination of the two lime juice types

    Optional garnish ideas

    • lime zest, mint leaves, lime slices, berries, whipped cream

    Instructions

    Crust

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and the sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix to fully combine.. Gently
    • Add the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Press into a crust using clean fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake for 10 minutes and remove from oven.

    Filling

    • The filling can be made in a blender or whisked by hand. Combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and lemon juice. Blend or whisk to fully combine.
    • Pour into the springform pan and place in the freezer until fully frozen, preferably overnight.
    • Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before slicing. Use a large sharp kitchen knife for slicing.
      TIP: dip the blade in hot water before slicing the pie for easier slicing.
    • Garnish with whipping cream, lime slices, or mint leaves.

    Video

    Notes

    Cutting the pie
    The pie has a thick filling so remove from the freezer 15 minutes before slicing.
    Use a large, sharp kitchen knife. Dip the blade in hot water. The heat will help cut through the thick pie.
    How to store
    Store in a freezer-safe airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap followed by foil. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Celine Dalfonso says

      December 05, 2022 at 8:52 am

      Just wondering if I could use this same recipe to make individual tartlets instead of a pie?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        December 07, 2022 at 12:39 pm

        Hi Celine. We’ve only made the recipe as written but I bet you could adapt it for tartlets. Let us know how it goes!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      August 04, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      My FAV pie ever!! So creamy, so delicious!

      Reply
    3. Kara says

      August 03, 2021 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      I’m in trouble. This is so easy to make, and it tastes amazing! I had to move it to the outside freezer so I wouldn’t keep cutting off tiny slivers. Haha!

      Reply
    4. Pam says

      August 03, 2021 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      Perfect for this hot weather, and it really turns out beautifully made in the spring form pan!

      Reply
    5. Suzanne says

      August 03, 2021 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      I was so happy to find this recipe. I just got a big bag of key limes. I was going to make a regular pie but made this instead. Absolutely delicious! So refreshing.

      Reply
    6. Cherise says

      August 03, 2021 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      This pie is the perfect dessert for summer meals. Very easy to make and so refreshing.

      Reply
    7. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      August 03, 2021 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      This was such a hit! Thank you for this awesome recipe

      Reply
    8. Linda F says

      August 03, 2021 at 7:53 am

      5 stars
      Our new favortie summer dessert. It was fast to make (and easy). The pie has a wonderful consistency too. Definitely leave it out 15 minutes before cutting.

      Reply
    9. Anna F says

      August 03, 2021 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      We used to get frozen key lime pie at our favorite restaurant in Florida but they went out of business. I was so excited to find this recipe. It was as good or even better than our restaurant version.

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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