A Spicy Perspective

Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie (Lime Icebox Pie)

Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie – Frozen Key Lime Pie is a refreshingly sweet and tangy summertime treat! This lime icebox pie recipe couldn’t be any simpler to make, and is perfect to prepare ahead to keep in the freezer.

how to make an easy no-bake key lime pie recipe

Key Lime Pies

I love to bake sweet desserts. A lot. Cakes, cookies, crumbles, and crisps – and, of course, pies! Featuring a tender, firm crust and loaded with nearly any goodies you can imagine, homemade pies are simply the best, IMO.

But who wants to actually turn on the oven during the hot summer months to bake? (I mean, pies are amazing, but are they turn-your-kitchen-into-a-sweaty-mess amazing? Before you answer…)

Thankfully there are lots of delicious no-bake pie recipes to beat the heat! These recipes for Fluffy No-Bake Chocolate Banoffee Pie and Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie are just some of our classic favorites you’ve got to try.

We recently shared our super easy recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie, and it’s been a big hit. So we thought it should also be turned into an equally simple and amazingly flavorful No-Bake Key Lime Pie recipe.

This frozen Key Lime Pie is going to be your new go-to treat for summer. It’s so easy to throw together and make ahead for all of your backyard barbecues and potlucks!

full pie with graham cracker crust and zest

The Best No-Bake Key Lime Pie

In the Lemon Icebox Pie mentioned above, we offered two ways to prepare: a two-layered version with a whipped topping, and an option where the Cool Whip is folded in with the pie mixture to make one layer.

For this recipe, we decided to simply mix all of the whipped topping into the key lime mixture to create a super light and fluffy single layer. This lime icebox pie is much more like a “Chantilly” Key Lime pie I had on Marathon Key last year. I swear it tastes just like being at the beach.

And it couldn’t be easier to prepare! Simply make a quick no-bake graham cracker crust, blend the filling ingredients (no cooking needed), pour the filling into the crust, and freeze. That’s it!

Before you know it you have a refreshing, bright, wonderfully sweet, and tart dessert that everyone will love to enjoy on a hot day!

best freezer lime pie recipe

Ingredients You Need

There are two main components included in our fabulous Key Lime Icebox Pie recipe: a graham cracker crust and the creamy, tangy lime filling.

You certainly can use a store-bought crust if you prefer, but you might be surprised by how easy it is to prepare from scratch. 

To make a homemade graham cracker pie crust you need:

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • Butter
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Salt

For the key lime pie filling you need:

  • Cream cheese
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Key lime juice
  • Lime-green food coloring (optional for that classic vibrant green lime color)
  • Cool whip

Key limes can be hard to find in some regions, but you can usually find bottled key lime juice in the baking or cocktail/beverage section of the market.

I also recommend garnishing the icebox pie with fresh lime zest for a hint of bright flavor.

cream cheese, cool whip, lime juice, condensed milk, butter, graham crackers

How to Make a Graham Cracker Icebox Pie Crust

First, set out a 9-inch pie pan and a food processor. Place the graham crackers in the food processor. Lock the lid into place and pulse into a fine crumb. Then add in the melted butter, sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine.

graham crackers and butter in a food processor

Dump the graham cracker crumble into the pie pan. Use your hands to press it into an even layer over the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

pressed graham cracker crust mixture in a pie plate

How To Make No-Bake Key Lime Pie

Next, wipe out the food processor bowl. Then add in the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice. Puree until smooth. (Add food coloring here if desired.)

creamy filling

Remove the food processor blade. Scoop the Cool Whip into the lime mixture.

adding cool whip to the food processor

Use a spatula to fold the Cool Whip into the mixture, until very smooth. Pour or scoop the whip cream filling into the pie crust.

Then place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, undisturbed.

Get the Complete Printable No-Bake Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe (Freezer Icebox Pie) Below. Enjoy!

creamy filling in a graham cracker crust

Frozen Key Lime Pie Serving Suggestions

When ready to serve, sprinkle fresh lime zest over the top, if desired.

key lime icebox pie garnished with zest

Cut into pieces while frozen. Let each piece sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes, then serve slightly softened.

overhead view slices of icebox pie with limes

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prepare this as a gluten-free no-bake Key Lime Pie recipe?

Easily swap traditional graham crackers with your favorite gluten-free graham crackers.

How long can homemade Key Lime Pie be kept in the fridge?

You can keep the pie covered with plastic wrap and in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Yet it is best to keep it in the freezer! 

Can this lime icebox pie be frozen long-term?

Definitely! First wrap the pie in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, cut the pie and let the slices sit for several minutes to soften before enjoying.

taking a bite of a slice of frozen key lime pie

Looking for More Delicious Summer Dessert Recipes? You’ll Love:

Check the printable recipe card below for nutritional information including calories, protein, saturated fat, sodium, and fiber percentages.

Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes
Leave a Review »

Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Freeze Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe – Frozen Key Lime Icebox Pie is a refreshingly sweet and tangy cold summertime treat, no baking needed!
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust –

For the Key Lime Pie Filling –

Instructions

  • Set out a 9-inch pie pan and a food processor. Place the graham crackers in the food processor. Lock the lid into place and pulse into a fine crumb. Then add in the melted butter, sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine.
  • Dump the graham cracker crumble into the pie pan. Use your hands to press it into an even layer over the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Refrigerate until ready to fill.
  • Wipe out the food processor bowl. Then add in the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice. Puree until smooth. (Add food coloring here if desired.)
  • Remove the food processor blade. Scoop the Cool Whip into the lime mixture. Use a spatula to fold the Cool Whip into the mixture, until very smooth.
  • Pour/scoop the filling into the pie crust. Then place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, undisturbed.
  • When ready to serve, sprinkle fresh lime zest over the top, if desired. Cut into pieces while frozen. Let each piece sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes, then serve slightly softened.

Video

Notes

Key limes can be hard to find in some regions, but you can usually find bottled key lime juice in the baking or cocktail/beverage section of the market.
If you can’t find lime-green food coloring, mix 1 drop of standard green food coloring to 2 drops of yellow, until the desired color is reached.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 451kcal, Carbohydrates: 60g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 503mg, Potassium: 342mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 45g, Vitamin A: 609IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 235mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Share This Recipe With Friends!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Did you make this recipe? Rate it!




10 comments on “Easy No-Bake Key Lime Pie (Lime Icebox Pie)”

  1. Pingback: Easy Lemonade Pie Recipe {Frozen} - The Wooden Spoon Effect

  2. my family used to buy store pies like this and I am looking for a home recipe. Im now gluten free, not by choice. We would pull it out of the freezer and slice and eat it mostly still frozen. it was much like a ice cream pie and welcome on hot days. im going to try your recipe. hopefully it is like my memory. thank you.

  3. Totally loving it so rich and creamy!

  4. What do you think about stablized whipped cream instead of Cool Whip? I try to stay with whole foods. Thanks 😊

    • Clearly, I didn’t write the recipe, but made a chocolate one like this (King Arthur) and for that one, the recipe asks for 1 cup  of folded freshly made whipped cream and the pie turned out delicious. The one main difference was that I never kept it in the freezer, only refrigerator. I don’t know if that helps. 

    • Hi Cecily!

      Yes, you can absolutely use that instead of Cool Whip. :)

  5. So rich and creamy! My hubby loved it.

  6. I had two slices of this pie already! No joke! It’s incredible! Creamy, smooth and so tasty!

  7. We made this a couple weeks ago for family & it was gone within minutes! Everyone wanted the recipe. Will be making again soon!

  8. I am a key lime fanatic! I love this recipe so much! I also love that I can make two in one day and then freeze the second one for a later date when I need to bring a dessert to a dinner party, at the last minute!