Zesty Mini No Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe

Quick & Cute Mini Key Lime Pie Recipe: No Baking Required

Summer’s golden rays call for a zesty key lime pie recipe that requires zero oven time.

This delightful no bake key lime pie delivers pure tropical bliss in every creamy bite.

Cool, tangy flavors dance across your palate with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Graham cracker crusts provide a crisp foundation for the silky smooth filling bursting with citrusy brightness.

Fresh lime juice and condensed milk blend into a dreamy mixture that sets perfectly without baking.

Chilled and garnished with whipped cream, this dessert promises to be the star of any gathering.

Get ready to wow everyone with this simple yet spectacular treat that screams sunshine and sweet relaxation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

Key Lime Pie Ingredients for a Tart Mini Dessert

For The Crust:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crispy, buttery foundation that perfectly complements the creamy filling and adds delightful texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs together, creating a sturdy and rich base that holds the pie's shape and enhances the overall flavor.
For The Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers a luscious, tangy base that gives the pie its signature creamy consistency and depth of flavor.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and contributes to the smooth, silky texture while balancing the tartness of the lime.
  • Key Lime Juice: Brings a vibrant, zesty punch that defines the classic key lime pie taste; choose fresh-squeezed or high-quality bottled juice for the best results.
For Topping:
  • Whipped Topping: Crowns the pie with a light, airy finish that provides a cool contrast to the rich, tangy filling and adds an elegant touch to the dessert.

Tools to Prepare Mini Key Lime Pies Fast

  • Electric Mixer: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy filling by blending cream cheese perfectly.
  • Mixing Bowls: Large and small bowls needed for combining graham cracker crumbs, mixing filling ingredients, and preparing components.
  • Silicone Cups or Cupcake Liners: Crucial for shaping and setting individual mini pies.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurement tools for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Sheet Tray: Helps freeze and stabilize the mini pies evenly.
  • Spatula: Useful for folding whipped topping and scraping bowl edges.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for slicing key lime garnish if desired.

Steps to Whip Up These No-Bake Pies

  • Cracker Foundation

Crush graham crackers into fine, sandy texture. Mix thoroughly with melted butter until perfectly blended. This creates a delightful, crispy base for your tropical dessert.

  • Creamy Dream Mixture

Whip softened cream cheese until silky smooth in a large bowl. Pour in sweet, condensed milk and blend until completely integrated. Add zesty key lime juice, stirring until mixture becomes velvety and uniform.

  • Fluffy Cloud Topping

Gently incorporate whipped cream into the lime mixture, creating a light, airy texture. Fold carefully to maintain the delicate, cloudlike consistency.

  • Pie Cup Assembly

Carefully spoon the lime mixture into individual silicone cups, filling about three-quarters full. Sprinkle crushed graham cracker mixture on top for a delightful crunch.

  • Freezing Magic

Place filled cups in freezer for several hours until perfectly set. The cold transforms the creamy mixture into a refreshing, firm dessert.

  • Serving Sensation

Remove pies from freezer. Let sit briefly at room temperature. Carefully release from molds by briefly dipping bottom in warm water. Flip onto serving plate with graham cracker layer facing down. Optional: Garnish with extra whipped cream and tiny lime slice for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Tips to Customize Your Lime Pie Flavor

  • Tropical Twist Techniques: Make Your Mini Pies Shine
  • Zesty Lime Power: Use fresh key lime juice for an intense, authentic citrus flavor that elevates the entire dessert compared to bottled varieties.
  • Texture Magic: Freeze the pies completely for a firmer, ice cream-like consistency that melts beautifully when served at room temperature.
  • Crumb Control: Create extra crunch by mixing crushed pecans or toasted coconut flakes into the graham cracker base for a nutty, tropical dimension.
  • Flavor Boosters: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top or sprinkle lime zest for an elegant, restaurant-style presentation that impresses guests.
  • Storage Savvy: Keep these mini pies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks, making them perfect for advance party preparation or unexpected dessert cravings.

Serve Mini Pies for Summer Gatherings

  • Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair these zesty mini pies with fresh coconut mimosas for a delightful breakfast or brunch experience that transports you to a sunny beach.
  • Summer Party Delight: Serve these mini pies on a colorful platter at outdoor gatherings, creating a refreshing dessert that keeps guests cool and impressed with minimal effort.
  • Elegant Dessert Presentation: Garnish each mini pie with a delicate key lime twist, a sprinkle of toasted coconut, or a mint leaf to elevate the visual appeal and add an extra layer of flavor complexity.
  • Personalized Portion Magic: Create a DIY dessert station where guests can customize their mini pies with additional toppings like graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream, or fresh berries for a fun and interactive dessert experience.

Store Mini Pies in the Fridge Smoothly

  • Chilled Delight Storage: Refrigerate these mini pies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Stack them carefully with wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate texture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving for the best creamy consistency.
  • Smart Prep Ahead: Create these mini pies up to 3 days before your event. Keep them chilled and covered until ready to serve. This make-ahead strategy saves time and reduces day-of kitchen stress.
  • Portion Control Magic: Use silicone cups or cupcake liners for perfect individual servings. These containers make portioning, storing, and serving a breeze, ensuring each mini pie looks as beautiful as it tastes.
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Zesty Mini No Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe

Zesty Mini No Bake Key Lime Pie Recipe


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4.9 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Key lime pie delights dessert enthusiasts with its creamy, tangy profile. Chilled graham cracker crust and zesty lime filling create a refreshing summer classic you’ll crave repeatedly.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (14 oz/397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz (226 g) whipped topping, plus more for garnish
  • 0.75 cup (180 mL) key lime juice, freshly squeezed (about a pound of key limes or good bottled key lime juice)
  • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs (or 1 sleeve graham crackers)
  • 4 oz (113 g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Crust Preparation: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and blend thoroughly with melted butter, creating a compact, uniform base mixture that will serve as the crisp foundation for the mini pies.
  2. Cream Cheese Blending: Utilize an electric mixer to whip cream cheese until achieving a silky, completely smooth consistency, eliminating any potential lumps and preparing a perfect base for subsequent ingredients.
  3. Milk and Cheese Integration: Gradually pour sweetened condensed milk into the cream cheese, mixing meticulously to create a uniform, glossy mixture with seamless incorporation of both components.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Add freshly squeezed key lime juice and blend continuously, ensuring even distribution of the citrusy essence throughout the creamy filling to develop a balanced, tangy flavor profile.
  5. Texture Enhancement: Fold whipped topping into the lime-infused mixture using gentle motions, preserving the light, airy structure while creating a luxurious, creamy consistency.
  6. Assembly and Freezing: Distribute the key lime filling into silicone cups or cupcake liners, leaving space for the graham cracker topping, then sprinkle the prepared crumb mixture over each mini pie before transferring to the freezer for a minimum of four hours to set completely.
  7. Serving Presentation: Remove pies from freezer, briefly submerge molds in warm water to facilitate easy release, and plate with graham cracker layer facing downward, optionally garnishing with additional whipped cream and a delicate key lime slice for an elegant finish.

Notes

  • Crumb Crust Mastery: Crush graham crackers finely and mix thoroughly with melted butter to create a sturdy, crisp foundation that holds the mini pie’s structure perfectly.
  • Cream Cheese Technique: Beat cream cheese until completely smooth and lump-free, ensuring a silky base for the filling that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
  • Freezing Precision: Freeze mini pies for at least 4 hours to achieve optimal texture, allowing flavors to meld and create a perfectly set dessert.
  • Serving Tip: Briefly dip molds in warm water to release mini pies without damaging their delicate shape, presenting them with graham cracker base facing down for an elegant finish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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