By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023
A sweet and flavorful graham cracker crust filled with a tangy and smooth key lime filling; this gluten free key lime pie is the perfect dessert. This gluten free key lime pie recipe is super simple to make and I have two graham cracker crust options for you.
Gluten Free Key Lime Pie Recipe
I won't dive into how much I love key lime pie, but I will tell you I am a key lime pie snob and this gluten free key lime pie recipe is perfect. Okay, I'm done bragging, let's dive into how to make the best gluten free key lime pie and the two options for making a graham cracker crust.
There are only three ingredients needed for the key lime pie filling: egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and key limes. If you can't find key limes you can use regular limes or lime juice but please note that the flavor won't be as strong, and it won't have that authentic key lime flavor. But it will still be amazing.
Is Key Lime Pie Gluten Free?
Key lime pie filling is naturally gluten free. If you purchase key lime pie filling, or a key lime pie at the store always check labels as they add in extra ingredients. Where you might run into gluten is in the crust.
Key lime pie is traditionally made with a graham cracker crust. Use gluten free ingredients and you are good to go.
How to make gluten free key lime pie
I've included some step by step photos, in addition to the video so you can follow along when you make this gf key lime pie. These step by step photos match the numbered steps below them. I suggest you print out the recipe, or write it down, and then follow along.
- Mix the gluten free graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until combined.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch or 10-inch pie dish. Use the bottom of a flat measuring cup to press the crust mixture down until it's compact. Bake for 8 minutes while you prepare your key lime pie filling.
- For the filling, using an electric mixer, mix the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and key lime juice.
- Continue to mix until well combined.
- Pour the key lime pie mixture into your pre-baked gluten free graham cracker crust.
- Smooth the top and bake as directed.
If you have any questions. Please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you.
Equipment needed to make Key Lime Pie
- 9-inch Glass or metal pie dish
- Electric Mixer
- Lime Juice Squeezer
- Rubber Spatula
If you don't have an electric mixer you can mix the filling by hand just note that it will be thick.
Graham Cracker Crust for Key Lime Pie
I like to use my Gluten Free Graham Cracker Crust recipe as it only uses six ingredients and graham crackers aren't one of them. I've found the perfect combination of ingredients that gives you that graham cracker crust taste, and it's less expensive to make than crusts that use graham crackers.
My recipe uses oats, if you can't tolerate oats you can use the more traditional graham cracker crust option that uses graham crackers. I've included both in the recipe card below for you.
I don't have a dairy-free version for you at this time. If you need a dairy-free filling you can always make the filling from this Paleo Key Lime Pie. The same for the eggs. My gluten free key lime pie recipe uses egg yolks and they play an important role in the filling.
How to Store Key Lime Pie
For storing gluten free key lime pie you have two options. You can cover it and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Lots of people ask "can you freeze key lime pie". Yes, we like to freeze half of it so we don't eat it all at once.
Did you make this gluten free key lime pie? Please leave me a comment below and a starred rating and let me know what crust option you used, and what you thought!
Easy Gluten Free Key Lime Pie
A sweet and flavorful graham cracker crust filled with a tangy and smooth key lime filling, this gluten free key lime pie is the perfect dessert. This gluten free key lime pie recipe is super simple to make and I have two graham cracker crust options for you.
Ingredients
Graham cracker crust option 1:
- 2 cups gluten free graham cracker crumbs
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Graham cracker crust option 2:
For the key lime pie filling:
- 28 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- 3 egg yolks
- ¾ cup key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Mix the gluten free graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until combined.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch or 10-inch pie dish. Use the bottom of a flat measuring cup to press the crust mixture down until it's compact. Bake for 8 minutes while you prepare your key lime pie filling.
- For the filling, using an electric mixer, mix the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and key lime juice on medium speed until well combined.
- Pour the key lime pie mixture into your pre-baked gluten free graham cracker crust and smooth the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the filling is set. The center will be slightly jiggly, but it will set up as it cools.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve cold. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- If you can't find key limes, you can use regular limes just note that the flavor will be slightly different.
- You can use your favorite graham crackers to make this graham cracker crust, or you can use my graham cracker free graham cracker crust recipe.
- You can freeze key lime pie for up to three months.
- You can bake the gluten free graham cracker crust and freeze it for future baking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 327Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 0gSugar: 43gProtein: 7g
This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.
Sheila
My family loved this pie! I’ll make two next time, to share.
chrystal
I am so glad. Thank you for stopping back by to let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Quinn
I use Mi-Del GF Ginger Snaps instead of graham crackers! Yum!
Cathy
This pie is so easy and taste delicious!!! My non-gluten free family and friends love it! They taste no difference. Many have asked for this recipe ❤️ Thanks!
chrystal
I am so glad everyone loves it. Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Emily J McDonald
my key lime mixture looks runny compared to your pictures and I followed the recipe. Will it firm up when baking?
chrystal
It should firm up after baking, and chilling. Let me know how it turns out.
Best,
Chrystal
Mary Gold
Hello! I loved this cake! But do you have a recipe for ar gluten free lemon pie? It's my mother's favourite thing and I would love to make one for his birthday! I love your website!
chrystal
Hi Mary,
I don't currently have a recipe for lemon pie but I'll add it to my list 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Lisa
Can you use the fat free or low fat Eagle Brand Milk instead? I wasn’t sure if it would set up the same way.
Lisa
chrystal
Hi Lisa,
I'm not sure how it would hold up. I haven't tried low fat or fat free in this recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
Tina
Can coconut flour and almond flour be used instead of the blend?
chrystal
I haven't tried it in this recipe but you can use the crust recipe from my paleo pecan pie, it uses almond flour and coconut flour: https://www.glutenfreepalate.com/paleo-pecan-pie/
Best,
Chrystal
Molly
Hello! I am also dairy and egg free (as well as gf). I usually sub applesauce instead of eggs, but any ideas on the sweetened condensed milk? Maybe coconut milk? Has anyone tried substituting it? Thanks!
chrystal
I haven't tried applesauce in this recipe. I'm not sure it would work in this recipe. It's used to help firm up the filling. For the sweetened condensed milk, they may a coconut milk version.
Best,
Chrystal
Jenna
I tried using sweetened condensed coconut milk, and it did not set at all. Very liquidy and extremely sweet.
chrystal
I haven't personally used the coconut milk version, so I appreciate you letting me know. In the post I share a recipe from Paleo Running Mama, that's dairy-free for a dairy-free version. That might work better for you next time.
Best,
Chrystal
Christy
Have you had issues with the crust sticking to a glass pie plate? I tried spraying it with coconut oil, but it still stuck. The taste is amazing, but I’ve made it twice and it sticks to the bottom.
chrystal
I haven't personally had issues with it. Make sure the crust is packed down tight. You can also put a little parchment on the bottom and see if that helps.
Best,
Chrystal
Ruth
Hello,
Do you have a recipe for the icing on top of the pie in your pictures?
Thank you!
chrystal
Hi Ruth,
It's whipped cream 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Ruth
Thank you! 😀
Gigi
Dying for key lime anything before summer’s end and this is gorgeous! Wondering if I could bake this to cut and serve as squares, using a baking dish alternatively. If so, what size would you recommend?
chrystal
You can use this recipe to make bars. Start with a 9x9 pan.
Taylor
I want to make these with no crust at all and use individual ramekin dishes to bake the filling in 8 single servings. Would I bake them for 20 minutes as well? Or do I need to reduce the bake time since they are in separate dishes?
Lindsay
Hi Taylor, I'm not sure, but I think they would need about the same amount of time. check them after 10 or 15 minutes just in case they're ready sooner.
Bev Baldridge
Luv your pie!!! Can I make key lime squares in 13x9x2 pan out of this recipe…how would I change the ingredients and cooking time?
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Bev,
I have not tried it so you would need to do some recipe testing. I might suggest you double the key lime pie recipe.
Tim N
I used egg whites instead of yolks by mistake. It was still delicious and consistency was perfect.
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Tim,
So glad it worked out!