Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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5 from 6 votes

This vegan key lime pie is a delicious, light and tangy dessert. The recipe contains only 8 ingredients and is plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, and easy to make.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Gluten-Free Vegan Key Lime Pie

Why did I not create this recipe earlier? I am sure if I did, I would have made it so many times by now. However, it never came to my mind to make a vegan key lime pie, until recently, when we had so many limes at home. And do you know what I love most about this pie? It’s light, creamy, tangy, and very delicious! The recipe is not only plant-based (egg-free, dairy-free), it’s also oil-free, refined sugar-free, and nut-free!

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (2)

Creamy Baked Vegan Key Lime Pie

To be honest, I never ate a “real” (non-vegan) key lime pie before. I know they contain eggs, sour cream, condensed milk, and other not really healthy ingredients. Since my baked vegan cheesecake turned out super delicious, I decided to create a similar recipe and it turned out so creamy and delicious.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (3)Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (4)

Nut-Free Key Lime Pie

As mentioned before, this vegan key lime pie can be made nut-free. The crust contains ground oats, shredded unsweetened coconut, maple syrup (you can use any other liquid sweetener), and 2 chia eggs. That’s it, just 4 ingredients. For the cream, I used silken tofu (read below for a soy-free version), maple syrup, lime juice, coconut butter, and cornstarch. You can, of course, use cashew butter, almond butter or any other nut butter of choice if you aren’t nut-free.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (5)

This Vegan Key Lime Pie Is:

  • Gluten-free
  • Oil-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Nut-free
  • Refined sugar-free
  • Plant-based
  • Easy to make
  • Tangy
  • Light

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (6)

Soy-Free Alternative

I have recently updated the recipe with a soy-free version because there are lots of people who have a soy allergy. It’s totally possible to make this pie soy-free by using canned coconut milk and soaked cashews instead of silken tofu. For a soy-free AND nut-free version, I would recommend using canned coconut milk and coconut butter.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (7)

Vegan Whipped Cream

You can top this delicious pie with whipped coconut cream or vegan marshmallow fluff. How to make vegan marshmallow fluff? All you need is 3 ingredients which are Aquafaba (brine from one can of chickpeas), 1/4-1/3 cup maple syrup, and 1 1/2 tsp lime juice to stabilize the marshmallow fluff. You just have to whip up the Aquafaba which takes about 10 minutes and then add the other two ingredients and whip again! However, please note that the vegan marshmallow fluff won’t stay stable like whipped cream.

Another great option would be to use whipped coconut cream. How to make whipped coconut cream? You’ll to chill a can of coconut milk in the fridge for at least 8 hours without shaking it and then whip up the thick cream only (not the water!). It doesn’t work with all coconut milk brands though, so you would need to experiment with different ones.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (8)

If you try out this delicious pie and maybe even make a photo of it, then I would love to see it. You can DM it to me on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me in your Insta caption + photo with @elavegan and use the hashtag #elavegan.

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (9)

Vegan Key Lime Pie | Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe - Elavegan (11)

Vegan Key Lime Pie

Author: Michaela Vais

This vegan key lime pie is a delicious, light and tangy dessert. The recipe contains just 8 ingredients and is plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, and easy to make. I have included a soy-free alternative in the recipe notes!

5 from 6 votes

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 inch pie

Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients

Crust:

Cream:

  • 1 12.3 oz package (350 g) silken tofu firm (see notes)
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) coconut butter (see notes)
  • 1/4 cup (80 g) maple syrup (or any other liquid sweetener)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) lime juice from key limes or regular limes
  • 3 tbsp (25 g) cornstarch
  • zest of one lime

Instructions

Crust

  • To make the crust, process the shredded unsweetened coconut in an electric spice/coffee grinder (or blender). Repeat this step with the oats.

  • Put all crust ingredients into a bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer (or use your hands) until a dough has formed. It should have the texture of shortcut pastry. Press the crust evenly into the bottom of a greased 8-inch (20 cm) pie pan or tart pan and about 2 inches (5 cm) up to the sides.

Cream layer

  • For the cream layer: Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Pour the cream onto the crust.

  • Bake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Depending on your oven it might take a few minutes less or more. If you bake it for less than 30 minutes the pie will turn out more creamy and soft and if you bake it for 35 minutes (or more) it will get firmer and can be sliced better.

  • Turn off the oven and let the pie cool at room temperature for a while. Then put it into the fridge to set. Decorate with whipped coconut cream or use SILK's Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You should use gluten-free oats if you have a gluten allergy.
  • You can use ground almonds (or any other nuts/seeds) instead of shredded unsweetened coconut.
  • To make ONE chia egg, simply mix 1 tbsp ground chia seeds with 3 tbsp water and let it sit for 5 minutes). Instead of chia eggs or flax eggs, you can also use 1 small banana (80 g).
  • You can use any nut/seed butter of choice, for example, cashew butter, almond butter, etc (if not nut-free). The color of the pie will be darker if you use e.g. almond butter.

SOY-FREE ALTERNATIVE

Cream:

  • 320 ml (1 1/3 cup) coconut milk, canned
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) lime juice (from key limes or regular limes)
  • 32 g (4 tbsp) cornstarch
  • 80 g (7 tbsp) light granulated sweetener (e.g. xylitol, erythritol, white sugar)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 112 g (3/4 cup) cashews (soaked) (*see below)
  • zest of one lime
  1. Soak cashews in hot water for about 30 minutes until soft.
  2. Blend all ingredients in a blender until completely smooth and creamy.
  3. Follow the other steps of the recipe.
  • You could also use 120 g (1/2 cup) of cashew butter (or coconut butter for a nut-free version) instead of the soaked cashews!
  • Recipe make an 8-inch pie. Nutrition facts are for one slice if you cut the pie into 8 slices.

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Key Lime Pie

Amount per Serving

Calories

277

% Daily Value*

Fat

14

g

22

%

Carbohydrates

28

g

9

%

Fiber

5.4

g

22

%

Sugar

12.8

g

14

%

Protein

7

g

14

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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FAQs

Is Edwards Key Lime Pie filling gluten free? ›

Are EDWARDS® desserts gluten free? No.

What makes key lime pie thicken? ›

The only other ingredients you need are sweetened condensed milk and a pie shell to pour the mixture into. Here's the science: The acid in the key lime juice reacts with the proteins in the milk to thicken the mixture. That's why you don't need to bake it.

Does key lime pie contain eggs? ›

Key lime pie is a summer time favourite. Lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk are baked in a graham cracker crust and topped with a light and fluffy meringue.

What is key lime pie filling made of? ›

Key lime pie ingredients are simple: sweetened condensed milk, lots of lime zest and juice (preferably from key limes), and just enough egg to give it a good set. Pour the filling into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, bake briefly until the pie is set, and let it chill. Top the pie with whipped cream and serve.

Is Edwards Key Lime Pie vegan? ›

Contains: milk, wheat, egg, and soy.

What is the best store bought key lime pie? ›

Trader Joe's Key Lime Pie

That's why the key lime pie from Trader Joe's is so sought-after during the summer when this seasonal pie returns. It's yellow, it's made with sweetened condensed milk and real key lime juice (as it should be!), it's $5.49 — and it's perfection in a pie.

Why isn t my Key lime pie green? ›

People expected their authentic Key lime pies to be green, matching the bright green lime color of the Persian limes they saw in their grocery stores. Key lime pie filling, however, takes its yellow color from the egg yolks used in its production.

Can I use regular lime juice instead of Key lime juice for a Key lime pie? ›

Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

What is so special about Key lime pie? ›

Because it is sweet and tart at the same time, and the citrus-y tang is refreshing. What's not to like? It's sweetened key lime juice (not Persian lime juice) and egg yolks, and some lime zest mixed together and baked in a graham-ginger crust.

What is the difference between Florida Key lime pie and Key lime pie? ›

Of course, some people like a dessert with a bit of bite and appreciate that extra acidity. The main difference seems to be that it requires a lot more of that aromatic Key lime juice to make the famous pie sing.

Which nationality does Key lime pie belong to? ›

key lime pie, an American dessert that consists of a graham-cracker or pastry crust, a yellow custard (primarily egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice), and a topping of either whipped cream or meringue. The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century.

What is a substitute for eggs in pie? ›

ARROWROOT POWDER OR CORNSTARCH

Replace each egg with 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder or cornstarch combined with 3 tablespoons of water.

Why is key lime pie so popular in Florida? ›

One theory is that the treat originated from a sponge fisherman. Sponge fishing was a booming business in Florida and rations on the boat like sugar, eggs, canned milk, soda crackers, some nuts, and citrus fruit were cheap. Consequently, the fishermen concocted this tart, sweet treat and brought it on land.

Can you use regular limes for key lime pie? ›

Key lime pie ingredients

Ideally you'll want to use small key limes and juice them. Alternatively, use bottled key lime juice (yes, it exists for real!) or replace with regular limes up to ½ cup (120 ml) of juice. Condensed milk.

Can you freeze homemade key lime pie? ›

Yes! You can freeze Key lime pie for up to three months (but make sure you don't add whipped cream or toppings until after it's thawed). If you plan to freeze the pie, bake it in a foil pan. Wrap the cooled pie in at least one layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with at least one layer of foil.

What canned pie filling is gluten-free? ›

Lucky Leaf Premium Apple Fruit Filling has NO High Fructose Corn Syrup and is Gluten-Free. Made from the finest blend of ripened fruit, picked at the peak of perfection; it's the quick and easy way to make homemade desserts the whole family will enjoy.

Is there gluten in canned pie filling? ›

There are several brands of canned pumpkin pie filling out there, and luckily almost all of them are gluten-free!

Is Libby's pie filling gluten-free? ›

If you don't feel like making your own pumpkin pie filling, we can happily say that Libby's pumpkin pie filling is definitely gluten-free.

Is Ed Smith blueberry pie filling gluten-free? ›

Is it Gluten Free? Yes!

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