If you are looking for key lime desserts that aren’t pies, these no-bake Key Lime Pie Bars are simply perfect. Like our Key Lime Truffles, they’re also very portable, making them an excellent dessert for summer picnics and parties.
In addition to being a no-bake recipe (this recipe only takes 40 minutes to prepare, and the rest is chill time), this is a healthy Key Lime recipe that is naturally sweetened, gluten-free and vegan friendly. This recipe doesn’t require Graham Cracker crust or sweetened condensed milk. Made with coconut, nuts and dates, you get all the sweet, creamy flavours of a delicious Key Lime Pie but without the added calories, fats or gluten.
Key Lime Pie FAQs
Ingredients
Can You Substitute Key Limes with Regular Lime Juice?
The difference between regular lime and Key Limes (also known as Mexican or West Indian limes) is that Key Limes are very aromatic with a more tangy-sweet taste compared to limes. And while key lime juice has a stronger, more intense and aromatic flavour, using regular lime juice in a Key Lime recipe is fine as they are pretty close.
Make Ahead and Freezing
You can make these Key Lime Pie Bars up to 3 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. You can store the pie whole and slice and garnish when ready to serve.
You can freeze Key Lime Pie recipes for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Process
Healthy Key Lime Pie Bars (No Bake)
If you are looking for healthy key lime recipes, these no-bake Key Lime Pie Bars are a deliciously guilt-free key lime dessert. They're also a perfect portable dessert for picnics and parties.
Ingredients
Base
- ½ cup packed pitted dates
- 1 cup almonds
- ½ cup shredded coconut
Filling
- 4 tablespoons fresh key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
- 1 cup canned coconut milk (mainly solids)
- 2 teaspoons liquid stevia (adjusted to taste)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 8 hours, or 30 minutes in boiling water (you want tender cashew nuts)
Instructions
- Place almonds in a blender or food processor and pulse until you have a ground consistency.
- Add the dates and shredded coconut. Note 1: Dates should be moist and sticky. If yours are dry, soak them in warm water for 20 minutes, then drain excess water until you get a sticky dates puree. Note 2: the ½ cup of dates is measured with dates pitted and packed.
- Pulse again to combine all the ingredients. The result should be a grainy, sticky mixture.
- Line an 8’’ square pan with parchment paper. Transfer the base mixture into the prepared pan and press it down to cover it evenly.
Key Lime Bar Base
Key Lime Filling
- Place soaked and drained cashews, lime juice, liquid stevia, vanilla extract, coconut oil, and canned coconut milk in a food processor or blender and pulse until completely smooth. In my experience, blenders and high-speed food processors achieve a softer texture than regular food processors. Note 3: Canned coconut milk; I’ve spooned first the solids of a 14oz can and filled the rest of the cup with the liquid part.
- Pour the filling over the prepared base, spreading it evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until completely set. You can speed up this process by placing the dessert in the freezer for one hour and then moving it to the fridge to set.
- Slice your No-Bake Key Lime Pie into squares and garnish with lime slices, edible flowers, or fresh fruit like raspberries and blueberries.
Notes
Storage & Freezing
- The Key Lime Pie Bars will keep wrapped in plastic or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- This Key Lime dessert is freezer friendly; store it in an airtight container and thaw it in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Recipe Variations
- You can replace liquid stevia with any other liquid or powdered sweetener.
- You can replace almonds with any other nuts, preferably pecans or walnuts.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 390Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 9g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate
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