Key Lime Pie {Vegan, GF, Paleo}
Ultra smooth and creamy (and secretly healthy!) Key Lime Pie! No dairy, gluten, eggs or artificial ingredients. (No bake, Gluten-Free, Vegan and Paleo!) Jump to Recipe
A Pie that Wins Over Everyone!
Creamy Key Lime Pie secretly made with healthy ingredients! (You’d never guess it’s avocado!) This easy, no-bake pie is a fan favorite.
It’s allergy friendly and fits a variety of diets. You don’t have to be vegan or Paleo to love this pie! It gets rave reviews from people with all kinds of diets (even people who don’t like healthy food love this Key Lime Pie!)
Naturally Colorful
You won’t need any artificial food coloring to get this beautiful vibrant green! This pie is naturally colored with… AVOCADO!
Yes, avocado! (And no, it does not taste like guacamole, although I do love me some guac.)
This is the creamiest, smoothest pie with a tangy lime punch that is sure to please any key lime pie lovers! Definitely one of my favorites!
Update 8/2019 — Even after many years, this pie has remained a family fave and reader favorite too! One of the most popular recipes on Pretty Pies! 🙂
Naturally Delicious!
You just need a few whole foods to create this pretty pie: nuts, dates, avocado, lime, maple syrup or honey, and coconut oil, plus a little salt and vanilla.
That’s it! It’s super easy, and full of fiber and healthy fats!
ps. If you’re low-carb check out my keto version here 🙂
Does it turn BROWN?
This is a common question I get! And the answer is NO.
Lime juice is a natural preservative/antioxidant to keep this pie a lovely green. Really! It’s also mixed with other ingredients like coconut oil that help the avocado stay fresh.
How to Store Avocado Desserts
This pie will stay fresh for about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Or, freeze it and tightly wrap for one month.
Over time, the color will be less vibrant, but it does not turn brown.
Watch my one minute video to see how EASY this recipe is to make:
Key Lime Pie {Vegan, GF, Paleo}
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
- 2 medium ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup maple syrup - or honey
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice - from about 2 large limes
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp pink salt
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil - melted
- Zest for garnishing
Instructions
- Pulse crust ingredients in food processor until sticky crumbles form.
- Press into parchment lined 7" springform pan or pie dish. Set aside to prepare filling.
- Rinse food processor & put in 2 avocados. Blend thoroughly. Scrape down the sides.
- Add in lime juice, zest, syrup, vanilla & salt. Taste & adjust.
- Stream in melted coconut oil.
- Pour over crust.
- Garnish with zest and lime slices.
- Place in fridge for several hours to set. Enjoy!
Notes
Want more desserts made with avocado? See them all HERE.
97 Comments
Robyn Koehler
Emily,
Would the crust ingredients be the same as you use for your lemon pie? I couldn’t find them listed, sorry if I just missed it. I just found your site today. I am loving it and printing out all of your delicious sounding recipes. Thank you for the beautiful website and recipes. I am working on being a raw vegan and so far the recipes I have read are a godsend. I love dessert!! Robyn
Emily
Robyn,
Sorry about that! Yes, it’s the same crust. My recipe plugin keeps cutting off the 1st ingredient. I fixed it.
Hope you enjoy the pies! I love dessert, too! 🙂
Deborah Lutz
I made this recipe I did it a little different As I combined all the ingredients together for topping and for bottom I used almonds avocados dates cashews and added organic coconut oil All my ingredients are organic.But overall Love ❤️ Ur Recipe.Thx Deborah Lutz North Vancouver BC
Emily
Glad you loved it!
Melanie A
Do you think one could use honey instead of maple syrup?
Emily
Yes that works too!
Matty
By pink salt, do you mean Himalayan pink salt, or do you mean prague powder (a.k.a. instacure a.k.a. pink salt)?
Emily
Himilayan. Never heard of Prague powder! I’ll have to look that up
Matty
Thanks! Prague powder is table salt mixed with sodium nitrite (a preservative for curing meats). They tint it pink to keep people from accidentally using it as table salt 🙂
CLWasson
Where is a good place to find Himilayan salt? And how is it different/how does it affect the recipe?
Emily
I buy it on amazon usually http://amzn.to/2rctgpH Or sometimes I find a good deal at Marshall’s, TJ Maxx or Ross 🙂
You can use another type of salt if you prefer. It will not make a huge impact on the flavor.
I choose to use natural/unrefined salts that do not have dextrose or other additives/anti-caking agents. Himalayan salt has tons of minerals and the taste is so much better to me. It’s a smoother, more round flavor — not a stark/brash saltiness. I put it on everything. I love it! Highly recommend you try some.
G
Do you know why the salt is pink? The color is the result of a high Arsenic content. If it is health you seek, use a kosher salt without additives (ingredients should simply read: Salt).
Considering there is no chance the color will result in any eye pleasing touches for this recipe, upping the arsenic in ones diet seems silly.
Also, we have plenty of relatively local salt to eat. Why negatively impact the planet flying arsenic salt (pink salt) around the globe?
Nicholas
G- You are incorrect.
Two quick Google searches disprove what you said.
“Pink Himalayan salt is made from rock crystals of salt that have been mined from areas close to the Himalayas, often in Pakistan. It gets its rosy hue from trace minerals in the salt, like magnesium, potassium and calcium.”
And
“Himalayan pink salt also contains barely detectable amounts of elements that would be harmful if isolated and consumed in large doses, such as arsenic and uranium,” McGrath says.”
There’s *no possible way* anyone could consume enough pink salt for the trace amounts of arsenic to become harmful.
Especially not the pinch used in this recipe.
Patti
It’s easy to find locally — places like TX Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory, World Market and other such outlets. I think even the grocery store has it.
Christina
Since it is using avocado, does it turn brown quickly?
Emily
It doesn’t!! It’s so great. The citric acid in the lime juice keeps it green for a really long time. I would say a week, but mine never lasts that long
Emily
I should clarify– never lasts that long because my family devours it before a week’s time. Ha
Jenn
Hi there,
I just made this and it’s in the fridge! I was wondering though, could I put coconut whip cream on this and would it hold up with the recipe?
Emily
Absolutely! As long as you store it in the fridge it should be great! 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Celyne
Oh. My. God.
this pie is so incredibly good and pretty too!! The friend who came for dinner last night said it was the best Key Lime pie she had ever had and I tend to agree. It’s also perfect in the morning with a cup of tea.
I discovered your website yesterday while looking for a paleo key lime pie recipe and, boy-oh-boy, am I glad I found you! I am hooked on your recipes, I might try the Almond Joy ice cream cake next…
Emily
Thank you so much Celyne! I’m so glad you liked it That’s one of my favorites. It’s always good to get feedback on my recipes, so thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you enjoy the Almond Joy cake too! Let me know how it turns out.
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Loreta
Not sure what do with the dates, re they part of the crust?
Emily
Yes! 🙂 Pulse them together with nuts in a food processor to make sticky crumbles.
Babs
I only have a 9″ and 10″ springform pan. Could I double the recipe and use one of them?
Emily
Definitely!
Kim
Ok, I just ate my second slice of this delicious pie. It was super easy to make and so very rich and creamy without the dairy. I love it!
Emily
Yay! So happy you love it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment
Julie
I noticed that you have listed zest as a garnish but then have it in the instructions to add it to the avocados etc. to blenderize together. How much do you add?
Emily
Oh thanks for catching that. You can actually add the zest just on top of you wish, or blend some inside too. I use 1 whole lime’s worth, about 1 Tbs zest. 🙂
Denise
Any idea of nutritional information per serving?
Emily
Hey Denise, I just did a quick calculation on myfitnesspal.com & got 296 cal (20F/32C/3P/5g fiber) per slice (based on 10 slices.
You can paste the URL of any recipe for instant nutritional facts it’s awesome
If you’re counting carbs, check out my low carb recipes : prettypies.com/tag/low-carb
Leslie
What would you reccomend to use in place of the coconut oil? I am allergic to coconut.
Emily
Bummer, I’m sorry Leslie 🙁 I don’t have a replacement for the coconut oil. That’s what holds it together (since it solidifies when chilled.)
I’ve heard about people using gelatin or agar-agar hold desserts together, but I have never tried those myself, so I’m not sure.
Shannon
Emily do you know if this would freeze? I wanted to make it in advance for a 4 day retreat where we wouldn’t be eating it until the 3rd night. I was hoping I could make it on Tuesday before we leave and freeze it and then move it to the fridge on Saturday to thaw out.
Emily
Yes, you can freeze it. The color gets a little less vibrant, but it’s still good Just cover it tightly with plastic after it has set, then freeze. Hope you enjoy!
Shannon
Thank you!
Andrew
We just made it yesterday and tasted today. It’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s better than an ordinary cheese cake. We love it so much. Will keep it in our menu. Thanks Emily!
Emily
Awesome! So glad you love it You are welcome!
Tauni
Beautiful and yummy looking pie! I am getting ready to make this pie, but need to ask a question first. What size avocados should I use; small, medium, or large? And which do you use when making this pie; honey or maple syrup?
Thank you so much for your help!
Tauni
Emily
Thank you! I used medium and maple syrup.
Hope you enjoy! Be sure to taste as you go, since avocados do vary in size 😉
Charlene
Most awesome! I made it for my 24 year old sons’ birthday. Everyone of my family….five adults and three children LOVED this….except the vegetarian one who refused to try it, saying he does not eat green things! It was all I could do to resist making it again before the last bite was gone. The next day my daughter told me she almost snuck over to my house in the night, hoping there would be some left! Big hit. GF, Dairy-free and egg free family!
Emily
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that it was loved! Sounds like you’ll have to make another one
Sheila
I don’t have dates available where I live. What can I substitute?
Emily
Many dried fruits are an equal sub, but might require a little more water. Figs, apricots, raisins, etc
I buy my dates on Amazon < http://amzn.to/2xO6lXE > or at Aldi. 🙂
Marisa
Would you please send me the ingredients for the crust?
Thanks
Emily
Here you go:
1 cup almonds
3/4 cup pitted dates
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt (optional)
1 tsp ground vanilla beans or extract (optional)
Splash of water to help blend, if needed
Daphne
Will the avocados turn the pie brown ? Like guac does?
Emily
Amazingly, the pie does not turn brown. The lime juice acts as a natural preservative. 🙂
Erma Roberts
Emily, the gluten free pie is my choice. May I substitute butter for the coconut oil? I have been browsing your site for the past three days. It’s absolutely AWESOME! It definitely a new favorite. Thank You!
Emily
Thank you Erma! So glad you like the site
Butter should work, but it will give it a buttery flavor. I haven’t tried it myself, but it might be good!
You can also use palm oil. Or any neutral oil that solidifies when chilled, since that’s what holds it together. Hope that helps.
Enjoy!
Dana
Do you recommend regular limes or key limes? Key lime pie was my absolute favorite dessert before I went vegan and I want to make sure my first time making it turns out as close to the real thing as I can!
Emily
I use regular because I never seem to find key limes. But if you can find them, go for it Hope you enjoy!
Katie Short
I used this filling recipe to fill a “crust” adapted from a Paleo macaroon recipe. My family, the non-dieting, regular food-eating types, LOVED it! My young niece preferred it to chocolate pie, and no one had a clue it was avocado until I told them.
This was my first dessert since beginning an allergy-elimination diet. A real, bona fide dessert I could eat with a fork at the table with my extended family and friends. Not some dates with coconut butter or a bowl of fruit, but DESSERT. Nothing wrong with the others, I eat them all the time. But to have that ability to participate in social dining, and do it well? That’s a gift, and I thank you so much for it!
Emily
I’m so thrilled you got to enjoy a real dessert with your family and friends!!! That makes me so happy to hear Glad everyone loved it, too. Yay!
Thank you for commenting. & You are very welcome. It’s my pleasure!
Beth
I’m curious as to how much zest to put in the pie? The ingredients say that the zest is for garnish but the directions say to mix it in and use it as a garnish. Can you clarify for me how much zest I should mix in, if any? Thank you! I am excited to make this!!
Emily
You can just add it on top as garnish. That’s what I usually do 🙂
But mixing in a teaspoon or so to the filling is good, too. Just be sure to blend it thoroughly so you don’t get any grit.
Hope you enjoy!
Vicky ross
If I double the recipe for filling..do I double the crust recipe as well?
Emily
Probably not, unless your pan is really big. I would make the crust 50% larger for a standard 9″ springform. 🙂
Keershton
The pie tasted great! My husband said it was a bit tart, but that’s what I love about key lime pies. I did have trouble getting it to firm up like it looks in the picture. Mine turned out a bit mushy, even after leaving in the fridge overnight. Should I try using more coconut oil?
Emily
So glad you liked it! Yes, add more coconut oil next time. Especially if your avocados are larger, it needs more oil to hold it together 🙂
Lisa
I just made this and when I tasted the filling, I got an avocado aftertaste. Any ideas what I can do to eliminate that? Thanks!
Emily
More sweetener, lime zest or a little salt may help
Karen Nakaska
This pie has amazing flavor. My daughter in law is gluton intolerant, and she is currently following an allergy elimination diet. As mentioned in an earlier comment, it was so nice to have a real dessert that she could enjoy with the rest of us!
Thank you sooo much!
Emily
You are so welcome! So happy it was something you could all enjoy 🙂
Tessie Waid
Can you use almond flour for the crust? If so how much?
Emily
That may work (I would probably add some coconut oil.) Try about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups. You can always add more if needed 🙂
Mindy
Hi, I posted a similar comment, but am comparing the recipes!
Is there a way I could make this with stevia rather than maple syrup?
Emily
Yep! I made a keto key lime pie (but added blueberries on top – you can leave those off if you want) Here’s the recipe: https://prettypies.com/recipe/low-carb-blueberry-lime-pie/
I have a section of my site dedicated to low-carb 🙂 Click here
Dominique
Exactly how long should I allow my pie to set? Also my crust wasn’t as nearly as this! Do you think I should double the recipe for next time?
Dominique
Thick* Thanks in advance can’t wait to taste.
Emily
It usually takes a few hours to set in the freezer. I would check it after 2 and see if it’s solid in the middle yet. It depends on your freezer and the depth of your filling.
What size is your pan? That affects the thickness of the crust. I use a small (7 inch) springform, and I also pushed the crust up the sides a little. It’s not that thick all the way through. But yes, you can double the crust if use a bigger pan, or if you like it thicker. Or even 1.5x might work.
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
B Jones
Isn’t coconut oil already liquid? Why would I need to melt it? Am I using the wrong product?
I’m super excited to make this.
Emily
My coconut oil is solid 🙂 Maybe my house is colder than yours haha. Coconut oil solidifies below 76 degrees.
Just be sure you’re not using the kind that stays liquid (it will say on the bottle). It needs to solidify when chilled to hold the pie together.
Hope you enjoy!
Charisse Squires
This looks amazing and a great way to use up avocados!
Question. I am on the AIP diet, so I can’t eat nuts. I am wondering if you have any suggestions if I only did coconut flakes for the crust instead of the almonds? Coconut can be very absorbent and I know better than to swap straight across. I’m sure other people with nut allergies might be wondering the same thing!
Emily
Thanks! It’s a family and fan favorite for sure! 🙂
Yes you can use coconut in the crust.
I would try blending 3/4 cup coconut flakes + 3/4 cup dates + a pinch of salt.
Then add 3 Tbs water and 1-2 Tbs coconut flour (or more) to help with the texture.
Add a little more flour or water, depending on if it’s too wet or dry, to get the consistency you like.
Also, if you can have seeds (not sure about AIP) but any type of seed can be swapped for the nuts too. I would use a mixture of different types. Pumpkin (pepitas), hemp hearts, sunflower seeds, ground flax, etc.
Hope that helps!
Charisse Squires
Thank you for the nut-free suggestion! I tried the recipe today and it turned out really nice. I did what you suggested, and only needed to add a little more coconut flour when pressing the crust so it wouldn’t stick to my hands. I tried it in mini tart pans and they were lovely!
P.S. AIP is similar to paleo, but with no inflammatory foods (eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades). Its been difficult to find dessert recipes with so many limitations so I’m glad I found this one.
Emily
Yay I’m so glad it worked out for you and fits your dietary restrictions! 🙂 So happy to hear that
Adorob
I liked it . Thanx for your work . I want to ask about downloading the video from blogs that come through Pinterest , How can I download them please !
With my regards .
Wendy
Do you have a recommendation for a coconut oil substitute for this recipe? Thanks in advance!! Excited to try it.
Emily
Sure, a great sub is melted palm oil 🙂 Let me know if you make it!
Bonnie Pritchett
Is it even possible to make this without nuts? My husband is allergic to tree nuts.
Emily
Yes! Simply substitute any kind of seeds you like, such as pumpkin or sunflower. You can also mix in some shredded coconut, flax, chia, or hemp with it 🙂
Celyne
I have been making this recipe for several years now and it is always delicious and a huge hit. I often add chopped mint to make it into a mojito pie. I like to cut it into individual servings which I keep in the freezer.
Emily
Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m so happy it’s a hit! Mojito pie sounds delicious too 🙂
Jamie
Dear miss Emily, I am wondering if I can sub almond flour for the almonds. I do not currently have almonds in my home, but I have all of the other things required for this recipe. Thank you so much for this recipe. I was looking on Google for a recipe and this is the only one that would work. You are a genius.
Emily
Sure, I think that should work! You may need to add a little water or oil so it sticks together. Let me know how it goes 🙂 I hope you enjoy!
Jamie
I love the results!!! Good job!
Emily
Thank you!
Mandy
I have a little question. What is your favorite recipe that you have made? Does that make sense?
Emily
I have lots of favorites, haha! But dairy-free cheesecake is my all-time favorite. I originally made this Blueberry Lime Cheesecake (which is still one of my most popular recipes EVER) and then I made a September 7, 2020 at 1:32 pm 
September 7, 2020 at 4:33 pm
May 14, 2021 at 11:13 am 
May 14, 2021 at 11:15 am
October 16, 2021 at 6:23 pm 
October 16, 2021 at 7:12 pm
Dale Mirmow
I have been making this recipe for years now, and it’s one of my favorites. It never fails. Everyone loves this pie, and says it’s even better than a non vegan version.
Thank you Pretty Pies for years of a winning pie!
Emily
That makes me so happy to hear! So glad you all love it!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review
Tony
Hi!
I though i would give this recipe a try. I have just put it in the fridge. I did have a sneak taste of the topping from the bowl and it was amazing! 🙂
Emily
Oh yay! Enjoy ☺️ I always lick the bowl clean haha
Jennifer
Hello,
I made this last night for my dad’s birthday, and it was EXCELLENT!! (I used walnuts instead of almonds, and it turned out great.)
I’m wondering if in your photo you doubled the ingredients. It looks higher (and prettier) than mine! I love how yours looks.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Emily
Hi Jennifer! I’m so glad you liked it!!
No I didn’t double it. I used a smaller springform pan – about 7” in diameter 🙂 I think it’s linked in the post somewhere. I’m away from my computer so I can’t see it at the moment. But I found my pan on amazon. Let me know if you need the link!
– Emily