Easy Gluten Free Key Lime Pie Recipe with Almond Crust

This easy gluten free Key Lime Pie recipe with almond crust is zesty, full of flavor, and easy to make. Key Lime Pie is a favorite dessert for many. This recipe is gluten free and made with an almond crust which means even more of us can enjoy this delicious pie!

Key limes are the star of this recipe with their refreshing citrus flavor, but if you can’t find key limes then regular limes will work too as well as bottled lime juice. If you love key limes and would like your own regular supply, why not grow your own? You can read how in our article How to Grow Key Limes for Key Lime Pie.

I love that this recipe uses the whole egg, whereas many recipes use only the egg yolk. I always try to use whole eggs where possible to reduce food waste. Yes, you can make use of the egg whites in other dishes or even freeze them for later use but I prefer not to do this if I can help it. Because I know the egg white will end up forgotten and unused at the back of the freezer! Key Lime Pie can also be made with a meringue topping but I can’t go past whipped cream for an easy and delicious topping for this pie.

Key lime pie classically makes use of sweetened condensed milk, bringing sweetness to the recipe and so does this recipe.

While the sweet and sour flavors of the filling are balanced with the biscuity goodness of the almond crust.

Gluten Free Crust

One way to make this recipe gluten free is by using gluten free graham crackers but this recipe is all about an almond crust. So almond meal makes up the basis of this delicious gluten free pie crust. Almond meal gives a lovely texture to the crust, so don’t get confused with almond flour. The main difference is that almond meal uses the whole almond, skin and all, while almond flour is usually made up of almonds without the skin and ground to a fine flour texture.

Helping to bind all the ingredients is the egg, butter, and xanthan gum.

If you’re already familiar with gluten free baking, you will probably know what xanthan gum is. But for those who are new to gluten free baking and unfamiliar with xanthan gum, it’s used in cooking to help bind and thicken foods. And it is particularly useful for gluten free cooking. If you check out the ingredients of gluten free flour, xanthan gum will usually be listed.

Don’t have xanthan gum? That’s ok. This recipe will still work and be delicious though the crust may be a little more crumbly.

Because this pie needs to set for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, you can make it the day before and leave it to set overnight. So if you’re entertaining, this is an excellent dessert to make ahead.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Key Lime Pie Recipe:

Gluten-Free Crust:

2 cups almond flour

3 tbsp melted butter

½ tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

½ tsp xanthan gum

Key Lime Pie Filling:

3 large egg whites

3 large egg yolks

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

fresh zest of 1 lime

1/3 cup fresh lime juice (Can be substituted with bottled)

1/4 teaspoons salt

Whipped cream

How to Make Gluten Free Key Lime Pie

Method:

Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. In a medium-sized bowl combine almond flour, salt, and xanthan gum. Mix well.
3. Add egg and melted butter. Stir until everything is combined. Form dough into a ball and press into a standard 9-inch pie dish. Put in the fridge to chill.
4. To prevent your crust from cracking, use a fork and poke holes throughout the crust.  
5. Bake for about 12-14 minutes or until golden. Set aside and cool completely before filling your crust.

Filling:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.
3. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks. Then add in condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice, and salt and mix until combined well. Fold in beaten egg whites. Don’t overmix.
4. Pour mixture into the crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Or make it the day before and leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
5. When ready to serve top with fresh whipped cream. Sprinkle extra lime zest if desired.

Some of My Favorite Kitchen Items:

• Stick Blender
• Blender for Smoothies
• Food Processor
• Food Thermometer
• Preserving Saucepan
• Juicer

Further Reading:

• Raspberry and Lime No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe
• How To Make Lemon And Lime Cordial: Homemade Cordial Recipe
• Easy Banana Coconut Bread Recipe Without Butter
• Sweet Stewed Chayote Fruit Recipe
• Kumquat And Star Anise Jam Recipe
• Vegan Tacos Recipe With Jerk-Spiced Jackfruit
• Sweet Salty Spicy Nuts Recipe