• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cathy's Gluten Free logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Start Here!
    • How My Skin Cleared Up
    • Gluten Free Guidance
  • Meet Cathy
×

Home » Recipes by Type » Dairy Free Recipes

Published: Feb 28, 2019 · Modified: Dec 9, 2019 by Cathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Home » Recipes by Type » Dairy Free Recipes

Paleo Key Lime Pie

Save or share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
Jump to Recipe

Paleo Key Lime Pie is a delicious healthful version of the classic key lime pie I saw all over Key West, Florida. This one has a nutty crust, creamy dairy free filling and a fluffy meringue topping.

yellow two-story building with white balcony over street
A Typical Street Scene in Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida, was one of the ports of call on our Caribbean cruise last month. It's a quaint old city with a fun, eclectic vibe. Chickens roamed the streets. Hemingway is a celebrated former resident. And Key Lime Pie was everywhere!

two rows of apartments, mint green on the top and white on the bottom
Housing by the Water

I hope you enjoy a few of the shots I took while we were there.

colourful rooster perched on top of a low wall
Chickens wander freely through the streets of Key West.
mint green sink with green and pink flamingo wallpaper above it
Quintessential Key West Decor
Southernmost Point beacon, stiped red, blue, and yellow
A visit to the Southernmost Point beacon is a must while in Key West.
"Mile 0" in white lettering on green paddle
Mile 0 signs are sold in gift shops.
Key Lime Pie Shoppe sign on green awning on yellow building
Key Lime Pie Shops are scattered throughout Key West, each making its claim to fame.
"The Best Key Lime Pie in Town" sign on glass window
The "Best"
"Original Key Lime Pie Bakery" green lettered sign on yellow wall
The "Original"

Paleo Key Lime Pie

I thought that it must be possible to make a version of Key Lime Pie that was free from dairy and loads of sugar. This is the very pleasant result of numerous testings!

slice of key lime pie served on a white plate beside the whole pie

Must I use Key limes?

Key limes are difficult to come by in the United States and Canada. Although they were named after the Florida Keys where they were once grown, a hurricane wiped out the crops in the 1920's. Since then, Persian limes, the ones we are accustomed to seeing in grocery stores, have pretty much replaced Key limes.

lime and lime slices
Persian Limes

You may certainly use either kind of limes for this recipe. I would just caution you not to buy bottled lime juice. Your pie will taste so much better with real, freshly squeezed lime juice! A couple of decent sized limes should do the trick.

Crumb pie crust made of nuts.
Chopped pecans, coconut flour, almond meal, and coconut oil form a delicious wholesome, grain free alternative to a graham cracker crust.
meringue being piped onto the baked key lime pie filling
Meringue is a dairy free topping instead of whipped cream.

Recipe

slice of key lime pie garnished with a slice of lime
Print Pin Recipe

Key Lime Pie

This is a delicious grain free, dairy free version of the traditional Key lime pie.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 462kcal
Author Cathy

Ingredients

Crust

  • ½ cup pecan pieces
  • ½ cup almond meal
  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 egg

Filling

  • ½ cup lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 400 mL (14-oz.) can full-fat coconut milk
  • ¼ cup honey

Meringue Topping

  • 4 egg whites at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon organic raw sugar (optional) omit for true paleo

Instructions

Crust

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • In a food processor, pulse pecans until they are about the size of sesame seeds.
  • Add almond meal, coconut flour, and salt. Pulse to combine.
  • Add honey, coconut oil, and egg. Blend until mixture is combined and starts to ball up, pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
  • With a flat spatula and wet hands, press the crust mixture onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Filling

  • Meanwhile, puree all four filling ingredients in blender. Leave the egg whites at room temperature in a mixing bowl for the meringue topping.
  • Carefully pour filling into baked pie shell.
  • Bake for an additional 25 - 30 minutes, until the filling is just beginning to set up around the edges, but the crust is not being overdone.

Meringue Topping

  • About five minutes before the filling has finished baking, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Sprinkle on the tablespoon of raw sugar (if using), and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon the meringue around the edge of pie covering the exposed edges of the crust. 
  • Bake for an additional 20 minutes until the meringue has nicely browned.
  • Chill the pie before serving. The filling will firm up as it cools.

Video

Notes

This pie works nicely made with meringue from the egg whites left from using the yolks in the pie. If you tolerate dairy well, then top it with whipped cream if you'd prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 273mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 4mg
Pin Recipe
Follow me for more great recipes.@CathysGlutenFree
Paleo Key Lime Pie topped with meringue

Save or share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter

More Dairy Free Recipes

  • looking down into an unbaked pie crust poked full of tiny holes.
    How to Bake a Blind Pie Crust, Gluten Free
  • four slices of gluten free zucchini bread leaning away from loaf on wood plank.
    Gluten Free Zucchini Bread Recipe
  • two pieces of crispy, golden-browned battered fish on a black plate with a wedge of lemon and a lettuce leaf.
    Gluten Free Fish Batter Recipe
  • white ramekin of glossy red strawberries in shiny gel, surrounded by whole berries and cupcakes.
    Strawberry Cupcake Filling

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I'm Cathy, developer of delicious, nutritious gluten free recipes, simplified for creating at home.

CathysGlutenFree.com

As featured in...

logos for Country Living, Foodgawker, Yummly, and A Canadian Celiac Podcast

Easter Recipes

  • fork lifting sliced scalloped potatoes from white casserole dish dripping with melted cheese
    Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
  • green asparagus spears laid out on a parchment-lined pan.
    Roasted Asparagus
  • raspberries and blackberries nestled into whipped cream on a meringue base
    Mini Pavlova Recipe
  • slice of gluten free lemon cake with lemon curd filling and cream cheese frosting on white plate garnished with raspberries and blueberries
    Gluten Free Lemon Cake Recipe

Categories

  • Breakfast
  • Breads
  • Salad Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Cookies and Snacks
Elimination Diet Meal Plan

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Meet Cathy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 CathysGlutenFree, all rights reserved