If you’re craving a dessert that’s bright, creamy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor but without any dairy, the Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. These bars are a luscious blend of tart key lime, rich coconut cream, and a perfectly nutty crust that sets firm after freezing, making them a refreshing treat that’s simple to prepare yet impressive enough to wow friends and family. They’re utterly satisfying, naturally sweetened, and perfect for those who want to skip the oven but still indulge in a classic dessert with a wholesome twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four steps of making a dessert or snack mixture in a food processor and a baking pan. In the first part, a thick, crumbly light brown mix with small nut pieces is partly pushed to the side inside a clear food processor bowl. The second part shows the same mixture pressed flat and evenly spread in a square white baking pan with a slightly rough texture. The third part displays a fresh mixture with large light beige cashew nuts, white whipped cream, and bright green lime zest all added to the clear food processor bowl. The fourth part presents a smooth, creamy pale mixture in the clear food processor, with a soft texture almost like a mousse or sauce. The background surface is white marbled. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right is the key to nailing this recipe. Each component plays a unique role, from building the crust’s chewiness to delivering that silky, tangy filling that melts in your mouth. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll gather before starting:

Raw pecans (1.5 cups): These give the crust a rich, buttery texture and a subtle earthiness that holds everything together beautifully.
Macadamia nuts (1/2 cup): Adding a hint of luxury and creamy crunch, macadamias can be swapped with extra pecans if preferred.
Coconut oil or ghee (1/3 cup, solid): Essential to bind the crust ingredients while adding a mellow, tropical richness.
Pitted dates (6): Natural sweetness that also contributes to the sticky, sturdy base of the crust.
Almond flour (1/3 cup): Helps create a smooth texture and adds subtle nutty notes.
Shredded unsweetened coconut (1/3 cup): For an extra layer of chew and tropical flavor.
Sea salt (1/4 tsp): To balance the sweetness and elevate all flavors.
Cinnamon (1/2 tsp): Adds a warm hint that contrasts beautifully with the lime’s acidity.
Raw unsalted cashews (2 cups): Soaked for creaminess, these are the heart of the dreamy pie filling.
Coconut cream (1 cup): The thick top layer from a can of full-fat coconut milk, which gives luxurious body and richness.
Maple syrup (1/3 cup): Natural sweetener that blends perfectly with the tart lime juice.
Lime zest from 3 limes: Intensifies that fresh citrus aroma and bright flavor.
Lime juice from 3 limes: The star of the filling, providing that iconic zesty tang.
Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): A subtle touch that rounds out the flavors in the filling.

How to Make Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Start by combining all your crust ingredients—the pecans, macadamia nuts, coconut oil, dates, almond flour, shredded coconut, sea salt, and cinnamon—in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture becomes a slightly chunky but sticky mass. This texture ensures the crust will hold together well but still have some pleasant texture. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch pan to form the pie base. Pop this crust into the freezer to chill and firm up while you work on the filling.

Step 2: Blend the Filling

After washing out your food processor, drain the soaked cashews and add them in with the coconut cream, maple syrup, lime zest and juice, and vanilla extract. Blitz everything on high speed for about 1.5 to 2 minutes until the filling is ultra-smooth and creamy, with not a single lump in sight. The soaking of the cashews is key for silky texture, so don’t skip it! Pour this vibrant mixture over the chilled crust and use a spatula to smooth it out evenly across the surface. Then, pop the entire pan back into the freezer for at least 2 hours until the bars are firm and sliceable.

Step 3: Slice and Enjoy

Once your bars have set completely, slice the chilled dessert into 9 equal bars, about 3 by 3 inches each. These Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe treats are ready to serve immediately or stored for later indulgence. Their fresh, tangy flavor and creamy texture make them irresistible!

How to Serve Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe

A square dessert bar with two layers sits on a white round plate against a white marbled texture background. The bottom layer is crumbly and brown with a rough texture, while the top layer is smooth and creamy beige. A small wedge of lime with bright green skin and juicy light green flesh rests on top of the creamy layer. There are tiny green zest specks scattered on the dessert and plate. A golden fork lies on the plate next to the dessert. In the background, more dessert bars are slightly visible on another white plate, along with a lime slice placed on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To add an extra pop of color and flavor, consider garnishing your bars with fresh lime wedges, thin lime zest curls, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. A dollop of coconut whipped cream on top brings an elegant finishing touch and intensifies the tropical vibe.

Side Dishes

These bars are perfect on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a simple berry compote can elevate your dessert experience. Light, refreshing fruit salads or a cup of herbal tea also complement the zesty sweetness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gatherings, try serving the bars on a platter lined with banana leaves for a tropical feel, or place individual squares in decorative cupcake liners for easy serving. Layering them in clear jars with coconut cream and lime zest for a parfait-style treat also makes for a stunning presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover bars covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Because they are frozen and then thawed slightly, the texture remains delightfully creamy yet firm—perfect for enjoying throughout the week.

Freezing

These bars freeze exceptionally well. You can store them in a freezer-safe container or wrap each bar individually with plastic wrap and place them in a resealable bag. They’ll hold up well in the freezer for up to a month, making them an ideal make-ahead dessert.

Reheating

Since these bars are best enjoyed chilled or frozen, reheating isn’t necessary. Just let them sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving if they feel too firm from the freezer. This brings out their creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture without compromising flavor.

FAQs

Can I use regular lime instead of key limes?

Absolutely! While key limes offer a slightly different tartness, regular limes provide fantastic flavor and are a great substitute that won’t sacrifice taste in this Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe.

Is soaking the cashews mandatory?

Soaking the cashews is crucial for achieving the smooth, creamy filling texture. Without soaking, the filling might turn out grainy or thick, so plan ahead for at least 30 minutes of soaking time in hot water.

What if I don’t have coconut cream?

You can use the thickened top layer of full-fat canned coconut milk as a coconut cream substitute. Refrigerate the can overnight, then carefully scoop out the solid cream for the best results.

Can I make this recipe nut-free?

This particular recipe relies heavily on nuts for its base and filling texture, so nut-free substitutions would require a completely different approach. However, experimenting with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds might work but expect a different flavor and texture.

How sweet are the bars? Can I adjust the sweetness?

These bars are naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup, offering a balanced sweetness that lets the lime shine. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, feel free to add a bit more maple syrup or honey in the filling.

Final Thoughts

I can’t encourage you enough to try this wonderfully fresh, creamy, and zesty Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe. It’s a guilt-free treat that’s quick to assemble and utterly delicious, perfect for those sunny days when you want something cool and bright without firing up your oven. Your taste buds will thank you, and these bars are sure to become a top favorite in your dessert repertoire!

Dairy-Free No-Bake Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe