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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Mini Key Lime Pie Bites

    Published: Nov 23, 2020 · Modified: Oct 28, 2023 by bobbieblue

    5.0K shares
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    Get the tangy zing of key lime pie in a small hand held dessert! Mini Key Lime Pie Bites are a fun and easy dessert appetizer perfect for a dinner party or any get together!  They are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy in a bite-sized dessert.  

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    key lime bites on a serving tray.

    (Blue's Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Programs.  I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links.  This helps me keep the blog going!)- Bobbie

    Why this key lime appetizer is the best!

    It's so much easier to eat bite sized party food that doesn’t require any silverware. These individual key lime pies are the perfect size to pop in your mouth while mingling at a dinner party. The tangy filling ingredients just melt in your mouth.  

    I never had key lime pie myself until I moved to Florida.  Here in central Florida key lime desserts are on just about every menu with many different variations.   I have even deviated from the traditional graham cracker crust with my Key Lime Pie with Chocolate Crust and Raspberry Sauce recipe.

    I love these mini tarts because the tangy filling ingredients just melt in your mouth plus you get a nice crunch from the phyllo shell. My favorite thing is how easy mini key lime pies are to make and that they can be made ahead for your get-together!

     Key Ingredients

    key lime juice- because it is difficult to find fresh key limes even in Florida, I always use Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice in my key lime recipe.

    condensed milk- is thick and sugary milk that is sold in a can. It is milk that has been reduced to remove the water content and then has sugar added. It can not be substituted for evaporated milk!

    sour cream- full fat is the best choice in this mini key lime pie recipe.

    phyllo shells- these frozen tartlet shells can be found in the frozen section at your local grocery store. We are using this in place of a traditional graham cracker crust that is used for true key lime pie. They make this recipe so easy to put together!

    lime zest- If you are lucky enough to find true key limes great, but you can zest any lime to substitute for the key lime zest in this recipe.

    Ingredients to make mini key lime appetizers.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Add the key lime juice, condensed milk, sour cream and lime zest to a large bowl. Use a spatula or a hand mixer to mix until mixture is smooth.

    Use a spoon to fill the small phyllo shells with the key lime pie filling. Each mini tart will hold about a tablespoon, but this does not have to be exact just divide mixture out and there should be plenty for 30 pastry shells.

    Stirring together the lime juice and the condensed milk to make the appetizer and filling the phyllo shells.

    Bake for 5 minutes then allow to cool.  At this point you can chill in the refrigerator for up to 5 hours if your making ahead for a party. 

    Decorate right before serving. I highly recommend making a stabilized whipped cream recipe.  I make mine by adding a little cornstarch to the heavy cream and it’s amazing how well it holds with out the cream running.  This will ensure your mini desserts look amazing even after a couple hours sitting at room temperature.

    In a chilled medium sized bowl use a hand mixer to beat the heavy cream, cornstarch, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. It will take a few minutes for stiff peaks to form. Then add the whipped cream to a pastry bag and decorate the mini pies.

    To decorate I place a very small lime wedge with a little lime zest scattered over the tops of the individual pies. If I have graham crackers on hand I'll crush a few of those and sprinkle on top because key lime pies are traditionally made with a graham cracker crust.

    A close up of the mini key lime bites.

    Expert Tips

    • I have had several ask what is stabilized whipped cream? It's adding either cornstarch, gelatin, instant pudding or cream of tarter to your cream as you whip it. I always have cornstarch in my pantry so this is always my go to. Simply add the cornstarch to the heavy cream and mix with a hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. This little trick will keep your whipped cream from running into a sad puddle on even a warm day!
    • These are best made the day of the party and refrigerated for up to 5 hours before serving.
    • Decorate right before serving.

    faq

    Why is key lime pie famous in Florida?

    Key limes are only grown in warm climates that never go below freezing. Because of the warm weather in South Florida it was very common to grow a key lime tree although they are no longer commercially grown there. While the true origin of the key lime pie is unknown the belief is that the key lime pie was created in the Florida Keys.

    Are key limes more tart than regular limes?

    No, small key limes are actually a little less tart than regular limes which is why they are preferred in this recipe.

    Can I use regular lime juice in this recipe?

    Yes! If you can not find key limes or the bottled juice by Nellie and Joe's then squeeze a few regular limes instead. The flavor may be a little different but still delicious.

    Looking For Other Mini Desserts? Try These Next!

    Easy Individual Tiramisu Cups {without Eggs}

    Mini Chocolate Ganache Tarts {No Bake}

     

    Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!

    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Mini Key Lime Bites

    Get the tangy zing of key lime pie in a small hand held dessert! Mini Key Lime Pie Bites are a fun and easy dessert appetizer perfect for a dinner party or any get together!  They are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy in a bite-sized dessert.  
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Chill30 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: key limes, dessert appetizer, mini dessert, pie
    Servings: 15
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Bobbie Blue

    Ingredients

    Key Lime Pie Bites

    • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 6 tablespoons key lime juice (I use Nellie and Joe’s)
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 2 packages mini phyllo shells

    Optional Garnishes

    • 1 cup stabilized cream
    • 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 lime cut into small pieces for garnish, optional
    • lime zest

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Set phyllo cups on a baking tray, preferably with sides so they do not slide off.
    • In a medium sized bowl using a spoon or spatula mix together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice and zest. Stir until no lumps remain.
    • Carefully spoon key lime mixture into the phyllo cups. Each one will hold about a tablespoon allowing enough for 30 individual cups.
    • Bake for 5 minutes remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Move key lime bites to a serving platter and refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 5 hours when ready to decorate.
    • Optional garnishes: Using stabilized cream in a pastry bag add a dollop of cream to each dessert. Decorate with crushed graham crackers, lime zest and small lime wedges.

    Notes

    NOTES
    *Key Lime Pie Bites can be made ahead. chill in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to 5 hours if your making ahead for a party.  Then before serving you can decorate.
    *Here's a how to on how to make stabilized cream for the key lime pie bites.  It will keep the appetizer looking great for several hours.  

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2bited | Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4.9g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 11mg | Sugar: 21g | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catherine

      November 24, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      These sound delicious and look so fancy!!

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        November 25, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        It looks like a dessert that you spent hours on, but it mixes together in just minutes! That's why I love these little key lime bites. Thanks Catherine, I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Richelle

      July 04, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      Can I just use fresh squeezed lime juice?

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        July 07, 2021 at 5:48 pm

        Yes! Richelle you can use fresh lime juice.

        Reply
    3. Sheri

      September 24, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      Can these be made a day ahead of time if I don't put whipped cream on?

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        September 24, 2021 at 7:38 pm

        Yes! I have made them 1 day ahead and then decorated before my party and they were perfect!

        Reply
        • Barb

          February 15, 2023 at 8:24 pm

          Don't the shells get soggy after being refrigerated?

          Reply
          • bobbieblue

            February 16, 2023 at 12:03 am

            Hi Barb, Great question! No I have made these several times and have had no issues with that. I wouldn't make them days in advance but even the next day they are still crisp. Just make sure to cover them when you put them in the fridge so they do not dry out.

            Reply
    4. Linda Christensen

      December 04, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Can you freeze them?

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        December 05, 2021 at 12:33 am

        Hi Linda, I have never tried to freeze them, however I know you can freeze key lime pie. I think it should work but I’d definitely wait to decorate until after they defrost. Let me know how it turns out!!

        Reply
    5. Patricia L Moore

      December 09, 2021 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing! I've used fresh keylime, calamansi (filipino limes) the recommended key lime juice 😉 and all are great. These perfect little treats are delicious and fun. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        December 10, 2021 at 4:01 pm

        Hi Patricia! I’m so glad you liked this recipe!!

        Reply
    6. Mable Perry

      December 15, 2021 at 1:05 am

      All recipes look good

      Reply
    7. Christi A Boze

      December 19, 2021 at 8:03 pm

      What are the graham cracker crumbs for?

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        December 20, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        It's simply for a garnish on top. I used it just to decorate but you can omit them if you want.

        Reply
    8. Deidra Brown-Love

      December 22, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      Can wonton wraps be used?

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        December 23, 2022 at 2:10 pm

        Hi Deidra, I have never used wonton wrappers for a dessert so I'm not sure. I would think they would need to be baked longer before adding the filling. If you try it let me know how it works!

        Reply
    9. Sandy

      May 29, 2023 at 2:43 am

      Very clean, fresh and light. 😋 Loved this recipe! Made for our bookclub and the ladies all asked for recipe.

      Reply
      • bobbieblue

        June 02, 2023 at 11:29 am

        Hi Sandy, I am so delighted that these key lime pie bites where a hit at your get-together!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Bobbie! Welcome to Blue's Best Life. I'm a self-taught cook that loves to cook wholesome meals while still enjoying a truly decadent dessert, because there is always room for a little something sweet!

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