Best Gluten-Free Key Lime Squares (Dairy-Free)

If you are looking for the absolute best Gluten-Free Key Lime Squares, you are in the right place! Chilled desserts are such a treat, especially after dinner when you want something refreshing that won’t weigh you down. During the warmer months, a cool citrus square is the perfect substitute for ice cream.

What Makes These Dairy-Free Key Lime Squares So Special

This recipe takes everything you love about a classic key lime pie and turns it into easy squares. The base is a press-in cookie crust made with almond flour, with just a hint of ginger and nutmeg that add another layer of flavor.

For the filling, I use sweetened condensed coconut milk and whipped egg whites to create a dairy-free custard that is  light and airy, almost like a mousse. Because the coconut milk is already sweetened, you don’t need to add any extra sugar to the filling at all.

What Are Key Limes?

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a key lime different from the standard limes at the grocery store, it mostly comes down to size and flavor. Key limes are quite small, about the size of a golf ball with very thin skin.

They are usually picked when they are green, but they actually turn a pale yellow color as they fully ripen. Taste-wise, they pack a punch! They are much more aromatic and tart than regular limes, giving these squares their signature bold, tangy flavor.

Tested Kitchen Tips for Success

• Bake the Crust First: Baking the crust for 10 minutes first, helps it set. Let it cool before adding the filling so it stays nice and crisp instead of getting soggy.

• Be Gentle with the Egg Whites: When it’s time to mix the whipped egg whites into your lime base, fold them in gently with a spatula, a little bit at a time. This keeps the filling light and fluffy.

• Watch the Jiggle: When you pull the pan out of the oven, the edges should look stable, but the very center should be soft. That is exactly what you want, it will finish setting up perfectly as it cools.

• Let It Chill Overnight: It is tempting to slice into these early, but giving them a full night in the fridge ensures the dairy-free custard sets up completely for clean, beautiful squares.

 You may also enjoy our Classic Gluten-Free Flapper Pie or the Easiest Gluten-Free Blender Coconut Pie.

Smart Substitutions

• Key Lime Juice Substitute: Fresh key limes can be tricky to find and tedious to squeeze. If you can’t get your hands on them, you can easily use equal parts fresh lemon juice and regular lime juice to get that same bright, signature tartness.

• Flour Blend: This recipe works beautifully with Gluten-Free Better Batter Blend, but any high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum like King Arthur Gluten-Free Blend will do the trick.

• Sugar Options: Coconut sugar gives the crust a lovely, warm color and flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, regular granulated sugar works just fine or light brown sugar.

• Oil Substitute: If you prefer not to use coconut oil, melted vegan butter (or regular unsalted butter if dairy isn’t an issue) can be swapped in at a 1:1 ratio.

Serving & Presentation Ideas

To serve these squares beautifully, slice them up and place a small handful of fresh raspberries and blackberries right on top of each piece. They pair wonderfully with a side bowl of whipped coconut cream for dipping or scooping.

Just before everyone digs in, you can grate a little extra key lime zest over the top to give them a gorgeous pop of color and a fresh burst of citrus aroma.

If you want perfectly clean, sharp edges when you cut them, just dip your sharp knife into hot water and wipe it clean with a towel between every single slice.

Storing for Freshness

• In the Fridge: Store the squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s best to add any fresh berry toppings right before you eat them so the crust stays firm.

• In the Freezer: These freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Just freeze the squares on a baking sheet until they are firm, then wrap them tightly. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving.

You may also enjoy one of our 12 Kitchen-Tested Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Summer Desserts. I highly recommend checking them out.

Hi, I’m Kristina I’m a professional gluten-free recipe developer, and every recipe on this site is created and personally tested in my kitchen. If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐ star rating and a quick review below, it helps other readers find my recipes!

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