Food and Recipes Desserts Pies Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie? An Expert From A Legendary Pie Shop Explains Find out if you can save this slice of Florida for later—or if you need to eat it ASAP. By Amber Love Bond Amber Love Bond Amber Love Bond is a Miami-based food, beverage, and travel writer who is obsessed with family recipes, fancy hotels, and sharing stories about people's talents and passions. She has nearly a decade of experience and loves every minute of it. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on July 20, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie? The Best Way To Freeze Key Lime Pie How Long Will Key Lime Pie Last in the Freezer? Frequently Asked Questions Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Key lime pie is arguably one of the best summer desserts. With its cool, creamy texture and tart, yet sweet flavor, it’s a refreshing treat during the dog days of summer. Most often found in Florida, where Key limes are grown in abundance, this citrus-forward luscious dessert can be made with regular pie crust or graham cracker crust, and there's a pretty hot debate about whether it should be topped with meringue or whipped cream. (Key limes have higher acidity than regular limes, making this a very tart and tangy dessert.) While the perfect recipe might be up for argument, there’s one thing we know for sure: It's a pie that freezes exceptionally well. Geoff Repella, president of Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop in Key West, Florida weighs in as a foremost expert on the delicious pie that’s found on nearly every Florida Keys restaurant menu. Founded by Kermit Carpenter (who recently turned 80 years old and still greets guests daily in the shop), this 30-year-old Key West staple is known for its array of Key lime pie-flavored goodies, including delicious frozen slices of Key lime pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate. Geoff Repella is the president of Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop in Key West, Florida. Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie? "Absolutely! Key lime pie is actually super simple to freeze and can keep in the freezer for up to 60 days,” says Repella. With a busy shop and dozens of pies being baked each day, the team at Kermit’s are masters when it comes to freezing this tangy delight. Repella says it's a sweet treat that takes well to the freezing process. "We freeze all of our pies after they have cooled from coming out of the oven." The Best Key Lime Pie In Florida, According To Our Readers The Best Way To Freeze Key Lime Pie Repella says it’s important to let your freshly baked pie cool to room temperature before freezing it. Full pie: "If you use a ready-made crust, you can use the provided dome to cover the pie before freezing," he shares. "If not, you can use a large ziplock freezer bag or cling wrap to cover it." It’s as simple as that, and now it’s ready for the freezer. Partial leftover pie: You can freeze individual slices just as easily. Simply place them on a plate, not touching one another, and freeze until firm. Then, wrap each slice well in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Add a popsicle stick into the slice before freezing. Then, drizzle (or dip post freeze) with your favorite chocolate. How Long Will Key Lime Pie Last in the Freezer? "Your pie can freeze for up to 60 days," says Repella. When you are ready to serve the Key lime pie, allow it to thaw in the fridge for 20 minutes. Frequently Asked Questions How do you thaw a frozen Key lime pie? Place the pie in the refrigerator to thaw for at least 20 minutes before serving. Thawing at room temperature can change the creamy texture of the pie. Can you freeze the pie with whipped cream or other toppings on it? You can freeze with your favorite whipped topping, or you can wait to apply it until the pie has thawed. How should you store a thawed Key lime pie? You can store your thawed Key lime pie covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind that it can’t be refrozen once thawed. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit