Sugar-Free Key Lime Bars – Tangy, Creamy, and Tropical Without the Guilt

Key lime pie was always a “special treat” in my pre-keto days—translation: loaded with sugar, mystery crust, and a crash an hour later. But now? These sugar-free key lime bars bring that same zesty, custard-like magic without the blood sugar spike or guilt.

And no—you cannot taste the avocado. It just makes it lusciously creamy and helps you sneak in some fiber while you’re at it.

💡 What Solves the “Healthy But Sad” Dessert Problem

Most sugar-free key lime recipes try to fake the texture with whipped cream or gelatin alone. This one actually gets it right:

• Avocados + cream cheese + sour cream = thick, smooth, luscious base
• Lime juice + zest = bright, real citrus punch
• Two types of stevia = full sweetness without bitterness
• A coconut + sunflower seed crust that’s toasty, nutty, and holds together

This isn’t a fake pie filling—it’s a legit, forkable dessert bar with zing, creaminess, and a solid base.

🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto

Crust:

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut – Fiber + structure + natural sweetness
• ½ cup raw sunflower seeds – Neutral flavor and crunch without nuts
• ¼ tsp salt – Balances the sweetness
• ¼ cup Swerve (or any granular sweetener) – Keeps it sugar-free
• ½ cup butter, softened – Binds and toasts beautifully

Filling:

• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes) – Go fresh or bottled (key lime if you can!)
• 1½ tsp unflavored gelatin – Helps set the creamy filling
• 2 ripe avocados – Silky texture, no flavor once blended
• 4 oz cream cheese (room temp) – Adds body and tang
• ¼ cup sour cream – Lightens and balances the filling
• 1 cup heavy cream – Whips up light and smooth
• Zest of 1 lime – Adds that signature punch
• ½ tsp pure stevia extract + ½ tsp lemon liquid stevia – Sweetens fully without aftertaste

🔁 Custom Tweaks I’ve Tried

Swap	Result
Use almond flour instead of coconut crust	Fine, but loses the tropical flavor
Add 1–2 tbsp powdered allulose to filling	Extra sweetness, no spike
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream	Tangier, slightly thicker
Top with toasted coconut or keto meringue	Dessert bar glow-up

⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	How to Fix It
Crust fell apart	Not enough butter or over-pulsed	Add more fat or pulse less
Gelatin set too fast	Didn’t cool it before adding	Let gelatin-lime mix cool 2 mins before combining
Filling too soft	Didn’t chill long enough	Let set 3+ hours or overnight

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step

1. Preheat oven to 350°F if you want to lightly toast the crust (optional).
2. Blend all crust ingredients in food processor until clumpy and sticking.
3. Press into greased 9×13 dish. Bake 8 mins or skip for raw crust.
4. In small saucepan, heat lime juice and gelatin until dissolved. Cool 2 mins.
5. In stand mixer, beat avocado and cream cheese until smooth.
6. Add sour cream, heavy cream, lime zest, and both stevias. Whip until fluffy.
7. Stream in cooled gelatin-lime mixture. Beat until combined.
8. Spread filling over crust. Chill uncovered 2–3 hours or overnight.
9. Top with whipped cream if desired and serve cold.

🧠 Tricks That Made This Work Better

• I use a microplane for the lime zest—super fine = no bitterness
• If using pre-squeezed lime juice, go for bottled key lime—it’s more tart, less metallic
• If the crust mixture feels dry, add 1–2 tbsp coconut oil or butter—fixes it fast

🧊 Storage + Macro Tips

• Fridge: Keep covered, lasts 4–5 days
• Freezer: Freeze individual slices, thaw in fridge 4 hours before serving
• Macros per slice (1 of 18):
  • Calories: 211
  • Net Carbs: 4g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Protein: 2g

❓ What I Googled Before Making This

Does it taste like avocado?
Nope. You’d never know it’s there unless someone tells you. It just makes the filling ultra-smooth.

Can I use bottled lime juice?
Yes—just go for real juice (not lime “drink”) and add extra zest for flavor.

Can I skip the gelatin?
Not recommended. It’s the only thing keeping this from being a delicious puddle.

Is the crust raw or baked?
It can be either! I bake it for 8 mins to bring out the coconut flavor—but raw works if you’re short on time.

📊 FULL NUTRITION PER SLICE

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	211 kcal
Fat	20g
– Saturated Fat	11g
Protein	2g
Total Carbs	6g
– Fiber	2g
– Net Carbs	4g
Sugar	1g (natural from lime + dairy)
Cholesterol	40mg
Sodium	109mg
Potassium	198mg

Check out More Recipes:

• Sugar-Free Rice Krispie Treats – Low-Carb, Marshmallowy, and Only 1g Net Carb
• Sugar-Free Key Lime Pie – Creamy, Zingy, and Keto-Approved
• Berry Lime Fruit Salad – Low-Carb, Sugar-Free, and Bright as Heck