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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Fruit Desserts » No-Bake Strawberry Pie

    No-Bake Strawberry Pie

    Published: May 16, 2020 · Modified: Jun 26, 2022 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    The top photo is of a whole strawberry chiffon pie. The bottom picture is a slice of pie with strawberries on the side.

    Give No-bake Strawberry Pie a try if you’re looking for a light and airy dessert made with fresh strawberries.  This sweet fruit flavored pie is the perfect ending to a summer day. Made in a pretzel crust for a salty crunchy twist.

    A whole strawberry chiffon pie.

    Strawberries are in peak season in the Carolinas so it’s the perfect excuse to make a homemade a no-bake strawberry pie. This no-bake pie is actually a chiffon pie which is a big deal in the South but apparently not in other ares of the country. Lemon chiffon and strawberry are the two most common.

    This light and airy dessert needs to be made a day ahead so it can set up, but it’s a classic end to a summertime meal.

    A slice of strawberry pie with a fork on the plate.

    With the cooler spring that we’ve had, it’s extended the strawberry season around here so I just keep making more and more strawberry desserts. When trying to decide which strawberry dessert to choose, think about which will save and which will need to be eaten within a day.

    If you need a dessert that will last a few days, try a strawberry poke cake, lemon strawberry shortcake or a traditional strawberry cake.

    Strawberry chiffon pie will only last about a day because the crust will absorb the filling and become soggy. A pretzel crust will stay crisp a little longer than a traditional pie crust.

    A chiffon dessert is a great choice if you have friends over and can finish it off in one sitting. Since strawberries are so juicy, most fresh strawberry recipes don’t save well.

    Why you’ll love a no-bake pie

    • No oven is needed, not even for the pie crust
    • It’s so light and airy and won’t weigh you down
    • The juice from the strawberries is concentrated to increase the flavor
    • You get a slightly salty pretzel crust in each bite

    A bite on a fork of strawberry chiffon pie.

    What is a chiffon pie

    Chiffon pies are pretty common around here, the most popular being a lemon chiffon pie. What makes a pie a chiffon pie is the addition of beaten egg whites which gives it the light and airy texture. Some recipes use cool whip instead of egg whites, but cool whip is going to give it a completely different flavor and texture.

    What you’ll need

    Ingredients for strawberry chiffon pie.
    • Unflavored gelatin – you can find this in the baking aisle, it usually comes in a box with three packets.
    • Strawberries whole and sliced – the whole strawberries will be processed in a food processor and the rest will get sliced and folded into the pie.
    • Cornstarch – this helps to thicken it along with the gelatin.
    • Fresh Lemon juice – for a punch of brightness.
    • Egg whites – these will be whipped and are what give the pie it’s light and airy texture.
    • Heavy cream– this is also whipped and added at the end.
    • Sugar and cream of tarter.

    How do you make a no-bake strawberry pie

    My recipe for strawberry chiffon pie is similar to my lemon pie recipe in that it uses egg whites and unflavored gelatin. For a strawberry pie, I use the juice from the strawberries and concentrate it so that it has tons of strawberry flavor, then fold in some fresh strawberries at the end. I do the same thing when making strawberry jam.

    Step 1:

    Make a pretzel crust in a 9-inch pie pan and let it get cold in the fridge or freezer.

    A pretzel crust in a pie pan.

    Step 2:

    Dissolve the unflavored gelatin.

    Step 3:

    Add whole strawberries to a food processor or you could use a blender. Once processed, strain all the juice into a medium saucepan with sugar and cornstarch and bring it to a boil. Let the juice cook down to concentrate the flavor. While still hot add the dissolved gelatin and lemon juice and let it cool.

    The filling for strawberry pie.

    Step 4:

    Once cool, whip the egg whites in one bowl and heavy cream in another. Fold the egg white into the strawberry mixture.

    Whipped cream being folded into the pie filling.

    Next, fold in the whipped cream.

    Finally add the fresh sliced strawberries.

    Strawberries being folded into the pie filling.

    Pour it into the pie dish with the cold pretzel crust and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

    You can substitute a graham cracker crumbs and and make a graham cracker crust crust instead of the pretzel crust.

    How do you choose the sweetest strawberries

    Strawberries don’t ripen once they’ve been picked so try to find the ripest berries. Look for a vibrant red color all the way to the stem. When you get them home, lay them out on a cookie sheet so you don’t have a bad one on the bottom ruining the rest of the berries.

    Wait to wash them until you’re ready to use them. If you can’t use them within a day, you may need to refrigerate the batch to keep them from going bad.

    If you want them to last for over a week, try a vinegar wash.

    A rimmed baking sheet full of fresh strawberries

    The concentrated strawberry flavor along with the creamy and light texture makes this the best strawberry chiffon pie recipe you’ll find. Just plan ahead since it needs to be refrigerated.

    FAQs and tips

    What is a chiffon pie?

    A chiffon pie has egg whites folded into a gelatin base. While a cream pie uses cooked egg yolks to thicken it.

    How do you keep a no-bake pie from being runny?

    This no bake pie will set because of the use of gelatin along with a little cornstarch.

    How do you keep strawberries fresh in the fridge?

    The best way to keep strawberries fresh is to use a vinegar wash.

    Can you freeze a chiffon pie?

    You can not freeze a chiffon pie. Since it has whipped egg whites, the egg whites will dissolve when it is thawed and the texture will be off.

    MORE strawberry desserts

    • A bite of strawberry cake on a plate
      Fresh Strawberry Cake
    • A strawberry biscuit on a napkin with cream and jam.
      Tall & Flaky Strawberry Buttermilk Biscuits 
    • Breakfast puff pastry with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
      Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
    • A strawberry pie topped with whipped cream
      Strawberry Icebox Pie

    Pies you’ll love

    • A slice of Banana cream pie on a black plate with a fork.
      Easy Banana Cream Pie Recipe
    • A raspberry hand pie on a plate with a fork
      Raspberry Hand Pies
    • A peach pie topped with whipped cream and fresh peaches.
      Peach Pie with Custard
    • Decadent chocolate pie with a slice taken out.
      Chocolate Pie Recipe

    Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen 2016

    Strawberry chiffon pie with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.

    No-Bake Strawberry Pie

    Author: Barbara Curry
    Give No-Bake Strawberry Pie a try if you're looking for a light and airy dessert made with fresh strawberries.  This sweet fruit flavored pie is the perfect ending to a summer day. Made in a pretzel crust for a salty crunchy twist.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin
    PREP: 4 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 8

    Ingredients
     

    CRUST

    • 3 ½ cups Mini pretzels 4.5 ounces
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 12 tablespoons butter melted

    FILLING

    • 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 2 ½ cups strawberries whole, tops removed
    • 1 ⅓ cups strawberries sliced
    • ¾ cups sugar plus 2 tablespoons
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 2 egg whites
    • ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Crust

    • Combine pretzels and sugar in a food processor and process unlit is fine crumbs. Add melted butter and process until coated. Place in a 9 inch glass pie pan and cover with plastic wrap. Spread the crumbs to coat the bottom and sides of the pie pan including the rib. Once distributed, press down firmly and refrigerate or freeze until cold.

    Filling

    • Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl and let sit until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes.
    • Place whole strawberries in a food processor and process until completely smooth. Place a Fine mesh strainer over a bowl and press strawberry puree through the strainer, you should get about 1 cup of juice.
    • Add strawberry juice it a sauce man and whisk in ¾ cup sugar, cornstarch and salt. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is slightly thick, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, whisking until dissolved. Transfer to a large bow and add lemon juice. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Beat egg whites with cream of tarter until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes then add 2 tablespoons of sugar and whip until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes. Fold ⅓ of egg whites into cooled strawberry mixture then fold in remaining egg whites until only a few white streaks remain.
    • Beat cream until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes. Gently fold cream into strawberry mixture. Fold in sliced strawberries. Spoon mixture into the cold pretzel crust. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
    Barbara’s Tips + Notes
    • You could also make this in a graham cracker crust.
    • Make sure that you five this plenty of time to set up in the fridge before slicing.
    • This will only last a day or two before the crust gets soggy. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 685mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 743IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
    Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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