Jell-O Pie Recipe

Southern Living Jell-O Pie whole ready to serve — Photo:
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 50 mins

Servings:

Jell-O pie is a whimsical, crowd-pleasing dessert with a nostalgic feel. Served chilled, this sweet treat requires no baking, so it’s a boon for summer parties when you don’t want to turn on the oven. (The crumbles on top do require baking, but you can skip if you want.)

The mousse-like filling in this no-bake Jell-O pie is smooth and fluffy, with just the right amount of berry flavor. The lemon crumbs on the bottom of the crust provide a fun and unexpected surprise— and help take the texture and flavor to the next level, giving the dessert a more dynamic bite.

Jell-O Pie Ingredients

To make Jell-O pie, you'll need:

A package of strawberry-flavored gelatin: Try it first with strawberry, but feel free to try other flavors later.
Frozen whipped topping: This provides the creamy body of the pie filling.
Lemon-flavored gelatin: Use this gelatin to make the fun "cookie crumbles" for the topping. You can also change the flavor if you want.
All-purpose flour: This makes the "crumbles" for the topping.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the crumbles.
Ready-to-use graham cracker pie crust: You can make a homemade graham cracker crust if you want. Just be sure to let it cool completely.
Fresh strawberries: For the topping.

All ingredients are readily available at a typical grocery store—and all are easily interchangeable for any desired flavor combination.

Southern Living Jell-O Pie ingredients — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

How To Make Jell-O Pie

The full recipe for Jell-O Pie is below, but here's a brief recap.

Step 1: Mix the Jell-O. Whisk together the strawberry gelatin and boiling water until dissolved. (Important: Be sure to whisk for two minutes when incorporating the boiling water as this step is crucial to fully dissolving the gelatin.) Let cool slightly and then whisk in the cold water.
Step 2: Add the whipped topping. Whisk in the whipped topping until smooth, and refrigerate uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Make the crumbles. While the pie is chilling, stir together the lemon gelatin, flour, and melted butter until they form a crumble. Spread the mixture in an even single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Step 4: Fill crust. Sprinkle the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pie crust, keeping some aside to use as garnish. Stir the strawberry filling until smooth and pour it over the crumbs in the crust.
Step 5: Chill. Refrigerate uncovered for at least four hours. Garnish with additional whipped topping, the rest of the crumbs, and strawberry slices.

How To Store Jell-O Pie

Lightly cover the Jell-O pie with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. It will last 2 to 3 days. The whipped topping filling may deflate slightly.

More Jell-O Recipes

Love cooking with this colorful gelatin? Here are a few of our favorite recipes that use Jell-O:

More No-Bake Dessert Recipes

If it's hot and steamy outside, turn off the oven. You can make plenty of no-bake desserts that are every bit as appetizing but don't heat up the kitchen. Start with these:

Additional reporting by Alesandra Dubin.

Ingredients

1 (3-oz.) pkg. strawberry-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O)
2/3 cup boiling water
1 cup ice cold water
2 cups frozen whipped topping (from 1 [8-oz.] container), thawed, plus more for garnish
1 (3-oz.) pkg. lemon-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O)
1/2 cup (about 2 1/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 (9-oz.) ready-to-use graham cracker piecrust (such as Keebler’s)
Sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

Prepare oven and pan:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Mix gelatin and water:

Whisk together strawberry gelatin and boiling water in a large bowl until completely dissolved and slightly cooled, about 2 minutes. Whisk in cold water.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Add whipped topping:

Whisk in whipped topping, whisking until smooth and no streaks remain, about 1 minute. Refrigerate, uncovered, until partially set and slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Prepare lemon crumbs:

Meanwhile, stir together lemon gelatin, flour, and melted butter in a small bowl until fine crumbs form.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Bake crumbs:

Spread crumb mixture in an even single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until crumbs are set and edges are slightly golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool completely on baking sheet, about 15 minutes.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Make crumbles:

Break any cooled larger crumbs into smaller pieces.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Sprinkle 3/4 cup crumbs evenly in bottom of piecrust; set aside remaining crumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for garnish.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Assemble pie:

Stir strawberry filling until smooth; pour over crumbs in crust.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Garnish with additional whipped topping, remaining crumbs, and strawberry slices. Lightly cover with plastic wrap, and store in refrigerator up to 2 days.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Jell-O Pie?

Jell-O pie is a no-bake dessert made with flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O brand) along with extras like whipped cream and fruit set into a pie crust and typically served chilled.
Can I freeze Jell-O Pie?

You won’t get a great result by freezing Jell-O pie. The freezer affects the gelatin, which will change texture when thawed.
How long does Jell-O Pie last?

Jell-O pie lasts up to two days when covered and stored in the refrigerator.
Can you use sugar-free Jell-O in Jell-O Pie?

You can use sugar-free Jell-O as a substitute for regular Jell-O in this recipe. In fact, you can use any flavor or type of Jell-O to make the filling or the crumbs. And you can even use pudding mix and milk to make a pudding pie if you prefer.