Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP) (2024)

Say hello to my gluten free lemon meringue pie recipe! I first posted this in 2015, so over two years later, it was about time that I came back and updated it, don’t you think? It’s dairy free and low FODMAP too btw.

Now, a gluten free lemon meringue pie would normally feature gluten free pastry… but not mine! I decided to lose the pastry and instead go for an epic biscuit base. Did I just blow your mind?Trust me, once you’ve tried it, you won’t go back!

Now, I feel like I’ve mastered gluten free shortcrust pastry since posting my gluten free pecan pie recipe, but it requires a delicate touch and patience.

Do you know what doesn’t require those things? Smashing up some gluten free digestive biscuits in a zip-lock bag and mixing it with melted margarine!

But it’s not just because a biscuit base is easier and quicker to make. It just tastes better and feels so right.

Please take note of the proportions of biscuit base, to curd, to meringue. For me, the base is the best bit!

It wasn’t until I came back to this post in 2018, that I realised how uncommon a lemon meringue pie with a gluten free base is… back in 2015, I just made this on a whim because I knew Mark would love it!

Turns out, I might have just made something a little special.

But the photos definitely didn’t do it justice. Nor did the actual blog post… and the recipe needed a little…

Ok, it was terrible, but the actual gluten free lemon meringue pie was a dream!

Back when I first made this recipe, I didn’t have a kitchen blow torch to give the meringue a nice, crispy outer exterior.

And in 2018, I still don’t.

It’s definitely not totally necessary, the top will just look like that sort of pale cream colour in the photos, without the darker spots.

But if I still don’t have a kitchen blow torch, how did I get those darker spots?

Well, I wasn’t really going to tell you guys this, but…

Mark used his blowtorch he uses for plumbing!!

I couldn’t be anywhere near him at the time because I was worried he was going to set the whole thing on fire, but I think he did a great job.

(apart from that one overly dark spot spot in the photo above!!!)

I definitely would recommend getting a kitchen blow torch as Mark’s blowtorch was waaaaaaaaaay too powerful and hot! But don’t mind us, we’re just a little bit nuts.

My gluten free lemon meringue pie with it’s buttery biscuit base is seriously simple to make. It’s literally a matter of making three separate components – the base, the lemon curd, the meringue – and combining them together in a loose bottom tin.

If you’ve never made your own lemon curd, then now’s a good time to start! I wouldn’t recommend cheating and buying it before you even think that.

(yes, I can read your mind)

This curd will set with a jelly like consistency which will help your gluten free lemon meringue pie hold its shape when taken out of the baking tin.

This is quite possibly the most satisfying use of meringue too – it’s not like a shop bought meringue at all. In fact it makes shop bought meringues look bad, if I’m honest!

There’s a real thin layer of crispy goodness on the outside and the entire inside is totally light, fluffy and like eating a cloud.

Convinced? I hope so, because I’m about to share the recipe! Making this dairy free really makes no difference at all and plus, it’s low FODMAP too.

Anyway, here’s how to make my gluten free lemon meringue pie! ??

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP) (8)

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP)

I love lemon in desserts. I also love biscuit bases. So here is a Gluten Free and Dairy Free Lemon Meringue Pie with a biscuit base... simple & delicious!

Ingredients

For the biscuit base

  • 300g gluten free digestives
  • 80g dairy free spread I use Pure, melted

For the lemon filling

  • 6 lemons zest & juice
  • 65g cornflour
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 6 egg yolks

For the meringue

  • 6 egg whites save these from your egg yolks you used earlier
  • 340g caster sugar
  • 3 tsp cornflour

Instructions

  • Crush your biscuits (I usually place them in a freezer bag & hit them with a rolling pin!)

  • In a bowl, mix together your crushed biscuits and melted dairy free spread.

  • Press into a loose bottomed tin & chill in the fridge whilst you make your lemon layer. (minimum 30 minutes)

  • Zest and juice all of your lemons into a bowl.

  • Add your cornflour and mix to form a loose paste.

  • Bring to the boil 440ml of water. Once boiling add your lemon/cornflour paste. Stir until thickened and remove from the heat.

  • In a separate bowl, mix together your sugar and egg yolks until smooth.

  • Slowly add your egg/sugar mixture to your saucepan, whisking or stirring continuously. Once all the mixture has been added, plate over a low heat and continue to stir till a little more thickened.

  • Allow to cool slightly before pouring it over your biscuit base. Put to one side, ideally in the fridge.

  • To make the meringue add your egg whites to a freestanding mixer (or use an electric hand whisk). Whisk until soft peaks are formed.

  • Continue to whisk and gradually add your sugar until stiff peaks have formed and it's glossy.

  • Finally add your cornflour and whisk once more. Make sure your meringue is lovely and thick.

  • Spoon your meringue on top of the lemon layer. Swirl it around making little peaks as you go.

  • Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes at 170C.

  • If you have a cooking blow torch at this point you could gently torch the top to give it a little more colour (optional).

  • Allow to completely cool in the tin and then chill in the fridge for a good few hours (I always chill overnight) to allow the lemon layer to cool and settle down.

  • Slice up, enjoy!

Thanks for reading how to make my gluten free lemon meringue pie recipe with a biscuit base!If you make it, I’d love to see how it turns out. So absolutely make sure that you send me a pic using my social media links below…

Any questions about the recipe? What did you think of the buttery biscuit base instead of gluten free pastry? Please do let me know by leaving a comment below or on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram!

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

Oh and don’t forget to pin this for later!

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP) (11)

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP) (12)
Gluten-Free Recipe

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe w/ Biscuit Base (dairy free, low FODMAP) (2024)

FAQs

Why did my lemon meringue pie sink? ›

Make Sure the Pie Filling Is Hot

As the pie finishes baking in the oven, remove it when the meringue turns light brown. Removing the meringue before it has finished cooking can cause condensation. At the same time, don't overcook it, which can also cause weeping.

Why was lemon meringue pie crust soggy? ›

Water is leaking from the beaten whites (they're 87% water), pooling between the filling and the meringue, and dripping down the sides to the crust. The cause? While the meringue cooks on top when it is put into a hot oven, there isn't sufficient time for the meringue to cook on the bottom.

Does lemon curd contain gluten? ›

This lemon curd recipe is naturally gluten free, made using only egg yolks, caster sugar, butter and lemons. This recipe will yield about 1 jarful, which you need to store in the fridge and will keep for 1-2 weeks.

Does lemon meringue pie contain eggs? ›

A lemon pie filling is the base for a lemon meringue pie. You make it with egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest, and fortify it with cornstarch so the filling holds its shape when you cut the pie.

What is the liquid at the bottom of my lemon meringue pie? ›

If the meringue is swirled onto a cool filling and baked, steam in the reheating filling just reaches the meringue. As the pie cools, the steam condenses to form the sweet weeping (sometimes a pool) under the meringue.

Why does liquid come out of my lemon meringue pie? ›

Why Meringue Pies Weep. As it turns out, undercooking and overcooking can both cause weeping meringue and unwanted moisture on top of your pie (aka beading). Overcooking meringue causes those little sugary drops of moisture on top of baked meringues.

How to fix a weeping lemon meringue pie? ›

When I make my Lemon meringue pie I always make my meringue first then I cook my lemon and then pour the hot lemon in the crust and put the meringue on top and throw it right in the oven and seals it. Now if you're using white sugar you can substitute it for icing sugar and that can help also from weeping.

How do you get a crispy crust on the bottom of a pie? ›

Choose the Right Rack in the Oven

Which rack you use in the oven can help ensure a crisp crust. Baking the pie on a lower rack will concentrate heat on the bottom of the pie and help the crust crisp.

Why does lemon meringue pie need to be refrigerated? ›

Yes, lemon meringue pie should be refrigerated. To prevent foodborne illness, never let it sit at room temperature for more than two hours. To store lemon meringue pie without messing up the meringue, place two toothpicks in the pie. Loosely cover it with storage wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Is lemon bad for celiac disease? ›

Lemon should be safe for patients with celiac and other gluten-related disorders.

What lemon juice is gluten free? ›

Lemon Juice is gluten free. Lemon Juice should be safe for patients with celiac and other gluten-related disorders.

Is pure lemon extract gluten free? ›

Crafted especially for chefs, McCormick Culinary Pure Lemon Extract offers versatile usage and unmatched performance in a convenient, ready-to-use format. McCormick Culinary Pure Lemon Extract is kosher, non-GMO, gluten free and made with no MSG added. There are 6/16 oz.

What country is lemon meringue pie from? ›

The first documented recipe for a dessert that combined lemon custard with meringue was published in the United States in 1847. The cookbook "The Lady's Receipt Book" by Eliza Leslie featured a recipe called "lemon pie" that called for a lemon custard filling topped with a meringue made from egg whites and sugar.

Does Mrs Smith make a lemon meringue pie? ›

Thaw & serve. Mrs. Smith's Soda Shoppe Pies are a quick and easy to enjoy a delectably cool treat any time of day.

What are the ingredients in Sara Lee lemon meringue pie? ›

SKIM MILK, SUGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VEGETABLE OIL (PALM, SOYBEAN), HYDROGENATED PALM KERNAL OIL, WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS: BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, CORN SYRUP, EGG WHITES, ...

How to keep meringue from sinking? ›

A mild acid will help give your meringue more volume and structure, which means they will inflate more fully and hold the air longer. You don't need much: about 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar for every two to three egg whites should do the trick. You can also use lemon juice.

How do you keep lemon meringue pie from shrinking? ›

Seal the edges with the meringue

You want to make sure that there are no air gaps between the meringue and the crust. Otherwise, it will shrink and pull away from the crust as it bakes and cools.

How to prevent meringue from collapsing? ›

Adding a half teaspoon of cream of tartar to your 3 egg whites for a pavlova for example will coax our beautiful bubbles into grabbing onto each other, making them much less likely to collapse.

Why is my pie sinking? ›

Any number of things can contribute to a slumping crust. Maybe your recipe uses an extra-high amount of shortening or butter, or you rolled the crust too vigorously, or you didn't let it rest and chill before baking. Perhaps you used the wrong size pan, or not enough filling.

References

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