Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe
I can’t tell you how much I adore this Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe — it’s one of those desserts that feels like sunshine on a plate. The tangy passionfruit filling paired with that fluffy, lightly toasted meringue topping just hits all the right spots. Whether you’re making it for a casual weekend treat or a special gathering, this pie never fails to impress and brighten up the table.
What makes this recipe truly stand out is the way it balances sweet, tart, and airy textures seamlessly. Plus, it’s surprisingly straightforward to whip up, especially with ready-rolled pastry. If you’re a fan of tropical flavors and classic meringue pies, you’ll find yourself coming back to this Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe plays a vital role, from the creamy filling to that cloud-like meringue. Here are some tips as you gather what you need to create this delightful pie.
- Ready rolled sweet short pastry: Using ready-rolled pastry saves a ton of time and stress — just make sure it’s thawed properly so it rolls out smoothly.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This adds richness and sweetness to the filling without needing extra sugar — I always go for a good quality can to ensure a creamy texture.
- Egg: The whole egg and additional yolks help set the filling, giving it that luscious custard consistency.
- Lemon juice: A little sharpness from lemon balances the sweetness beautifully and brightens up the passionfruit flavor.
- Passionfruit pulp: Fresh is best if you can get it — those little crunchy seeds add great texture and bold tropical juice.
- Egg whites: For the meringue, make sure your bowl is squeaky clean and dry for the best fluffy peaks.
- Pinch of salt: Just a tiny bit enhances the sweetness in the meringue and brings out the flavors.
- Caster sugar: Fine sugar dissolves easily in egg whites for that smooth, glossy meringue topping.
Variations
I love that this Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe is versatile enough to tweak depending on what’s in season or your personal taste. Experimenting with little changes keeps it exciting, and I encourage you to make it your own.
- Use lime instead of lemon juice: I swapped lemon for lime once and loved the slightly more aromatic citrus tang it gave the filling.
- Make it dairy-free: Replace the condensed milk with coconut condensed milk for a tropical twist that’s great for dairy-sensitive friends.
- Try passionfruit curd topping: Instead of meringue, a thick passionfruit curd layer can offer a smoother, glossy finish that’s super elegant.
- Add toasted coconut flakes: Sprinkled on top of the meringue, they add a lovely crunch and extra tropical flair.
How to Make Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pastry Base
First things first, lay out your ready rolled sweet short pastry on a baking tray or pie dish, pressing it gently into shape. I find pricking the base lightly with a fork before blind baking helps avoid those pesky bubbles. Bake it at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-12 minutes until just golden—don’t overbake since it’ll continue cooking later with the filling.
Step 2: Whip Up the Tangy Passionfruit Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, whole egg, and egg yolks, whisking until smooth. Then stir in the lemon juice and fresh passionfruit pulp—this is where the magic happens with that vibrant tropical zing. Pour the filling into your cooled pastry shell and pop it back into the oven for around 15 minutes until it’s set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Step 3: Master the Meringue Topping
While the filling bakes, beat your egg whites with a pinch of salt until they start frothing, then gradually add the caster sugar in small batches. Keep whipping until stiff, glossy peaks form—this can take 5 to 7 minutes with a hand mixer. Spread the meringue generously over the baked filling, swirling with the back of a spoon or spatula for some lovely peaks.
Step 4: Toast the Meringue to Perfection
Finish under the grill or in a hot oven (around 200°C/400°F) for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye so your meringue doesn’t burn. You want those golden tips and a slightly firm outside while staying soft inside. Once done, cool the pie completely at room temperature before refrigerating to let the flavors meld beautifully.
How to Serve Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe

Garnishes
I love adding a few fresh passionfruit seeds on top for a pop of color and crunch—they really make the pie look extra special. A light dusting of toasted coconut or some finely chopped mint leaves also work wonders if you want to impress guests without much fuss.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs beautifully with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to temper the tartness. If I’m serving a fuller meal, I often go with fresh berries or a simple fruit salad alongside to balance the rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays, I sometimes serve the Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe as individual tartlets in a muffin tin — everyone loves their own personal pie! You can also pipe the meringue in fancy swirls or use edible flowers on top for a stunning centerpiece that doubles as decor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always keep leftover Passionfruit Meringue Pie covered tightly in the fridge; it stays fresh for up to 2 days. The meringue might soften a little overnight, but the flavor is just as wonderful. Just bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
Freezing this pie is a bit tricky because meringue doesn’t freeze well, but if you want to try, freeze the pie before adding the meringue topping, then thaw completely before making your meringue fresh and topping it when ready to serve.
Reheating
If you want to warm up slices slightly, pop them in a low oven (about 120°C/250°F) for 5 minutes, but watch closely so the meringue doesn’t melt or brown too much again. I usually prefer enjoying the pie chilled or at room temp, which really lets those bright passionfruit flavors shine.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen passionfruit pulp for this Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe?
Yes! Frozen passionfruit pulp works just fine, especially if fresh isn’t available. Just thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid if it seems watery, so your filling doesn’t get too runny.
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What if I don’t have ready rolled shortcrust pastry?
No worries. You can easily make your own shortcrust pastry at home with basic ingredients like flour, butter, and sugar. It might take a bit longer but results in a buttery, flaky base that’s worth the extra effort.
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How do I know when the meringue is done?
The meringue should have stiff glossy peaks before you bake it. After baking or toasting, you want golden brown tips and the outside to be set but soft inside. Keep a close watch during the toasting step to avoid burning.
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Can I make the Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the pie up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just be mindful that very fresh meringue tends to hold up best, so try to add and toast the meringue on the day you plan to serve it for best texture.
Final Thoughts
This Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe holds a special place in my dessert rotation — it’s vibrant, comforting, and always draws compliments. I truly hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy the delightful dance of tangy passionfruit and sweet meringue as much as I do. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with friends and keep coming back to on sunny afternoons or when you need a little tropical escape.
Print
Passionfruit Meringue Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian
Description
This Passionfruit Meringue Pie combines a crisp, sweet short pastry base with a tangy and creamy passionfruit and lemon filling, topped with a fluffy, golden meringue. A delightful balance of tartness and sweetness makes it a refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 sheets of ready rolled sweet short pastry
Filling
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (395g)
- 1 whole egg
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (80ml)
- 1/4 cup passionfruit pulp (from 3 fresh passionfruit, approx. 60ml)
Meringue
- 3 egg whites
- Pinch of salt
- 2/3 cup caster sugar (130g)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry Base: Line a 9-inch pie dish with the two sheets of ready rolled sweet short pastry. Trim any excess pastry from the edges and prick the base lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Blind Bake the Pastry: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beans or rice to weigh it down. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the paper and weights and bake for another 10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, whole egg, and egg yolks until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and passionfruit pulp until fully combined. Pour this filling into the partially baked pastry shell.
- Bake the Pie with Filling: Return the pie to the oven and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly wobbly in the center. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Meringue: In a clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add the caster sugar while continuing to whisk until you achieve stiff, glossy peaks.
- Top the Pie with Meringue: Spread the meringue evenly over the warm passionfruit filling, making sure to seal it to the edges of the pastry to prevent shrinking.
- Final Bake: Return the pie to the oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to ensure it is fully set and chilled.
Notes
- Use fresh passionfruit for the best flavor in the filling.
- Ensure egg whites are free of yolk and the bowl is clean for perfect meringue.
- Blind baking the pastry prevents a soggy crust when adding the wet filling.
- Cooling the pie properly helps the filling to set firmly.
- This pie can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, best served chilled.
