No-Bake Margarita Cheesecake Recipe (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)

Beat the heat with this no-bake margarita cheesecake recipe. It’s naturally sweetened and perfect for hot summer days when turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do. With a creamy cashew filling, coconut-date crust, and an electrolyte boost from Citrus Salt LMNT, it offers the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Keep one in the freezer for unexpected guests or a quick indulgence that supports gut health and hydration.

I’ve always loved margaritas, but hate margarita mix with its corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial colors. Occasionally, I would order a skinny margarita, but even then, it might be made with agave or simple syrup. A couple years ago, my daughter served me a margarita made with Citrus Salt LMNT and I was sold! I haven’t been drinking any alcohol since I developed histamine sensitivity, but even without tequila, this would be what I’d want.

One day, combing through my many recipes, I came across a Mojita Cheesecake recipe, and I thought, “Why not a Margarita Cheesecake?” Of course, I don’t eat the dairy products used in most “cheese” cakes, so I prefer raw cheesecakes. I hate to call them that because they aren’t made with cheese, nor do they really taste like traditional cheesecakes. They have their own deliciousness that I’ve come to love, and the hardest part about making one is remembering to soak the nuts!

No-bake desserts are a summer essential. Not only do they save you from heating up the kitchen, but they’re also time-saving and travel well for picnics, potlucks, and family barbecues. This recipe delivers all the flavor and indulgence of cheesecake—without the dairy, gluten, or refined sugar.

Real, Whole-Food Ingredients

This recipe is powered by raw, whole food ingredients your body will love:

• Cashews: Rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, magnesium for muscle and nerve function, and plant-based protein supporting muscle repair.
• Hazelnuts: Rich in vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fats, and magnesium. Hazelnuts support heart health, provide antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, and add a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor to the crust. I buy mine in bulk from a peanut-free distributor for my grandson’s safety, then soak, dehydrate, and freeze them to improve digestibility and nutrient availability.
• Coconut: A source of dietary fiber and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are quickly metabolized for energy. Coconut also contains minerals like manganese and copper, supporting metabolism and connective tissue health.
• Dates: Naturally sweet and packed with fiber, potassium, and polyphenols. Dates help bind the crust, add caramel-like sweetness, and offer antioxidants that support digestive and cardiovascular health.
• Raw, Local Honey: Provides natural sweetness with a lower glycemic impact than refined sugar. Raw honey contains enzymes, trace minerals, and antioxidants, and may offer local pollen that supports immune health.
• Citrus Salt LMNT: Supplies key electrolytes—sodium, potassium, magnesium—that help maintain hydration, nerve signaling, and muscle function, especially important in hot weather or active lifestyles.

Both honey and dates have been cherished for centuries as natural sweeteners, valued not only for their flavor but also for their nourishment. In Scripture, honey is celebrated for its goodness—Proverbs 24:13 encourages, “My son, eat honey, for it is good.” The Promised Land is famously described as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8).

Many biblical scholars note that the “honey” in these passages often refers to date syrup—a staple sweetener in the ancient Near East—rather than bee honey. Dates and their syrup were central to the biblical diet, offering natural sweetness, energy, and a reminder of the abundance in God’s provision. These ingredients connect us to a tradition of wholesome, satisfying foods that nourish both body and spirit.

A Note on Dates

health! Either variety works well, so feel free to use what you have on hand, adjusting the quantity as needed until the mixture holds together when pressed.

Benefits of Raw Ingredients

Choosing raw ingredients and not heating them helps preserve delicate enzymes, vitamins, and phytonutrients that can be diminished during cooking or baking. Raw foods often retain more of their natural antioxidants and beneficial compounds, supporting better digestion and maximizing the health benefits of each ingredient. This approach also reduces heat stress on the body, making raw desserts especially well-suited for hot summer months.

How to Make No-Bake Margarita Cheesecake

This is one of those recipes that looks fancy but is secretly easy. Here’s how to pull it off:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Soak your cashews the night before so they blend silky smooth. Soaking also helps reduce phytic acid and other compounds that can interfere with mineral absorption—making the nutrients in this dessert more available to your body.
2. Make the crust by pulsing hazelnuts, coconut, sea salt, and dates in a food processor.
3. Make the filling by blending soaked cashews, coconut oil, raw honey, and LMNT (or substitute).
4. Freeze until set, then defrost briefly before serving.

Tips for a Successful No-Bake Margarita Cheesecake

• Use a springform pan if you have one—it makes slicing and presentation easier. No springform? Generously grease a small pie pan or round cake pan. It will pull away from the edges as it freezes, so straight from the freezer (do not defrost), go around the edge of the pan with a knife to loosen any adherence. Try to get a spatula under one edge and carefully lift it out of the pan.
• Substitute other nuts like almonds or pecans in the crust if desired.
• No LMNT? See the DIY substitute in the recipe note (lemon zest, salt, and optional citric acid).
• For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and the DIY substitute for the electrolytes.

Make It with Kids

This recipe is a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen—no sharp knives or hot ovens required. As shown in the photo, you can use mini baking pans for individual cheesecakes. Believe it or not, the pans pictured are from my own childhood baking days with my mother! Later, my daughter used them in her Easy-Bake Oven. If I were buying mini pans today, I’d opt for silicone instead of aluminum like these. They’re non-toxic and make removing the cheesecakes easier.

Baking with kids creates lasting memories. For this no-bake margarita cheesecake, little ones can help press the crust into the pans or measure and pour ingredients into the food processor. When kids help prepare real food, they’re more likely to enjoy eating it. Healthier takes on familiar flavors like cheesecake help shape their palate early, building both confidence and curiosity around whole foods.

Serving Suggestion

For a burst of color and added antioxidants, serve each slice with a handful of fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. The natural tartness of the berries beautifully complements the creamy, tangy cheesecake and enhances its summer appeal.

Why Electrolytes Matter

We often think of electrolytes only during workouts or illness, but they’re essential for daily hydration, energy, and nerve function—especially in the summer heat.

Many of us are chronically underhydrated—not just from drinking too little water, but also because of what we eat. Processed foods are typically high in sodium but lack the balanced electrolytes, water content, and minerals found in whole foods. In contrast, raw ingredients retain their natural hydration-supporting properties. By combining raw whole foods with added electrolytes, this dessert helps your cells absorb and retain the fluids your body needs, particularly in hot weather.

LMNT’s Citrus Salt not only supports electrolyte balance, but also adds a bright citrus tang and salty depth that enhances this no-bake margarita cheesecake’s flavor profile. Yes, it’s salty—but unless you’re on a sodium-restricted diet, it’s the right balance to help you stay hydrated.

Recommended Reading

• Is Sugar Okay in Moderation? | AIRD Series #3
• Heat Exhaustion, Clean Electrolyte Fixes + a DIY Recipe

Ready to try this refreshing no-bake margarita cheesecake? Make it today and share your experience in the comments or on social media — I’d love to hear how you customize it!