Delicious Passion Fruit Meringue Pie

This post for passion fruit meringue pie was first published on the 13th of August 2021.

Of all the pies we have ever made and tried when out and about, lemon meringue pie is my absolute favourite. That was until I tried to make a passion fruit meringue pie instead.

And I so wish that was an understatement, you know? But no. If we have to be fully honest with each other – and we really do, I am sure – then I have to declare my selfless love to this passion fruit meringue pie. And how easy the passion fruit meringue pie recipe is to make.

We’ve spoken about passion fruit years ago when I shared the recipe for the passion fruit curd. And back then, we spoke about how good passion fruit is for you. But later on, you’ll get a reminder, don’t worry. In this house, know it now, I am the main passion fruit lover. Cristina despises it with all of her insides, and Fred eats it in a pie, this pie and this pie only. The curd is oh so hard to resist, I tell you. By the spoon is our favourite way to eat it, of course. But I have become quite attached to this passion fruit meringue pie.

Also, you might know we have a slight obsession with pie. Apple pie, pumpkin ganache pie, peach pie… You name it, we have it here. But also a strawberry & basil one. And a savoury chicken one. And so many more like the below:

• chocolate pecan pie;
• buttermilk pie;
• mince pies;
• mixed berry & bourbon pie;
• Milk Bar Pie;
• plum streusel pie;
• apple pie, also in this Graham cracker crust version;
• chicken mummy pot pie;
• Plus, do not forget Fred’s handy guide on all things pie too!

Obsessed, as you can see, no joke. Fred could be baking a pie or two, whenever you least expect it. She was stung by the pie addiction when we went to New York for the first time. You might remember I had her walk all through Brooklyn searching for THE pie shop for Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Let’s just say that when we got back to London, she was in awe and had to give pie a shot.

For a long while, whenever she was baking, we’d be having pie

All the weekends, every weekend. Fred was so obsessed with their book that it got out of hand. But it’s gone down and got a lot better if you were wondering. Our waistlines, on the other hand…oh well, that’s a different story.

So back to the passion fruit pie recipe. Why is it so special, I hear you ask? Let me show you. First of all, it’s quite an easy dessert to whip up. The pie shell is as easy (and relaxing!) to make as it is to make the curd. The meringue is also quite quick and if you have a blowtorch, ready in minutes, literally.

But let’s talk about passionfruit for the passion fruit meringue pie once again

Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that comes from the Passiflora vine. It has a round or oval shape, with a tough outer rind that can be either purple or yellow when ripe. Inside, the fruit contains a jelly-like pulp filled with small, edible seeds. The flavour of passion fruit is unique, combining sweet and tangy notes, which many people find delicious.

In terms of nutrition, passion fruit is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, dietary fibre, and potassium. It also contains antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Passion fruit offers several health benefits due to its rich nutritional profile and unique combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are some of the key benefits of incorporating passion fruit into your diet:

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Passion fruit is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, flavonoids, and beta-carotene. These compounds help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and inflammation;
2. Supports Immune Function: The high vitamin C content in passion fruit boosts the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells and enhancing the body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses;
3. Promotes Digestive Health: Passion fruit is a good source of dietary fibre, which supports digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements, preventing constipation, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota. The seeds in the fruit also provide roughage, aiding in digestion;
4. Heart Health: Potassium, an essential mineral found in passion fruit, helps regulate blood pressure levels by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body. This can lower the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke;
5. Eye Health: The beta-carotene content in passion fruit is beneficial for eye health. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, which is essential for maintaining good vision, particularly in low-light conditions, and protecting the eyes from age-related macular degeneration and cataracts;
6. Skin Health: The antioxidants in passion fruit help protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental factors. They also promote collagen production, which keeps the skin firm, elastic, and youthful-looking;
7. Weight Management: Passion fruit is low in calories and rich in fibre, making it a satisfying and nutritious snack option for those trying to manage their weight. The fibre content helps promote satiety and reduces overall calorie intake;
8. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Some studies suggest that certain compounds in passion fruit may possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms associated with conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Both antioxidants and fibres are known to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes (Healthline). So passion fruit is a great treat that can be used in recipes, drinks, cooking or eating as it is. Scooping them out of their shells with a spoon is my favourite way to eat them!

They are quite popular now and available almost all year round, so you don’t have to worry about that. Talk about a versatile AND widely available fruit! As mentioned before, we love to buy small pouches from Marks & Spencer of just flesh, juice & seed and freeze it. They double up as a lush ice lolly in the hot weather, so don’t mind if I do! The pouches are only £1 and can be used for smoothies, yoghurt…you name it. I like to keep them on hand for whenever the cravings for this passion fruit meringue pie kick in, because once you have it… You’ll want more, trust me. Sweet, tart and oh-so-tasty, all in a bite.

Let’s have this passion fruit meringue pie recipe now

You can start this passion fruit meringue pie with the star of the show, the passion fruit curd. You can prep this ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Try not to eat it overnight, of course. But it’s so quick and easy to make, you won’t have problems making it quickly again. Just buy extra passion fruit when you plan to make this, saying this as a friend.

Once the passion fruit curd is ready and set, you want to start on the pie shell

This is an old recipe we love and trust more than any other recipe around. it’s from the girls at Four & Twenty Blackbirds if you were wondering.

The secret of this recipe is the resting time. Again, you can prepare this ever so slightly ahead of time. But we are not talking about days ahead, just hours. You do not want a soggy bottom, nor do you want a stale pie shell.

You will need just half of the recipe from below – or you can make two pies, that is really up to you! When you have prepped your dough, you will be blind baking it at 170°C for 15-20 minutes, until the sides are golden brown. Make sure to use pie weights or dry legumes or rice to fill in the pie shell AND make sure you cover the pie before you cover it with your choice of weight! Once it has baked, remove the weights and bake for a further 5 minutes so that the bottom won’t be soggy.

We make our own pastry, and I will make sure to share it below. But you are more than fine at using shop-bought shortcrust pastry. It’s fast, it’s quick and it’s vegan, so that’s great. Ours is full of butter, but you know the gist. If you fancy making your own, this recipe I’m always going on and on about is the absolute best.

It has butter, flour, sugar, salt, water and apple cider vinegar. The addition of apple cider vinegar makes the pastry flaky and extremely tasty. Don’t trust me? Try it for yourself once and you shall be pleasantly surprised. You can use your food processor to whip it up or do it by hand. Either way, you will love it.

The ingredients for the pie dough are:

• 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of white granulated or caster sugar
• 230g of cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 glass of cold filtered water
• 1/4 of a cup of cider vinegar
• 1 cup of ice

And this is how you make it:

1. In a large bowl, stir the flour, salt, and sugar together.
2. Add the butter pieces and mix together well.
3. Combine the water, cider vinegar, and ice in a small bowl.
4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the ice water mixture over the flour, and mix until fully incorporated.
5. Add more ice water, only 1 or 2 spoons at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together in a ball – you will not need the whole iced water you have – leaving some dry bits.
6. Squeeze and pinch with your fingertips to bring the mixture together and combine.
7. Shape the dough into 2 flat discs wrapped in cling film, and refrigerate for at least an hour, preferably overnight.

And, at last, the meringue topping of the passionfruit meringue pie

Because there is no passion fruit meringue pie without the meringue, right?! I know the filling, made with passion fruit puree and fruit juice, has to cool completely before you can use it, but you will absolutely shook at how delicious it will all be.

So, after you blind-baked your base for the passion fruit meringue pie, fill it with passion fruit curd and let it set fully, it’s time to get those egg whites ready to top the passion fruit meringue pie by whisking them to stiff peaks. Baking the passion fruit meringue pie will be a walk in the park, and if you have a kitchen blow torch… you’ll have fun!

Passion Fruit Meringue Pie

Simona

A passion fruit meringue pie you will be dreaming about once you finish it!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Sweet

Servings 1 pie

Ingredients

  

• 3 large egg whites
• 150 g white sugar
• 1 pie shell pre-baked
• 1 x passion fruit curd recipe

Instructions

 

• Start by beating the egg whites in your standing mixer at medium speed, until they start to froth. Make sure the bowl and attachment of your mixer are grease-free, as this will definitely hinder for the meringue to be successful.
• Once the egg whites start to froth, add the sugar slowly, one or two tablespoons at a time.
• Grab your pie shell and fill it with the curd, leaving a finger of space to the top.
• Once your meringue is ready (you’ll be looking for stiff peaks, glossy and shiny) you can arrange it to the top of the pie in whatever way you might prefer. I went for big blobs and then arranged them with a spoon.
• You will bake it for 18-20 minutes at 170°C and once it’s crispy and golden, you can let it rest in the oven that you have turned off for 30 minutes or so.
• Once you take it out of the oven, let it cool off completely before serving and store it in the fridge for up to two days.

Notes

Make sure your meringue peaks are stiff – try the upside-down bowl over your head method if you dare enough! It needs not fall on your head. Which I am sure the people around you would enjoy highly.

This is a great base for any meringue pie you might want to try: lemon, raspberry – you name it, it will work!

If you are the proud owner of a kitchen blow torch (I am not allowed one apparently) the meringue will take even less, but make sure to let it rest before serving!

Keyword passion fruit meringue pie

So here we have it, a full-size Passion Fruit Meringue Pie! I can taste it already…it’s absolutely bomb. And I am 10000% sure you will enjoy this passion fruit meringue pie as much as we did! It’s such a pleasant dessert, very scenic to serve at a dinner party and oh so simple to make with a bit of organisation! I want to own a blow torch for the kitchen one day, so you will see me do a lot more of these one day – for my joy! The girls say it’s not safe for me…I do not really agree LOL.

While most recipes online will require condensed milk, we like our passion fruit meringue pie recipe pretty simple. Just egg yolks and egg whites in the passion fruit curd, then aside from large eggs and a little prep time, you will be absolutely fine. And have the best passion fruit meringue pie you’ll ever try. You can serve it as is, with ice cream or anything else in between.

Get baking, then, because this passion fruit meringue pie it’s the best one you’ll get to try!

Pin this passion fruit meringue pie recipe for later!