I live in the south, and I have access to a lot of fresh citrus fruits, like lemons. This means a lot Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes And healthy, gluten-free lemon bars. It’s a bright and tart way to round off a meal in the summer months.
There are several ways to prepare this recipe. If you want a gluten-free lemon bars recipe, make lemon bars with an almond flour crust. Need a dairy-free version? I’ve included an option for vegan lemon bars as well.
Lemon bars have a bright yellow color, intense lemon flavor, and a buttery crust.
How to raise lemon bars
I’ve seen a lot of easy lemon bar recipes that call for a box of cake mix and a box of lemon pie filling. Although I’m a big fan of ease, I’m not willing to sacrifice quality ingredients (or taste!). For me, the best lemon bar recipe has an old-fashioned taste, is thick and chewy with intense lemon flavor, and is still on the healthy side.
Using quality, Real food ingredients It is the best way to get the best taste and texture.
Lemon bar ingredients
Like I said, we’re skipping the boxed cake mix and lemon pie filling with processed sugar and added food dye here. The ingredients are still simple, and the recipe isn’t difficult to put together.
For the crust, you can use organic unbleached wheat flour and coconut sugar for a caramel-like sweetness and melted butter for richness. If you want a gluten-free version, the almond flour crust gives it the perfect flavor. And if you need dairy-free products, Coconut oil Works well in place of butter.
The filling uses lemon juice for acidity and lemon peel for lots of natural flavor. Whole eggs and arrowroot powder (or more organic flour) provide thickness. I use raw honey or maple syrup to sweeten it naturally.
Here’s how to make the best regular or gluten-free lemon bars!
Best Healthy Lemon Bars (With Gluten-Free Option)
These Lemon Lime Bars are the perfect sticky dessert.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, mix flour with coconut sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
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Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly golden.
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In a bowl, whisk eggs, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until smooth.
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Whisk in the flour (or arrowroot) until fully combined.
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Pour the filling over the warm crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center is set (it should not jiggle too much).
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Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then place in the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing. This helps them set cleanly and improves texture.
Nutrition facts
Best Healthy Lemon Bars (With Gluten-Free Option)
Amount Per Serving (1 Bar)
Calories 136
Calories from fat 63
% Daily Value*
fat 7g11%
Saturated fat 4 grams25%
Trans fats 0.2 grams
Polyunsaturated fats 0.4 grams
Monounsaturated fat 2 grams
Cholesterol 46 mg15%
Sodium 136 mg6%
Potassium 33mg1%
Carbohydrates 18 grams6%
Fiber 0.3 grams1%
Sugar 11 grams12%
protein 2 grams4%
Vitamin A 222IU4%
Vitamin C 2 mg2%
Calcium 9 mg1%
iron 1 mg6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- For clean slices: Use a sharp knife and wipe between cuts
- Are they sweeter or more tart? Add another tablespoon of lemon juice or a few tablespoons of honey to taste.
Tips for making the best lemon bars
Also known as lemon squares, lemon bars are very easy to make. All you have to do is make the crust, pre-bake it, pour in the mixed filling, bake, cool, and slice.
Should I use parchment paper for lemon bars? -I do this because it is much easier to remove them from the pan and cut them. You don’t want to leave any of that delicious crust stuck to the bottom of the pan!
Why can’t you use a metal pan for lemon bars? – Lemon acid can leach some of the minerals from the pan, giving lemon bars a metallic taste. There is less risk using parchment paper, but many use non-reactive glass to be safe.
Shelf life and storage – These gluten-free lemon bars will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to cover it in the refrigerator to maintain its custard-like texture.
Search for lemons
Need more lemon recipes? Or just in the mood for some lemon zest? Here are some of our favorites!
What are some of your favorite desserts to have on hand? Leave a comment and let us know!
