Living in the South, you have access to lots of fresh citrus fruits like lemons. That means lots of lemon poppy seed muffins and healthy gluten-free lemon bars. It’s a bright and tart way to end a summer meal.
There are several ways to make this recipe. If you want a gluten-free lemon bar recipe, try making lemon bars with an almond flour crust. Need a dairy-free version? We’ve also included a vegan lemon bar option.
Lemon bars are bright yellow, have an intense lemon flavor, and have a buttery peel.
How to Raise Lemon Bars
I’ve seen so many easy lemon bar recipes that call for a box of cake mix and a can of lemon pie. I’m a huge fan of easy, but I’m not willing to sacrifice quality ingredients (or taste!). To me, the best lemon bar recipes are those that taste old-fashioned, thick and chewy, with a strong lemon flavor, and still taste healthy.
Using real, quality ingredients is the best way to achieve the best taste and texture.
Lemon Bar Ingredients
Like I said, we’re skipping the boxed cake mixes and lemon pies here, which are filled with processed sugar and added food coloring. Still, the ingredients are simple and the recipe is not difficult.
The crust can be made with organic, unbleached flour, coconut sugar for a caramel-like sweetness, or melted butter for richness. If you want a gluten-free version, an almond flour crust gives it the perfect subtle nutty flavor. If you don’t need dairy, coconut oil works better instead of butter.
The filling uses lemon juice for a sour taste and lemon peel for a natural flavor. Whole eggs and arrowroot powder (or better organic flour) give it a thick texture. And for natural sweetness, we use raw honey or maple syrup.
Here’s how to make the best regular or gluten-free lemon bars!
Best Healthy Lemon Bars (Including Gluten-Free Options)
These tart lemon bars make the perfect gooey dessert.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together the flour, coconut sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla and stir until a soft batter forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden.
Whisk eggs, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl until smooth.
Whisk in the flour (or arrowroot) until completely combined.
Pour filling over warm crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the center is just set (it shouldn’t wobble too much).
Let cool completely at room temperature and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing. This will provide a neater fit and improve texture.
Nutrition Facts
Best Healthy Lemon Bars (Including Gluten-Free Options)
Amount per serving (1 bar)
calorie 136
calories from fat 63
% Daily Value*
province 7g11%
4g saturated fat25%
Trans fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated fat 0.4g
2g monounsaturated fat
cholesterol 46mg15%
sodium 136mg6%
potassium 33mg1%
carbohydrate 18g6%
0.3 g fiber1%
11g sugar12%
protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 222IU4%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
calcium 9mg1%
steel 1mg6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- For clean pieces: Use a sharp knife and wipe down between cuts.
- Do you like it sweeter or more tart? Add another tablespoon of lemon juice or a few more tablespoons of honey to taste.
Tips for Making the Best Lemon Bars
Lemon bars, also known as lemon squares, are very easy to make. Just make and pre-bake the crust, pour in the mixed filling, bake, cool, and then cut.
Do I need to use parchment paper for lemon bars? – I do this because it makes it much easier to take it out of the pan and slice it. You don’t want that delicious crust sticking to the bottom of your pan!
Why can’t I use a metal pan for lemon bars? – The acid in the lemon may leach some metals from the pan, giving your lemon bars a metallic taste. Using parchment paper is less risky, but many people use non-reactive glass just to be safe.
Expiration date and storage – These gluten-free lemon bars will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To maintain the custard-like texture, keep covered in the refrigerator.
looking for a lemon
Need more lemon recipes? Or do you just want to taste the lemon flavor? Here are some of our favorites!
What is your favorite dessert? Let us know by leaving a comment!
