This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Healthy lemon bars that are gluten free and paleo make for the most perfect easy summer dessert. Made with an almond flour and coconut flour crust, and a simple filling sweetened with only maple syrup. Your whole family will love this healthy dessert recipe.
Have you ever made lemon bars before? How about healthy lemon bars? No? Well we are about to change that and I’m pretty certain that it won’t be the last time that you do because it is easy and incredibly delicious.
Traditional lemon bars, while super tasty and one of my favorite childhood desserts, are packed with less than healthy ingredients, so in a typical Erin Lives Whole effort to take a traditional baked good and turn it into a healthier dessert.
And so that’s exactly what I did! I created a healthy lemon bar recipe made totally gluten free with ingredients like coconut flour and almond flour. Instead of refined white sugar we replaced it with natural maple syrup, but I swear that healthy eaters and non healthy eaters a like will love this recipe!
I love having lemon desserts on hand because they always taste so fresh. You have to also try my Healthy Lemon Cookies, and as a bonus they are gluten-free.
Ingredients in healthy lemon bars
There are only a few simple ingredients in this recipe for healthy lemon bars. You may already have all of the ingredients on hand. Now you’re well on your way to making some of the best creamy, yet firm enough to hold together lemon bars.
Lemon bar crust
Lemon bar filling
- eggs
- lemon juice (freshly squeezed!)
- maple syrup
- lemon zest
- coconut flour
How to make lemon bars
You’ll want to start by making the crust! We use a blend of almond flour and coconut flour for the crust, as I’ve found that yields the sturdiest result while still being moist enough. All almond flour and it is too soft. All coconut flour and it is too dry. So we meet in the middle and found a perfect crust!
Mix together your flours, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. This will create a dough that you should be able to press into a greased or parchment lined 8×8 pan. Then throw that baby in the oven and bake!
While the crust is baking, prepare your filling so that you will be ready to pour it on top of your hot crust right when it comes out of the oven!
Squeeze your lemons to get fresh lemon juice, then whisk that together with eggs, maple syrup, and lemon zest. Sift in your coconut flour for extra fine texture and then whisk until there are no clumps!
Right when your crust is done baking, lower the oven temp down and pour your filling on top. Let it bake until set in the middle (a little jiggle is ok!) then cool at room temperature. Once cool, refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Cut and serve! I like to sprinkle powdered sugar on top as well. So good!
What’s the best way to store lemon bars?
Store the lemon bars in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within 48 hours, as the crust will begin to get a little bit soft. So these are one of those desserts that best made the night before and served the next day!
We also freeze any leftovers and then defrost in the fridge to eat for the next day.
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Healthy Lemon Bars (Gluten-Free)
Healthy lemon bars that are gluten free and paleo make for the most perfect easy summer dessert. Made with an almond flour and coconut flour crust, and a simple filling sweetened with only maple syrup. Your whole family will love this healthy dessert recipe.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.5 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling
- 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4 large lemons)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp coconut flour, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or nonstick spray.
- In a bowl, mix together all of your crust ingredients until well combined.
- Press into the bottom of the 8×8 baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
- While crust is baking, whisk together all filling ingredients, adding sifted coconut flour last. Whisk until all clumps are gone.
- Once crust comes out of the oven, pour filling immediately on top.
- Lower oven temp to 325F and bake for 20-22 minutes or until filling is set. A little jiggle is ok!
- Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes then transfer to fridge for at least 3 hours.
- Add powdered sugar (not paleo, but delicious) and cut and serve!
*Notes for storing in post.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
kandy says
Can I use gluten free flour instead of coconut?
Erin says
Hi Kandy, yes of course. Just check the ratio since some flours aren’t 1:1. Let me know what flour you use and how the bars come out!
Katie M says
These lemon bars are a staple in our household! They are very easy to make and turn out perfect each time. The most difficult part is waiting for them to cool and set completely!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, I am so glad everyone enjoys them!
Ana says
This recipe is AMAZING! My favorite!!! All my family enjoyed the lemon bars! The only problem I have is that my lemon bars have tiny white dots. I made them twice. The second time I tried with sifted coconut flour but the same result. Any suggestion so they dont come out with white dots? Thank youuu for this amazing recipe! 🤤
Erin says
Hi Ana, thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad your family enjoyed them!! To get rid of the white dots, be sure to whisk it extra well! White dots means you haven’t broken up the egg whites completely. Let me know how it comes out next time. As they say the third time is the charm!
Melissa says
What can I sub for coconut flour in the filling? I have almond flour, whole wheat flour and whole wheat pastry flour.
Erin says
Hi Melissa, feel free to use whichever flour you’d prefer. Be sure to look up the specific measurements for whatever one you choose, as most flours will not substitute at a 1:1 ratio for the coconut flour but any of the above should work as long as the ratio is correct. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Hannah Keith says
These lemon bars were SO GOOD! First time making lemon bars and they were a hit! I didn’t have coconut flour so replaced the measurements of that in the recipe with whole wheat flour and it worked great! The crust may have been slightly more moist than if I had used the coconut flour but we didn’t mind the texture at all. Thanks so much for an easy to follow and delicious recipe- the perfect summertime dessert 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, thank you so much for the kind words and so happy you made it your own. If you use whole wheat flour next time, I’d recommend using about 1 cup of the wheat flour. Coconut flour behaves differently, and it is generally recommended that 1/4 – 1/3 cup of coconut flour can be substituted for 1 cup of wheat flour. Hope this helps and let me know if you try them again! 🙂
Gabby says
Best lemon bars ever!! I love the lemon filling with the coconutty crust! YUM def one of my fav recipes
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Gabby, I’m so glad you love the bars!! 🙂
Sofia says
Hi Erin!!
Love this recipe but my sister is vegan and I wanted to make them for her! Any egg subs??
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi! unfortunately not, as the eggs are the major portion of the filling. sorry about that!
Erin says
Hi Sofia, I’m so happy you love this recipe. I’m so sorry but unfortunately, you need the eggs for this recipe.
Emma says
The most amazing lemon bars ever!!! We substituted some of the lemon juice for lime juice and they were fantastic – would definitely make again!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma! I’m so happy you like the bars and made them your own. 🙂
Lori B says
Delicious! Made these for my daughter’s birthday and they were a huge hit! Will definitely be making again.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lori! Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy belated birthday to her and hope you enjoy the bars all summer long!
daisy renteria-saldana says
soooo good!! love making this recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Daisy! Thank you so much for your kind words! So happy you love the bars! 🙂
Katie says
SO AMAZING. All around – the texture, the flavor – all of it! Made it with sugar free maple syrup & followed the recipe exactly. Didn’t taste healthy at all it was SO GOOD!
Only issue I had was not having an 8×8 pan.. Normally try and shrink my pan size with aluminum foil, but the filling was completely liquid so it seeped underneath. Made it work though by tilting the pan… lol still turned out great, and worth buying a pan for!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie! I am so happy you loved the bars and made them your own! Smart thinking and hope you can get an 8×8 pan so it goes smoother next time! 🙂
Christy says
Ok, are you kidding me? These are INCREDIBLE!!!!! My husband said they’re the best lemon bars he’s ever had. Couldn’t believe there’s no sugar in these. I applaud your skills in the kitchen! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Christy! Thank you so much for your kind words!! I am so happy you both love them!! 🙂
Kate Tomasi says
This is SO good. The crust is flaky and just the right amount of sweetness. The filling is the perfect texture, lemony, and sweet. Just made tonight as an early summer dessert and will def make again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kate! Thanks so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed them!
Marguerite Adzick says
Easily my favorite thing to make on Erin’s site!! Obsessed, making them every week!
Erin says
Hi Marguerite, I’m thrilled you love the bars!! 🙂
Dina says
The flavor on these was amazing…just the right amount of tart and sweet. The crust was soft and the filling didn’t quite set…next time I’ll extend the baking time for both steps. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★
Christy says
Same with me! I’m at 8000 ft elevation so maybe that’s why but next time I’d extend by like 3 minutes for each layer.
Erin says
Hi Christy! Thanks for making my bars! Let me know how they come out next time if you extend the time!
Erin says
Hi Dina, thanks so much for the kind words! Do you think you had a little bit extra liquid in the crust? Let me know how it goes next time!
Erin says
Made these with all purpose flour and still turned out great. I have been searching for a healthier lemon bar recipe and really enjoyed these!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, I am so happy you enjoyed the bars!! 🙂
Alexis says
The only lemon bar I’ve had was from Whole Foods. Full gluten, full fat, full sugar -amazing. I’ve been wanting lemon bars again but wanted to go a healthier route. These lemon bars turned out great! I really love them and don’t feel guilty while eating them. I even made some changes to the recipe based on what I had. I used half honey half maple syrup. The recipe was very forgiving as I did a couple things “wrong” and thought I was doomed. But they turned out great and will be even better the next time I make them. Thanks Erin for this recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alexis, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed the bars and made them your own! Let me know how your second batch comes out! 🙂
Jamie says
These look delicious! Can you substitute coconut oil for unsalted butter melted?
Erin says
yes!
Anna says
Hi, can I double the filling to make it thicker?
Erin says
Yes! It may just take longer to bake.
Teresa Witten says
We made these for Easter also, so delicious. The lemon and the almond flour really compliment each other.
Erin says
Hi Teresa, I am so happy you enjoyed the bars!!