These Healthy Lemon Bars are a sweet, gluten-free and dairy-free treat with an oatmeal-almond crust and jammy, honey and lemon filling. They're naturally sweetened with honey and use just a few simple ingredients. These lemon bars are sure to become a favorite!
I've always found lemon bars to be such a treat. They're tart, sweet and have the best gooey, jammy texture. And when the crust is crisp, a bit crumbly and buttery, it's a totally winning combo!
I wanted to adapt this delicious dessert to be gluten-free and dairy-free so everyone can enjoy. And these bars do not disappoint. I think you'll love how sunny, tart and sweet they are.
How to Make Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
There are two components to these bars: the crust and the filling. Start by making the almond-oat crust, which needs to bake before you add the filling.
Gluten-Free Crust
Whether you always bake gluten-free or this is your first time, this crust is straightforward to make. It only needs five ingredients. And one of the benefits of using gluten-free flours is that you don't have to worry about overmixing anything. There's no gluten to develop, so this crust won't become tough!
Here's what you need to make the lemon bar crust:
- Oats. Use rolled oats for this recipe. And make sure they're certified gluten-free if necessary
- Almond flour. You can find this at many well-stocked grocery stores. I like Bob's Red Mill brand.
- Arrowroot starch. This is a gluten-free thickener that's also available at most grocery stores.
- Coconut sugar. feel free to use organic cane sugar if you prefer.
- Coconut oil. To help hold the crust together and give it tenderness.
- Egg. This also binds the crust ingredients well.
Lemon Bar Filling
Lemon Bar FillingWhile the crust bakes, whip up the vibrant vegan lemon bar filling. You'll need just five ingredients:
- Lemon juice or zest. To give your bars the boldest, brightest citrus flavor.
- Eggs. For that creamy custard-like texture.
- Honey. Or maple syrup or agave if you prefer.
- Arrowroot powder. Again, this helps thicken things up to the perfect sliceable texture.
Why Do I Need to Bake the Crust Separately?
Why Do I Need to Bake the Crust Separately?Blind baking is the term for baking a crust before it's filled. You do this to make sure the crust cooks all the way through. It also helps firm up the crust and brown it a bit so it stays crisp and doesn't turn soggy when you add the lemon bar filling.
Storage
StorageYou can store the fully cooled lemon bars in the fridge for up to five days. For longer storage, pop them into the freezer for up to three months. You can defrost them on the counter for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
I like to serve the lemon bars at room temperature, but you can also serve them chilled.
More Healthy Dessert Recipes
If you make these healthy Lemon Bars, be sure to let me know what you think with a review below!
Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 egg
For the filling
- ¾ cup lemon juice
- Zest of 1 (or 2!) lemons
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment and set aside.
- Add the oats, almond flour, starch sugar into a food processor. Process until combined and the oats are a crumbly texture. Add the oil and egg and pulse together until a sticky dough forms.
- Pour the dough into the baking pan and press it flat using your hands. Poke a few holes in the dough with a fork to let the steam escape.
- Bake the crust for 8 - 10 minutes while you make the filling.
- Add all the filling ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
- Once the crust has finished baking, pour the filling on top. Carefully transfer it back to the oven and bake for another 16- 18 minutes.
- Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then transfer to the fridge and cool completely.
- Cut the bars into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Nutrition
