When we first moved into our condo here in Chicago, the previous owner left a janky metal patio table and chairs for us. We enjoyed it for a good year and then realized that the table was started to rust and look a little obscene. Finally a few weeks ago, I made it my mission to recreate our patio.
First on my list was making sure that it was cozy, which meant a sectional was of the utmost importance. Secondly, we needed a place to enjoy our dinners, so we opted for a cute bar bistro patio set. Lastly, PLANTS! We’ve really been enjoying planting flowers and palms; nothing crazy though, as we want to make sure they actually survive. What are your favorite outdoor plants?
I’ll do a before and after of everything soon and once everything is completely I cannot wait to host a patio dinner party ASAP!
And guess what I’ll be making for dessert? These lovely healthy lemon bars. Uhhh huhh honey.
Does anyone else think of lemon bars as a must make dessert for Memorial Day weekend? Maybe it’s just me, but growing up we always enjoyed strawberry shortcake and lemon bars for dessert. Most of the desserts I had growing up were out of the box, unless it was Dad’s cake or Grandma’s homemade lemon pie, but I must say that there’s a special feeling that comes with baking something yourself. Perhaps it’s a sense of pride and accomplishment. Whatever the case, desserts almost always tastes better when it’s homemade.
So, what do you say? Are you putting these lemon bars on your weekend baking list or what? I SAY YASSSSS.
These healthy lemon bars are made with super simple ingredients and are naturally sweetened with both honey and coconut sugar (but don’t worry, you’ve got options!).
The ‘shortbread’ crust is made with almond and coconut flour. I tested them a few ways, but felt that it was best to use a mix of both flours for a crust that didn’t get soggy.
The filling is made with just 4 ingredients. Just whisk together lemon zest, fresh lemon juice (yes, it must be fresh!), eggs, egg yolk, honey and coconut flour in a bowl until smooth.
Then bake away! A few hours after the bars chill, you’ll have magic on your hands. They’re perfectly sweet and made for all you lemon lovers.
SEE HOW TO MAKE THE HEALTHY LEMON BARS:
If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram, and leave a comment + rate the recipe below. It helps Ambitious Kitchen readers! Thank you. xo.
More healthy desserts you’ll love:
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars (vegan + paleo)
Melt In Your Mouth Italian Iced Orange Cookies
The Best Zucchini Brownies You’ll Ever Eat
Flourless Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies {vegan, gluten-free & healthy}
Healthy Lemon Bars (gluten free, dairy free & paleo!)
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (or sub 2-3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup)
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup packed fine almond flour (do not use almond meal)
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the filling:
- Zest from 1 lemon
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 2-4 lemons)
- ½ cup honey
- 4 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour, sifted (or sub tapioca flour or arrowroot flour)
- To garnish:
- Powdered sugar (sifted)
- Lemon zest
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. (Do not use a glass pan as it will likely cause the bottom of the crust to burn.)
-
First make the crust: In a medium bowl, add in the coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg and almond extract. Mix together until smooth. Add in almond flour, coconut flour and salt. Mix again until a dough forms. Press dough evenly into prepared pan with your hands. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool for two minutes before adding your filling.
-
While your crust bakes, you can make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, eggs, egg yolk and coconut flour. Pour over crust. Bake for 18-25 minutes or until filling is set and no longer jiggles. Cool completely on a wire rack then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up bars. Once ready to serve, use a sharp knife to cut into 12 bars. I recommend garnishing them with powdered sugar and a little lemon zest before serving. Enjoy!
130 comments
What other flours can be used besides almond flour?
Ccan one use the equivalent in coconut flour or regular flour if not needed to be gluten free?
You could try using more coconut flour, but I’d suggest using more oil – about 1/3 to 1/2 cup!
Could I use coconut flour instead of almond flour? my boyfriend LOVES lemon but has a nut allergy.
Hi Megan! You could try using more coconut flour, but I’d suggest using more oil – about 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
These sound amazing!! Lemon is so refreshing during the summer!
Agreed! My favorite summertime flavor 🙂
I thought these were dairy free… Eggs are dairy.
Eggs are not dairy!
Anna is correct – eggs aren’t a dairy product (as they don’t come from milk!)
LOL
I just had a great laugh at this one
Is there a way to sub an egg in this recipe? Do you think a flax egg would work? We have to been dairy and egg free
Unfortunately eggs are an essential part of this lemon bar recipe (flax eggs will create a strange texture and flavor!)
I found a decent egg replacement and used it in this recipe! Not sure if the consistency is right, but it sure is yummy! Both Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer and Ener-G egg replacer were successful substitutions!
Perfect – glad those worked out for you!
Eggs are 100% dairy and considered so to someone who is “dairy free” so please don’t label a recipe dairy free if an egg is involved.
While eggs are indeed animal products (making these bars non-vegan), they are not dairy. It can be confusing because they’re sold next to dairy products, but dairy products are “all fluid milk products and products made from milk.” Chickens do not produce dairy products (while cows, sheep, and goats do).
Do you think using more maple syrup in place of the honey would work? I can’t have honey right now but these look delicious.
Yes that should work!
These look so delicious! And I love that everyone can enjoy them, dairy or gluten free! These just might show up this weekend on Memorial Day.
Absolutely! Perfect for Memorial Day weekend 🙂
yum can’t wait to make these! The perfect spring/summer recipe. I can’t believe it’s already almost Memorial Day!
Just a few days away! Excited for you to try these 🙂
I bet your new patio looks awesome! It would be perfect for a Memorial Day party. These lemon bars look fabulous! I have always loved lemon bars as a kid. They were too delicious!
I’ll have to share photos soon! And yes, love love lemon everything 🙂
These look unreal and I have almost all the ingredients! Could I use vanilla extract instead of almond? Or do you think the almond is necessary…?
Perfect! You can definitely use vanilla extract – it will just change the flavor a bit (i.e. it won’t have an almond flavor).
I made these this afternoon. Beyond amazing!! But wondering what the consistency of the filling should exactly be? thank you!!!
So glad you liked them! If you check out the video it will show you the consistency 🙂
Not sure of how many servings it makes
The recipe makes 12 bars 🙂
Delicious lemon bars gluten free, dairy free I am so amazed.
How many yolks go in the filling? 5 or 1 + 4 egg whites?
4 full eggs + 1 additional egg yolk!
These were so delicious, but in the middle of my pan the crust came up through the filling and the filling was on the bottom – in some places the crust was also between 2 layers of filling. Suggestions? I followed the recipe pretty carefully, but the visual presentation wasn’t great, ha!
Very strange! I would make sure your crust has cooled for a couple minutes before adding the filling – that might help it “set” a bit more. Glad you liked them regardless!
I decided to try and make these bars into more tart like and made in muffin tin..crust floated up..currently cooking..I see no problem besides they are upside down now lol..
So strange! Did you let your crush cool before adding the filling?
How many days ahead of my event can these lucious be made?
Oops trying again, I’ve got lots on the brain.
How many days ahead of my event can I make these luscious lemon bars?
I would make them the day before and keep them in the fridge!
What type of baking pan did you use other than a glass one? Metal?
Yes
Hi,
How do you prevent the lemon liquid from seeping into the crust? When I made these, the liquid seeped through the crust so there was no separation of the two layers, it just ended up being one soggy mess. FYI, I cooked the crust crispy before adding the lemon liquid.
Thanks!
Best,
Inga
Hi Inga! Very strange – I haven’t had this issue making them. Did the crust cool completely? I would make sure the crust is still warm when you add the lemon filling on top (I just let it cool for a couple of minutes).
Same thing with me,I just make this and the result is so soggy
When the bar is finished, is the crust crunchy or soft?
It’s soft like a sugar cookie!
Followed the recipe (just with vanilla extract instead of almond) and they turned out amazing! The pan was devoured within a day. I loved the filling so much, I may double it next time!
Perfect!! So happy to hear that 🙂
Can I replace the coconut oil or coconut flour with anything else? I really want to try this recipe but I am not a big fan of coconut 🙁
Hi monique!
approximately how many days should these last before spoiling?
LOVE EVERYTHING ON UR SITE BTW😍.
iman
quick update: IM AMAZED! Just made these. have to admit i didnt have high hopes, because i am still quite new to baking and cooking, i thought I would mess something up. but this recipe is even good for a beginner.. love it 💛
Hi Iman! SO happy to hear that!! Such a great summer dessert <3
They should last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator! <3
Hi! These sound great, I might make them for a family lunch! Can I substitute coconut flour with almond flour?
Thanks!
Hi Tatiana! The coconut flour helps the crust hold together, so I wouldn’t swap it with more almond flour.
Can I sub almond flour for all-purpose flour?
I wouldn’t recommend swapping the flours in here – the consistency will be very different!
OMG Monique….
I have only one word for this recipe”HEAVEN”😊
It is so delish…I made it few days ago & all gone within few hours….lol
Thanks for the AWESOME recipes…love them all…tried many & it’s always a succes🙌
Love from Canada❤
Niki
Hi Niki! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂 Glad you loved these and are finding tons more that you love, too!
Thank you the recipe! I made it yesterday and it was delicious. My crust was a little bit different, but OK. I used erythriol instead of honey and maple syrup because those are not paleo.
I’ve never baked with erythriol, so that might be what changed up the crust!
The video is no longer available.., and I’m just about to make those for a dinner party! It worked yesterday and now it’s gone. Will you upload it again? 🙁
Just checked it out – the video should be working correctly!
I just made these and I was worried I didn’t whisk the eggs enough as when they came out of the oven they looked “eggy” they turned out perfect!! I added shredded coconut on top and they are now a new house hold treat! Thank you so much for creating this recipe! It’s been very difficult to find something this tasty and healthy at the same time! I look forward to trying more of your recipes
Shredded coconut sounds amazing on top! So glad you found this one 🙂
Hi Monique, these are amazing but for some reason when I let mine cool after the filling is no longer wobbly, it starts to crack big time. How can I prevent this from happening?
🙂
Hi Georgie! This usually happens when you refrigerate the bars while they are still slightly warm!
Can you make this without lemon zest?
The lemon flavor won’t be as strong, but it will still work.
Very Disappointing recipe…..it is just not a good crust or filling. I am a pastry chef by trade, Paleo by my mutation ( not able to digest and process gluten and carbs). The crust is very grainy, like you can taste the ingredient separately, very unpleasant mouth feel. As for the filling, almond extract is not complementing the overall taste. Vanilla or coconut extract would be better. Meyer lemons would be a better choice, I felt like I had been slapped by a raw & bitter citrus police. I think the sweet to lemon ratio should be equal amounts. I will not attempt this recipe again.
Sorry to hear that, Sherry! I’ve made this one many times with success and have never encountered those issues.
Does anyone know if almond flour is ground up blanched almonds or the dried up grounds that are leftover from making almond milk?
It’s ground up blanched almonds 🙂
I made these and substituted the coconut flour with rice flour and skipped the almond extract. It was sooooooo good! I’m gonna make this many more times. Thanks for doing all the work to get it right =)
Great! Glad those swaps worked out.
Followed instructions carefully cooling crust for 2 minutes but the crust still rose up in the pan and the top layer became the bottom layer. Frustrating!
I’m sorry you had an issue. I’ve never had this happen to me! Perhaps wait 5 minutes.
Can I substitute the sweetener with either Stevia powder, Stevia Drops, or Erythritol powder?
Can I substitute the sweetener with Stevia drops, Stevia powder, or Erythritol powder? If so, what would be the quantity to use? Thanks.
I don’t typically bake with alternative sweeteners, so I’m not 100% sure. Let me know if you try it!
Did I do something wrong? The liquid and crust sort of melded together and the crust is soft and rubbery, like the filling soaked in or spilled over. Followed all directions to the T. Still yummy!
I’m so sorry you had such an issue! It sounds like maybe it wasn’t baked long enough in the first place. I plan on retesting this recipe soon and will report back!
Great! I redid them and did crust at 350 instead of 325, and pinched the ends up to keep in all the filling. Was perfect 👍🏻
Perfect! Glad that worked out 🙂
How important is the parchment paper? I typically just bake items directly in the pan. Also, for the coconut sugar, do you use the dark brown, or the white? I just put mine in the oven, and within moments of pouring the filling over the crust, the crust started bubbling up. Kinda bummed, because I’m experimenting with this for a bridal shower where the bride must be GF and DF. Hope my second try doesn’t do that.
Just took it out of the oven and my crust has almost totally absorbed my filling :/ I noticed in the comments section that a few other people have had that problem. Please let us know if you find a solution. Appreciate it!
hmmm i’m so sorry you had an issue. i just retested these and they worked perfectly for me. the trick is making sure there are no cracks in the crust before baking!
Can you substitute key lime juice for the lemon?
I’m sure you could! Let me know if you try it!
HI, Can I use a larger pan and double the recipe?
Sure! That will absolutely work. 9×13 would be great.
I used a gluten-free flour blend instead of the almond flour in the crust and turned out pretty tasty still! If i make these again i think i would switch out the honey in the filling for maple syrup. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad that swap worked out! Let me know how the maple syrup goes, too 🙂
I have not yet tried this but plan to this week. I was wondering if they can be frozen?
I haven’t tried freezing them but let me know if you do!
I just made these, and the same thing happened to me, except that the entire two layers reversed! I did cool my crust in between, but it ended up entirely on the top after baking. I just flipped the pan and peeled off the parchment, which worked okay; I just had to do a little reshaping of the custard layer. But I am super curious about how/why that happened! Regardless, the bars were still delicious and a big hit with our friends 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
So strange! I’m not sure why so many people have had issues. I’ve tested this multiple times as written and have never had the crust come to the top. I wish I could help troubleshoot, but my best guess is that the filling was too cold and the crust too warm or there were cracks in the crust.
This was the best paleo lemon bar recipe I’ve tried! (and I’ve tried many) I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a good paleo alternative to lemon bars. I made as written and they turned out perfectly,
Amazing! So happy to hear that.
I am devastated that I used so many wonderful ingredients in this dessert and have it be such an epic failure! The crust was not brown as shown in the picture, the top separated and even though I cooked it longer than stated, it came out soft . We didn’t eat it, we had to throw it out!
So strange! I’ve tested this one many times and have never had an issue. I wish I could help troubleshoot, but my best guess is that the filling was too cold and the crust too warm or there were cracks in the crust.
Whats the difference between almond meal and almond flour?
They’re virtually the same thing but almond flour is almost always made with blanched almonds (and almond meal sometimes uses unblanched almonds).
I made this a few times over the summer and was addicted . I really appreciate a “cleaner” recipe compared to the traditional lemon bar . The recipe includes just the right amount of lemon so that the Taste isn’t too overbearing and so simple to make ! My only issue was that sometimes the crust would stick to the parchment paper even after being refrigerated. However it definitely didn’t take away from the taste ! So good !
So glad you enjoyed! I also like just the right amount of lemon flavor 🙂
I love the recipe
I’m so glad!
Firstly, thank you Monique for this wonderful food blog. I’ve loved every recipe that I’ve tried.
Secondly, I have not tried this recipe yet hence the lack of rating so I apologize in advance for that…
My question is, do you think these bars would freeze well? Food prep is the name of the game during these crazy days.
Absolutely! I’m so glad you’re loving the recipes here. I haven’t tried freezing these, but I think they should freeze well. Just wrap them up tightly before doing so. Let me know if you try it!
Thank you for the response!
Can these be frozen?
I haven’t tried it but I think it would work well! Just thaw them in the fridge when you’re ready to eat.
These lemon bars were so good! I wanted an alternative to Betty Crocker’s lemon bars (my faves) since I’m not eating gluten or dairy, and was worried if these would compare. They exceeded my expectations! They were delicious, thank you so much!
So happy you loved them!
These were 100% not what was described or pictured. The “crust” was more like a loaf and WAY too thick. There was not enough lemon topping…they do not taste good whatsoever and the timing was way off. I wouldn’t recommend this recipe 🙁
Sorry to hear that, Juliann! I’ve never had the issue of the crust being thick or not having enough lemon topping. I might suggest double checking your ingredient ratios!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I made them but the crust was kind of soft, should I have baked it longer or is the crust just softer cause of the almond flour?
The crust will be softer than traditional bars because of the almond flour but should still hold together well!
when i poured the filling over the crust, the crust started floating to the top!! I’m not sure why this happened
Hi! So strange. Did you let the crust cool completely?
I only have a glass 8X8, if i line in with parchment paper would that be ok or do you think it will still burn?
Excited to make these!
Thank you!
I think it might still burn, but I can’t be certain. Let me know if you give it a shot!
this recipe was AMAZING! I don’t even like lemon bars but I had a random craving and this seriously knocked it out of the park.
Do you think the recipe would work if I replaced the lemon juice with a combo of cacao powder and coconut oil? Thinking about if there was a way to make a chocolate version of this. Thank you!!
Glad you loved them! I would suggest a different recipe, maybe my tahini millionaire bars: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/salted-tahini-caramel-millionaire-bars-vegan-paleo/
I only had a glass 8 by 8 pan, so I baked the crust for a few less minutes and kept careful watch over the bars – happy to report they didn’t burn. I also only had half a cup of almond flour left so I subbed the rest with coconut flour. These bars are easy and perfectly tart. Topped with fresh whipped cream
Amazing! So happy to hear that!
How can you say the lemon bars are dairy free when there are eggs in it? I am confused but would like to try the recipe.
Hi Edie! Eggs are not dairy as they come from chickens (not from dairy-producing animals). Enjoy!