Perfectly tart and sweet Skinny Lemon Bars have all the flavors of the classic lemon bars but are lightened up with healthier ingredients. They’re sweet, bright and best of all, they’re so easy to make with just 6 wholesome, gluten free and paleo friendly ingredients at just 121 calories per bar!
Lemon desserts will forever be my favorite. I can never turn down anything with that tart and refreshing flavor and nothing packs more of a sunshiney-punch than the perfect lemon bars.
These Skinny Lemon Bars have everything I love about the classic lemon bar but they are gluten free and paleo friendly – and best of they only require 6 ingredients!
- Coconut Flour
- Almond Flour
- Coconut Oil
- Maple Syrup
- Lemon
- Eggs
Most importantly, this is a much more WAISTLINE friendly version at just 121 calories per bar!
Unless of course if you eat the entire batch in one sitting 😉
I searched through a ton of recipes to find what everyone thought made up the best lemon bars and with each of those test batches I tweaked a few things here and there to lighten them up with more wholesome ingredients.
Plus, these come together easily without having to use a mixer.
The gluten free crust is made with coconut flour, maple syrup, coconut oil and a pinch of salt to balance out the flavors.
And the filling? Oh my goodness — packed with a big lemon punch with just enough sweetness that you won’t be puckered up for days.
These lemon squares are amazingly portable so they make a great choice to bring along to your next summer party or cookout.
Full of bold and bright flavors and perfect for that lemon lover in your life.
Yields 16 squares
12 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
42 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
Crust
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/3 cup blanched almond flour (or tapioca starch to keep nut free)
3-4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, solid
1-2 teaspoons lemon zest (about 1 lemon) (optional for an additional lemon punch)
Filling
4 large eggs (200 grams weighed out of shell)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons coconut flour (can also use almond flour or tapioca starch), sifted
1/2 cup squeezed lemon juice (juice of about 4 lemons)
1-2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (1 lemon) (optional for an additional lemon punch)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8x8" square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides to easily lift the bars out of the pan before cutting. Set aside.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour and tapioca starch. Stir in maple syrup and mix until fully combined. Add coconut oil and mix until dough forms pressing out any lumps. Add more maple syrup (1 teaspoon at a time) if dough is too dry. Pat with your hands to bring the dough fully together then press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs and maple syrup until smooth and combined. Next slowly whisk in the coconut flour until blended in well. Then add the tapioca starch and finally, add in the lemon juice and lemon zest, mixing very well and no lumps appear.
- Pour custard into cooled crust and bake until just set, about 17-22 minutes. Be careful NOT to OVERBAKE. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill until firm, about 2 hours and up to overnight.
- Once chilled, lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into squares.
Notes
Use a very sharp knife and wipe clean with a paper towel after each cut.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Bars can be made ahead of time 1-3 days in advance and store covered tightly in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
More lemon treats:
Lemon Cream Pie Ice Cream Bars
Greek Yogurt Lemon Coffee Cake {gf}
More from across the web:
The Best Lemon Curd {Easy} – The Food Charlatan
Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting – Well Plated
The Best Lemon Loaf (Better than Starbucks Copycat) – Averie Cooks
