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Home » Healthy Recipes » Healthy Desserts » Easy Paleo Lemon Bars

Easy Paleo Lemon Bars

04/20/2020 by fitasamamabear

Jump to Recipe
Pinterest image with text: lemon squares stacked with lemons around them. Lemons in a bowl behind them and more squares around it. Also in process shot of pouring lemon mixture.
Pinterest image with text: multiple images of lemon squares stacked and in process shots of how to make them
Featured image: three gluten-free lemon bars stacked with cut lemons around it and more behind them
Three paleo lemon squares stacked with lemons and more squares on parchment paper behind them

Zesty in flavor, these paleo lemon bars are the perfect summer dessert! Naturally gluten-free these lemon squares are easy to make and minimal in sugar.

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Enjoy a healthy rendition of a classic with this deliciously tart recipe. A hit at gatherings, showers, and anytime in between.

lemon bars stacked with lemons around them. Lemons in a bowl behind them and more squares around and behind

Loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients and minimal sugars, these healthy lemon bars have all the flavor without the classic sugar high.

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, this is why I love them:

  • Easy to make: if your gluten-free pantry is stocked you have everything already!
  • Allergy-friendly: dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo-friendly
  • Flavor burst: refresh and recharge with a burst of lemon
  • Healthy fats: loaded with flavor but also with fuel

Plus, they're perfectly tart and refreshing- ideal for a summertime indulgence!

Ingredients You'll Need

Almond flour: make sure to use blanched flour and not almond meal. This will result in a better texture and a more uniform flavor.

Coconut oil: gives the crust a satiating, indulgent feel.

Coconut palm sugar: replacing the traditional powdered sugar! You only need a little of this paleo-friendly ingredient.

Eggs: along with coconut flour are responsible for thickening up the lemon filling.

Fresh lemon juice: fresh is best! Fresh lemon juice is what gives the lemon bars their zesty flavor.

Lemon zest: used in the recipe as well as on top to garnish, the more lemon the better!

Coconut flour: this is what helps thicken up the lemon filling without adding a lot of carbs. Coconut flour really is "a figure competitor's best friend".

Paleo Almond Crust

These bars use a paleo crust with only five ingredients (and none of which are powdered sugar!). The difference between this crust and a typical lemon bar recipe is simply the sweetness.

But it's this awesome crust that makes the lemon bars gluten-free.

Almond flour and coconut oil make a wonderful crust for desserts (like these blueberry maple tarts). However, it does not come out with the "graham cracker feel" that you may be used to. The flavor is more in the lemon filling.

Thus, if you naturally have a sweet tooth and need just a bit more from this recipe, add in one tablespoon of coconut palm sugar into the crust. This will give it a sweeter palate.

Important Teaching Tips

These bars are best eaten after being stored in the fridge for a couple of days.

Though you can store them in the freezer, the texture is different on the topping/filling and just not as delicious.

Because of the eggs, coconut oil, and coconut flour for the filling, the bars will firm up once stored in the fridge.

This is a low-sugar dish, if you prefer something more sweet, adding some vanilla stevia to the egg mixture or the crust can help!

Featured image: three paleo lemon bars stacked with cut lemons around it and more behind them this …

Frequently Asked Questions About Paleo Lemon Bars

Is Coconut Sugar Paleo?

These lemon squares do contain some coconut palm sugar which is definitely a debate in the paleo world! However, because coconut sugar is minimally processed it comes in close with honey. Meaning that yes, it is a sugar but it seems that most of the paleo community accepts it

Do lemon bars have to be refrigerated?

Because lemon bars are egg-based, they're best stored in the fridge until ready to eat. This keeps them from spoiling too quickly.

How do you know lemon squares are done?

The filling on the lemon squares will still seem soft when they're finished baking. However, it will firm up slightly in the fridge. You don't want the filling to be excessively gooey, just soft.

Other Healthy Dessert Recipes You'll Love

  • Dairy-free caramel sauce
  • Dairy-free protein truffles
  • The BEST dairy-free brownies
  • No-bake, homemade snickers
  • White chocolate fudge
  • Peppermint patty bars
  • Fudgy protein brownies
  • Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
  • Chocolate frosted cashew cookies
  • Sugar-free pudding
  • Healthy chocolate pudding
  • Peanut butter thumbprint cookies
  • Chocolate covered frozen bananas
  • High protein snack ideas
  • Healthy dessert recipes
lemon squares stacked with lemons around them. Lemons in a bowl behind them and more squares around and behind

Paleo Lemon Bars Recipe

A tasty lemon bars recipe perfect for a summertime dessert! With only maple syrup to sweeten the creamy lemon topping this paleo dessert is a great summer treat!
4.93 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 32 mins
15 mins
Total Time 1 hr 32 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 squares
Calories 260 kcal

Equipment

  • 8x4 baking pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Silicone Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • For The Crust
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 2 tbs coconut oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tbs coconut palm sugar
  • For The Topping
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.5 tbs lemon zest
  • ½ cup lemon juice
  • ⅛ cup coconut palm sugar
  • 2 tbs coconut flour
  • 2 tbs coconut milk soft*

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt the coconut oil for the crust. In a small bowl combine all ingredients and mix until everything is sticky.
  • Line an 8x4 pan with parchment paper. Scoop the mixture into the pan and use a silicone spatula to press the crust down evenly.
    In process image for lemon bars: ingredients around green bowl
  • Bake for 10 minutes and remove from the oven. Let sit in pan.
  • In a larger bowl, mix together the coconut flour and palm sugar. Add in the remaining ingredients and use a handheld mixer to whip on medium for 2 minutes. Make sure no clumps remain.
    In process image for lemon bars: lemon being added to eggs before mixing
  • Pour the lemon mixture over the crust and pop in the oven. Bake for 22 minutes then shut the oven off.
    In process image for lemon bars: lemon mixture being added to crust in pan
  • Let sit in the oven as it cools for ten more minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool fully in the pan.
  • Once cooled, pull out the parchment paper and cut into squares. Store in the fridge
    In process image for lemon bars: knife cutting cooked bars

Video

Notes

  • make sure to use almond flour and not almond meal for this recipe
  • if you want a sweeter crust, add one tablespoon of coconut palm sugar to the mixture
  • store the bars in the fridge until ready to eat- they taste better the day after making them.
  • make sure the coconut milk is from a can but not hardened (as it would be from storing in the fridge). If it’s hard, simply melt it over low heat.
  • Here’s where you can find all my favorite pantry ingredients for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 10gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 51mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 149IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 2mg
Keyword almond flour crust, dairy-free lemon bars, lemon, paleo lemon squares
Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

Easy to make and great to whip up and brighten your day. This lemon bars recipe takes a classic dessert and puts a healthy (paleo!) twist on it. 

And thanks to ingredients like coconut flour, they have all the feel of indulgence without all the carbohydrates!

Shelby aka Mama Bear

fitasamamabear

Meet Shelby - a Certified Strength And Conditioning Specialist, Certified Nutrition Coach. As a mom of three young girls and coach for the past ten years, Shelby now strives to make fitness and healthy living practical for busy moms. By sharing her knowledge and the resources on her website, Shelby helps busy moms get fit, happy, and healthy.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin

    April 21, 2020 at 8:37 pm

    I bet the brightness of the lemon is just perfect with the almond flour! Will have to try this soon!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 23, 2020 at 10:33 am

      It's a tasty one! Not overly sweet but just so refreshing!

      Reply
  2. Megan Stevens

    April 23, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    I love that you put coconut milk in the lemon filling. They look mouth wateringly creamy and tart all at once! Delicious!

    Reply
  3. Donny

    April 23, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    5 stars
    These look so creamy and dreamy. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 25, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      It's a tasty one! Not too sweet but so light and refreshing!

      Reply
  4. Heather H

    April 25, 2020 at 1:29 am

    Lemon bars are my favorite and the "crust" on these are out of this world. I love it so much!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 25, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you! It's a great bar, not too sweet but super refreshing. I freaking love lemon lol

      Reply
  5. Stacey Crawford

    April 25, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    These are exactly what I've been craving all week! Thanks for the yummy lemon bar recipe 🙂

    Reply
  6. jennifer

    April 25, 2020 at 11:25 pm

    5 stars
    girl, my mouth is watering! Can't wait to make these next week after I score some lemons!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 28, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      Yesss!! Honestly, they're not super sweet but they're totally refreshing. I'm loving them!

      Reply
  7. Hali

    June 08, 2020 at 3:10 am

    This looks so good!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      June 09, 2020 at 12:30 am

      They're tasty! Simple and not too sweet 🙂

      Reply
  8. Janessa

    April 12, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    5 stars
    I love lemon bars but usually find them way too sweet. These are perfect- so smart to thicken with coconut flour. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 16, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      Yay! My sweet tooth has definitely changed in the last few years so I find it's always easier to make them less sweet and add if necessary!

      Reply
  9. Donny

    April 12, 2022 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    I love that there's not a ton of sugar in these. I like lemon bars that are well-balanced and these are!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      April 16, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      Yes! There is such a thing as TOO sweet.

      Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hey-I’m Shelby! a Certified Strength Coach (CSCS), nutrition coach (PN) and mama to three beautiful girls.

I’m also a lazy foodie, workout lover and feeder of stray cats. It’s my mission to make everyday fitness and healthy living PRACTICAL for busy moms.

Fitasamamabear is where you’ll find the tools you’ll need for health and wellness. At-home workouts, healthy, allergy-friendly recipes and tips from a seasoned mama on how to make it all work.

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