Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2024)

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This Keto Lemon Bars recipe is the perfect low-carb treat. It has a sweet and zesty lemon taste that will surely please everyone’s palate. The crust is made using almond flour and coconut flour, giving it a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the tartness of the lemon. You will fall in love with these bars after the first bite. Thesebars are only 6 carbohydrates each!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll This Recipe

  • They are simple and easy to make and the lemon flavor is bright and refreshing.
  • It is low in carbs, so it fits nicely into a keto lifestyle. Keeping you on track with your health goals.
  • They are rich in healthy fats from the almond and coconut flours, which help keep you feeling satiated for longer.
  • The coconut and almond flour shortbread crust makes for the perfect sweet treat.

If you love lemon desserts like this one, then next time you should give this Keto Lemon Mug Cake recipe a try.

Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2)

Equipment Needed

You will need a few simple tools to help you make this low-carb dessert recipe. Gather all these tools and get ready to enjoy this guilt-free dessert.

  • 8×8 baking pan
  • mixing bowls
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Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this keto-friendly sweet treat. All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. So, print out this recipe card and make a quick trip to town to get the ingredients that you need. You won’t regret it.

Crust

  • coconut oil or butter
  • kosher salt
  • egg yolk
  • almond flour – Use almond flour, not almond meal. Pick the superfine ground option.
  • coconut flour
  • powdered sugar or Swerve for sugar-free bars

Lemon Filling

  • Truvia Baking Blend or Swerve for no sugar
  • large eggs
  • fresh lemon juice
  • lemon zest
  • almond flour – this helps thickens up the filling.
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What Type of Sweetener is Best for Low Carb – Keto Lemon Bars?

I have used Truvia, Swerve, Erythritol, and monk fruit in this recipe. Pick what is best for your sweet tooth.

All of the options I mentioned have a low or zero glycemic impact on glucose levels.

Ironically, when I share altered recipes no one notices that I didn’t use granulated sugar or wheat in the recipe!

If you are new to lowering your sugar intake, then I suggest first trying the Truvia cane sugar blend, which contains some sugar with stevia and erythritol.

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What Can I Use In Place of Coconut Oil?

I have used coconut oil in the crust as well as butter. You can also experiment with other cooking oils like vegetable oil.

The Crust For These Lemon Bars is Runny. What Happened?

The crust should firm up after about five minutes of mixing the ingredients for the crust. The coconut flour will absorb some of the moisture.

To troubleshoot, some readers have told me they put the crust in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes and it firms up.

You can also add a sprinkle of more coconut flour but don’t go overboard otherwise you will have a hard crust.

How to Make This Keto Lemon Bars Recipe

Making this homemade dessert takes two simple steps. First, you make the crust, and then you make the lemon filling. To make these soft lemon bars follow the simple step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare your baking dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: Melt the coconut oil

For the crust melt the butter or coconut oil in the microwave until it liquefies. Add powdered sugar, and egg yolk and stir until blended.

Step 3: Mix together the crust

In a small separate bowl whisk together the almond and coconut flour with the salt. Add to liquid and mix forming a dough.

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Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (8)

Step 4: Bake the crust

Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a baking rack.

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Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (10)

Step 5: Make the lemon filling

For the lemon filling in a medium bowl beat the eggs and Truvia with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Add the lemon juice and zest. Fold in the almond flour.

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Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (12)

Step 6: Bake the lemon bars

Pour over the crust and bake for about 20 minutes or until the filling has set. Cool on a baking rack and refrigerate for about an hour before cutting.

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Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (14)

Step 7: Garnish before serving

Garnish with powdered sugar and the fruit of your choice.

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Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (16)

More Gluten-Free Lemon Desserts

Looking for more gluten-free lemon desserts? Be sure to try these creamy low-carb lemon tartlets, yogurt lemon berry parfaits, and lemon ice.

Substitutions and Additions

Here are some ideas for substitutions and additions to this lemon bar recipe:

  • Add a pinch of cardamom powder to the crust for an extra flavor boost.
  • Sprinkle with slivered almonds or chopped walnuts for a crunchy topping.
  • Top with seasonal berries or sugar-free dark chocolate chips for added flavor.
  • You can use melted butter instead of coconut oil to make the crust.
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How To Store

Storage – Keep these lemon bars in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. Enjoy within 3 days.

Freezing – You can also freeze these lemon bars for up to 3 months in a freezer airtight container. When you are ready to thaw, just place it in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy it cold.

Sandra’s Pro Tips

Here are a few of my tips to help you make the best low-carb lemon bars:

  • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before starting this recipe. This will ensure that the dough comes together properly.
  • Be careful not to overbake so the bars don’t dry and crumble. The middle should still be slightly jiggly when you remove them from the oven.
  • For a nice presentation, be sure to dust with powdered sugar or Swerve before serving.
  • You can tip these bars with sliced fresh lemons, or sweet berries.
  • Don’t skip the parchment paper, that helps to easily remove the bars for even cutting.
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FAQs

Do you have questions about this keto lemon bar recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

What happens if my crust is runny?

The crust should firm up after about five minutes of mixing the ingredients for the crust. The coconut flour will absorb some of the moisture. Or you can pop the crust in the fridge for about 10 minutes to get it firm.

Is lemon okay for keto?

Yes, lemon is a great fruit for anyone following the keto diet. It’s low in carbs and has many health benefits like being packed with vitamin C, and antioxidants, and helping to aid digestion.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make these bars up to 2 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How many carb are in lemon bars?

These lemon bars are 6 net carbohydrates.

Other Delicious Keto Dessert Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Keto Cheesecake Brownies – a swirl of cheesecake is cut through the chocolate brownie base. Two desserts in one!
  • Keto Chocolate Cheesecake – rich and decadent chocolate cheesecake. Top with berries or fresh whipped cream.
  • Keto Almond Butter Cookies – gluten-free cookies with sugar-free chocolate chips.
  • Keto Chia Pudding – delicious for breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert!

Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (19)

Lemon Bars Gluten Free Recipe

Delicate and tender lemon bars with a nice tang from the fresh lemon juice followed by the perfect amount of sweetness.

4.57 from 39 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Uncategorized

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baking, bars, gluten free, keto, lemon, low carb

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 158kcal

Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

Crust

  • 3/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar Swerve for no sugar

Lemon Filling

  • 1/2 cup Truvia Baking Blend or Swerve for no sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2/3 cups fresh lemon juice about 4 large lemons
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons almond flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 8" x 8" baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

  • For the crust melt the coconut oil in the microwave until it liquifies. Add powdered sugar, egg yolk and stir until blended. In a small separate bowl whisk together the almond and coconut flours with the salt. Add to liquid and mix forming a dough. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a baking rack.

  • For the lemon filling in a medium bowl beat the eggs and Truvia with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Add the lemon juice and zest. Fold in the almond flour.

  • Pour over crust and bake for about 20 minutes or until filling has set. Cool on a baking rack and refrigerate for about an hour before cutting.

  • Garnish with powdered sugar and fruit of your choice.

Notes

For the crust, butter can be used in place of the coconut oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

This Keto lemon bars recipe was first shared in 2016. It has been updated with additional information including step-by-step photos (2023).

Adapted from Coconut Oil Cooking, Healthy Lemon Bars.

PIN TO YOUR LOW-CARB, KETO, GLUTEN-FREE DESSERT BOARDS

Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (20)
Easy Keto Lemon Bars Recipe - The Foodie Affair (2024)

FAQs

Why did my lemon bars crack? ›

Don't Over-Bake.

If you leave them in the oven too long, it can cause your bars to crack. The surface of your lemon bars should have small bubble holes, but not large cracks.

Why are my lemon bars gooey? ›

To avoid them being too gooey make sure you allow them to set completely when you take them out of the oven. You know when lemon bars are done when you move the pan a bit and they don't jiggle. You should cut the lemon bars when they are completely cool.

Should you refrigerate lemon bars? ›

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated? Yes, it's best to store lemon bars in the refrigerator. To store them, simply cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. Stored this way, your lemon bars should keep for about 1 week.

Can you freeze lemon bars successfully? ›

Yes, lemon bars freeze beautifully—they are even good frozen! To freeze the bars, let them cool completely and freeze the batch whole, covered tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, for up to three months.

Why did my lemon bars turn upside down? ›

Set a timer for 5 minutes after pulling the crust from the oven to ensure it doesn't cool too much—if the shortbread is allowed to reach room temperature, the uncooked lemon curd will slip off the top and pool in the bottom of the dish, turning your lemon bars upside down (sounds bananas until it happens to you!).

Why won t my lemon bars set? ›

If your lemon bars don't set properly, they make not have been baked long enough. The filling should jiggle slightly in the centre when you remove it from the oven, but the edges should be set. If it's too jiggly, it won't set properly.

Can I Rebake undercooked lemon bars? ›

This will keep them from spreading and becoming sticky. Can you rebake undercooked lemon bars? Results may vary, but it's worth a shot! Throw them back in the oven at the original temperature and rotate every 5 minutes until it appears done.

Why do my lemon bars taste eggy? ›

As soon as it's done, take the pan out of the oven. This will ensure that the lemon curd is baked enough so that it holds it's shape, but not overbaked – otherwise your lemon bars will be rubbery and can taste more eggy too. Thirdly, this recipe uses a traditional shortbread crust for the base of the lemon bars.

Why do my lemon bars look like scrambled eggs? ›

Make sure your oven isn't too hot as this can cause the eggs to scramble instead of baking into a delicious lemon bar.

Can I leave lemon bars out overnight? ›

Baked goods like lemon bars are acidic enough and contain enough fat and sugar,which exclude water from bacterial use, that there is no problem keeping them at room temperature for up to 24 hours; well wrapped.

Can you leave lemon bars out over night? ›

Serving, Storing, and Freezing

Serving: Lemon bars are fine to keep out at room temperature for up to 6 hours or so. Storing: Store cooked lemon bars or leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days. Make-Ahead: You can make lemon bars up to two days in advance.

Why are my lemon bars Brown? ›

Why are my lemon bars brown on top? Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer periodically to make sure the settings are correct. If you find that your desserts brown too quickly on the top, bake on a lower rack in your oven to prevent this from happening.

Why can't i use a metal pan for lemon bars? ›

– It's best to use a glass or a ceramic pan. Because if you use a metal pan, the acid will react with the lemon juice and the bars will have a slight metallic taste. – Also, make sure not to overcook the filling because it may get a rubbery texture instead of a smooth and creamy one.

Do lemon bars go bad? ›

To store lemon bars, simply place in an airtight container and seal tightly, then put them in the fridge. If you're stacking lemon bars, insert a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. According to the USDA, lemon bars will last in the refrigerator up to 7 days.

How can you tell if lemon bars are undercooked? ›

To tell if lemon bars are done, look for a light golden-brown color on the edges and top, a firm and set filling that doesn't jiggle, and a toothpick inserted into the center that comes out mostly clean. The bars may puff up slightly and then settle back down, and the crust should pull away from the pan's sides.

Why did my lemon drizzle cake collapse in the middle? ›

The pan is too small. There's too much liquid. Opening the oven or moving pans during baking. Oven temperature is too low, or cake isn't baked long enough.

Can you leave lemon bars at room temperature? ›

Serving: Lemon bars are fine to keep out at room temperature for up to 6 hours or so. Storing: Store cooked lemon bars or leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days. Make-Ahead: You can make lemon bars up to two days in advance.

How do you cut lemon bars without making a mess? ›

I often have trouble cutting up any sort of cookie bar, not just lemon bars. I have found that a hot, wet, very sharp knife helps quite a bit. Also, make sure the bars are completely chilled before cutting.

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