By Becky Hardin
Published Apr 2, 2023
These Lemon Bars are the easiest lemon bar recipe, and they just so happen to be gluten free! I developed this recipe to be thick, creamy, tart, and utterly delicious. Trust me on this one, these are the Best Lemon Bars I’ve ever had!
What’s in this Gluten-Free Lemon Bars Recipe?
I love my recipe for classic lemon bars so much, I just had to make a gluten-free version! These lemon bars have quickly become one of my favorite gluten-free dessert recipes on the site. They are so creamy, dreamy, and easy! My kids absolutely devour these and rarely leave any for the rest of us.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Part of what makes these Gluten Free Lemon Bars oh-so-easy and perfect is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour . You heard that right, one-to-one! No more adding in special ingredients to make gluten-free flours work with your favorite recipes. You can literally add this flour into any of your best bets just as you would all-purpose flour and bake away.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the crust and the filling.
- Salted Butter: Adds fat and flavor to the crust. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
- Water: Helps bring these bars together and makes them dairy-free!
- Lemon: You’ll need 4 lemons for this recipe. You’ll use the juice of 4 and the zest of 2. I do not recommend using bottled lemon juice, as it just won’t taste right.
- Eggs: Help make the filling rich and creamy like lemon curd !
Pro Tip: You can also make these lemon bars with regular all-purpose flour if you’re not gluten-free!
Variations
These dreamy gluten free lemon bars are so easily adaptable!
- For Blueberry Lemon Bars , I stir a cup of fresh blueberries into the filling, or add a thin layer of blueberry jam between the crust and the curd.
- For Raspberry Lemon Bars , I stir a cup of fresh raspberries into the filling, or add a thin layer of raspberry jam between the crust and the curd.
- For Cranberry Lemon Bars , I stir a cup of fresh cranberries into the filling, or cook down some cranberries and sugar into a cranberry jam!
- For Meyer Lemon Bars , I use Meyer lemon juice and zest. (Love this special flavor!)
- For Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust , I pulse a few sheets of gluten-free graham crackers in a food processor and use them in place of the flour.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Lemon bars are best enjoyed slightly cool or at room temperature.
How to Freeze
Freeze bars whole or cut into individual bars tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
These lemon bars are delicious all on their own or paired with a heaping dollop of whipped cream , meringue , or a dusting powdered sugar.
Top the bars with toasted sweetened, shredded coconut flakes to make them festive for Easter . If making for Easter, be sure to also make a pitcher of my famous Lavender Lemonade .
5-Star Reviews
“This recipe turned out perfectly! I love it when I knock gf baking out of the park and this recipe did just that.” – Emily
“These are better than any other lemon bars that I’ve ever had– even the kind with gluten and dairy. My husband prefers these over all other recipes (and he’s not gluten and dairy free), and my mom made a huge batch for my brother’s wedding. Definitely a keeper of a recipe!” – Selena
“These are fabulous. The crust is crispy and buttery and the texture and flavor is exactly what I was hoping for.” – Susan
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Crust
- ▢ 1½ cups Gluten Free Flour 222 grams
- ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ▢ ½ cup salted butter 113 grams, cold and cut into pieces (1 stick)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons water 28 grams
For the Filling
- ▢ 1½ cups granulated sugar 300 grams
- ▢ ½ cup lemon juice 114 grams (from 4 lemons)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 12 grams (from 2 lemons)
- ▢ 4 large eggs 200 grams, lightly beaten
- ▢ ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour 37 grams
For Serving
- ▢ Powdered sugar optional (see note)
Video
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. (I also like to line with foil and then spray…makes pulling them out of the pan much easier)
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Use a fork or knives to stir in the butter until a crumbly mixture results. Add the water a bit at a time. Take mixture and press evenly into the bottom of the pan. 1½ cups Gluten Free Flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup salted butter, 2 tablespoons water
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes until slightly golden and set.
For the Filling
- In a large bowl, stir together all of the filling ingredients until smooth. 1½ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, 4 large eggs, ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour
- Pour mixture over the still-hot crust.
- Bake 22-26 minutes, or until set in the middle. Let cool on the counter for a minimum of 2 hours. Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×9-inch Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is gluten free as long as it uses cornstarch or tapioca starch as its base. so just be sure to double-check the ingredient list.
- If you want to make this dessert with regular flour (instead of gluten free) that’s no problem at all! Just use all-purpose flour in place of the gluten free flours.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
MoreGluten FreeDessert RecipesWe Love
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Spritz Cookies
- Gluten Free Carrot Cake Bars
- Gluten Free Brownies
- Gluten Free Churros
On average, each lemon has 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Great info to know!
A lemon can stay good and fresh for up to 1 week at room temperature and 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Cut lemons can stay good for 2-3 days in the fridge.
I recommend keeping them cool. You can keep them in the fridge or on the counter in an airtight container for 2-3 days, but the refrigeration will only enhance the flavor of the bars and keep them extra creamy.
I recommend no more than 2-3 days in an airtight container.
Yes! Lemon bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months!
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x9-inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1½ cups Gluten Free Flour 222 grams
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ½ cup salted butter 113 grams, cold and cut into pieces (1 stick)
- 2 tablespoons water 28 grams
For the Filling
- 1½ cups granulated sugar 300 grams
- ½ cup lemon juice 114 grams (from 4 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 12 grams (from 2 lemons)
- 4 large eggs 200 grams, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour 37 grams
For Serving
- Powdered sugar optional (see note)
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. (I also like to line with foil and then spray…makes pulling them out of the pan much easier)
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Use a fork or knives to stir in the butter until a crumbly mixture results. Add the water a bit at a time. Take mixture and press evenly into the bottom of the pan. 1½ cups Gluten Free Flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup salted butter, 2 tablespoons water
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes until slightly golden and set.
For the Filling
- In a large bowl, stir together all of the filling ingredients until smooth. 1½ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, 4 large eggs, ¼ cup Gluten Free Flour
- Pour mixture over the still-hot crust.
- Bake 22-26 minutes, or until set in the middle. Let cool on the counter for a minimum of 2 hours. Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar
Video
Notes
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is gluten free as long as it uses cornstarch or tapioca starch as its base. so just be sure to double-check the ingredient list.
- If you want to make this dessert with regular flour (instead of gluten free) that’s no problem at all! Just use all-purpose flour in place of the gluten free flours.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
