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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
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×9-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 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
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.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
More Gluten Free Dessert Recipes We 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!
Can I use pre-cooked lemon curd? If so how?
We recommend baking the crust until it is nearly fully cooked, then adding the lemon curd and baking again for a shorter period!
This recipe turned out perfectly! I love it when I knock gf baking out of the park and this recipe did just that.
I didn’t have bobs redmill flour on hand so I used the all-purpose gf flour recipe from canelle et vanille bakes simple: 173g brown rice flour+ 62g potato starch+ 25g tapioca starch, whisked together well then divided for the filling (37g) and crust (222g).
Thanks so much for sharing your GF flour substitute, Emily!
Hmm it looks like a cake not like the pic :/ Not glossy and yellow but opaque and white
Hi, it sounds like you may have whisked the eggs too much, which can introduce air and that cakelike texture and color. Mix until just combined, not light and airy, next time!
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!
Hello, I just made these for the first time. They taste really good but is the filling supposed to be on the softer side?
Hi Christine, they will set up more firmly in the refrigerator if that’s what you’re looking for!
These were VERY good! They have a lot of lemony flavor without being too sour, and the crust was excellent. My Gluten Free friends really appreciated that the crust was slightly crunchy, light, and buttery. Perfect, and they are now my go-to lemon bar recipe!
These are fabulous. The crust is crispy and buttery and the texture and flavor is exactly what I was hoping for. I made a trial batch for my coworkers, so they’ll be the true test. I’m making more for my daughter’s bridal shower this weekend.
Hi Selleck! I make this recipe all the time but I always double the filling as it’s never enough. Or I half the base so it’s a better ratio! Hope that helps :)
Interested in making this ahead of time. Can it be frozen?
Yes! Cut into individual squares, then freeze on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container to store for up to 3 months!
Made these for an event and everyone went CRAZY for them! They didn’t even know they were GF either 😉
I was wondering if you think I could use an egg replacement (just egg) in the recipe? My son is allergic to eggs, but I’d love to be able to make these for him!
We’re so glad they were a hit! We’ve not tried with an egg replacer, but let us know how it goes!