Creamy Lemon Bars with Healthy "Graham Cracker" Crust

Healthy creamy lemon bars made with whole food ingredients and minimal sweeteners. They're the perfect balance of tart and sweet!

I love citrus anything and lemon desserts are no exception. Tangy lemon flavor, yet just sweet enough, they're an amazing summer treat!

Plus my oat crumble crust is much healthier than one made with graham cracker crumbs, but you'll enjoy it just as much.

The next time you're planning an event, remember this is the perfect dessert to serve at summer birthday parties, baby showers or other events.

These are the best lemon bars, lemon lovers!

Are Lemon Bars Healthy?

This lemon bar recipe is made with whole food ingredients and minimal natural sweeteners. Here are some of the main ingredients and why you can feel good about eating them:

Sprouted oats - Whole grain oats contain a good amount of fibre, protein and healthy fat, along with high amounts of many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In fact, one serving of oats contains more than 20% of the recommended daily values for 7 vitamins and minerals. They are also famous for their ability to lower the risk of heart disease.

Oats (and many other whole grains) contain an anti-nutrient called phytic acid, which blocks the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body. Sprouting neutralizes the phytic acid and makes the oats more digestible. This is why I recommend using sprouted oats, but regular rolled oats work just fine too!

Coconut oil - High in lauric acid (and smaller amounts of other healthy fatty acids), which can change quickly into energy in the body, and improve heart health and brain function.

Maple syrup - Natural and contains a small number of vitamins and minerals. It is still sugar, so it's best to use as little as possible! And this recipe doesn't have as much sugar as a traditional lemon bar.

Lemon juice - Lemons are a fantastic source of Vitamin C, a vitamin essential for heart health, preventing kidney stones and iron absorption. They are also a great source of natural electrolytes.

Eggs - A very nutrient-dense food, containing a ton of vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and more!

Are Lemon Bars Dairy-Free?

This recipe is dairy-free. I have nothing against dairy, but in our house, we try to keep it to a minimum since both my husband and I can't handle it very well.

If dairy doesn't bother you, you can use melted butter in place of the coconut oil in the crust.

FAQ

Why Not Use Graham Crackers?

I really love graham cracker crusts, but they aren't healthy. Perhaps in the future, I'll perfect a healthy graham cracker recipe that I can use to make the crust, but I haven't done that yet.

For now, I've made this oat crust, which to me is reminiscent of a graham crust, but much more wholesome. However, here's a recipe if you want a true graham cracker crust. No judgment from me!

Can I Substitute Something for Maple Syrup?

I would recommend only substituting a liquid sweetener, like honey, in this recipe. Using a granulated one, like white, coconut or brown sugar, will change the consistency of the filling.

When Are Lemon Bars Done?

These lemon bars are done when the edges look dry but the middle doesn't quite look done. This takes about 15 minutes. It will finish cooking and setting in the cooling process.

Why Are My Lemon Bars RUnny?

The cause for runny lemon filling will be that it's underbaked or not cool enough yet. Be sure to cool completely and refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting into the bars.

Why DId My Lemon Bars Crack?

As you can see from my photos, I haven't quite figured this out! The good news is that the bars are still edible and delicious. If your bars crack and this bothers you, you could top them with candied lemon slices, a dusting of powdered sugar or just smother them in whipped cream.

When to Cut Lemon Bars

Cut the lemon bars with a sharp knife after they have completely cooled to fridge temperature. I leave them in the fridge for 2 hours before serving.

Why Refrigerate Lemon Bars?

These creamy lemon squares are made with eggs and minimal sugar (sugar is often a great preservative in baked goods), so I recommend refrigeration to ensure they remain safe to eat.

How Long Will Lemon Bars Last in the Fridge?

Your lemon bars will last 4-5 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Tools You May Need

Food processor

Citrus juicer

8x8 baking dish

How to Make Creamy Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 heaping cup sprouted rolled oats
• 2 tablespoon flour (any kind)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon water

Filling

• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (yes, use fresh lemons! Fresh meyer lemons work as well.)
• 2 teaspoon lemon zest
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoon coconut flour
• pinch of turmeric (optional, for color)

Instructions:

Crust

Prepare an 8x8 baking dish by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Blend oats, flour, and salt for about 30 seconds in a food processor.

Add coconut oil and maple syrup and blend until combined. Pour water in as the food processor is running.

Press the crumb mixture into the square baking pan, covering the bottom of the pan. Poke the crust in a few spots to prevent it from bubbling. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and prepare the filling while baking.

Filling

Rinse out the food processor and add all filling ingredients to it. (Alternatively, you could use a hand mixer and medium bowl or a blender.) Blend until smooth (you want the egg yolks and egg whites to be fully incorporated) and pour the egg mixture into the hot crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack (still in the baking dish). Allow the bars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

How to Store Creamy Lemon Bars

Cover your baking dish in plastic wrap or transfer bars to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

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