Light Vegan Lemon Bars (Gluten-Free)

These lower-fat vegan lemon bars are creamy, tangy, so refreshing, and made without coconut. They're also no-bake, with an easy pumpkin seed crust and have HALF the sugar of classic lemon bars! Only 30 minutes of hands-on prep. Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and coconut-free.

sliced squares of lemon bars topped with thinly sliced lemon.

When I first started testing this recipe I wasn't sure whether it would be possible to create such a light, special diet-friendly lemon bar that tastes THIS good. No eggs, butter, coconut, nuts, or shortbread crust? I mean, what the heck is going on here?!

If you know much about lemon bars, you know this recipe is breaking literally ALL of the rules. Yet they're so good!

I enjoy a rich, decadent vegan dessert as much as the next person, but I also love healthier sweet treats that I can enjoy more often without a dreaded sugar coma. And I know a lot of you agree.

In a way, these healthy vegan lemon bars remind me of my Oil-Free Banana Brownies because these are to traditional lemon bars what those are to classic brownies. And y'all seriously love those low-calorie brownies. So let's make a batch of light vegan lemon bars!

lemon bars sprinkled with pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet.

Ingredient Notes

This is a summary to get you started and explain the purpose of the ingredients. Be sure to scroll down for the complete recipe.

For the crust:

Raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) - These form the bulk of the crust and provide texture.
Rolled oats (certified GF, if needed) - Oats reduce the overall fat content and lend a bit of chewiness to the crust. This means that the crust is not 100% crisp, but we actually didn't mind that at all. The oats also give the crust a hint of granola aroma and flavor. For a crispier crust feel free to replace the oats with more pumpkin seeds, or use walnuts or almonds if you're okay with nuts. See the FAQs below for more tips.
Vanilla extract
Maple syrup - sweetens and binds the crust
Sea Salt

For the lemon filling:

Silken tofu - low in calories and rich in protein, silken tofu adds creaminess and volume to our healthy lemon bars. Choose the refrigerated type for best flavor.
Lemon juice - fresh lemon juice creates the best flavor, but lemons can be very expensive and difficult to come by in some areas. So I also tested the recipe with bottled lemon juice with great results.
Zest from 1 or 2 lemons - this takes the lemon flavor over the top!
Non-dairy milk of choice - either plain or vanilla is fine.
Tapioca or arrowroot starch - this adds creaminess to the lemon filling and helps it set.
Agar powder - agar is a vegan gelatin substitute and is also important for the consistency of the filling. Since these vegan lemon bars contain no coconut or other saturated fat, agar helps them set.
Organic cane sugar - this sweetens the lemon curd filling without impacting the pure lemon flavor or color. For a refined sugar-free option, maple syrup can be used, similar to this Oil-Free Lemon Tart recipe.
A pinch of turmeric or nutritional yeast - optional, for color
Sea salt

Side note: these lemon bars have about 60% less sugar than traditional lemon bars!

ingredients laid out on a board. — Fresh lemon juice is always best, but we tested bottled pure lemon juice, too, with great results.

How To Make Vegan Lemon Bars

2 photos showing how to make oil-free gluten-free crust with pumpkin seeds and oats.

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First, make the crust. Place a heavy-bottomed pot or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and oats, and toast until fragrant, about 7 minutes.
Pour into a food processor, and pulse until roughly chopped.

2 photos showing gluten-free crust ingredients in food processor then in a pan.

Add the salt, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pulse again to distribute the syrup and further break down the seeds and oats. Check the texture, and squeeze a small amount between your fingers to see if it holds together. It should look like coarse crumbs at this point. Add another teaspoon of maple syrup for stickiness, if needed.
Pour the mixture into a parchment-lined, 8-inch square pan. Lightly spread the crumbs around the pan so that it's even, then firmly press the crust into the pan so that it's compact. Place the crust in the refrigerator.

2 photos showing blending and heating the creamy lemon bar filling.

Rinse out the food processor and sauté pan to remove any fragments left behind by the seeds and oats. Set the pan aside. To the food processor, add the lemon filling ingredients, and blend until smooth.
Pour the lemon mixture into the pan, and place on the stove over medium heat. Using a whisk or silicone spatula, stir frequently while heating. Once the mixture is hot and just starting to bubble, stir constantly and cook until thickened, about 3 minutes. This is just enough time to activate the starch and agar so the filling will set when chilled. Pour the filling onto the crust, and refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours.

Once the lemon bars are fully chilled, cut into 16 squares.

side view of healthy lemon bars on parchment paper.

Tips and FAQs

What can I substitute for agar and/or the starch in these lemon bars?

I don't recommend any substitutions for these two ingredients. There are many other ways to make vegan lemon bars, such as with coconut cream, coconut oil, or cashews. But because this recipe is oil-free and so low in fat, the starch and agar are necessary for the bars to set.

Do these taste like regular lemon bars?

These capture the fresh and tangy lemon essence surprisingly well, but no, they don't taste exactly like classic recipes that contain eggs, butter, flour, and 2 cups of sugar. But if you're looking for a healthier vegan treat that's light, lemon-y, creamy, and refreshing, I think you'll be very happy with these!

How long do they keep?

Stored in the refrigerator, lemon bars will keep for up to 5 days. After a couple of days the pepita-oat crust gets softer, so keep that in mind. If you're making these for a party it's best to make them earlier the the same day or the night before.

Can I pair the filling with a different crust?

Sure thing! As I mentioned above, the crust is far from traditional, and the lack of oil or butter makes it softer than a shortbread crust. If you have a vegan crust you love, or a crisp nut crust, feel free to switch thing up.

Can I make the crust more crisp?

Yes, very easily! If you don't mind using some oil, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil to the food processor just before adding the maple syrup. This will bring more sturdiness and crunch to the crust.