Is there a flavor that screams "summer" more than lemon? 

We can’t think of one.

These low-carb lemon bars are the perfect healthy treat to enjoy during the hottest months of the year—or anytime you're craving the tart, delicious flavor of fresh lemons.

Unlike most traditional dessert or snack recipes, they use only a handful of healthy, low-carb ingredients: almond flour, eggs, grass-fed butter, lemons, and monk fruit sweetener to create a delicious and sweet treat that you can enjoy at home or on-the-go. 

And with less than 3g of net carbs per serving, you can enjoy these low-carb lemon bars guilt free. 

(They're loaded with protein and fiber, so they're actually a pretty solid breakfast option, too.)

So really, you can enjoy these deliciously tart lemon squares any time of the year!

Recipe Features

• Keto
• Low-Carb 
• Gluten-Free
• Sugar-Free

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Grass-fed butter
• Almond flour
• Monk fruit sweetener
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Health Benefits of Lemons

Pucker up! Let's look at some of the health benefits of this tart, sour, heart-healthy fruit.

• Lemons are packed with a high number of metabolites, many of which are anti-oxidative and help ward off diseases like heart disease and cancer [*].
• This citrus fruit is loaded with vitamin C, an essential nutrient your body needs to help keep your immune system healthy and functioning [*].
• Lemons help naturally hydrate you because they contain water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
• Lemon have been shown to reduce your risk of developing a kidney stone, as compounds in citrus fruits help break up the formation of crystals [*].

Pretty good reasons to incorporate lemons into your diet regimen, right? Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when you're at the grocery store.

How to Select Lemons

At the store, look for lemons that:

• Pass the touch test: You want lemons that have a little bit of "give" when you squeeze them. Not squishy, but some softness means they are ripe and will yield the most fresh juice.
• Smell fresh: Hold the lemon a few inches away from your nose and give it a sniff. Does it smell like citrus? If so, that's a good sign. There are lots of oils in the skin of lemons that smell citrusy when the fruit is still fresh.
• Have a bright yellow color: Skip lemons with brown spots; it means they're probably old and the flesh inside has dried out or started to rot. Same goes for green lemons, although that discoloration is less common.

You can apply all three of these tips to a bag of lemons, too—good news if you're trying to save a buck or two. Give each lemon a light squeeze before making your choice.

How to Store Lemons

You can keep them in the fridge or on the counter. But there's two reasons the refrigerator is recommended.

• Lemons stored in the fridge (in a zip-lock plastic bag) tend to stay fresh longer, so you won't have to worry about them going bad.
• Lemons left out on the counter might attract fruit flies. You certainly don't want those buzzing around your kitchen!

If you've cut the lemon in half already, gently wrap it and place it inside a plastic bag for the fridge. It'll still be good for a few more days like this!

How to Juice Lemons

There are all sorts of tricks to getting the most juice possible out of a lemon. Here are a few tips:

• Roll the lemon on the countertop with your palm. Don't press too hard, but give it some firm pressure. This helps get the juices moving around inside and will help get more liquid out when you cut it open.
• Use a hand or electric juicer. Hand juicers cost about $12, and allow you to put a lot of pressure on the fruit. An electric juicer moves side to side to help really get the liquid out of the pulp.

There are also some fun videos on the internet on how to juice lemons using a food processor. You might not need that technique for this recipe, but check it out if you ever need to juice a lot of lemons.

Other Ways to Enjoy Lemons 

Here are some other low-carb ways you can enjoy lemons:

• Make a keto-friendly lemonade. Using fresh lemons, BHB (an exogenous ketone supplement), and erythritol, you can make a refreshing, lemony summer drink without any of the sugar.
• Squeeze it over fish. Lemon pairs especially well with white fish like halibut or cod. 
• Put it in a marinade. Many marinades call for an acid like vinegar, but you can substitute (or combine it with) lemon juice for a fresh, tart taste instead.
• Use it to make homemade salad dressing. Whisk it with FBOMB Olive Oil or FBOMB Macadamia Nut Oil, then add a little salt and pepper for a quick and easy salad dressing!

Suffice it to say, keeping lemons around the house when you're on a low-carb diet is a no-brainer!

Other Low-Carb Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

• Paleo Blueberry Cobbler
• Maple Pecan Paleo Pumpkin Bars
• Deliciously Fudgy Paleo Brownies

Low-Carb Lemon Bars Recipe

Recipe information:

• Yield: 8
• Serving size: 1 piece
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons grass-fed butter, melted
• 1¾ cups almond flour
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pure monk fruit sweetener
• Juice from 3 lemons
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 3 eggs
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, almond flour, salt, and sweetener. Mix well.
3. Pour into baking pan and bake 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. 
4. In the meantime, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, and vanilla extract. 
5. Pour the filling onto the crust. Bake for another 25 minutes. 
6. Cool completely before cutting into 8 equal pieces. 

Nutrition facts per serving:

Calories: 262.5

• Fat: 23.5g
• Protein: 7.5g
• Total Carbohydrates: 5.25g
• Fiber: 2.6g
• Sugar Alcohol: 0g
• Net Carbs: 2.65g

Macros:

• Fat: 81%
• Protein: 11%
• Carbohydrates: 8%