High-Protein Lemon Bars

ByHannah Peterson

These are bright, tangy lemon bars — a tender almond crust with a thick, creamy lemon filling and a dusting of powdered sweetener on top. They deliver classic lemon bar flavor while being high in protein and low in carbs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bright, fresh lemon flavor with creamy cheesecake-like filling
  • Very high protein per bar
  • Classic shortbread-style crust that holds up well
  • Beautiful stacked presentation for photos
  • Sugar-free, keto-friendly, and great for meal prep

Ingredients (Makes 9–12 bars)

Crust:

  • 1½ cups (150g) almond flour
  • ⅓ cup (35g) vanilla whey protein powder
  • 3 tbsp (40g) allulose or powdered monk fruit sweetener
  • ¼ cup (60g) melted butter or coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Lemon Filling:

  • 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup (170g) full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup (35g) vanilla whey protein powder
  • ⅓–½ cup (65–100g) allulose or powdered monk fruit sweetener (adjust to taste)
  • Zest of 2 lemons + ⅓ cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

  • Powdered allulose or monk fruit (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. Crust: Mix almond flour, protein powder, sweetener, salt, melted butter, and vanilla until crumbly. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
  3. Filling: In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add Greek yogurt, protein powder, sweetener, lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until completely smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour filling over the pre-baked crust. Bake 20–25 minutes until the center is just set (it will jiggle slightly).
  5. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up. Dust generously with powdered sweetener before slicing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 30–37 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes + chilling

Nutrition (Per Bar, 1/12)

  • Calories: ~165
  • Protein: 11g (high)
  • Total Carbs: 6g
  • Net Carbs: 4g
  • Fat: 12g

Similar Posts