Creamy cheesecake, tangy raspberries, and sweet chocolate make these Raspberry Cheesecake Bars the ultimate sweet treat! This dairy free cheesecake is gluten free, refined sugar free, and can be made nut free & high protein.
gluten free and dairy free raspberry cheesecake bars
Honestly, who doesn’t like cheesecake? I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t. Even though I can’t eat dairy, that doesn’t stop me from making delicious, allergy friendly cheesecakes at home. Like these healthy raspberry cheesecake bars with a chocolate crust. I mean a chocolate raspberry cheesecake… name a better combo!
What’s my secret? I use dairy free yogurt as the base instead of cream cheese. Maybe you’ll tell me this isn’t really cheesecake then, but it still tastes pretty darn good! This keeps the recipe nut free too, as most dairy free cream cheese brands utilize nuts as the base.
I like to make an easy, healthy, lazy girl version of cheesecake which is where the use of yogurt and protein powder come in. This amps up the nutritional value, doesn’t require the use of any special water bath for baking, and keeps this recipe completely allergy friendly.
gluten free raspberry cheesecake bars with brownie crust
Raspberry Cheesecake Bar Ingredients
Crust: The gluten free brownie crust is super easy to make. It is a combination of oat flour, tigernut or almond flour, and cocoa powder for the dry ingredients. You mix in some coconut oil and maple syrup and there you have it.
Filling: The filling for this cheesecake is composed of yogurt, maple syrup, eggs, pea protein, and tapioca starch.
Yogurt: I use a vegan yogurt in this recipe. If you use a coconut yogurt, that keeps this dairy free cheesecake completely nut free too! But you can also use Greek yogurt for a higher protein option.
Pea Protein: Yes, I add protein powder to my cheesecake! This is my secret to a thicker batter and higher protein, healthier dessert. Pea protein acts as a flour in baking, so it’s the perfect option. I use Sprout Living Pea Protein and you can use code LEMONSNLYME20 at checkout for 20% off your order.
Eggs: I have not tested a vegan version of this recipe.
Raspberry Swirl: The raspberry swirl is super easy to make! All you do is combine raspberries and coconut sugar. You can feel free to use whatever sugar you want, but coconut sugar keeps this recipe refined sugar free. I prefer not to put the raspberry puree through a sieve as I don’t mind the seeds and prefer the extra fiber ;), but you can always do that if you want to.
Substitutions and Variations
Tigernut flour: the tigernut flour in the crust can be substituted with almond flour. You might also be able to get away with more oat flour, but you may have to add a little extra liquid like maple syrup or coconut oil.
Pea protein: I have not tested any other proteins. If you use a whey based protein, I’d suggest adding 1-2 Tbsp of gluten free flour. If you do not have pea protein available, you can substitute this with 2 Tbsp of a 1:1 gluten free flour mix.
Yogurt: use Greek yogurt for a higher protein option if you tolerate dairy.
Raspberries: you can certainly try making this recipe with other berries like strawberries or blackberries. I think strawberries would be the best substitute as they still pair well with chocolate.
Add-ins:
-Although I haven’t tried it, the lemon-raspberry common is a popular one. You could try adding the juice of a 1/2 a lemon and some zest to the cheesecake batter if you love that zingy flavor. I can’t promise the outcome with the brownie crust though.
-Amp up the chocolate flavor by folding some chocolate chips into the cheesecake batter before swirling in the raspberry puree.
healthy dairy free raspberry cheesecake bars
Storage
Keep these dairy free raspberry cheesecake bars with chocolate crust stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I don’t suggest freezing them as creamy, dairy free desserts like cheesecake don’t freeze and thaw great. You can certainly try it though, just thaw in the fridge overnight before eating.
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars with Brownie Crust
These healthier dairy free and gluten free cheesecake bars are the ultimate dessert! Creamy cheesecake, tangy raspberry, and sweet chocolate make this a crowd pleaser treat.
1cupfresh or frozen raspberriesif using frozen, make sure to thaw first
1tspcoconut sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Whisk dry ingredients for the crust together first (flours, cocoa powder, salt). Add the wet ingredients and mix to combine until you have a dough.
Press the crust into the bottom of your baking dish into an even layer. Set aside.
To make the cheesecake filling, combine all ingredients together in a blender and blend until combined. You can also use a hand mixer.
Pour batter over the crust and set aside while you make raspberry swirl.
To make the raspberry swirl, blend together the raspberries and sugar until smooth. You have the option to put the raspberry puree through a sieve so there are no seeds, but I find this step unnecessary.
Place dollops of the raspberry puree over the cheesecake then use a knife or chopstick to swirl the puree through the cheesecake filling until you have a nice, even swirl throughout.
Bake the cheesecake for 50-60 minutes until the edges are just set and the middle seems almost not done, but has a slight give to it. Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature and then place in the fridge for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
These gluten free blueberry oat muffins are the perfect breakfast muffin- filled with fiber, low sugar, and allergy friendly! These muffins are easy to make and ideal for meal prep.
gluten free blueberry oat muffins
Over this last year, I developed a new found love for oats in all forms (granola, cookies, muffins, etc), so I had to give some oat muffins a try. I don’t like when muffins have too many oats though. It can’t be overbearing! I love these gluten free oat muffins because there is only a 1/2 cup of oats in this recipe and plenty of blueberries.
gluten free blueberry oat muffins
These blueberry muffins are also completely refined sugar free. They are made with maple syrup and only a touch of it. These are the perfect, healthy breakfast muffin as they aren’t sugar loaded, but are packed with fiber from the oats and blueberries, and contain a good heaping of cinnamon. If you want your muffins to be a little sweeter, I suggest sprinkling the tops with coconut or brown sugar before baking or just drizzling your muffin with honey when ready to eat.
gluten free blueberry muffins
How to make gluten free blueberry oat muffins
First, you’ll whisk together all the dry ingredients. This includes a mix of 1:1 gluten free flour, tigernut or almond flour, gluten free oats, baking powder, and cinnamon
Second, you’ll beat all the wet ingredients together. This includes eggs, yogurt, maple syrup, oil or butter, and milk. You can use vegan butter and milk to keep this recipe completely dairy free.
Third, you’ll combine the dry with the wet and fold in the blueberries. It’s that simple! Just pop the batter in a muffin tin, bake, cool, eat.
These allergy friendly blueberry muffins are filled with fiber and flavor all while being gluten free, dairy free, and low sugar. These are the perfect, healthy breakfast muffin!
If you’re looking for an easy and healthy snack, then look no further than these Gluten Free Protein Oat Bars. Made from real ingredients and whole proteins, these gluten free oat bars are far cleaner than anything you’d find in the store.
gluten free oat bars
Snacks are my love language and I always have something in my purse for emergencies, but a lot of pre-packaged snacks and bars are filled with fake sugars, weird flavors, and gut-disrupting ingredients like seed oils. Having an easy, healthy, and high protein snack on hand for that afternoon slump is a must. That’s where these gluten free protein oat bars come in!
These gluten free oat bars are easy to whip up, made from real, whole food ingredients, and will last you the week. Filled with healthy ingredients, they are also dairy free, refined sugar free, and allergy friendly. Drizzled with dark chocolate for antioxidants and flavor, everyone will enjoy these oat bars. They are also a great option for kids lunches and snacks and make the perfect lunch box addition.
protein oat bars
Gluten Free Protein Oat Bar Ingredients
Gluten free oats: to keep this recipe gluten free, make sure to use certified gluten free oats.
Butter: dairy free or regular works in this recipe.
Maple syrup: a refined sugar free sweetener.
Egg whites: to boost protein content!
Vanilla extract
Pea protein(use code LEMONSNLYME20 for 20% off): this is my favorite protein as it’s gut friendly and vegan. It also helps hold the bars together.
Cinnamon: for flavor
Chocolate Chips: this is for topping the bars. I stick to dark chocolate for the antioxidants, but feel free to use semi-sweet if desired. I love the HU Kitchen brand for a refined sugar free option. Enjoy Life also makes a great allergy friendly option.
Coconut oil: for melting the chocolate and keeping it smooth.
How to Make Gluten Free Oat Bars
Making gluten free oat bars will be one of the easiest things you do this year. All you do is whisk together the wet ingredients, mix in the dry, and bake!
You’ll spread the mixture into a lined baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, cut the bars and drizzle with chocolate.
Substitutions and Variations
Butter: although I have not tested it, coconut oil should work in this recipe, just make sure all other ingredients are at room temperature. I think olive oil has potential to work too, but I have not tried it.
Protein: I love using pea protein because it acts like a flour and helps with binding the ingredients together. I’m not sure if a non-vegan protein would work as they tend to dissolve. Another vegan protein should work though. If you don’t have or want to use protein powder, you can just use 2 Tbsp of gluten free flour or finely ground seeds (like chia and hemp) to keep the protein content up.
Add-ins/toppings: Make these bars your own by mixing in mini-chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts/seeds or another fav add-in. If you use fresh fruit, this will affect the texture and possibly the cooking time as there will be more liquid in the recipe. Feel free to use white, dark, or milk chocolate for the topping as desired.
protein oat bars
Storage
You can keep these gluten free protein oat bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Store individually sliced and wrapped oat bars in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and enjoy immediately.
Are Oats Gluten Free?
Oats are naturally gluten free, but are often contaminated with gluten and wheat during the growing, harvesting, and processing experience. This is why it is important to buy oats that are labeled as certified gluten free if you have Celiac disease or a gluten allergy.
An easy and healthy snack, these protein oat bars are allergy friendly and made with whole food ingredients. High in protein and topped off with a chocolate drizzle, you can't go wrong with a batch of these for the week!
Add cooled melted butter, maple syrup, egg whites, and vanilla to a large bowl and whisk to combine.
Add the oats, protein powder, and cinnamon to the bowl and mix everything together.
Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Pour your oat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Bake oat bars for 30-35 minutes, until slightly golden. Let cool completely before cutting into 9 squares.
When bars are cooled, melt your chocolate chips and coconut oil together until smooth. Drizzle over the oat bars (or dip them into the chocolate). Place in the fridge until chocolate has set.
Granola butter is a nut and seed free spread alternative for those with allergies. It’s absolutely delicious and can be used just like peanut butter or almond butter. It’s perfect for baking or on toast!
gluten free granola butter
Have you ever heard of granola butter? It’s like peanut butter or almond butter, but nut and seed free. It’s made completely out of oats! I like to make mine with tigernut flour too (which is a tuber, not a nut) for added flavor, but in the recipe below, I share how to make it both ways.
allergy friendly granola butter
So, what’s in granola butter?
Homemade granola butter is made simply with oats, cinnamon, salt, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
You’ll start by roasting the oats to add some richer flavor and then blend them with the remaining ingredients for a delicious nut-free spread!
Make sure to use certified gluten free oats to keep this recipe completely gluten free and Celiac safe. Since the recipe utilizes maple syrup as the sweetener, this granola butter is also completely vegan! Allergy friendly spreads are possible and now you don’t have to miss on out a PB&J any longer- just make it a GB&J!
Want more granola butter recipes?
If you are looking fore more granola butter flavors, you have to try my Brownie Batter Granola Butter! Rich chocolate granola butter, that is completely refined sugar free, is filled with extra chocolate chips for the ultimate allergy friendly and healthy Nutella.
Granola butter is a nut and seed free alternative for those with allergies. This is the perfect allergy friendly spread so you don't have to miss out. Use granola butter in place of things like peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower seed butter.
2cupsgluten free oatsmake sure they are certified gluten free
1cup Tigernut flour*you can use almond flour or another cup of oats
1tspcinnamon
1/4tspsalt
3/4-1cupmelted coconut oil
1-4Tbspmaple syrup
1tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Spread your oats evenly over a large baking pan and roast them for 10 minutes, until just beginning to golden and becoming fragrant.
Let oats cool for 10 minutes before adding to a high speed blender (like a Vitamix) or food processor. Blend oats into a flour.
If using tigernut flour, add the flour, cinnamon, and salt and blend again to combine.
Combine all the wet ingredients together in a measuring cup, starting with 3/4 cup of oil. If using tigernut flour, you will only need 1-2 Tbsp of maple syrup, but if using all oats, you will need 3-4. With the blender or food processor running on low, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the running blender/food processor.
Let the blender/food processor run for 5-10 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides, until you have a smooth butter. Taste and adjust as necessary, adding more maple syrup as needed. If you find that the mixture is too dry or thick, add more oil until the desired consistency is reached.
Let the butter cool slightly before transferring to a glass jar. Granola butter can be stored at room temperature and does not need to be refrigerated.
Notes
*I love using tigernut flour in this recipe as it adds some natural sweetness and nutty flavor without nuts!
This pumpkin seed pesto butternut squash is one of the most addicting recipes ever. The pumpkin seed pesto is the perfect amount of crunchy and salty that pairs perfectly with the sweet and soft butternut squash. You won’t be able to stop eating this delectable side dish!
pumpkin seed pesto and butternut squash
My mom used to make a variation of this butternut squash recipe when I was in high school and I absolutely loved it. When I got to college, I made my own version and shared it on my website years ago. Since I can’t have dairy, this vegan pesto is so delicious! The recipe, photos, and overall post needed a revamp, and I finally got a chance to do so.
This vegan and paleo side dish is easy to make and very simple. There are only a few ingredients in this healthy pesto that you blend together and toss with roasted butternut squash. Plus, it’s allergy friendly! There is no gluten, dairy, or nuts in this homemade pesto. It’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.
nut free pesto
How to make pumpkin seed pesto butternut squash
Ingredients
1 large butternut squash
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp garlic infused olive oil you can use 1-2 garlic cloves instead
Instructions
Peel and dice the butternut squash into cubes. Toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp. salt and spread evenly over parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake squash for 40-45 minutes at 425F, until fork tender and browning.
While squash is baking, make the pesto. Heat a skillet over medium low heat and add the pumpkin seeds. Toast, stirring occasionally, until seeds are fragrant and beginning to golden. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
In a blender, add the basil, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic olive oil or garlic cloves and roughly blend until basil is broken down. Add 1/2 a cup of the pumpkin seeds and 1/4 tsp. salt and pulse into you have a rough pesto texture. Taste and add more salt as needed.
Once butternut squash is cooked, let cool for 5 minutes before tossing with the pesto in a large bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds and serve.
vegan pesto
Pumpkin Seed Pesto Ingredient Notes
Butternut squash: I have not tried this recipe with any other root vegetables. I think it could be very good with pumpkin though!
Pumpkin Seeds: The pumpkin seeds are what give this pesto its unique flavor. Although you certainly could try substituting them for another nut or seed, I can’t guarantee the addicting outcome.
paleo and vegan pumpkin seed pesto with butternut squash
This pumpkin seed pesto with butternut squash is one of the most addicting dishes you'll ever eat. It packs a flavor punch and you won't be able to stop eating it. Enjoy this healthy and delicious paleo and vegan side dish with any protein!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword gluten free, healthy, paleo, vegan
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 4servings
Author Victoria Faling
Ingredients
1largebutternut squash
3/4cuppumpkin seeds
1Tbspolive oil
1/2tspsalt, divided
1cupfresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cupolive oil
1Tbspgarlic infused olive oilyou can use 1-2 garlic cloves instead
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425F.
Peel and dice the butternut squash into cubes. Toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp. salt and spread evenly over parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake squash for 40-45 minutes, until fork tender and browning.
While squash is baking, make the pesto. Heat a skillet over medium low heat and add the pumpkin seeds. Toast, stirring occasionally, until seeds are fragrant and beginning to golden. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
In a blender, add the basil, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic olive oil or garlic cloves and roughly blend until basil is broken down. Add 1/2 a cup of the pumpkin seeds and 1/4 tsp. salt and pulse into you have a rough pesto texture. Taste and add more salt as needed.
Once butternut squash is cooked, let cool for 5 minutes before tossing with the pesto in a large bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds and serve.
This healthy homemade pesto is completely allergy friendly and easy to make. It’s packed with flavor and a quick sauce to whip up for dinner. The spinach gives this dairy free pesto a nutritional boost, while the basil provides all the delicious taste!
low FODMAP spinach pesto
Many store-bought pestos contain nuts, cheese, and garlic, but if you’ve got food allergies/intolerances and GI issues, these ingredients are likely to set you off. It was impossible to find safe and healthy pestos at the store, so I started making my own. Pesto is super easy to make and the best part about making a homemade variety is that you can adjust the flavors to your liking. I’ve been whipping up this super quick and easy pesto for years and figured I better finally get this recipe on the my website and share it!
allergy free vegan pesto
This pesto is packed with an extra punch of nutrients from the spinach. The other ingredients are simple- olive oil, basil, and salt! It’s that simple. This pesto is completely allergy friendly, being gluten-free, AIP/paleo, and vegan, plus no garlic so it is low FODMAP! Gut friendly, nutrient packed, and healthy ingredients.
This easy and delicious homemade pesto is perfect for any diet. There are no major offenders and you can whip it up in just a couple of minutes! This pesto is nut-free, vegan, and low FODMAP
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Easy, low fodmap, nut free, Simple, vegan
Total Time 5 minutesminutes
Servings 4servings
Author Victoria Faling
Ingredients
3cupsspinach
1cupfresh basil leaves
1/4cupolive oil
1/2tspsalt
2-4Tbspnutritional yeastOPTIONAL
Instructions
Wash and dry the basil leaves.
Add everything to a small blender. Blend on high until smooth.
If needed, add more olive oil to achieve desired consistency.
Add nutritional yeast as desired for a more cheese-y flavor.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze in ice cubes for later use.
Hi! I'm Victoria. I was diagnosed with Lyme in 2012 and have been on a healing journey ever since. I love helping others on their road to healing through allergy friendly recipes, exercise, and overall well-being.
