These Easy Passion Fruit Bars (also known as Lilikoi Bars!) are a buttery, tropical twist on classic lemon bars, sweet, tangy, and so easy to make.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You'll fall in love with this Lilikoi Bar recipe for its irresistible tropical flavor that bursts with the tangy sweetness of fresh passion fruit, just like my Passion Fruit Cupcakes. The buttery shortbread crust perfectly complements the luscious passion fruit filling, creating a delightful and refreshing dessert that's sure to brighten up any occasion.
Looking for more? Check out my collection of 14 of the Best Passion Fruit Recipes Ever.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
- What Type of Fruit is Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)?
- Where Can You Find Passion Fruit?
- These Dessert Bars are Sweeter than Lemon Bars
- 💡 Top Tip!
- How to Make Passion Fruit Bars
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Store Passion Fruit Bars
- Expert Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- How to Serve These Bars
- My Favorite Pan for This Recipe
- More Tropical Recipes to Check Out
- Easy Passion Fruit Bar Recipe
Key Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
- Passion fruit puree: Passion fruit puree is the star ingredient in the filling, providing a tangy and tropical flavor. It adds a refreshing and vibrant element to the bars, infusing them with its distinctive taste.
- Eggs: Eggs serve as a binding agent in the filling, helping to set and firm up the bars during baking. They also contribute to the overall structure and texture.
- Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the filling and helps balance the tartness of the passion fruit puree. It does make these bars pretty sweet (see below for tips on managing the sweetness level).
- Butter: Cold butter is essential for a flaky, tender crust. Make sure it stays cold right up until it goes in the oven. Flour: Used in both the crust and the filling, flour gives the crust its sturdy base and helps the filling set up properly as it bakes.
* See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
What Type of Fruit is Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)?
Passion fruit grows on a vine and not only has some of the most beautiful and intricate flowers, but also some of the most delicious fruits. Lilikoi is technically a berry, which makes it even more unique in my opinion.
Where Can You Find Passion Fruit?
If you're not in Hawaii or somewhere tropical, sometimes you can find passion fruit in the grocery store or the frozen section. I've had the best luck at my local Mexican Grocery Store, but I've also heard they can be found at Asian specialty grocery stores as well.
Fresh is always best, but frozen will work just as well for these special little bars. You can also find passion fruit puree online.
These Dessert Bars are Sweeter than Lemon Bars
I've been told by a few readers that they found these bars to be very sweet. This is because passion fruit puree is pretty sweet on its own. If you want a less sweet version, add a few tablespoons of lemon juice to the filling and/or omit some of the sugar.
💡 Top Tip!
I get asked this one a lot, so here's my rule of thumb: you're looking for a filling that's set but still has just the slightest jiggle right in the center, kind of like a cheesecake, not a custard pie. It'll keep firming up as it cools, so don't panic if it looks a touch soft coming out of the oven.
The number one reason bars turn out gummy is pulling them too early, so when in doubt, give them the full time in the oven and let that hour in the fridge do the rest of the work. Trust the process!
How to Make Passion Fruit Bars
Step 1: Make the Crust
- Whisk together the flour, salt, and powdered sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter and press the mixture into the bottom of a baking pan. The dough will look crumbly and pie-crust-like...this is normal. If it won't hold together, add 1-2 teaspoon ice water.
- Bake the crust at 350º for 15 minutes, just as the edges are turning brown.
- Allow the crust to cool as you make the filling.
Step 2: Make the Passion Fruit Puree
- For fresh passion fruit pulp, cut the fruit in half, dig out the middle with a spoon, and place in a blender or food processor. If you are using frozen fruit, allow it to thaw on the counter. Once thawed, it will already be in puree form.
- Strain the mixture into a bowl, and you have your puree. I have also been told a food mill works well to remove the seeds, although I have not tried it yet.
Step 3: Make the Filling
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and whisk everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars and Bake
- Once you have the lilikoi filling added to the crust, you are ready to bake! Bake for 30-35 minutes until the center is firm.
- Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool enough to be able to put the dish in the refrigerator. The bars need to be in the fridge for a minimum of an hour.
- Make sure they are cold all the way through. Not only does that mean they are done, but they are easier to cut, and the sprinkle of confectioners' sugar will not melt. Finally, you can enjoy these tropical treats!
Substitutions & Variations
A few of you have played around with this recipe and reported back, so I wanted to pass along what's worked:
- Gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for almond flour in both the crust and filling. A reader tried this and said it turned out amazing, with a perfect crust!
- Less sweet: If you want these a little less sugary, cut the sugar down to about 1½ cups instead of 2. A few readers tried this and loved the result. You can also add a couple tablespoons of lemon juice to the filling to balance the sweetness.
- Crust texture: The crust dough is meant to be crumbly, almost like a pie crust, before you press it into the pan; that's totally normal! If it feels too dry to hold together, add a teaspoon or two of ice water until it comes together.
How to Store Passion Fruit Bars
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Room temperature: These will keep for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
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Refrigerator: For the best texture and longer shelf life, store them in the fridge. They'll stay fresh and firm for up to a week.
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Freezer: Freeze the cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Expert Tips
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After whisking, there will be some bubbles. Allow the mixture to settle before baking in the oven.
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If you purchase frozen passion fruit, once it thaws, it will be in a puree form. If there are chunks of fruit, give it a quick zip in a food processor or blender.
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The crust is crumbly like a pie crust. If it won't come together in the pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of ice water to help it combine.
Recipe FAQs
Although this recipe is similar to lemon bars, it does tend to be a bit sweeter.
If you want a less sweet version, add a few tablespoons of lemon juice to the filling and/or omit some of the sugar (about ½ cup).
The passion fruit bars are done baking when the edges turn golden brown, and the filling is set with a slight jiggle in the center. It's essential not to overbake them to maintain a soft and gooey texture.
Yes, you can freeze the cooled passion fruit bars in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
The passion fruit bars can stay fresh for about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer shelf life, keep them refrigerated.
Yes! Bake and chill them a day or two ahead, then dust with powdered sugar right before serving.
How to Serve These Bars
These bars are perfect for potlucks, picnics, or any time you want a little taste of the tropics. I love serving them chilled straight from the fridge with a fresh dusting of powdered sugar right before guests arrive. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of coconut or vanilla ice cream, or alongside one of my tropical cocktails if you're hosting a summer get-together!
My Favorite Pan for This Recipe
I was given the opportunity to try the bakeware pans from Caraway, and I have to say, they are now my new favorite. Not only do they look great and come in beautiful colors, but they are also toxin-free and have the most non-stick surfaces I have used.
More Tropical Recipes to Check Out
If you get a chance to make these Passion Fruit Bars, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Easy Passion Fruit Bar Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup powdered confectioners sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (if using unsalted butter)
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Passion Fruit Filling
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ⅔ cup passion fruit puree (see notes)
- powdered confectioners sugar for dusting
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Place the flour, salt, and powdered sugar for the crust into a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands.
- Put the crust mixture into the baking pan. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan and up the sides as much as you can.
- Bake the crust in the oven for 15 minutes, until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from the oven when done.
Passion Fruit Filling
- While the crust is baking, whisk the eggs together in another mixing bowl. Add the sugar, one cup at a time, and fully combine. Add the flour and baking powder and continue to whisk. Finally, add the passion fruit puree and ensure everything is well combined.
- By now the crust should be done and out of the oven. Once the crust is ready, carefully pour the passion fruit mixture onto the hot crust and place the pan back into the oven for another 30-35 minutes. The bars are done when the center is firm.
- Remove the bars from the oven and allow the pan to cool on a wire rack until it can be placed in the fridge to cool and set. Allow the bars to chill for a minimum of 1 hour. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving and enjoy!
Notes
- I've been told by a few readers that they found these bars to be very sweet. This is because most passion fruit puree can be sweet depending on the brand, and you also add 2 cups of sugar. If you want a less sweet version, add a few tablespoons of lemon juice to the filling and/or omit some of the sugar (½ cup).
- If you are lucky enough to have fresh, ripe passion fruit, you can make your own puree. Cut the fruit in half and dig out the middle with a spoon. Add the fruit to a food processor or blender and give it a quick pulse to remove more of the pulp and juice from the seeds. Strain the mixture into a bowl, and you have your puree.
- If you purchase frozen passion fruit, once it thaws, it will be puree. If there are chunks of fruit, give it a quick zip in a food processor or blender.
- This recipe fits perfectly in a 9x13 pan. If you'd like to make a smaller batch, you can halve the recipe and bake in an 8x8 pan. Just keep an eye on the bake time, since it may need a few minutes less.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Passion fruit photo by Marcello Aquino on Unsplash.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
These Passion Fruit Bars are totally delicious and mouthwatering!
Emily says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Jen Talley says
I've never had fresh passionfruit, but now I need to try this recipe!
Emily says
You won't be disappointed, I promise!
Marina says
Cannot wait to try this passion fruit bars out. My daughter will love them
Chef Dennis says
I can't wait to have a bite of these Passion Fruit Bars! Looks really delicious
Robyn says
These look so delicious, and I was just wondering that I could do with the bag of passionfruit in my fridge! Can’t wait to make them!
Amy says
Love a good tart, especially with fruit. I usually find tarts too sweet so the fruit really cuts through it.
Alexandra says
I have all of the ingredients, and can't wait to whip up a batch today! So delicious!
Emily says
That's always the best when you have everything you need, enjoy!
Barshan Turno says
Needful content. Keep creating content like this! Tons of love for you
Michele peterson says
i love passion fruit and this recipe really showcased the fruit to perfection!
Debra says
Such a fun idea. I've never baked with passion fruit before. Going to pin for when I can get some.
Rachael says
I LOOOVE passionfruit! Here (Germany) we can get them at the normal supermarket when in season. This recipe is going on my bake list for this summer
Emily says
Oh good! I hope you get a chance to make these bars and I'm so jealous you can easily get passion fruit in season!
Rachel says
I tried passionfruit for the first time last year in a semifreddo I made, and I totally fell in love! I agree, it can be tricky to find, and a Latin store was where I found it as well! I heard that they are “in season” in the fall here in the US, and would be more likely to be sold fresh, but I didn’t have the chance to check. You’ve reminded me about this amazing ingredient, though! Can’t wait to make these!
Emily says
I hope you find some more passion fruit soon and get a chance to make these bars! Just talking about it makes me want something with passion fruit right now! LOL.
Sue says
Fantastic! I need to go shopping for more passion fruit, for sure!!