These sweet, homemade gluten free apricot jam bars make a delicious treat any time. They have an incredible shortbread crust and a fluffy crumb topping. You can use any flavor of jam or preserves you have on hand. Make a batch in about 30 minutes!
If you are looking for the perfect snack, you will want to give my new homemade gluten-free jam bar recipe a try! These bars are fruity and, sweet, and absolutely delicious! I made these apricot bars without oatmeal since many who are gluten free are also sensitive to oats.
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They are so easy. My family devoured these apricot squares pretty quickly. If your family devours desserts quickly, make a double batch and freeze some!
If you love fruity bars, you will also want to try my Gluten Free Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars!
Why my family loves these gluten free jam bars:
- These apricot jam cookie bars are made with just a few simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry!
- You can use any flavor of jam you have on hand!
- They freeze beautifully so they can be made ahead.
Tried this yesterday! WOW!!!! Yummylicious! My husband loved it too! Thanks for the great recipe and yes, was SO easy! I did use the Walmart GF flour and worked perfectly well.”
jean h., facebook comment
Allergen Information:
These homemade jam bars are gluten-free, oat-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Make them dairy-free by using a plant-based butter.
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Flour Blend and King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I have not tested other flours, and I can not guarantee the recipe will work if you use different mixes.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Shredded Coconut – Use unsweetened coconut. I also think the smaller shred size coconut is easier to use than the ones with long, curly coconut shreds.
- Egg – Use a large egg.
- Butter – I recommend unsalted butter.
- Jam or preserves – Use any flavor!
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl. Mix and then pour them into the dry ingredients. Mix well to form a semi-crumbly mixture.
Step 3: Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and press HALF of the dough mixture into the bottom. Be sure to come up a little bit on the sides.
📢 Sandi says: Every gluten-free flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio. The brand of gluten-free flour you use will affect the moisture of the batter. If your cake batter is too runny, add more flour, and if it is too thick, add more liquids.
Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.
HINT: When pressing the dough, use your hands or the bottom of a flat water glass.
Step 4: Spread the jam or preserves over the crust.
Step 5: This is what the jam will look like when spread over the crust.
Step 6: Use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining half of the crust mixture over the jam.
Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes, depending on how thick the bottom crust is.
If you like oats in your bars, these yummy Gluten Free Blueberry Oatmeal Bars or these Gluten Free Lemon Oat Bars.
Try these yummy flavor options!
There are so many fun ways to vary this recipe. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Add walnuts or pecans to the jam layer.
- Drizzle the tops with melted white chocolate.
- Top the jam layer with some fresh fruit like blueberries.
- Try this delicious Rose Jam instead of apricot jam.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The secret to a fluffy crumb topping is to crumble the top crust mixture into tiny pieces before baking.
You can easily make these bars dairy-free by using dairy-free or vegan butter.
These apricot jam bars will keep fresh for up to 3 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Try my incredibly chocolatey Gluten Free Brownie Cheesecake Bars recipe too! You may also love these Gluten Free Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars!
More Gluten Free Dessert Bar Recipes:
- Gluten Free Tropical Matcha Cookie Bars
- Easy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bars
- Gluten Free Apple Crumb Bars
- Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten Free Apricot Jam Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter unsalted, melted
- 1 egg large
- 13 ounces apricot jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
- In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix into a crumbly mixture. Divide it in half.
- Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
- Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Spread the apricot jam over the crust.
- Use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining crust over the jam.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove and allow the bars to cool before slicing them.
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
- These apricot jam bars will keep for up to 3 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
could one use coconut sugar rather than processed white? I have some lovely tart plum jar I’m eager to try in this recipe 🙂
Hi Sara, I haven’t tested coconut sugar in this recipe. It should work, though the coconut sugar will make it brown in color. If you try it, please do let me know how it tastes.
Any thoughts on what could be used in place of the coconut?
Hi Marlene, Use the crust from this GF Cranberry Bars recipe. It is yummy and coconut free. https://www.fearlessdining.com/easy-gluten-free-cranberry-shortbread-bars/
I love this recipe, it’s so delicious & easy!
Thank you so much, Jaimi!!
What do you suggest to replace the coconut?
Hi Diane, use the shortbread crust recipe from my gf cranberry bars in this jam bars recipe: https://www.fearlessdining.com/gluten-free-apricot-jam-bars/
These bars are spectacular!!!!!
I am so glad you loved them!
Amazingly adaptable recipe and have made it with apple and raspberry jam as well. Easily converted to dairy free and vegan
I am so glad you love these bars, Annie. Thank you for coming back to let everyone know the recipe is great :-).
So easy and super delish!!!!
I am so glad you loved these Jean! Thank you for coming back to let other readers know!
I don’t want to use coconut. What would you suggest to replace it? Thanks.
Hi Janet, You can use this recipe, which is very similar and has no coconut. https://www.fearlessdining.com/strawberry-cream-cheese-bars/
Yes, oh yes!! I’ve been missing these!
I can’t wait to hear which flavor of jam you use!!
I didn’t have apricot jam, so I used strawberry rhubarb jam. A hit with the whole family, including my picky four year old!
Thank you!
Strawberry rhubarb jam sounds incredible for this recipe. I am so glad everyone loved them!
Could you suggest a substitute for the sugar?
Hi Suzette, I have not tried this, but many of my readers are commenting on other baked desserts that they had good success with monk fruit sweetener. Have you tried it?
Have you tried adding some GF oats to the apricot bar recipe?
Hi Lisa, I have not tried oats…if you do I would leave out the coconut as they both absorb a lot of liquid.