Amazing Strawberry Pie Bars (low fluoride, gluten-free)

Name: Amazing Strawberry Pie Bars (low fluoride, gluten-free)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ sticks organic unsalted butter (softened); 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour; ¼ cup organic granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons organic cornstarch; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 cups organic strawberries (quartered); 1/2 cup organic granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon organic cornstarch; 1 tablespoon organic lemon juice; 1 pie crust recipe; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon organic granulated sugar

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I can't believe it's already July! The summer is flying by and I'm trying to use as much seasonal produce as possible. There's nothing better than a fresh and juicy strawberry on a hot summer day.

You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter. I discuss my fluoride-free journey on TikTok and in my newsletter.

Amazing-strawberry-pie-bars-low-fluoride-gluten-free

A lot of times, I immediately think of a pie when thinking about seasonal berries. But, a pie is quite the commitment, especially when you'd rather be outside than inside rolling out a pie crust. So, I developed this recipe for strawberry pie bars with all the best parts of a strawberry pie -- juicy filling, lattice crust, and sugary strawberries -- that comes together in half the time it takes to make a pie.

These strawberry bars are a low-fluoride recipe and are gluten-free. If you're looking for more low-fluoride recipes, check out my raspberry crumble and blueberry muffins.

If you're looking for more recipes like these strawberry bars, check out my GF strawberry torte and my strawberry & cream cookies.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
FAQ
Equipment
Storage
What makes this recipe low in fluoride?
Top tip
Amazing Strawberry Pie Bars (low fluoride, gluten-free)

Ingredients

Organic fresh strawberries: if you're trying to limit fluoride exposure, make sure the strawberries are organic and that you wash them very well. Even organic foods contain pesticides, some of which contain fluoride.
Organic unsalted butter: make sure this is a high-quality, organic butter if you're limiting fluoride exposure.
Fluoride-free salt: I use Redmond Real Salt.
Gluten-free flour: I use Caputo's or King Arthur's.
Organic sugar: I use this brand.
Organic cornstarch: I use this brand.
Organic lemon juice
Organic eggs
Pie crust: Use my recipe HERE or use your favorite pie crust recipe.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.

low-fluoride-lemon-meringue-pie-bars-process-shot

In a food processor, pulse the butter, flour, granulated sugar, and corn starch together.

Pour the mixture into the baking pan and press into the bottom.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Slice strawberries into fourths and pour into a medium bowl. Add in the granulated sugar, lemon juice, and corn starch and mix until combined.

Amazing-strawberry-pie-bars-low-fluoride-gluten-free-process-shot

Make the pie crust according to the instructions.

Roll out and use a knife to cut the pie crust into even strips.

Pour the filling over the shortbread once it's out of the oven.

Weave the pie crust strips over the top of the strawberry filling (see attached video).

Tuck the edges of the pie crust underneath themselves and brush the top with egg yolk. Sprinkle with sugar.

Cover the top with tin foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the tin foil and bake for 15 more minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool. The top should be golden brown.

Cover with plastic wrap (once cooled) and store at room temperature for up to three days.

Hint: the tin foil prevents the lattice from burning or browning too fast. Find some great tin foil HERE.

Substitutions

Strawberries - instead of strawberries, substitute any fresh berry instead.

Variations

Almond - add 1 teaspoon almond extract to the strawberry filling for strawberry almond bars.

FAQ

Can I use frozen strawberries?

You can use frozen strawberries instead of fresh strawberries in this pie bar recipe. Use 2 cups of frozen strawberries instead of fresh strawberries.

Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the filling?

Brown sugar can be added to the strawberry pie filling instead of white sugar. You can add ½ cup brown sugar to replace the white sugar in the strawberry pie filling.

What is the baking time for these strawberry pie bars?

The baking time is 45 minutes.

Equipment

Tin foil - to prevent the lattice from burning or browning too fast.
Aluminum 8x8 baking pan - a great baking pan that is not non-stick.
Precut parchment paper - a must-have for any home cook or home baker.
Glass mixing bowls - are a great alternative to plastic mixing bowls that can be toxic.
Wooden spatula - a non-toxic alternative to spatulas.
Pizza cutter - use this to cut the lattice pie crust strips.

Storage

Cover with plastic wrap (once cooled) and store at room temperature for up to three days.

What makes this recipe low in fluoride?

This recipe is low in fluoride because it uses all organic, high-quality ingredients and avoids the biggest high fluoride foods like raisins, wine from California, and certain dry ingredients like oatmeal.

Top tip

Use a pizza cutter to cut the lattice pie crust strips and use a ribbon to measure each strip equally.