Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (2024)

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by Relle

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Liliko’i bars are a Hawaiian twist on lemon bars. Sweet yet tangy passion fruit curd baked atop a delicious buttery shortbread crust and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The perfect dessert to share with your family and friends.

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (1)

Have you ever had something so yummy you just couldn’t put it down? You told yourself you were going to eat just one, then before you know it you ate 2 or 3 or 5? Well this my friends is that something.

This liliko’i bars recipe comes from my mother’s humble kitchen. Many hours of baking, tweaking the recipe, and baking again. And all to my benefit because these are amazing. Thanks mom!

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (2)

If you love liliko’i, you’ve got to check out me recipe for liliko’i butter, liliko’i creme brulee, or liliko’i butter thumbprint cookies.

What is liliko’i?

Liliko’i is the Hawaiian word for passion fruit. It is sweet, yet tart fruit that is grown in tropical and subtropical regions. They come in both yellow and purple and are commonly harvested in fall and winter.

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (3)

How to eat liliko’i?

The best way to eat liliko’i is right out of the rind. Cut the fruit in half and scoop out seeds. There are many little black seeds that are encased with a juicy pulp. Now the seeds are edible, but I’m not the biggest fan of eating it. An alternative to eating the seeds is juicing it.

And don’t worry if your liliko’i is wrinkly. That’s the best time to eat it.

How to juice a liliko’i?

After cutting the liliko’i in half, scoop out the seeds and place in a sieve over a bowl or cup. Then using the back of a spoon, press the seeds against the sieve to extract the juices. I’ve found that using a fruit juicer doesn’t release as much juice.

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (4)

Ingredients for liliko’i bars

For the crust

  • Flour
  • Unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Salt

For the liliko’i custard

  • Eggs
  • Granulated sugar
  • All purpose flour
  • Liliko’i juice
  • Powdered sugar

How to store liliko’i bars?

Once cooled, cut and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Optionally, place in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can you freeze liliko’i shortbread bars?

Liliko’i bars are great for freezing. Wrap the bars in plastic wrap or the plastic wrap alternative of your choice and then place in an airtight container or zip top bag for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (5)

Tips and tricks for delicious bars

  • If you can not find fresh liliko’i, you can replace this with concentrates or puree. I like to use The Perfect Puree passion fruit concentrate. Of course you can also buy it on Amazon as well. If using this brand mix 3 tablespoons concentrate with ¾ cup water.
  • If you do not have unsalted butter you can use salted butter, however remember to omit the added salt.
  • Par baking the crust prior to baking the curd helps begin the baking process and ensures the crust is completely baked through.
  • When baking liliko’i bars it is common for the curd layer to puff up. Continue baking until the curd sinks back down or the edges just start to brown. Once cooled the curd layer will settle.
  • The liliko’i curd layer may have some divots. This is okay. It comes from pockets of air rising to the surface while baking.
  • Powdered sugar is an optional topping.

For more delicious Hawaiian style desserts try these

  • Mochi Crunch Cookies
  • Mochi Donuts
  • Haupia
  • Instant Pot Kūlolo

How to make liliko’i bars?

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. To a large bowl add flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix until well combined.
  3. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour crust mixture into the pan and gently pat down to create the crust layer. Bake for 15 minutes. While the crust is baking, begin the liliko’i layer.
  4. To another bowl add eggs, sugar, and flour. Mix until well combined. Then add liliko’i juice and mix again until well combined.
  5. Once the crust has finished par baking, pour the liliko’i mixture over the top. Bake for 30 minutes. The liliko’i curd will puff up and then sink down. Once it has sunk down and the edges have just begun to brown it is done.
  6. Cool completely then cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (6)

Liliko’i Bars

Relle Lum

Liliko’i bars are a Hawaiian twist on lemon bars. Sweet yet tangy passion fruit curd baked atop a delicious buttery shortbread crust and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The perfect dessert to share with your family and friends.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine Hawaiian

Servings 24 bars

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

For the crust

For the liliko’i custard

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.

  • To a large bowl add flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix until well combined.

  • Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour crust mixture into the pan and gently pat down to create the crust layer. Bake for 15 minutes. While the crust is baking, begin the liliko’i layer.

  • To another bowl add eggs, sugar, and flour. Mix until well combined. Then add liliko’i juice and mix again until well combined.

  • Once the crust has finished par baking, pour the liliko’i mixture over the top. Bake for 30 minutes. The liliko’i curd will puff up and then sink down. Once it has sunk down and the edges have just begun to brown it is done.

  • Cool completely then cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

Notes

  • If you can not find fresh liliko’i, you can replace this with concentrates or puree.
  • If you do not have unsalted butter you can use salted butter, however remember to omit the added salt.
  • Par baking the crust prior to baking the curd helps begin the baking process and ensures the crust is completely baked through.
  • When baking liliko’i bars it is common for the curd layer to puff up. Continue baking until the curd sinks back down or the edges just start to brown. Once cooled the curd layer will settle.
  • The liliko’i curd layer may have some divots. This is okay. It comes from pockets of air rising to the surface while baking.
  • Powdered sugar is an optional topping.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 63mgSugar: 16g

Keyword dessert bars, keeping it relle, lilikoi, lilikoi bars, passion fruit, passion fruit bars

Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag @keeping.it.relle on Instagram so I can see all your delicious creations and Let me know how it was!

© Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!

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Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (7)

By Relle on December 20th, 2020

Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (8)

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

More posts by this author.

11 thoughts on “Liliko’i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe”

  1. You stated on tv that you also have a Guava Bars recipe but I could not find it when I used the “search” feature on your page. Will you be emailing it out to us?

    Reply

    • Aloha Mary, If you type guava bars in the search bar it pops up as the number 1 result. Here’s the link https://keepingitrelle.com/guava-bars-recipe/

      Reply

  2. I’ve made this 3 times already. Everyone loved them. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Aloha Joni. So happy to hear. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year!

      Reply

  3. Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (9)
    Thanks for the recipe They turned out great!

    Reply

  4. Can Meyer lemon juice be substituted for the lilikoi?

    Reply

    • Aloha Valerie. You bet. That would then be lemon bars. I prefer liliko’i over lemon, but good nonetheless.

      Reply

  5. What temperature should the butter be? Room temp? Cold?

    Reply

    • Aloha Lisa. I use cold butter for this recipe. Have a great day.

      Reply

  6. Can u use passion fruit juice if can’t find lilikoi juice?

    Reply

    • Liliko’i is the Hawaiian word for passion fruit. I suggest fresh passion fruit or puree. If you use juice, you may need to adjust the recipe.

      Reply

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Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between lilikoi and passion fruit? ›

Although not a distinct species from the purple passion fruit, the lilikoi is a slightly larger fruit, with bright yellow skin and tarter pulp. Most other characteristics of the vine and fruit are similar to the purple passion fruit.

What flavor is lilikoi? ›

Definition of Lilikoi

When you cut them open they are filled with little sacs containing its pulpy juice as well as many, many black seeds. The taste of the fruit ranges from sweet/tart – tart in flavor and is very aromatic. The yellow form of the passion fruit plant takes 1-3 years to begin bearing fruit.

What does lilikoi mean? ›

Lilikoi Origin and Meaning

The name Lilikoi is a girl's name meaning "passionfruit". The Hawaiian word for passionfruit is a new Lili- name possibility, given to five baby girls one recent year. In Hawaii, the fruit name is often written as liliko'i.

How to cut and eat lilikoi? ›

Mainly, you eat the pulp, along with the seeds inside the pulp, though some recipes call for you to remove the seeds. The simplest way to cut into a passion fruit is to slice it in half to reveal the inside, then scoop the pulp and edible seeds out with a spoon.

What is the tastiest passion fruit variety? ›

Granadilla (Passiflora ligularis)

I often see this type sold in Latin American food stores. It is the best tasting of the lot as far as I'm concerned. It has the sweetest and least sour taste and the seeds have a very satisfying crunch.

What is the best passion fruit to eat? ›

Passionfruit - Sweet Granadilla

Regarded as the best tasting passionfruit in the world. The hard-shelled orange-yellow fruit is of excellent quality and has a white aromatic pulp. Production begins in 2 to 3 years. The vine is easily recognised by its heart shaped leaves.

Why does passion fruit make you sleepy? ›

One of the powerful medicinal compounds in passion fruit an alkaloid Harman functions as a sedative. This compound is beneficial in reducing restlessness, insomnia, and nervous anxiety thereby helping you to get a good night's sleep. The next time when you are troubled getting a sound sleep, try some passion fruit.

What do Hawaiians call passionfruit? ›

Although the purple passion fruit carries a Hawaiian name (lilikoi), passion fruit vines first came to Hawaii from Australia around 1880. However, the purple fruit itself originates from Brazil.

Can you eat lilikoi raw? ›

One of Hawaii's most popular exotic fruits is the lilikoi, or yellow passionfruit. Lilikois are extremely tart yet incredibly sweet, and so while only the bold tongue will eat them raw, when added to your favorite drink, jam or dessert, lilikoi make everything better.

How do you know if lilikoi is bad? ›

Inspect the skin's texture.

Spot unripened fruit by its smooth skin. Recognize ripe fruit by its wrinkles and dimples. Favor moderately wrinkled fruit over excessively wrinkled. Expect very wrinkled fruit to have already passed the peak of freshness.

When to eat lilikoi? ›

Once the passion flowers have been pollinated, the fruit begins to appear within 70-80 days. As it ripens, the passion fruit will fall off the vine, signalling that it's ready for eating or juicing. Lilikoi, the Hawaiian word for passion fruit, is one variant of the species.

Where is lilikoi originally from? ›

Originally from Brazil, yellow liliko'i, the Hawaiian name for passionfruit, reached the islands by 1880. See the fruit for yourself on a farm tour at Green Rows Farm in Waimānalo, or try its tangy flavor in House Without a Key's signature iced tea.

How many passion fruits can I eat a day? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s most recent dietary guidelines, the recommended intake is 34 g for men ages 19–30 and 28 g for women ages 19–30. Eating passion fruit regularly may help to prevent constipation and improve digestion and overall health.

Can you eat passion fruit leaves raw? ›

The Passion Fruit Vine Leaves

The leaves themselves can be used either raw or cooked. They are great used in salads, curries, soups, stir-fries, pasta and quiches. Passion Fruit leaves can also be boiled and used as a calming tea. The leaves contain alkaloids which may have a calming and soothing effect.

Can passion fruit be eaten raw? ›

The white film separating the rind from the flesh is edible as well, but most people don't eat it, as it's very bitter. Passion fruit is highly versatile and can be used in many ways. A lot of people enjoy the fruit raw and eat it straight out of the rind.

Why is Lilikoi called passion fruit? ›

Etymology. The passion fruit is so called because it is one of the many species of passion flower, the English translation of the Latin genus name, Passiflora.

Does Lilikoi taste like passion fruit? ›

What does lilikoi fruit taste like? Lilikoi, also known as passionfruit, has a unique and tropical flavor. The taste can vary depending on the variety and ripeness of the fruit, but it is generally sweet, tangy, and slightly tart.

What is passion fruit called in Hawaii? ›

Passion fruit, known in Hawaii as lilikoi, had been shown to have excellent consumer acceptance as a flavor for drinks and other food uses.

Are there two types of passion fruit? ›

Passion Fruit comes in two different varieties: Purple and Yellow. Yellow: originates from much more tropical regions. It is usually bigger than the purple variety and less flavorsome.

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