Do you love the taste of those wonderful healthy fruit and nut bars? We do too, but we don’t love spending upwards of $2 each for them! The truth is, there really isn’t much to making them and if you have just a few basic ingredients, dried fruit and nuts, you can make your own homemade Larabars in just a few minutes time.
The amazing thing about these yummy bars is that they’re very healthy, gluten free and so simple to make at home to have on hand for guilt free snacking. I’m working on cutting out unhealthy levels of sugars, gluten and other processed foods from our diet, but we still want tasty, healthy snacks! Buying dried unsweetened fruit isn’t exactly cheap- but you can dry your own at home with minimal effort.
Regardless of the flavor you choose to make, here are the simple directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse about 30-45 seconds (or more if necessary). The mixture should stick together well (pinch it with your fingers to test!). For mess free bars, line a loaf pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Pour the processed bar mix into the pan, fold the other half of the wrap over the mix and press firmly into bars. Place the bars in the fridge for about an hour and then cut into 6 bars/pieces. These homemade larabars can be individually wrapped and stored in the freezer for fast-on-the go snacking and they freeze well.
(If the fruit is really tough or extra chewy, it can be soaked in 1/3 cup of warm water for 10 minutes, then drained and processed according to the directions above).
Flavor Combinations:
Apple Pie
1 cup mixed almonds and walnuts
1 cup dates
1 cup mixed raisins and dried apple
2 tbsp cinnamon
Banana Bread
1 cup almonds
1 cup dates
1 cup dried banana
Blueberry Muffin
1 cup cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup dried blueberries
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Cappuccino
1 cup mixed almonds and cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup coffee beans
1 vanilla bean, scraped
Carrot Cake
1 cup mixed almonds and walnuts
1 cup mixed dates and raisins
1 cup mixed dried pineapple, shredded coconut, and carrot
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp cinnamon
Cashew Cookie
1 cup cashews
1 cup dates
Cherry Pie
1 cup almonds
1 cup dates
1 cup dried cherries
Chocolate Chip Brownie
1 cup mixed almonds and walnuts
1 cup dates
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup cacao powder
Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte
1 cup mixed almonds and cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup mixed chocolate chips and dried cherries
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1 cup cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup chocolate chips
Chocolate Coconut Chew
1 cup mixed almonds and walnuts
1 cup dates
1 cup shredded coconut
4 tbsp cacao powder
Coconut Cream Pie
1 cup mixed almonds and cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup shredded coconut
2 tbsp coconut oil
Ginger Snap
1 cup mixed almonds and pecans
1 cup dates
2 tbsp fresh ginger
1 tbsp mixed cinnamon and cloves
“Girl-Scout Samoa” Cookie
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
dash of salt
2 T chocolate chips
Key Lime Pie
1 cup mixed cashews and almonds
1 cup dates
1 cup shredded coconut
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Lemon Bar
1 cup mixed cashews and almonds
1 cup dates
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Oatmeal Raisin
1 cup raisins
3/4 cup oatmeal (not quick oats)
3/4 cup Almonds or Cashews
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
dash salt
Peanut Butter & Jelly
1 cup peanuts
1 cup dates
1 cup dried cherries
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
1 cup peanuts
1 cup dates
1 cup chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Cookie
1 cup peanuts
1 cup dates
Pecan Pie
1 cup mixed pecans and almonds
1 cup dates
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Strawberry
1 cup mixed walnuts & almonds
1 cup dates
1 cup Dried Strawberries
Tropical Fruit Tart
1 cup mixed almonds and cashews
1 cup dates
1 cup mixed dried pineapple and shredded coconut
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1 tbsp coconut oil
Tropical Sunshine Bars
1 cup cashews (or pecans)
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1 cup dried Unsweetened pineapple
1/4 c. dried mango
1/2 tsp Lemon Zest
dash salt
Did you notice a trend? Some of the recipes use Almonds, some use cashews and some use pecans. You can use whatever type of nuts that you prefer (or can find on sale!) I’ve found that it’s best to purchase Unsalted nuts and avoid over-processing them or you’ll end up with a mushy peanut-butter type textured bar.
What flavors have you tried? Which ones are your favorite? We’d love to hear your experiences and results too!
