This Homemade Larabar Recipe features simple ingredients that create an easy healthy, snack everyone will love! Use the master Larabar recipe (just 5 ingredients!) or add in your favorite flavors – you can’t go wrong.
These copycat Larabars are a great snack the whole family will love. They are raw, use real ingredients, and are so easy to make! We pull basic ingredients from the pantry like raw walnuts and pecans, coconut oil, and pitted dates.
The result is a Larabar copycat that is just delicious with a chewy texture and fruity flavor.
Homemade granola and granola bars are a staple in our house, so it just made sense to create a nut and fruit bar recipe. I love creating recipes with whole foods that are both simple and pack a nutritional punch. And these homemade bars check all those boxes with all those healthy fats.
These homemade nut and fruit bars can be made to be your own. Plus, they go great crumbled on top of homemade Instant Pot yogurt or a berry kefir smoothie.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Wholesome ingredients – This homemade Larabar recipe only includes whole food ingredients. You can use organic ingredients if you like and even add protein powder to the recipe if desired. These homemade bars are healthy, using only natural ingredients.
Simple – The best thing about this particular recipe is its simplicity! Just a few ingredients and a little bit of work required to make DIY Larabars in your own kitchen.
Prep ahead – These homemade energy bars are great the next day and travel well, too. Use parchment paper, wax paper, or even a beeswax wrap to wrap them before placing in an airtight container.
Ingredients
Pecans or other nuts – For a more decadent treat, macadamia nuts and pecans create a pecan pie flavor. For something a little more practical and every day, I like raw almonds, walnuts, or raw cashews.
Medjool dates – Dates are perfect for sweetness and texture, but you can use any dried fruit or mix dates with other dried fruit.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Tools You May Need
Food processor – A food processor or high-powered blender is needed to create a thick paste with the nuts.
Recipe Variations
There are truly so many different combinations when it comes to this recipe. The cherry pie version is a huge hit in our house!
Chocolate macadamia – Swap 1 cup macadamia nuts + 1 cup walnuts for the 2 cups of pecans and add 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips in the main recipe for a delicious twist.
Chocolate coconut –Add 1/2 cup coconut flakes to the main recipe for a delicious coconut flavor.
Cherry pie – Swap 1 cup dried cherries + 1 cup pitted dates for the 2 cups of medjool dates, and leave out the cocoa powder for a cherry pie version.
How To Make Homemade Larabars
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
Step 2: Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
Step 3: Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″, or 9″ by 9″ glass baking dish.
Step 4: Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour, then cut into bars and serve.
Tips
- If the mixture feels sticky, use wet hands to press the bar mixture into the pan.
- Line your glass pan with a piece of parchment paper before pressing the mix into the pan. This makes it easy to remove them to a cutting board to slice.
- Use a really sharp knife to cut the mix into individual bars. You can make larger bars or little mini ones.
Recipe FAQs
This particular recipe is high in fiber from the dried fruit and includes both healthy fat and some protein from the nuts. It does contain natural sugars from fruit but no added sugar, which is a better option than a different granola bar.
Larabars are considered minimally processed compared to many other snack bars. They are made with a simple list of whole food ingredients, but homemade Larabars are even less processed, especially if you use all organic or raw ingredients!
The dates and nuts in store-bought or homemade Larabars have natural preservatives that can extend the shelf life. These copycat Larabars can stay fresh for several weeks when stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. You can refrigerate or freeze them to keep them fresh longer.
Bars with whole food ingredients like dates, egg whites, protein powder, and nuts are generally the healthiest. Those that contain no added sugar and a good balance of protein and fiber are great! These homemade Larabars fit the bill with the raw ingredients, natural protein, and fiber.
More Snacks From The Farmhouse
- Chocolate Einkorn Protein Muffins
- Homemade Sourdough Graham Crackers
- Creamy Pawpaw And Banana Smoothie Recipe
- Sourdough Pretzel Bites
- Instant Pot Applesauce
Homemade Larabars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 2 cups pitted dates
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- ½ tsp salt, added to balance with the sweetness from the dates
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″ inch pan, or 9″ by 9″ inch glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
Notes
- If the mixture feels sticky, use wet hands to press the bar mixture into the pan.
- Line your glass pan with a piece of parchment paper before pressing the mix into the pan. This makes it easy to remove them to a cutting board to slice.
- Use a really sharp knife to cut the mix into individual bars. You can make larger bars or little mini ones.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Peanut Butter! Not sure how much to add, maybe I will start with 1/4 cup. and chocolate chips!
I respect and agree with your natural food ethic, but Instead of peppermint oil, why not use store-bought peppermint flavoring? I know it probably has some preservatives in it, but in small doses, can it be that bad? Or if you choose, just grow your own mint (very easy, as I’m sure you already know) and throw a bunch in the food processor along with the other ingredients. The flavor probably won’t be quite as intense, but it is natural. As a kid, I loved it; I’d pick a leaf or two and enjoy chewing on it.
Oh well, that’s just my two cents. You know what’s best for your family.
Hope you’re coming along well and healthy with your pregnancy. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?
Your home is GORGEOUS, and I can’t wait to see the finished kitchen.
As one who has been sewing for over sixty years, I just love how you dive into a sewing project and make it happen. You apparently have a good eye and a talent for it because your children look great and your décor is inviting and comfortable looking.
God bless you and your beautiful family always.
Thank you so much!! You are so sweet to leave such an encouraging comment. We didn’t find out if it is a girl or boy, so we will be surprised in October. Looking forward to it! 🙂
Hi Lisa! Do these need to be kept in the fridge for storage?
I made these last night! I added chocolate chips too and OMG, they are amazing! Thank you for the recipe!
I made these last night! I added chocolate chips too and OMG, they are amazing! Thank you for the recipe!
Do you have a tip for grinding the dates? I killed my food processor trying!
Peppermint all the way. These are absolutely delicious and my New Year Healthy eating sweet treat.
Peppermint all the way. These are absolutely delicious and my New Year Healthy eating sweet treat.
I went out and bought all the ingredients….. couldn’t find my food processor! UGH. Do you think I could do this in my blender?
If you have a pretty strong blender. I would think a Vitamix or Ninja could do the job!
Hi, where do you get your nuts? I also live in MO and looking for a good deal to get nuts in bulk.
My favorite source is actually just ALDI! They have the best prices I can find.