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Well, I stand corrected. All this time readers have been telling me I should make my own Larabars at home, and I proudly stood my ground saying I already make too many things from scratch so I would continue to buy them from the store. But that was until I figured out homemade LARABARS taste SO good compared to the packaged ones! On a recent blog post I shared that extra good food is worth the extra effort to me so it should be no surprise that I will have to start making these on a regular basis now!
Plus, since Larabars are such a simple snack, using only a few whole ingredients, that means they are simple to make at home as well. All you need are Medjool Dates, which can be found in the produce section if your store carries them, and some nuts, peanut butter, seeds and/or granola. And thanks to the seed version those who are nut-free can enjoy these bars now, too. They are the perfect “on-the-go” snack, and my girls were so excited when they saw me putting together the pictured platter…it was like torture for them waiting for me to finish taking pictures! My daughters seriously love these things.
Cashew Cookie Larabar
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates (pitted)
- 1 cup cashews (raw)
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Combine dates, cashews, peanut butter and water in a food processor and puree until mixture starts to stick together. Add a little more water if necessary to help mixture come together.
- Pick up date mixture and using your hands work to squeeze it together into one big clump. Mash it down on a cutting board or sheet of wax paper to form into one even rectangle shape using the sides of your hands (or a knife) to make the edges straight.
- Slice into 12 even squares. For best results store in the fridge, although bars can be kept at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Granola Larabar
Ingredients
- 1 cup granola (homemade (see below for link to recipe))
- ½ cup Medjool dates (pitted)
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Combine , dates and water in a food processor and puree until mixture starts to stick together. Add a little more water if necessary to help mixture come together.
- Pick up date mixture and using your hands work to squeeze it together into one big clump. Mash it down on a cutting board or sheet of wax paper to form into one even rectangle shape using the sides of your hands (or a knife) to make the edges straight.
- Slice into 8 even squares. For best results store in the fridge, although bars can be kept at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Larabar
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates (pitted)
- ½ cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Combine dates and peanut butter in a food processor and puree until mixture starts to stick together. Add a little more water if necessary to help mixture come together.
- Pick up date mixture and using your hands work to squeeze it together into one big clump. Mash it down on a cutting board or sheet of wax paper to form into one even rectangle shape using the sides of your hands (or a knife) to make the edges straight.
- Slice into 8 even squares. For best results store in the fridge, although bars can be kept at room temperature.
These were super easy and incredible! Can we pretend the serving size is the whole recipe?
What brands or types of peanut butter do you recommend that would be a “real” food?
Hi Megan. Look for an organic peanut butter that has only peanuts and maybe a bit of salt as ingredients. ~Amy
I LOVE these!! Thanks for posting so many variations too! They’re perfect for taking on trips:).
What a yummy treat! My husband is in the military and I’ve been looking for healthier alternatives to the store bought power bars that could still give him lots of energy and replenish the nutrients he looses so much during long workouts/rucks etc. I made the first recipe on this list and added unsweetened coconut and raisins to the listed ingredients and it turned out DELICIOUS! The best part is I know there are no gmo’s, high fructose corn syrup, dyes or other harmful ingredients in it!
Can these be made in larger batches and frozen and then pulled out little at a time to thaw and eat?
Hello Wendy! Absolutely. I have some in the freezer right now. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge. ~Amy
These are ridiculously easy and outrageously good!
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Wonderful recipe! I came across your site when trying to find a recipe for larabars as i was spending a fortune on them- family of 5 who all love them! These turned out to be Amazing! So much better than store bought- thank you so much! I’m a new fan of your website!
Can you use normal dates?
Hi Kathy. You can. Medjool dates are extremely plump and sweet, however. The texture with another type of date may be somewhat different. ~Amy
Loved these! I made them into little “logs” and rolled them in ground flax so they wouldn’t be too sticky – then wrapped individually in wax paper to pop into lunch boxes! Love this site!
I made a version of these that i found on pinterest. 1 cup dates, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup almonds, and combine in Ninja blender. Press on wax paper as thin as you want, put in fridge for an hour or more then cut to size and keep in fridge until you devour. Have a healthy day!
Just made the nut free Lara bars and they are soon delicious! I’m trying not to eat them all before my family has a chance to try them. Thank you!
Thanks for the reply, Amy. I did try the banana and you’re exactly right. It was so sift that I used it as “hummus” with carrots and other veggies. Still yummy!
i just made this! cannot wait to try them…the unfinished product tastes fabulous!! also, instead of using my hands to spread it out i used one of my spatulas and spread it on wax paper, then just popped it in a large rectangle glad tupperware! was easy, peasy with no mess!!
This was my first attempt using my new food processor and I can’t believe how easy it was. I used a mixture of almonds, pumpkin seeds and cocount for the cashews and almond butter instead of peanut butter. The “bar” is in the fridge hardening now cause I think I used just a bit too much water. So I’m hoping I can cut into “bars” very soon. If I wanted to use a banana to match the Larabar Banana Bread bar would I need to adjust any other part of the recipe? This is so much fun to make too! Thanks much!
Hi Barb. Aren’t food processors fun? They open up a whole new world. ;) I have made mine with banana and banana does soften the bars. I adjust by adding, very unscientifically, a bit more of everything and it seems to do the trick. They are yummy! Enjoy. ~Amy
Will these work just as well if I substitute with almond butter instead of peanut butter??
Hi Pearl. Sure, any nut butter should work. Let us know how they turn out! ~Amy
Ok, mine cAme out way to sticky. What did I do wrong? I used smuckers nat peanut butter and cashews?
Hi Rachel. Did you include the dates? Because of the dates (or sometimes raisins), my bars are often a little sticky but less so after they rest for a while. ~Amy
I just wanted to say thank you for all of the recipes and the hard work you are doing. We are on the way to re-inventing how we eat one step at a time. You are making things a lot easier!
Do you absolutely need the dates? I don’t have any or even raisins for that matter but I still want to try out this recipe.
Jordyn, you can experiment with these recipes and see how they turn out. You need something that binds the ingredients together. I used a dollop of peanut butter and a smashed over-ripe banana this week and it was yummy! Good luck. ~Amy
I just made a variation of these bars. I used dates, organic raw honey, and an organic sprouted trail mix. I found that adding about a tsp of melted organic raw honey helped with the consistency and when chilled it really holds together well. Oh yeah they are to die for!!!
Oh and I added organic French vanilla granola with slivered almonds to the mix too!!!
Just made dates/figs, natural peanut butter, cocoa powder and a pinch of salt Lara bars…mmmm…needed the dates with the figs for enough sweetness.
We made the Peanut Butter recipe last night. In place of the Peanut Butter we used Oh She Glows recipe for 4 Ingredient Dark Chocolate Almond Butter. Then we made little balls with a small cookie scoop. They are so good! Like little brownie bites.
I got a recipe from a friends site, I love Lara Bars. She uses a mini muffin pan instead of rolling out for bars. You refrigerate for 30 minutes and then pop them out. Easy peasy.
Oh my, I made cashew cookie version today, and they are gone! The kids LOVED them and asked when I would make more. Super easy to make! Tomorrow I will try to seed version. Thanks so much for all your great recipes. We are a family of 4 kids under the age of 10 and they are all loving everything I have made from your site!
Made these tonight for dessert and everyone scarfed them down! Thanks for the recipe! We are parents to 2 girls, ages 8 and 4.
I just made these…sooooo good! I have to say thank you for this website, such great ideas to cut out all the processed junk!
Has anyone tried using almond butter instead of peanut butter? I love peanut butter, but I’m trying to cut grains and legumes out of my diet.
Hi Amy. Yes, I often use almond butter (creamy) instead of the peanut butter. They still turn out great. Jill
I made these for the first time this weekend (cashews, peanut butter and dates). They tasted great but were so sticky! Fairly difficult to get to come off the cutting board I used and messy when eating. I have never had a “real” Lara bar so not sure what consistency it is supposed to be. Any thoughts about what I might have done wrong or could do better?
Thanks!
Hi Jordan. They are somewhat sticky. I place mine between 2 sheets of wax paper to roll them out. Then, I place them in the refrigerator before I cut them. They seem to be easier to work with when they are cold. Hope that helps. Jill
I’ve made these many times now and have been experimenting with the stickiness problem (although many a time, I dont mind licking my fingers, the plate, the bowl, the food processor….). After I cut them up I roll them in quick oats before putting them in the fridge. I have also rolled them in crushed almonds and those are super yummie! I JUST made a batch using peanut butter with with crushed walnut/almond meal. I couldnt really work with it, so I flattened it and covered it with oats and stuck it in the fridge. I’ll cut them later and hopefully they will turn out at awesome as all the others!
The local middle eastern market sells dates in a smashed block form, and it’s easier to use in baking. Also, try adding lime zest or orange zest to your bars for an extra kick!
Can you freeze the homemade larabars?
Hi Amber. Yes, they are fine to freeze. You can even take them out that morning and they’re usually defrosted by the time you are ready to have them for a snack. Jill
Is there a way to make these without using a food processor? We received a pack of dates in our CSA box, and I immediately thought of this recipe! Thanks!
Hi Tracy. I’m not sure how you would “puree” the dates without the processor? And, the nuts too need to be chopped up well which is much easier with the processor. Jill
Borrow a processor from a friend. You can make a ton at once. They last in the fridge easily for several months. I have made the basic recipe at least 20 times already. :)
I just made these! First of all, amazing! I almost prefer them over store bought! We made the peanut butter and in stead of cashews we used almonds in the cookie ones. They are super yummy and so insanely easy! Thanks again for the great recipes!
I made the cashew and nut-free bars today…the are delicious, easy and better than the store-bought version. Absolutely love your blog!!!!
I made these today, with a slight tweak to the MOP (method of preparation) and they were AWESOME (I added coconut to my cashew bars)!! For those who experienced oiliness issues, try this…rather than mixing everything together all at once, try pulsing the nuts together until finely ground, add your dates, one at a time, then add the peanut butter and water (I only needed a teaspoon). I found this technique while making another faux Larabar. Hope this helps someone.
Ok, I goofed and used the wrong kind of dates. Stupid mistake, I know. Anyone have any suggestions on saving my larabars? Maybe add something else to make it stick together. I feel like an idiot right now, so any help would be nice. I’ve got a nice bowl of crumbled dates, cherries and almonds that just won’t stick together (wrong dates, I know).
I absolutely love Larabars and have for awhile. My fave is the cherry pie one, and I found a recipe for making them! It’s on another blog: http://userealbutter.com/2012/02/26/homemade-cherry-pie-larabar-recipe/
I haven’t tried to make any of these recipes yet, but I’m planning on trying them soon.
I did read some of the other comments and saw that some people didn’t do as well making these as other and was wondering if the size of the food processor made a difference. What sizes were used?
Giselle, I tried this in the blender and it didn’t work at all. It just gummed up at the bottom and even though I repeatedly stirred it around, it was more frustrating than it was worth IMO. I had to dig around and find my little processor and do it in batches. It’s worth going and buying a small food processor I think.
I made the cashew bars and did what I always say I won’t do on the first try of a recipe…I changed it a bit! I added chocolate chips…and then I baked them! I baked half of the batch at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes, now my kids will think I made cookies while they were at their Boy Scout meeting! Cause they taste just like a chocolate cookie! The original recipe was of course delicious, but I was just feeling a little experimental.
Thanks!
Thanks for the recipe! Do you think these can be made in a blender if I don’t have a food processor?
Hi Giselle. I think it would be tough in a blender. Everything really needs to get chopped up and blended and I’m just not sure a blender can get it done (maybe a higher end blender might work). Jill
Do NOT make them in a blender. I have a high end blender and I ended up with Larabar butter. :( I am going to just use it in place of peanut butter in a granola bar recipe or something.
Has anyone tried using almonds and almond butter?
I have found that almond butter is much more moist than peanut butter. If you made the peanut butter version with almond butter you would need to add some oat flour (just put some oats in a food processor and blend until smooth and flour like), or something else to bulk it up so it isn’t so moist. (I used almond butter in the Cashew cookie version and ended up not needing to add the water.) Hope this helps! :)
Does anyone like the “peanut butter cookie” version you can get in the stores? I found out how to make them….and oh my, they taste just like those peanut butter balls you get for Christmas!! They taste heavenly…they taste like they have TONS of sugar in them…even my non ‘real food’ friends think so!!
1/2 cup peanuts
5 pitted medjool dates
1/4 tsp sea salt
That’s all! IF you add a little less than 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, it makes them brownie bites! I am going to make them both this year for Christmas, roll them up, and put them in a cute box as truffles! They taste like truffles!