Easy Homemade Larabars (4 Ingredients, Gluten-Free)

Homemade Larabars are so easy to make and require just four simple wholesome ingredients. A delicious, portable, and convenient snack. Here’s how to make your own!

Healthy snacks can seem somewhat allusive on a whole foods, plant-based diet. And, trying to stay healthy on a road trip feels almost impossible. That’s why when I discovered Larabars years ago I felt like I had won the lottery.

I couldn’t believe you could do so much with just fruit and nuts.

And, don’t even ask me to pick a favorite. Let’s just say that my cabinets were usually stocked with a nice variety of Cashew Cookie, Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie, Peanut Butter Cookie, and Apple Pie Larabars.

Apart from being just a healthy snack or road trip food, I depended on these things for calories and energy when training for 10K’s and other endurance races. Beacause they’re loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals. BIG TIME!

But, as our family grew so did our grocery budget and we had to learn to save in certain areas. So, I learned how to make my own Larabars and they are absolutely delicious! My kids love these as mucha as I do. In fact, most kids at school try and convince them to trade them during lunch.

This particular recipe is based off of my absolute favorite dessert, PECAN PIE! Dates, pecans, almond, and a little vanilla are all you need. Yes, that’s it!

Ready? Let’s do this!

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Homemade Larabars

Larabars are usually made with a mixture of dried fruit, mainly dates, and some type of nuts. I used a mixture of my two favorite nuts – pecans and almonds.

This simple recipe is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free.

• Medjool Dates: I prefer these types of dates because they are usually the softest and freshest as opposed Deglet Noor, which are often dry and firm. If all have available you are dry dates be sure and soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes.
• Nuts: Pecans and raw almonds are my favorite but you can pretty much use any nut you like.
• Vanilla: I like to add a little pure vanilla just for some depth of flavor. Vanillia is to sweet recipes what salt is to savory ones.

Optional Mix-ins

Larabars are really just a mixture of dried fruit, nuts, and spices. So, don’t limit yourself, experiment with different combinations.

Here are just a few examples:

• Fruits: raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, banana, pineapple, pears, and apples.
• Nuts: some of the most common are walnuts, raw cashews, hazelnuts, and pistachios.
• Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are great for adding a depth of flavor to any of your Larabar recipes. A pinch of sea salt at the end is very nice and a great complement to the sweetness.
• Other: vegan chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut flakes, oats, and even finely chopped carrots are excellent options to toss into the mix.

How To Make Homemade Larabars

Homemade Larabars are super easy to make. All you need is a food processor, a few minutes of your time, and four simple whole-foods, plant-based ingreedients.

Best of all, there’s no baking. Let’s do it!

1. To a food processor fitted with an S blade, add the dates and vanilla. Blend until the dates start to clump up and form a thick pastes.
2. Add in the nuts and pulse a few times until the nuts are evenly incorporate then turn on the food processor and blend until a crumbly mixture forms (about 30-45 seconds).
3. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, use your hands to combine the mixture, and form into a ball.
4. Roll out the mixture to about ¼″-½″ and form a rectangle with your hands or press the mixture into a small square pan. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 20-30 minutes.
5. Remove, slice into 8 squares, and enjoy!

How To Store Homemade Larabars

• Room temperature: place the Larabars in an airtight container and store at room temperature for 5 days.
• Refrigerator: place the Larabars in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
• Freezer: place the Larabars in a freezer-safe container, separate each bar with parchment paper or wax paper. These bars will keep in the freezer for 3 months.

Why You Will Love These DIY Larabars

There are many reasons but here are just a few…

• gluten-free
• simple to make
• whole foods, plant-based
• refined sugar-free
• paleo and whole30 friendly (althought I’m not a fan, but you may have friends this may appease)
• great snack for kids and road trips

I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

More Healthy Vegan Snacks

• Peanut Butter Protein Energy Bites
• Date Caramel
• Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
• Easy Vegan Fudge
• Apple Banana Oat Muffins

I hope you enjoy these homemade energy bars (copycat Larabars). Please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!

Print