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You can create your own tasty Homemade Larabars in a few minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. In a few steps and minimal effort, you’ll have wholesome snacks ready to enjoy in no time!
How to Make Larabars at Home
My kids are huge fans of Larabars, and I adore the variety of flavors and wholesome ingredients they offer. However, the cost can add up quickly.
That’s why I switched to making them at home, and I’ve never looked back. With basic ingredients and a bit of creativity, whipping up homemade Larabars is a breeze.
I’ve found buying fruits and nuts in bulk from Costco not only saves money but also adds an element of fun as we experiment with different flavor combinations.
After much experimentation, I’ve found the perfect balance of dried fruits and nuts to create Larabars that hold together without being overly sticky or oily, making them easy for toddlers to chew.
And I’m going to share them all here! Be sure to read the “tips for success” section.
You can even shape these into balls, like these bliss balls, apricot balls, and chocolate balls.
Love easy, wholesome snacks like these? You’ll find all reader-favorite no bake snacks in one place, packed with simple, healthy ideas that kids adore and parents can feel good about.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
You will need 1 1/4 cups of dried fruits to 1 cup of nuts to achieve the perfect harmony of sweetness and nuttiness in every Larabar.
- Nuts – Common nuts for Larabars include walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pecans. Pistachios, peanuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts are also options, each offering unique flavors. Consider the flavor profile of each nut when choosing.
- Dried fruit – Common dried fruits for Larabars include dates, figs, raisins, apricots, cherries, and apples. Each adds different flavors and health benefits to your bars. Experiment with combinations to find your favorite!
- Add-ins – Enhance the flavor, texture, and nutritional profile of your Larabars. Here are some popular options: coconut (shredded or flakes), oats, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, sea salt, or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: If adding oats, add to a food processor and give it a good pulse. You can also do this with the nuts if you want them to be finely chopped.
Step 2: Add the dried fruits and add-ins.
Step 3: Pulse the mixture until it starts to come together into a sticky dough. If it’s too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 4: Line a mini loaf pan with parchment paper and press the mixture evenly into the dish to your desired thickness. Place the dish in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. Once chilled, cut into bars or squares.
Tips for Success
- The dried fruits need to be soft! If they’re not, you’ll need to soak in warm water for 10-15 minutes before blending. Be sure to drain and pat dry.
- You can easily double or triple the recipe. Simply add to a large square pan and press evenly.
- You can also shape the mixture into balls rather than bars or squares, like these bliss balls and apricot balls.
Variations
Feel free to experiment and discover your favorite combinations. Here are few ideas to get you started:
- Cherry pie: Combine 1 cup almonds with 1 cup dried unsweetened cherries, 1/4 cup dates, a dash of salt, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
- Apple pie: Combine ½ cup almonds and ½ of walnuts with 1 cup unsweetened dried apples, 1/4 cup dates, 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and a dash of salt.
- Pb and J: Process 1 cup peanuts with 1 cup packed dried cherries, 1/4 cup pitted dates, and a dash of salt.
Equipment
I highly suggest using a food processor when making these Larabars for a few reasons! It makes the whole process super easy and quick—just toss in your ingredients and let it do the work for you. Plus, it ensures everything gets blended together really well, giving your bars a smooth and consistent texture.
A high-powered blender can also be used, but it will yield a slightly different consistency compared to a food processor.
Storage
Once these are cut into individual bars, separate with a piece of parchment paper and transfer to an airtight container and keep on the counter at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
For longer keeping, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours in the fridge.
FAQ
Larabars can be a great choice for a healthy snack or energy boost. Here are the best healthy toddler snacks. They’re not meant to replace meals, but they can be a smart nutritional addition, as long as the natural sugars and calories fit with what works for you.
Yes, typically homemade Larabars are cheaper than store-bought ones. You can buy ingredients in bulk and control the quality, which helps cut costs.
Most Larabar flavors are vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Still, it’s a good idea to give the ingredients list a quick scan just to make sure there aren’t any sneaky animal-derived ingredients hiding in there.
More Quick & Easy Snacks
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Homemade Larabars
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
Oatmeal Raisin Larabars
- 1 cup walnuts (110g)
- 1 cup raisins (150g)
- 1/4 cup oats (25g)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add oats to a food processor and give it a good pulse. You can also do this with the nuts if you want them to be finely chopped. Then add the dried fruits and add-ins.
- Pulse the mixture until it starts to come together into a sticky dough. If it's too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Line a mini loaf pan with parchment paper and press the mixture evenly into the dish to your desired thickness. Place the dish in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. Once chilled, cut into bars or squares.
Notes
- Cherry pie: Combine 1 cup almonds with 1 cup dried unsweetened cherries, 1/4 cup dates, a dash of salt, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
- Apple pie: Combine ½ cup almonds and ½ of walnuts with 1 cup unsweetened dried apples, 1/4 cup dates, 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and a dash of salt.
- Pb and J: Process 1 cup peanuts with 1 cup packed dried cherries, 1/4 cup pitted dates, and a dash of salt.
Looking forward to trying these! Quick question – the oats you’re referring to are they old-fashioned (rolled oats) or quick oats?
HI! rolled oats will work best for these! Can’t wait for you to try!
Love making these! We’ve really liked the apple pie recipe on here. It’s been such a tasty snack with a balance of fat and protein and iron for my toddler and myself alike!
This recipe is a winner! I’m restocking my homemade snack supply, and tried this recipe for the first time. I made the Cherry Pie version, with a 1/4 of cup oats and a couple tablespoons of water added. Delicious and wholesome. They firmed up nicely in the fridge and gives me and my son something a little different to snack on this week!
ooh love the cherry pie one too! I’m so glad!!
Hi Min!
I love your recipes and want to try these Larabars. I don’t have raisins on hand. Would 150g of medjool dates work? Or would that be way too sweet?
Hi! You can! Since dates are sweeter than raisins, I would start with less. You can always add more!
Just tried these today with my 2.5 year old and we couldn’t stop eating them before they went into the fridge! We love them! We used a mix of almonds and walnuts, raisins, oats, cinnamon and vanilla. Thank you for this recipe and all your other amazing recipes!
Aww yay!! So happy to hear! You’re welcome :).