I’m generally not a big fan of snack bars because of all the added sugar and processing that come along with them. BUT, I do occasionally eat them, especially if someone- like Sarah– sends them to me 🙂 Way back in April, Sarah sent me my very first Larabar. I was SUPER impressed by the short list of ingredients and how natural they were. I loved every bite.
I thought, with an ingredient list that short, surely I can make these at home! But I never got around to buying dates…the key ingredient. So, when I found some Organic Medjool Dates when choosing my Swanson products, I immediately added them to my cart. To by honest, I don’t really know anything about dates other than that I’m constantly getting them confused with figs in my mind 🙂
After doing some research to find the correct ratios, I found this great post and immediately zeroed in on the PB & J flavor.
Lara Bites
Prep Time: 5 min
Keywords: raw snack vegetarian healthy nuts raisins dates
Ingredients (15-20 bites)
- 1/3 c chopped dates
- 1/4 c raisins
- 1/4 c unsalted peanuts
Instructions
In your food processor, add the roughly chopped dates and raisins and process into a paste. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the peanuts to the food processor and process until well chopped. Transfer to the bowl with the fruit.
Using your hands or a spatula, mix the two together.
Divide the mixture in half and place on two sections of plastic wrap.
Shape into bars, bites, balls…whatever shape your heart desires and store in the fridge
*This makes 2 bars or about 12 bites. You could easily double or triple the recipe.
Don’t forget to remove the pit in the dates when you chop them up.
*Sorry for the terrible pictures. It was 11pm.
I shaped mine into thin logs and stuck them in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, I removed the saran wrap and cut them into bites!
For more flavor combos, check out these ideas from Enlightened Cooking or these Key Lime balls from Jenn!
What’s your favorite Larabar flavor? Have you ever made them at home?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
Get my top 3 tips!
Plus quick, healthy recipe ideas right to your inbox every week!
The lemon Larabars are incredible! When I finally break down and buy a food processor, it’s the first thing I’m attempting!
Your bites look so cute!
i’ve never tried the lemon flavor. i must, soon!
I love the idea of the little bites! They are so convenient and cute!
i love cute food 🙂
awwwww you are too flipping sweet! thanks for the shouout to my… er… BALLS! =) haha! You know i’m all over this PB+J goodness! I haven’t tried a PBJ larabar but i’ll skip the $$$ exchange and just make yours! mwah!
you’re welcome, lady 🙂 love your balls!
soooo i must admit that i *hate* larabars. i don’t know why, but they just aren’t appealing to me even though i like dates. weird. but yours look so cute so maybe i should try a homemade batch!
this makes a pretty small batch…and there are tons of different combos you could try out. i don’t like to eat a whole bar at once, that’s why i just made mine bite size
I love lara-bars… my favorite being the coconut and the lemon. Mmmmm
i’m not a huge coconut fan but the lemon is intriguing!
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I buy these way too often to not try making my own.
(Is that tablecloth from world market? I almost bought one there that looks just like this!
it is! i found it on clearance 🙂
oh yay! i’m glad you liked the larabar and that you posted this recipe so i can save some money by making my own! 🙂 i’ve been meaning to experiment with the proportions and make my own – but you did it for me!