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These homemade chocolate brownie larabars are an easy to make snack with just 6 simple ingredients! Not only do they taste like the real ones, but they are also cheaper. Paleo, Whole30, and Vegan too!
I’m loving these easy, homemade chocolate brownie Larabars lately! They take under 5 minutes to make, and everyone will love their chewy, chocolatey taste, even kids.
I eat them before my weightlifting workouts for some immediate energy, but they would also be good for endurance athletes, or as an easy snack to bring if you are going hiking.
You know that I’m very picky with packaged protein and energy bars. I want to know what ingredients are in them, the quality of the ingredients, and the sustainability of the ingredients.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many bars out there that I approve of. So, I bought a food processor so that I could start making my own. Not only is it cheaper, but I actually know what’s in the bars, since I’m the one making them. I’ve actually only had one Larabar before.
It was good, but I no longer buy them because:
I don’t know the quality of the ingredients – sure they are non-GMO, gluten free, vegan, dairy free, and soy free, but this still doesn’t answer a lot of my questions on the quality of ingredients. I would be less skeptical of this if Larabar was certified organic. This doesn’t mean it’s healthier, but it does mean the ingredients in the bar undergo more scrutiny.
Larabar is owned by General Mills— (????) eye roll. I don’t like supporting companies that contain glyphosate’s in their products, support the obesity epidemic with processed foods, and much more.
Buying bars individually, or in a box is expensive. I can make them much cheaper and healthier by making them at home.
SO, WHAT IS A LARABAR?
Larabar’s are simple, minimal ingredient bars made with 2-9 real ingredients like whole nuts, fruits, and with chocolate flavors — chocolate chips.
They are gluten-free, non-gmo, dairy free, soy free, and vegan. Larabars also never use artificial flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners.
ARE HOMEMADE LARABARS HEALTHY?
These healthy larabars contain fiber, good omega 3 fats, antioxidants, vitamin E, and magnesium. However, like anything, I recommend consuming these in moderation.
If you follow a Paleo way of eating or doing a Whole30, homemade larabars are a great snack to make as they’re made from all whole foods, and don’t contain any added sugars.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE LARABARS
Make these delicious bars, with a food processor in under 5 minutes!
Rip off a piece of parchment paper or wax paper and press it into a 8×8 pan, making sure it’s big enough to later grip the paper ad lift the bars out of the pan.
Add in the pitted dates, and process/pulse until the mixture starts to stick together. Add in 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until mixture has a sticky dough consistency.
STEP 4: TRANSFER TO PAN
Remove the blade from the processor bowl, and transfer the mixture into a 8×8 baking pan covered with parchment or wax paper.
Flatten mixture into the baking pan. (If mixture sticks to your hands, wet your fingers and continue flattening the mixture.) If you want your bars flatter, take a piece of wax paper and place it over the bars. Take your hands and smooth down the bars.
Transfer baking pan to fridge for up to 30 minutes, or freezer for up to 15 minutes.
STEP 5: CUT INTO SQUARE BARS
Using the paper hanging over the edges of the pan, lift bar mixture out of the pan and transfer to a flat surface. Cut mixture into 12 square bars using a knife or pizza cutter.
Larabar Q & A’s
DO LARABARS HAVE SUGAR?
Larabars contain natural sugars from dates, which is a fruit. Natural sugar is much better for you than artificial sweeteners, or refined table sugar that has been processed. However, sugar is sugar, and in excess isn’t very healthy.
I recommend eating a homemade Larabar for a pre-workout snack, or as dessert. How often you eat them is up to you!
HOW MANY SERVINGS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?
This recipe makes about 12 square snack bars. However, you could definitely roll the mixture into balls as well. Depending on the size of your balls, it would come close to 24 balls.
WHAT PROCESSOR DO I USE?
Food processors come in a variety of brands and prices. For this recipe I used the Ninja Food Processor. I absolutely love it, and think that Ninja is great quality. Another brand I’ve heard great things about is the Breville Food Processor.
If you eat a lot of bars, snacks, or cook a lot, I highly recommend investing in a quality food processor. It will end up saving you money in the long run!
Almonds: If you can’t have almonds, use cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, or unsalted pistachios.
Walnuts: If you can’t have walnuts, opt for pecans
Medjool dates: make sure to buy “pitted” medjool dates. These can be expensive, but in the long run you are saving a bit of money making the Larabar’s yourself. If you can’t buy Medjool, generic dates will work too, but you will need to soak them in warm water (about 20-30 minutes before putting them in the processor bowl.)
These homemade chocolate brownie Larabars are an easy snack with just 6 simple ingredients! Not only do they taste like the real ones, but they are also cheaper! Gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free too!
Rip off a piece of parchment paper or wax paper and press it into a 8×8 pan, (Make sure it is big enough to later grip the paper and lift the bars out of the pan).
Add in the pitted dates, and process/pulse until the mixture starts to stick together. Add in 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until mixture has a sticky dough consistency.
Remove the blade from the processor bowl, and transfer the mixture into a 8×8 baking pan covered with parchment or wax paper. Flatten mixture in the baking pan. (If mixture sticks to your hands, wet your fingers a little and continue pressing the mixture down flat.) Transfer baking pan to fridge for up to 30 minutes, or freezer for up to 15 minutes.
Using the paper hanging over the edges of the pan, lift bar mixture out of the pan and transfer to a flat surface. Cut mixture into 12 square bars using a knife or pizza cutter.
To store, layer bars with squares of wax or parchment paper so they won’t stick together. Store in an air-tight glass container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
