Homemade Maple Pecan “Larabars” (Vegan+GF)
Homemade Maple Pecan Larabars are an easy, healthy, and quick snack you can make in your own kitchen. Make them for a back to school snack, a healthy dessert, a pre workout bite, or a sweet breakfast.
I’ve fallen in love with Larabars recently. If you aren’t familiar with what they are, they’re basically dates and nuts made into bars. Each of the flavors has a few extra ingredients but they’re all whole food ingredients.
Okay, so because I’m obsessed with making things myself I had to make these. Even though Larabars are really simple and easy to get from the store, I just love being able to create my own flavors. The brand does make a pecan pie one that’s pretty similar to these but I wanted to throw in some maple because maple pecan is one of the best flavor combos of all time!
So these are so easy and perfect for a healthy on-the-go snack for an active day. You can also do a bunch of stuff with them like chop them up and use them as a topping for oats, smoothie bowls, or even ice cream!
FAQs About Homemade Larabars
What Are Larabars?
Larabars are a brand of snack bars made with very few ingredients. They are known for being soft and chewy and great for a sweet treat or healthy snack. Larabar, the brand, makes a variety of flavors and products.
Is It Cheaper To Make Your Own Larabars?
Yes, it is usually cheaper to make your own Larabars. The average cost of a packaged Larabar is about $1.27 per bar (or $0.75 cents per ounce) depending on where you buy them. To make them at home it costs about $0.65 per ounce.
Above calculations are based on average costs of ingredients. These maple pecan bars are probably a bit higher cost on average due to the cost of pecans and pure maple syrup being high.
Are Larabars Protein Bars?
No, larabars are not made to be protein bars. They do contain about 4 grams of protein per bar, but there aren’t any added protein supplements or particularly high protein ingredients in them. They naturally contain protein from the nuts and fruits they are made with.
What Kind of Dates Are In Larabars?
Larabar does not specify the type of date used in their bars but medjool dates are the most commonly used dates in most homemade larabar recipes. Most flavors of larabars use both dried fruits and dates.
What Ingredients Are In Larabars?
Larabars are made from a base of nuts and dried fruits or dates with added natural flavors. Some flavors of larabars add ingredients like chocolate, spices, vanilla extract, etc. There are many flavor combinations.
Are Larabars a Healthy Snack?
Yes, Larabars are a very healthy snack! Of course the term “healthy” is a very relative term but larabars are free from processed ingredients, food dyes, gluten, dairy, eggs, meat, and more. This makes them a very suitable snack for many diets and ways of eating.
Try grabbing one of these bars on the way to the gym or a hike. They’ll give you a nice boost of energy.
Are Larabars a Good Breakfast?
Yes. Larabars are filled with a variety of nutrients, healthy fats, and natural sugar. This makes them a good choice for breakfast, specifically for those who prefer smaller meals to start their day. They can be eaten with other foods to make a more filling breakfast.
Do Larabars Need To Be Refrigerated?
No, store-bought and packaged Larabars do not have to be refrigerated. It may help them last longer though. However, homemade larabars should be refrigerated if being kept for more than 3 days. They do not have to be refrigerated if eaten within 3 days.
How To Make Homemade Maple Pecan Larabars
Step one: You’ll want to gather all of your ingredients and pour them into a good quality food processor or blender. I do recommend a food processor for this particular recipe but if you only have a blender that can work. Pulse the ingredients together until almost completely smoothed into a very thick paste. You can choose to get it as fine or as course as you like. I prefer a little bit of texture left in mine.
Step two: Press the mixture down tightly in a parchment lined pan to compact it and help form the bars. Then refrigerate for more solid bars if you’d like.
Step three: Cut the slab into bars with a sharp knife and enjoy! Refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks if kept cold.
LET’S MAKE THE RECIPE!
Homemade Maple Pecan “Larabars” (Vegan+GF)
Whether you're looking for an energy boosting snack or a not-so-naughty treat these easy bars will satisfy your craving.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup pecans
- 1 1/4 cup pitted medjool dates
- 1 tablespoon almond or cashew butter this just helps the bars hold together and blend better
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 2 teaspoons pure maple extract
Instructions
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Combine the nuts and dates in a food processor or blender (a small one works best) and pulse together until finely ground. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse again until as smooth as you'd like. (I left mine a slight bit gritty for texture but if you'd rather, you should probably be able to get it completely pureed.)
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Line a 5×9 inch loaf pan with parchment and press the mixture tightly down. Cut into desired size bars and enjoy!
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Store extra bars in fridge.
I hope you loved this post! Here are some other posts you may enjoy:
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cereal Bars (Vegan)
Rice Flour Pb&J Breakfast Cereal Bars (Vegan + GF)
Plant-Powered Oat Protein Bars (Vegan+GF)
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