Homemade ‘Lara’ Bars
Serves: 3
Happy Sunday! I bet you didn’t think you would see something from me pop up in your inbox, did you?! 
Sneaky! As this is posting, I am on my way to the start line for the P.F Chang Rock N Roll Marathon! I am sure I am shaking right now from excitement, anxiety and the chills! (For some reason I am always like this before a race starts!)
As most of you know I really enjoy eating Lara bars! I eat them as my snacks the day before a race and I eat them regularly throughout the week (as you have seen in my WIAW posts)! They are definitely my favorite bar! However, they can get expensive after awhile. The store near me sells them for $1.89 a piece. Also, sometimes it is nice to create your own flavors! Bloggers all over the world have been recreating Lara bars for years, so this recipe is not something new that I created in the sense that the base quantities of each ingredient remains about the same. The flavor combination is what makes it new! (Well, to me anyway!) I have been toying with the idea of trying to make my own at home and I finally went for it (and made some to take with me on the plane!) I hope you try them out! This is my recipe that I made. Below, I have given you the basic instructions on how to make a Lara Bar and how to create your own flavor combinations! Enjoy! 
Fit Ingredients
- 1/2c (56g) cashews
- 1/4c (40g) whole, pitted dates
- 1/4c (38g) dried mango
- 2 tbs (7g) reduced fat shredded coconut
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract (optional)
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- food processor (or magic bullet)
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Directions
1. Add your dates, mango and extract to your food processor.
2. Process until you get a paste.
3. Transfer your paste to a bowl.
4. Process your nuts until they are chopped (you do not want to turn them into flour).
5. Add your chopped nuts and coconut to your paste.
6. Now get your hands in there and knead and mix away until fully combined (this takes some muscle, so get those guns out!)
7. Shape into bars or balls.
8. EAT!!! (or seal in individual ziplock bags to grab on the go!)
No words are necessary to even express my deep love for these bars!! YUMMY!
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Nutrition (for 1 out of 3 bars) (about 48g a piece)
Calories: 198.3, Protein: 4.2g, Carbs: 25.3g, Fat: 9.0g (2g Saturated), Sodium: 0mg, Fiber: 3g (Net Carbs: 22.3g)
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Now, the basic instructions on how to create your own bars!
(Creating 3 bars)
Nuts & Seed: use 1/2 cup of nuts/seeds or a combination of both
- almonds
- cashews
- sunflower seeds
- walnuts
- pecans
- pumpkin seeds
- etc…..
Paste: use 1/2 cup dried fruit (at least 1/4 cup should be dates to make sure you get the right consistency)
- Dates
- Dried Mango
- Dried Cranberries
- Raisins
- Dried Apricots
- Figs
- Dried Cherries
- etc…..
Flavoring & Extras: use a 1/2 tsp of extract, a teaspoon of spices or 1 tbs of zest to give your bars a little kick!
- Lime/Lemon/Orange - Zest/Juice
- Vanilla Extract
- Coconut Extract
- Cinnamon
- Cocoa Powder
- Sea Salt
- Peanut Butter
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Almond Extract
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- etc…..
Here are some examples of some current Lara Bar flavors:
Pecan Pie
- 1/2c dates
- 1/4c almonds
- 1/4c pecans
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Cherry Pie
- 1/4c dates
- 1/4c dried cherries
- 1/3c salmonds
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Chocolate Coconut Macaroon
- 1/4c dates
- 1/3c cashews
- 3 tbs dark chocolate
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4c shredded coconut
Let me know if you get creative and try a new flavor combination!!
**Lara Bar base information and recipes (excluding mine) were borrowed from DAMY Health.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhh, I’m so excited about these! Great recipe
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Thanks so much Carly! Such a cheaper way to go!
YUM!!! I actually ruined my blender (not a great one) trying to blend dates so I need to get a Vitamix first!
Not trying in my magic bullet cause that is all I have right now! 
I used my magic bullet Jody and it worked amazing!!
Yum! These look awesome. I’m all about the almonds these days, so I’d definitely use those! Oh and anything coconut!
Almonds would be amazing in these! I am loving your suggestion of coconut butter on kabocha!! You should check out http://www.myfoodreligion.com too! She is like me coconut addict sister!
I love this. It’s funny how when you look at these bars at the grocery store they are quick to announce that they only use a few ingredients, all of which are organic or whatnot. That’s great, but then why do people spend over 2 dollars a bar when they could make these simple bars themselves!? I bought ingredients to make my own granola today, but now I think I will end up trying to make these bars instead, more portable. I absolutely love this blog/website! I have my B.S. in Kinesiology from K-State and just love nutrition and fitness! I am a part time personal trainer at 24 hour fitness and also work part time on the supplements/whole body team at the Whole Foods right across the street! It’s a sweet gig! I love life, fitness, nutrition, and The Lord! Keep the recipes coming, and I will continue to send clients this way!
Hi Derek! I am glad you are enjoying the recipes! You are absolutely right that bars are super expensive and usually filled with junk! I am so glad you are enjoying the blog! It sounds like you have an extremely fun pair of jobs too! Nothing is better than fitness and nutrition…in my opinion
I also worked for 24 Hour Fitness for many years! I hope you are enjoying the company! Thank you for sending clients my way! I appreciate that so much! The more people who’s lives can be touched by healthy food…..the better! 
I cannot believe how simple these look and probably should give them a shot. I never really buy bars, because they can get expensive, so making these will be nice option for my afternoon snack. THANKS!
I hope you try them! They are so simple and very very cheap to make! Plus they taste delicious! I hope you had a great weekend!
I love making the peanut butter & jelly Larabars – dates, dried cherries, and peanuts! So simple and so good.
The PB&J bars are delicious!!
I love making the peanut butter & jelly Larabars – dates, dried cherries, and peanuts! So simple and so good.
I love making my own Larabars! I’m going to give your recipes a try….thanks for giving all of the different flavor ideas!
Thank you Kim!! Do you have a favorite flavor combination to make?
hope you had an awesome race….break PR!? Take a few days and pamper yourself with a good massage
Thanks Kathy! No PR. This race I was set on just finishing after my injury…..I will be sharing all the details on Wednesday! Thank you so much for you well wishes! You are always such a huge support! Have a great day!
Bars look amazing too! Loving your new Paleo recipes.
Thank you so much Kathy!
OMG I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! DRIED MANGO FTW!!!!! I have to make these pronto!!!
This recipe is all you my friend! Dried mango and coconut!