Homemade Energy Bars require only a few simple, wholesome ingredients! They are easy to make, good for your body, and cheaper and healthier than store-bought bars. Learn how to make your own today.
My husband gave me a puzzled look as I placed box after box of Blueberry Muffin Lärabars into our cart. “What? They are on sale and I need to stock up,” I said.
“You do realize you could probably make those at home at a cheaper rate and have them taste just as delicious, right? I mean, you develop recipes for a living,” he replied.
For a second, I doubted myself. If you’ve ever tasted Lärabars, you’ll understand why I was stocking up. Even though they are a bit on the pricey side they are stinking delicious! (And good for you too with ususally less than five ingredients!) But then I thought about it and my husband was right. To keep my hangry side at bay, I eat about 1-1.5 of these energy bars a day … so it made sense for me to start making them fresh at home.
Making homemade energy bars is a lot easier than you think. Seriously, prepare to be amazed by how simple the process is. There is no cooking involved, very few ingredients and hardly any prep time. Plus they are hard to mess up. Raise your hand if that’s a recipe that sounds good to you!
The best thing about homemade energy bars is that you can personalize them based on what kind of flavors you like. All you need is a few ingredients — dates, some kind of roasted nut and some kind of dried fruit — and you can totally customize the bars to create any combination you’d like. Today’s recipe is for Blueberry Cashew Energy Bars, but here are a few other recipe combination ideas (Note: something optional for all of these combinations is 1 teaspoon honey. I like the extra sweetness, but if you want to keep even natural sugar out you can omit that):
Cherry Almond
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup pitted, dried dates
1 cup almonds
Apple Pie
1 cup dates
1/2 cup almonds
1 /2 cup walnuts
¼ cup applesauce
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Key Lime Pie
2/3 cup shredded coconut
1 cup pitted, dried dates
1 cup cashews
Zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon lime juice
Peanut Butter Bliss
1 cup pitted, dried dates
1 cup peanuts
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1 cup pitted, dried dates
1 cup cashews
3 tablespoons chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
If you notice the mixture is too dry after combining it in a food processor, you can always add a few tablespoons of water or lemon juice. I hope you enjoy these bars as much as I have been enjoying them since making them for the first time last week! They are so simple, you’ll never buy them from the store again.
Modify this recipe to use whatever fruit or nuts you like!
- 1 cup pitted, dried dates
- 1 cup roasted cashews
- 1 cup dried blueberries
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times to break everything up. If the dates start to clump together, use a fork to separate.
- Process continuously for 30 seconds until ingredients break down into crumb-sized pieces. Use a spatula to scrape edges of the food processor and beneath the blade to make suer everything is mixed evenly.
- Continue processing until a ball is formed, about 2 minutes.
- Lay a piece of wax paper on your counter and place mixture on top. Use your hands to press mixture into a thick rectangle. Wrap and place in the fridge for about an hour.
- Remove bars from the fridge and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 8 large bars and wrap each bar individually to store.
- Storage tips: You can store bars in the fridge for a few weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
These sound wonderful Lauren! The ones at the market are always so expensive too. I love all the extra flavor combinations you’ve included too! On my list friend!
I totally agree with your husband, this homemade version sounds so much better than the store bought kind! I’ve made granola bars and bites before, but never anything like this. I love the ingredients and how easy it is! Definitely trying this out!
Dates are so versatile! Love the combination of bars you created.
Ooo I love dried blueberries and of course cashews are one of my favorite foods! Homemade bars are simply the best and a must!
These would be perfect in my girls lunches!
I frequently make my own energy bars and this flavor combo looks perfect! Thank you!
What a healthy, easy snack!
I love that you give several flavor combos for bars – so much deliciousness to choose from!
~jules
I LOVE Larabars, but you’re right – they’re SO expensive! I’m due next month(ish) and I figured I’d be eating a good amount of larabars as quick snacks – this could really save some money!
YES! The Peanut Butter Bliss sounds awesome!
Yes! Sometimes I forget how easy it would be to make something at home until my hubs reminds me 🙂 Then when I make it I am a.) super impressed with myself b.) never going back to store bought again. These look so fab, and I am especially excited about the key lime and peanut butter bliss versions! So great that you have multiple versions here, Lauren!
ah, chocolate – that’ll get me going every time 🙂
It’s funny but the ingredients for your recipe, is what I have in a jar mixed together! I never thought of blending them together.The combination is amazingly tasty 🙂
Yum! I made similar recipes, but pinning these 🙂
These sound amazing! I love homemade energy and/or raw bars. Thanks for providing so many great options for flavors. Wow! I recently made homemade granola using pureed beets and dates as the natural sweetener (I have a website dedicated to beets). Do you think beets could possibly work for these bars too? If you are interested in a recipe collaboration, I would love to feature you. Cheers!
I am definitely sharing this with my husband. We recently decided to save the money and try to make our own granola bars at home. The first batch was good, but crumbled and would not cut right. I think these might be a good alternative to try and it sounds so easy! I’m glad your husband suggested you develop this recipe. I am looking forward to trying it out.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy them Rhiannon. Let me know what you and the Mr. think! 😉
These look delish! Thanks for the recipe.
I can’t wait to try these! They look delicious!
Thank you, dear Stephanie!
Thank you for all the different combination ideas! They look so filling and delicious!
You are most welcome, Helen! Which are you most excited to try?
I’m a peanut butter lover so I bet you can imagine! And I’m sure that dates will be a great combination with it.
I think I might be one of the only people on the planet who hasn’t tried a Larabar. I’m not sure why I haven’t, but I just haven’t. If that makes sense! 😉 LOVE that you made your own, now I WILL try a Laurenbar! 😉 Loving all the different flavors, I’m either going to start with the key lime pie or peanut butter bliss… hmm choices choices!! These look delicious, and I am always in need of more energy! Thanks for sharing, doll, and thank your husband for the push to make your own! Pinned! Cheers, sweets! XOXO
OMG you are the cutest. I love how you just deemed these the “Laurenbar.” I’m so giddy! LOL. Also giddy over us potentially meeting up in NC. I am dying to meet you in person dear! <3 <3 Hope you enjoy these bars. XOXO
your husband is a smart man! watch my energy bites video. . I say the same thing . . when I realized I could make the same things at home. . started saving some money! because larabars are $$$$! I love these!
🙂 🙂 🙂 I’ll definitely be checking out that video! Thanks for the energy bar love, Alice!
I eat Larabars on the regular too, and have been meaning to make my own for quite awhile now. It’s so easy, and like your husband said, cheaper.
You’re going to love these then, Nicole! 🙂 Let me know if you end up making them!
Homemade versions are better than store bought! I love the different varieties you gave here!
Thanks so much, dear Megan! Hope you’re having a great day!
These are wonderful.
These look like the perfect snack! Can’t wait to try them!
Thanks Serena! They are so fun to make, too!
I love all of these ideas!!
So many great options! Nothing beats homemade.
Somehow I missed this last week. Big fan of Lara bars-no gluten or added sugar! I looked at other recipes before and they didn’t seem to have the appeal that yours does. Thank you! and Alex…ha ha