Fruit and Nut Bars (Copycat Larabar)

With simply 5 easy and nutritious elements and no baking, these Fruit and Nut Bars style like store-bought Larabars however for much less value. You’ll be able to customise the flavors, alter for allergy symptoms, and retailer them within the fridge or freezer for weeks.

Fruit and Nut Bars

Larabars have endlessly been one in every of my go-to toddler snacks, however since they stopped making the mini ones that have been an ideal measurement for youths (and since they are often costly), I began making this recipe. And whereas I don’t completely make home made snacks—we nonetheless do purchase store-bought bars!—this has been a straightforward choice to have within the combine. I really like that I can purchase the elements and stash the bars within the fridge for filling snacks for weeks.

(Whenever you purchase the elements, know that they’ll make at the very least two batches of those, so hold them within the pantry till you’re able to make the recipe once more. Or you can also make these No-Bake Chocolate Balls, which have related elements.)

These are an ideal preschool snack (there’s a nut-free possibility if wanted), an ideal after college snack, and are additionally great as a being pregnant snack. My complete household enjoys them!

Components You Want

Right here’s a take a look at the elements you have to have available to make this simple snack recipe to share with the children.

• Cashews or almonds: You need to use both of those as the bottom of the bars. Both uncooked or roasted and unsalted work. In order for you or have to make them nut-free, use roasted sunflower seeds.
• Pitted dates: Recent dates, both the Medjool or Deglet Noir selection, work right here to assist maintain the bars collectively. They’re sometimes offered within the refrigerated aisle close to the produce.
• Dried fruit: Dried cherries, dried apples, dried apricots, raisins, or prunes all work right here as taste choices. Do one taste or a mixture.
• Shredded unsweetened coconut: A bit little bit of coconut provides taste and helps the bars have slightly construction.
• Rolled oats: Old school oats helps the bars have slightly construction so they’re simple to slice and decide as much as eat.

Step-by-Step Directions

Under is an summary of this recipe so you recognize what to anticipate. Scroll to the tip of the submit for the main points on quantities and timing.

1. Place the cashews right into a medium bowl and canopy with sizzling water. Let sit to melt. Drain. (This helps the nuts soften sufficient to grind into the batter.)
2. Add the drained nuts to a meals processor with the remainder of the elements.
3. Grind right into a batter, beginning on low and dealing as much as excessive. (You’ll probably have to let the machine run for a couple of minute till the batter begins to carry collectively like cookie dough.) Cease and scrape down the perimeters of the bowl if wanted to assist the combination transfer completely.
4. Press right into a silicone mould (I exploit a 1 cup Souper Dice) or an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate briefly, then slice into bars.

Tips on how to Retailer

Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 month, both wrapped individually in plastic wrap or separated with parchment paper. You may also freeze for as much as 6 months. These are greatest if saved within the fridge however maintain up advantageous at room temperature to take them on the go. (I often pack with an ice pack if we’ll be out for a lot of hours within the warmth, although.)

Greatest Ideas for Success

• Whenever you begin the combination within the meals processor, it is going to seem to be it’s not going to work. Let the machine hold operating, as it may well take a couple of minute earlier than the combination will begin to naturally maintain collectively like cookie dough.
• Use all coconut or all oatmeal, as you want.
• Use roasted sunflower seeds as an alternative of the nuts to make these a nut-free snack. You’ll be able to skip the soaking step, or soak for simply 5 minutes.
• Use one dried fruit or a mixture of them.
• Add 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder to make a chocolate model of those.

I’d love to listen to your suggestions on this submit, so please fee and remark beneath!

• Place the cashews right into a medium bowl and canopy with sizzling water. Let sit for at the very least 10 and as much as half-hour. Drain. (This helps the nuts soften sufficient to grind into the batter.)

• Add the drained nuts to a meals processor with the remainder of the elements. Grind right into a batter, beginning on low and dealing as much as excessive. (You’ll probably have to let the machine run for a couple of minute till the batter begins to carry collectively like cookie dough.) Cease and scrape down the perimeters of the bowl if wanted to assist the combination transfer completely.

• Press right into a silicone mould (I exploit a 1-cup Souper Dice) or an 8×8-inch baking pan. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes, then slice into bars.

• Wrap in plastic wrap and retailer in a bag or retailer unwrapped bars in an hermetic container.

• Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 month. Freeze for as much as 6 months.
• These are greatest if saved within the fridge somewhat than room temp.
• Whenever you begin the combination within the meals processor, it is going to seem to be it’s not going to work. Let the machine hold operating, as it may well take a couple of minute earlier than the combination will begin to naturally maintain collectively like cookie dough.
• Use all coconut or all oatmeal, as you want.
• Use roasted sunflower seeds as an alternative of the nuts to make these a nut-free snack. You’ll be able to skip the soaking step, or soak for simply 5 minutes.

Serving: 1bar, Energy: 150kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 3g, Fats: 9g, Saturated Fats: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 5g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 153mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 180IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg