MAKE AHEAD SNACK: Homemade Apple Pie Larabars

One of my favorite healthy snacks is the Larabar.  If you haven't tried one yet, they are delicious little snack bars that come in many different flavors such as apple pie, peanut butter, cashew, cranberry, etc.  Larabars are one of the few store bought items left that literally lists 3-5 ingredients of things you can read like cashews, dates, etc.  No added sugar, no GMOs, vegan, vegetarian AND gluten free!  I sometimes even buy the "half-bars" and pop one before morning "booty" camp. . .  Until now, my friend!!

Now that I can make my own and save $1.30 per bar, I am lovin' life!  I can't believe I didn't try this before!  Sticking with our #FMF (farmer's market fresh) ingredient of the week, I chose the apple pie recipe!  They take about 5 minutes to make and the rest of the time is just for cool down in the fridge.  So, give them a try!  Mix up the flavors, make it your own and let me know what you come up with!

Apple Pie Larabars

TOTAL TIME: 1hr & 15min (needs about an hour in fridge)

makes about 16 squares

Print Recipe HERE

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup medjool dates pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon applesauce
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a food processor, mix the nuts and cinnamon into a powder.  Add in the dates and applesauce until a dough starts to form.
  2. Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper and spoon mixture into the pan.  I used a banana bread pan here, but I did about half of the recipe.  Press the dough down (using parchment paper so your fingers don't stick to the bars).
  3. Refrigerate until firm for about an hour or two.  Remove the whole thing with the parchment and slice into squares or bars (pizza cutter works great here).

STORAGE:

Refrigerate or freeze to store!  They are normally good for a couple weeks in the fridge or a couple months in the freezer.

Recipe Inspiration from mywholefoodlife.com