These chocolate orange fruit and nut bars are a perfect easy healthy snack for kids. Learn how to make your own homemade Larabars with just 5 basic ingredients.
Chocolate Orange Fruit and Nut Bars Homemade Larabars Video
Chocolate Orange Fruit and Nut Bars Homemade Larabars
These bars are such a simple snack to make. They are raw, healthy and kids love any variation of them! We get on kicks of making these all the time, and then I forget about them for a while. It’s usually the kids that remind me again!
My favorite nuts to use for homemade Larabars, or fruit and nut bars, are pecans and walnuts. I have the best access to them, as they sell them at my local ALDI pretty inexpensively. I also just prefer the taste. Below this recipe, I have included several variations for you to check out, and enjoy!
Chocolate Orange Fruit and Nut Bars Homemade Larabars Ingredients
2 cups pecans
2 cups pitted dates
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 drops orange essential oil
Chocolate Orange Fruit and Nut Bars Homemade Larabars Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″, or 9″ by 9″ glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
Variations for homemade Larabars
Homemade Larabars have virtually endless combinations. You can use any variety and combination of nuts and dried fruits. For a more decadent treat, macadamia nuts and pecans are my go-to choices. For something a little more practical and every day, I go for walnuts and cashews. My favorite dried fruit to use is always dates. They are super sweet, so a little bit goes a long way. AND I like that they are usually pretty mushy, so they incorporate well into the mix. I also sometimes use raisins, or dried cherries, in my homemade Larabars.
I have never tried making them with dried apricots, but now that I’m thinking of it, I bet apricots and macadamia nuts would make the most perfect pair.
Hmmm…I will have to get on that!
Peppermint Larabars
These are BY FAR my favorite. Since taking peppermint essential oil internally seems to be a controversial topic, and I do my best to steer away from things like that (especially on Youtube!) I didn’t feature these as the main recipe. I make these a couple of times per year, especially around Christmastime, and they are simply amazing!
Ingredients for Peppermint Larabars
2 cups pecans
2 cups pitted dates
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
Instructions for Peppermint Larabars
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″, or 9″ by 9″ glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
Lemon Larabars
Here’s a little secret with these lemon bars…they can also be used as a delicious crust for no-bake cheesecake. Yep! I discovered it a few years ago, and according to my family members, it is nothing short of miraculous. You just make the Larabars, per usual, but then press the mixture down into a pie pan and up the sides, instead of a baking dish. Then fill it with whipped cream cheese, honey, sour cream, lemon and cream mixture. Pop in the fridge for a few hours and, voila! (I will share more deets on this one in the future, but if you’re a no-recipes guy or gal, like myself, you’re going to make this before I get to it. You’re welcome.)
Instructions for Lemon Larabars
Make exactly like the peppermint version, except for swap the one drop of peppermint essential oil for 2 drops of lemon essential oil. Yum yum yum!
Lime Larabars
Just like lemon, but with a little twist of lime. Basically, swap the lemon essential oil for two drops of lime. I know this is a lame excuse for a variation, but just in case you didn’t think of it! I couldn’t let that happen, because the lime version is oh SO good!
Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chunk Larabars
Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chunk Larabar Ingredients
2 cups pitted dates
1 cup macadamia nuts
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chunk Larabar Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor, except the chocolate chunks.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Mix in the chocolate chunks by hand.
- Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″, or 9″ by 9″ glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
Cherry Pie Larabar
Cherry Pie Larabar Ingredients
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup pitted dates
1 cup almonds
1 cup walnuts
Cherry Pie Larabar Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Press the mixture down into a 7″ by 11″, or 9″ by 9″ glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
The Possibilities are endless
What combinations can you come up with? Let me know in the comments below!
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Chocolate Orange Fruit and Nut Bars Homemade Larabars
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 2 cups pitted dates
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 drops orange essential oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until everything comes together, about 3 minutes.
- Press the mixture down into a 7" by 11", or 9" by 9" glass baking dish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about on hour.
- Cut into bars, and serve.
Notes
- Sticky mixture? Wet your hands to help you press the bar mixture into the pan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Peanut Butter! Not sure how much to add, maybe I will start with 1/4 cup. and chocolate chips!
I respect and agree with your natural food ethic, but Instead of peppermint oil, why not use store-bought peppermint flavoring? I know it probably has some preservatives in it, but in small doses, can it be that bad? Or if you choose, just grow your own mint (very easy, as I’m sure you already know) and throw a bunch in the food processor along with the other ingredients. The flavor probably won’t be quite as intense, but it is natural. As a kid, I loved it; I’d pick a leaf or two and enjoy chewing on it.
Oh well, that’s just my two cents. You know what’s best for your family.
Hope you’re coming along well and healthy with your pregnancy. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?
Your home is GORGEOUS, and I can’t wait to see the finished kitchen.
As one who has been sewing for over sixty years, I just love how you dive into a sewing project and make it happen. You apparently have a good eye and a talent for it because your children look great and your décor is inviting and comfortable looking.
God bless you and your beautiful family always.
Thank you so much!! You are so sweet to leave such an encouraging comment. We didn’t find out if it is a girl or boy, so we will be surprised in October. Looking forward to it! 🙂
Hi Lisa! Do these need to be kept in the fridge for storage?
I made these last night! I added chocolate chips too and OMG, they are amazing! Thank you for the recipe!
I made these last night! I added chocolate chips too and OMG, they are amazing! Thank you for the recipe!
Do you have a tip for grinding the dates? I killed my food processor trying!
Peppermint all the way. These are absolutely delicious and my New Year Healthy eating sweet treat.
Peppermint all the way. These are absolutely delicious and my New Year Healthy eating sweet treat.
I went out and bought all the ingredients….. couldn’t find my food processor! UGH. Do you think I could do this in my blender?
If you have a pretty strong blender. I would think a Vitamix or Ninja could do the job!
Hi, where do you get your nuts? I also live in MO and looking for a good deal to get nuts in bulk.
My favorite source is actually just ALDI! They have the best prices I can find.