Fruit and Nut Bars (Copycat Larabar)

Fruit and nut bars cut on parchment paper.

Fruit and Nut Bars (Copycat Larabar)

With just 5 simple and nutritious ingredients and no baking, these Fruit and Nut Bars taste like store-bought Larabars but for less cost. You can customize the flavors and store them in the fridge or freezer for weeks.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 0

Total Time 20

Servings (Makes about 16 bars)

Calories 150kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

1½ cup cashews or almonds (raw or roasted and unsalted)
½ cup pitted dates (Medjool or Deglet Noir)
½ cup dried cherries (or dried apples, apricots, raisins, or prunes)
3 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
3 tablespoons rolled oats

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the cashews into a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Let sit for at least 10 and up to 30 minutes. Drain. (This helps the nuts soften enough to grind into the batter.)
Add the drained nuts to a food processor with the rest of the ingredients. Grind into a batter, starting on low and working up to high. (You will likely need to let the machine run for about a minute until the batter starts to hold together like cookie dough.) Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed to help the mixture move thoroughly.
Press into a silicone mold (I use a 1-cup Souper Cube) or an 8x8-inch baking pan. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes, then slice into bars.
Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a bag or store unwrapped bars in an airtight container.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. Freeze for up to 6 months.
These are best if stored in the fridge rather than room temp.
When you start the mixture in the food processor, it will seem like it's not going to work. Let the machine keep running, as it can take about a minute before the mixture will start to naturally hold together like cookie dough.
Use all coconut or all oatmeal, as you like.
Use roasted sunflower seeds instead of the nuts to make these a nut-free snack. You can skip the soaking step, or soak for just 5 minutes.

Nutrition