These homemade Larabar Bites can be made in minutes and are full of wholesome plant-based ingredients. They taste like chewy mint chocolate brownies & are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Larabars are great but they aren't cheap and they are so easy to make yourself. I spotted the new Mint Chocolate Truffle Larabar Bites recently and they look awesome. They are a little bit more decadent than regular Larabars and are more truffle-like, but they are pretty expensive for the amount you get in the bag. I knew that I could probably whip some Homemade Larabar Bites myself and they would be much more budget-friendly.
I make my Peanut Butter Amazeballs a lot as they keep for ages in the fridge and are perfect for quick snacks and lunch box additions. These Homemade Larabar Bites are similar in style but are more dessert-like. They are perfect for when you feel like something sweet after dinner or for when chocolate cravings hit, which if you are like me, could be anytime!
Ingredient & equipment notes
These Homemade Larabar Bites are dairy-free, gluten-free and have only 6 ingredients. Dates, almonds, chocolate chips, cocoa, coconut flour, peppermint oil and water.
They are date based but don't let that put you off. You really can't taste the dates. They give the bites a lovely chewy, brownie like texture and mean that you don't need to add any sweetener of any kind.
To make them you will need a food processor.
How to make homemade Larabar Bites
For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card.
They are a breeze to make. Literally throw everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. Then you just have to shape them into balls and you're done. I left mine just like that but you could also roll them in cocoa powder, dip them in chocolate or roll them in finely chopped almonds to make them look prettier if you wanted to.
If you don't want to roll them into balls you could line a brownie pan with baking parchment, press the mixture into it, refrigerate, then cut into squares once it has firmed up a bit.
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Mint Chocolate Truffle Larabar Bites
Author:Ingredients
- 130g / 10 large medjool dates , pitted
- 200g / 1½ cups raw almonds
- 180g / 1 cup chocolate chips , I used semi-sweet dark ones
- 20g / ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 28g / ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon peppermint extract , or 5 - 10 drops peppermint oil, (start at the lower end of the scale then taste once it's mixed together. If you would prefer it a little stronger then add some more but do it very gradually)
- 2 tablespoons water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put the almonds in a food processor and blend until a fine flour.
- Add the dates, chocolate chips, coconut flour and cocoa and process again until well combined.
- Add the peppermint extract/oil and water.
- Process until well combined and balling up.
- Taste a tiny bit and add more peppermint if required. Process again to combine if you do,
- Remove the blade and form the dough into balls. You can make them whatever size you prefer. Mine were the size of walnuts.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Karen says
Could I just use 1 1/2 cups almond flour for almonds?
Your recipes are amazing! I have passed many of them on to friends
Thank you
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Karen! That will be fine. You might find you need to adjust the amount of water very slightly to get them to come together. Just add as much as you need yo be able to roll it up into balls.
RV says
Have you ever tried to make them with another type of "nut"? I just found out I'm suppose to be staying away from almonds. My favorite Larabar is the mint choc chip so I'm trying to come up with some other alternatives.
A Virtual Vegan says
I think you could probably get away with most nuts or even seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds in this recipe. Just not peanuts as I'm not sure the flavour would work well. I think cashew nuts would be lovely!
Carley says
I have never made anything gluten-free and vegan in my life but after trying the mint truffle larabites and coming across your recipe...wow. Your way turns out less datey and more chocolatey. Fan friggin tastic. Couldn't have asked for a better recipe to pop my GF-vegan cherry with ???? thank you so much!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thats so good to hear! You've made my day. I aim to make most of my recipes healthier but always makes sure they taste amazing. I love my food way too much for it to be any other way!
Teresa Chrisinger says
Hi Mel, I'm just going back through all of your recipes and am diving in to trying this oldie but goodie. I have a question about the dates, do they need to be pitted? (and if so do you have any recommendations for pitting dates)
Cheers,
Teresa
A Virtual Vegan says
They do need to be pitted. I just added it to the recipe so that it's clearer. As for tips on pitting, medjool dates are usually pretty soft and I just pull them apart with my fingers and pick the pits out.They come out really easily. Sometimes the dates are a little tougher if they are a bit old so I use a little knife and just slit each one lengthways then go back through and pull out the pits. It doesn't take long at all.
Funnily enough, my husband asked me if I could make them this week as he's riding 240km at the weekend ???? and they are great for an energy boost. He loves them. Hope you enjoy them too!
Rachel says
These were SO tasty and quick to make! I wrapped them in parchment paper and rolled it out to a rectangle and cut them up into bars like the Larabars. I am going to introduce them to the kids in the morning! So excited
A Virtual Vegan says
So glad you like them Rachel and I hope the kids enjoy them too! My son certainly does. They disappear before I get a look in!
Amanda says
I made these without the mint, and they're delicious! I rolled the balls in coconut flour when they were done so that they don't stick together. Thanks for this recipe -- it made a ton of bites at a fraction of the cost of the store-bought ones. :)
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great Amanda. So glad you enjoyed them!
Jenn says
I used to eat a ton of Larabars. They are so good!! My hubby is a huge mint lover, so I'll have to make these. I know the kids would love them too!
A Virtual Vegan says
They work out so expensive when you buy them from the store don't they? Much cheaper and more satisfying to make them yourself. And they are great for kids to make too! Hope they all enjoy them :O)
kimmythevegan says
"They are date based but don’t let that put you off." How would that put me off?? I love dates.
These sound so good! I haven't seen the lara truffle bites, but I'd prefer to make my own anyway.
These sound amazeballs! Can't wait to try them =)
A Virtual Vegan says
Dates don't put me off either as I love them but I felt the need to mention it as some people don't like a datey flavour. It's covered up so well in these with the chocolate and the mint that I don't think it's detectable at all. I am sure you would love them and yes they are amazeballs! Thanks Kimmy :O)
Jacqui Pappas says
Do you think I could start with almond meal/flour instead of grinding the whole almonds?
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Jacqui. I am sure that would be fine although I haven't tried it myself so I'm not sure exactly how much almond flour you would need. I am guessing 1.75 - 2 cups of almond flour. It's. A pretty flexible recipe so if you find after mixing it all up the mixture is too dry just add a drop more water and if it's a little wet just add a bit more almond flour until you can roll it into balls easily. Hope that help :0)
Jacqui says
Thanks for responding so quickly!
Carol Bratlien says
I was looking at the comments to see if there was a substitution for coconut flour. Recipe calls for 1/4 cup coconut flour but in your reply to the original comment you say to try 1.75 to 2 cups almond flour. I assume you mean ounces?
A Virtual Vegan says
No I meant 1.75 - 2 cups of almond flour. The question you are referring to was not asking for a substitute for coconut flour. It was asking if she could start with almond flour rather than whole almonds and was totoally unrelated. There are other questions asking about subs for the coconut flour though. Here is one of my responses (i just copied and pasted it rather than typing it all out again). - "I haven’t tried them with any other flours so I can’t guarantee the results if you try it. Coconut flour behaves a little differently to other flours and tastes good raw. Other flour such as all purpose or wholewheat don’t taste good raw and might make the balls a little gummy. Of all of them oat flour might be the best or just use some more almond flour. You might need to adjust the quantity slightly though as coconut flour is extremely absorbent.Start with the same amount and add an extra tablespoon at a time until it all binds together well enough to form into balls. As I said though I haven’t tried it myself so can’t guarantee how it will turn out."
Diana says
I just made these yesterday. My husband and I both REALLY liked them. They taste best when cold out of the fridge...yum! I am not a fan of coconut flour, so I used the same amount of Spelt flour and they turned out perfect! Thank you for the delicious recipe, definitely a keeper, I'm sure I will be making this often!
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm so pleased you are enjoying them and that they worked out with spelt flour. I love them cold form the fridge too!
Melissa @ Vegan Huggs says
Yum! This looks & sounds way better than Lara Bars. I used to be addicted to those back in the day. The cost really adds up over time. So nice to create a better version at home for much cheaper.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Melissa!
SFerd says
I have a large number of flours--but not coconut flour. Can you suggest a substitute? I don't require GF, if that helps.
A Virtual Vegan says
I haven't tried them with any other flours so I can't guarantee the results if you try it. Coconut flour behaves a little differently to other flours and tastes good raw. Other flour such as all purpose or wholewheat don't taste so good raw and might make the balls a little gummy. Of all of them oat flour might be the best or just some more almond flour. You might need to adjust the quantity slightly though as coconut flour is extremely absorbent.Start with the same amount and add an extra tablespoon at a time until it all binds together well enough to form into balls. As I said though I haven't tried it myself so can't guarantee how it will turn out.
Uma says
My kids loved these!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
These look like such a healthy dessert and so easy to make! Much better than store-bought bars!
PS - We have the same food processor!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Mary Ellen. It's quicker to whip them up yourself than it is to go to the store! And I love my food processor although there seems to be something wrong with it at the moment. It only works if I press the top down with my hand. I don't usually mind but making nut butter at the weekend gave me arm ache!
Sarah says
I love making homemade Lara bars in all flavors!!! So quick and easy!
A Virtual Vegan says
They are amazingly quick and easy to make! That's half the appeal I think ;O)
Tazim says
These would be awesome for hiking!
A Virtual Vegan says
They would! They travel really well although if it's warm they get a little melty. Nothing an ice-pack couldn't cure though!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
Mint and chocolate is one of my favorite all time combos!! And I love the Lara Bites. SO good! This recipe is so like them!
A Virtual Vegan says
I agree. It has got to be one of THE best combos ever! Thanks Sophia :O)
Linda @ Veganosity says
I love Larabars! These sound heavenly!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Linda!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I love how easy this recipe is! So much better than store-bought!
A Virtual Vegan says
They are. Thanks Dianne :O)
A Virtual Vegan says
You just can't beat mint and chocolate together!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I love dates! I definitely prefer to make these at home instead of spending so much money on Larabars.
A Virtual Vegan says
Me too! They are so expensive to buy and homemade ones taste just as good!