Homemade Larabar Mint Chip Brownie Balls! Made in minutes with a handful of wholesome plant-based ingredients. They taste like chewy mint chocolate brownies & are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
These bite-sized Larabar Mint Chip Brownie Balls are quick and easy to make, naturally gluten-free, last for ages in the fridge or freezer, and are just the ticket when you need a nutritious snack that satisfies your mint chocolate cravings!
Ingredients
You need just 5 ingredients to make this easy recipe:
- Dates: For sweetness, texture, and to stick everything together.
- Almonds: For a delicious nutty flavor, healthy fats, and a satisfying crunch.
- Chocolate Chips - I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe. Many semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips are naturally vegan/dairy-free and easy to find in any grocery store.
- Cocoa powder: For chocolatey flavor. You could use cacao powder instead.
- Peppermint Extract: A cool burst of peppermint extract complements the rich chocolate perfectly and makes these chocolate energy balls feel a little festive! You can use a few drops of food-grade peppermint oil instead.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and elevate all of the other flavors.
How To Make Larabar Mint Chip Brownie Balls
Barely any instructions are needed. Simply pulse up the almonds until they look like coarse flour, then add everything else and blend until a sticky dough forms. Roll into balls and you're done!
If you don't want to roll the mixture 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.
Tips For Storing
Store your mint chocolate energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month or freeze them for up to 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper first and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! The Larabars we are replicating contain almonds but a mild nut such as cashews will work well too. I don't recommend using more strongly flavored nuts like walnuts or pecans because they will detract from the peppermint flavor.
If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!
Recipe
Larabar Mint Chip Brownie Balls
Author:Ingredients
- 1½ cups (200 grams) raw almonds
- 12 medjool dates , pitted
- 1 cup (168 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- a few tablespoons water , if necessary
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put the almonds in a food processor and blend until they look like coarse flour.
- Add the dates, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and salt and process again until well combined and a sticky dough forms. Add a few drops of water if needed to help bring it together.
- Taste a tiny bit and add more peppermint if required. Process again to combine if you do.
- Remove the blade and roll the dough into balls. About a tablespoon is a good amount but you can make them whatever size you like.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one month, or freeze for up to 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper first and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
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!
Rachel says
Delicious!
Diana says
I just made these yesterday. My husband and I both REALLY liked them.Thank you for the delicious recipe, definitely a keeper, I'm sure I will be making this often!
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. So good!
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. Hope that helps!
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
My hubby is a huge mint lover and loved these!
Uma says
My kids loved these!
A Virtual Vegan says
They are amazingly quick and easy to make! That's half the appeal I think ;O)
Sophia 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
They are. Thanks Dianne :O)
A Virtual Vegan says
Me too! They are so expensive to buy and homemade ones taste just as good!