This recipe for Homemade Apple Pie Larabars is super simple and incredibly delicious – it requires no baking, and it’s the perfect gluten-free, Paleo, vegan, and Whole30-friendly snack.
Finally, I’m sharing a Whole30-friendly recipe with you guys! I’ve actually made quite a few of them, but I wanted to share some other stuff first. But now – they’re coming.
Starting with one of my new favorites – a Larabar copycat, in the best possible flavor…Apple Pie! I grabbed a few Larabars at the grocery store when I was buying some snacks for my Cuba trip and Apple Pie was one of the flavors I grabbed.
I ended up hungrily devouring it one day of our trip, and immediately grabbed a notebook and scribbled down a copycat recipe based on the simple ingredients in the bar.
Turns out, these are allowed on my Whole30 journey (as long as I don’t eat them as dessert), so I made them pretty much as soon as I got back home. Holy cow, they’re so darned delicious!
These Apple Pie Bars have a base of Medjool dates, which makes them sticky and helps them bind together. Almonds, walnuts, raisins, and dried apples add texture and flavor to the bars, adding chew and crunch. A little cinnamon is in there too, for flavor.
These snack bars come together quickly in a food processor and high-powdered blender – I used my Vitamix because I don’t have a food processor. If your blender isn’t super high powered though, don’t use it – it will burn out quickly because it’s a very thick, stiff dough.
Once all the ingredients are pulsed together and have formed a sticky, thick dough, you’re pretty much done. I didn’t even use a pan to shape the bars – I put the dough in between some sheets of parchment, formed it into a rough rectangle and flattened it out with a rolling pin.
I sliced the dough into 6 bars for the photos, each about the size of a store-bought Larabar, but I ended up cutting each of those in half to snack on. They’re the perfect pick me up and even make a good on-the-go breakfast bar.
What’s your favorite Larabar flavor? I want to recreate more of them! Let me know in the comments below, and enjoy! :)
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Remember to #bakerita if you try the recipe!
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, packed (about 10-12)
- ¾ cup raw almonds
- ¾ cup unsweetened dried apples
- ½ raw walnuts
- ⅓ cup unsweetened raisins
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- Add the dates to a food processor or high-powered blender (I used my Vitamix) and blend until they’re broken up. Add the dried apples, raisins, almonds, walnuts, and cinnamon.
- Pulse until combined - there should be small bits of nuts and raisins remaining, but not too big. Be careful not to over-process so it doesn’t get too sticky or greasy.
- Press the dough into a small pan lined with parchment paper, or just place the date dough on the parchment paper and press into a square/rectangular shape, then use a rolling pin or glass bottle to flatten the top. Cut into squares or bars. (I made 6 Larabar-sized bars, but I ended up cutting those in half to eat.)
- Store in a sealed bag or small lidded container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for longer term storage.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
It’s been a while since I’ve had a larabar, but I do remember loving them! So creative that you made your own Whole30 version! Love the apple pie flavor…sounds like the perfect snack!
Rachel says
It really is! Having a go-to snack on Whole30 makes it sooo much easier. Thanks Gayle!
annie says
Apple pie energy bar? Oh yes please. I love apple desserts but rarely allow myself to have them because I lose all self control. But these would totally keep me on track.
ps I love that loaf pan!
Rachel says
I’m the same way with apple desserts! I eat the whole thing, haha. These are the perfect small treat to satisfy the craving. Thanks Annie! The loaf pan is one of my faves too – it’s an Ovenex I found at a vintage market near me.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I’ve never tried an apple pie Larabar but these look scrumptious and so easy to make! And how cool that you used your Vitamix to make them! I feel like you don’t need a food processor when you have one of those bad boys. It’s my baby. :)
marcie says
I’ve had Larabars before and I have to say that these look even better! I love the apple pie flavor here and I need to get out my Vitamix and whip up a batch stat!
Kellie says
I don’t love the apple pie flavor in Larabars
, but I am wondering if these might be better?? And you are too humble to tell us :) Peanut butter chocolate chip is my favorite Larabar. I would love a recipe for it.
Rachel says
Hi Kellie, these are super similar to the Apple Pie Larabars because they use the same ingredients! So you might not love these either, but I’ll definitely test out a recipe for the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar, because I love that flavor too :) thanks for the suggestion.
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I’m in the last week of my Whole 30 so this is perfect timing! Yahoo!
Manali@CookWithManali says
These are no bake? Wow they look amazing! Need to try these!
Rachel says
I hope you do – they’re so delish! Thanks Manali :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
What a perfect way to get my Larabar fix – these look so delish!
Rachel says
Thanks Laura – they’re so delicious!
Ashley says
My favorite fruity Larabars are pineapple upside down and blueberry pie. But if I feeling chocolate, the chocolate chip cookie dough is perfect! Your apple pie version looks delish and it comes together so quickly in the Vitamix =)
Rachel says
I haven’t tried either of those flavors! They’re going on my list of ones I need to try :) thanks Ashley!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
You know I’m all about grab and go snackin, Rachel! These are SO fabulous and packed with all the good things I love. Dates make a perfect base for snack bars because they’re sweet AND sticky! Natures candy! Thank you for sharing and all the best to you as you continue on whole30!
Rachel says
Dates are certainly nature’s candy – they’re so good! Thanks so much for the love and well wishes, Traci.
Amanda says
Hi! thanks so much for the larabar recipes! Wondering if you have since tried the blueberry muffin bar? It’s one of my favorites, but, since it has vanilla extract (assuming this is the reason/ingredient) it’s not Whole 30 approved. Have you tinkered with making a recipe for them, minus the vanilla extract maybe??
Would also be interested in the cherry tart bar, it’s my second favorite! I’m intrigued by the pineapple upside down one mentioned by a previous reply!
Rachel says
Hi Amanda, I actually haven’t tried the blueberry muffin flavor but I just checked it out on the website and it looks so delicious! I can definitely put it on my to-do list to get that one recreated, along with the others you mentioned. For a Whole30 vanilla alternative though, I’d recommend getting some vanilla bean powder! You can use it wherever you use extract, but since there’s no alcohol, it’s approved. Hope this helps!
Monika says
I just made these and they are delicious! The mix wasn’t sticky enough to form into bars so I re-blitzed it with a couple of tablespoons of water and that did the trick. Thanks for the great recipe!
Rachel says
Thanks so much for the feedback, Monika! So glad you’re enjoying them.
Audrey Hinkle says
Where can I find the nutritional values for your recipes? Thank you.
Rachel says
Hi Audrey, you can calculate the nutritional info for any of my recipes by inserting the post link here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe_parser. Hope this helps!
Laura says
Do you think we could use dried dates?
Rachel says
Sure, I’d just rehydrate them for a bit in some hot water first!