I carry my lunch to work everyday. We don’t have many restaurants in the neighborhood because my office is out in the country. Other than the Courthouse, Sheriff’s office and County office buildings, there’s not much else in the area. We are surrounded by Civil War Battlefields and 2 lane roads. It is simply rural America.
That makes my drive to work – better than most. Since we are a true bedroom community of Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, most people commute more than an hour to work in massive amounts of traffic. They start driving out of our neighborhood before 5:00 a.m. and don’t get home until after 6:00 p.m. I am one of the lucky ones. While I don’t get to rub elbows with powerful politicians and indulge in amazing cuisine from all over the world, I do get to enjoy a quiet lunch with homemade sandwiches, fresh fruit, and usually some sort of Larabar or snack. My husband and I both love a good Larabar but sometimes I want to make my own. Homemade Larabars are simply delicious, easy to make, highly adaptable to any kind of dried fruit and nuts, and perfectly healthy too!
These peanut based date bars are made with three ingredients. Roasted unsalted peanuts, dates and good flaky sea salt.
Process the peanuts until they are finely chopped but not turning into peanut butter.
Add the dates and salt and process until the dough holds together and is well mixed.
Scoop the mixture into a parchment lined loaf pan and press the top using additional parchment paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes or more before cutting. Wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper and store in an airtight container for several weeks. Grab one for your lunchbox!
- 10 ounces pitted, whole dates (about 1 1/4 cups packed)
- 1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
- 1/4 teaspoon good sea salt
- Line a loaf pan with parchment or wax paper leaving the sides long enough to hang over by an inch.
- If the dates are soft and fresh there is no need to soak in water. If they are a little dry, try covering the dates in warm water for a few minutes. Drain well and blot dry with a paper towel. Don't soak them so long that they start to turn to mush.
- Add the peanuts to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the dates and salt and process until it forms a ball and sticks together.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press using another pieces of parchment to smooth out the surface.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
- Store the date bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap or parchment paper in an airtight container for up to several weeks.
Recipe adapted from Leite's Culinaria
Try these Lime & Coconut Homemade Larabars too!
Thank you all so much for leaving comments and entering the giveaway. I posted the winners HERE so if I you won, please be sure to send me your mailing address so I can mail your prize! Email your address to: [email protected]
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
I’m going to have to try these! I also recently saw a recipe for Lara balls with cashews, so now I really want to try this whole date and nut thing out!
You will love them Erin. If you like nuts and dates – these will make you happy 🙂
you have no idea how happy this makes me. I love love love the texture to the bars which is hard to find the perfect blend of chewiness but firm enough to stay together. i love them
So glad you like these Jessica! Hope the recipe is as tasty for you as it is for us. Have a great weekend.
A nice quiet work/living environment with some delicious homemade food beats the heavy traffic, congestion and chaos, Tricia. We had a great time visiting DC about a year ago but you really can’t drive anywhere and I wouldn’t want to live in the middle of all that. I’d never heard of larabar so I love seeing this. It looks so satisfying…and chewy! I love anything with a good hearty chew to it! And I adore the lovely packaging you did there…I can picture the bars nestled into a box for a lucky recipient. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Amen!
I admit I had never heard of a Larabar either! They sound delicious, Tricia and I love the fact that there are only three ingredients! A recipe worth trying!
I love how simple this recipe is, Tricia — I’ve wanted to make my own healthy ‘bars’ for so long but wasn’t sure where to start — yours look perfect!
We never heard larabars until you posted them! These look and sound amazing! And, only 3 ingredients, wow- love these bars! Congrats to all the winners too!
They really are a wonderful snack – just not cheap – but we often pay a little more for the good stuff! No preservatives and most are vegan. Worth every penny but sometimes I just like to make my own. Hope you give them a try!
My husband is crazy for anything with peanuts. These energy bars would make him really happy.
They make me happy Angie – hope you get a chance to make them too!
Hi Tricia, love the fact that these are made with just 3 ingredients. These look fabulous!
Thanks Cheri – I love them!
My husband sends his best for this recipe. He is a big hiker and always takes his Larabars. His favorite is lemon but he has this recipe on his wish list. They look great.
I understand and agree – they are the perfect snack! Have a great day Karen!
Wow Tricia, just three ingredients and they look amazing. I think I’d probably skip the sandwich if I had one or two of these in my brown bag. You are so smart to make them yourself, these bars are so expensive to buy.
Naturally sweet and filling – perfect for refueling!
OH! These look WONDERFUL!!! My husband would LOVE THESE!!! Thanks Tricia! 🙂
CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS!!! 😀 Happy cooking!
My husband loves them too – at least that’s what he said when I shoved one in his mouth! Where would we food bloggers be without taste testers?!