Cherry Energy Bars

Chewy Cherry Energy Bars – aka Copycat Lara Bars!

These 5-ingredient, copycat homemade Lara bars are so good you may never buy a package again! The combo of chocolate and pistachios is oh-so-satisfying, and the dried dates and cherries add just enough sweetness so that these bars taste like a dessert without being packed with sugar. I love snacking on a homemade snack bar between lunch and dinner, and they make the best post-workout refueling option. Here are some highlights of these easy DIY Lara bars:

• Sizing options. You can cut these cherry energy bars into larger bars to make them more adult-sized or they can be cut into smaller squares for kids’ snacks.
• So packable. These homemade energy bars are sturdy like the original recipe Lara bars, making them a great packable option for lunches.
• Safely gluten free. When you make homemade Lara bars you don’t have to worry about any cross-contamination that can occur during processing. Plus they taste so much better when they’re made fresh!

Recipe Ingredients

Yes, just five ingredients are all you’ll need to make homemade energy bars and I’ve outlined them below. Check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.

• Pistachios: Use raw or roasted pistachios out of their shells! You can use salted or unsalted, depending on your preference. If you use raw ones, you’ll toast them in a pan first.
• Medjool Dates: Make sure to buy pitted dates to save yourself time, or you can pit them yourself.
• Dried Cherries: If you want to keep these homemade Lara bars on the lower sugar side, check the package of cherries to make sure there’s no added sugar as some dried cherries contain sweetener.
• Cocoa Powder: I used unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Salt: A little salt brings out the sweetness of the bars.
• White Chocolate Chips: Choose vegan white chocolate chips if you wish to make this a dairy free recipe.

How to Make Cherry Energy Bars

These easy no-bake homemade energy bars come together quickly. Here’s a look at how you’ll make them, and you’ll find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

• First, toast the nuts. If you are using raw pistachios, toast them and cool. Line a square pan with wax paper.
• Add to a food processor. Place the dates, cherries, cocoa powder, and salt in a food processor.
• Process. Now process the mix until a large mass forms.

• Add the pistachios. Pulse in the pistachios, leaving some chunks.
• Pulse in the chocolate. Add the white chocolate chips and pulse a few times.

• Place in pan. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
• Cut. Slice the energy bars into bars or squares.

Tips and Variation Ideas

• Make them sweeter. I find these homemade Lara bars to be plenty sweet as my recipe is written, but you can add a little sweetener if you want them a bit more sweet. If you go this route, honey or maple syrup are nice options.
• Add spice. For a hint of warming spice, add a big pinch (or up to 1/2 teaspoon, to taste) of ground cinnamon, ginger, or a combination.
• Make energy balls/bites. Use the dough you created to form energy balls rather than bars for bite-sized pieces of goodness. Instead of pressing the mixture into a pan, use a heaping tablespoon (or whatever size you prefer) of dough per ball, rolling it between your hands until a ball forms. Then place them on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm.
• Try almonds. Cherries and almonds were made to go together, so try almonds in place of the pistachios in these homemade energy bars if you like.
• Other flavor variations: You can substitute another dried fruit (try dried apricots or dried apples) for the dried cherries, add coconut flakes, swap in another nut like peanuts or walnuts for the pistachios, and use semisweet chocolate in place of the white chocolate.

More Gluten-Free Snacks to Try

• Gluten-Free Monster Cookie Dough Dip
• Apple Chips
• Gluten Free Granola
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn Bark