Craving something sweet and tangy? This easy Lemon Larabar recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients and makes the perfect snack for any time of day.
Why Make Lemon Larabars at Home?
Grabbing store-bought energy bars is convenient, but making your own Larabars at home has some major perks:
- Fresh and Wholesome Ingredients: Know exactly what's going into your snack.
- Budget-Friendly: Making your own bars is more affordable, especially in batches.
- Easy Customization: Adjust sweetness, add your favorite nuts, or enhance the flavor with extra lemon zest.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Medjool Dates: Naturally sweet, packed with fiber and minerals.
- Cashews and Almonds: These nuts add healthy fats, protein, and a deliciously creamy, crunchy texture.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy, and refreshing. It adds a zesty punch to every bite. Add lemon zest for more lemony flavor!
- Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
How to Make Homemade Lemon Larabars
Prep the Pan: Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Pulse the Nuts: In a food processor, blend cashews and almonds until finely chopped but not overly processed into butter.
Combine Ingredients: Add dates, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt to the nuts. Pulse until the mixture sticks together and forms a sticky dough.
Press and Chill: Transfer the mixture into your prepared pan, pressing down firmly to form an even layer. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set.
Cut and Enjoy: Once firm, cut into bars and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for easy snacking throughout the week. Enjoy!
Fun Variations to Try
- Extra Lemon: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest for an even brighter citrus flavor.
- Tropical Twist: Sprinkle shredded coconut into the mix for added texture and sweetness.
- Nutty Mix: Experiment with different nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for new flavor combinations.
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Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use Soft, Fresh Dates: If your dates are dry or firm, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain well before using. This helps the mixture blend smoothly.
- Don’t Over-Process the Nuts: Stop pulsing once the nuts are finely chopped. You want some texture, not nut butter.
- Taste and Adjust: After blending, taste the mixture and add more lemon juice or a pinch of salt if needed.
- Line the Pan Well: Parchment paper makes it easy to lift out the bars and reduces sticking.
- Press Firmly: Use the back of a spoon or your hands (lightly greased or covered with parchment) to press the mixture down evenly and firmly into the pan.
Storage Tips
Storage. Place the bars in an airtight container or plastic storage bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing. Separate the bars in wax paper or parchment paper before placing them in a freezer bag and storing them in the freezer for up to a month.
Want More Easy Lemon Recipes? Try These:
Got any questions or fun additions you’d like to try with this recipe? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop them in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Lemon Larabar Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
- 1 8x8-inch square baking pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted cashews
- ½ cup unsalted almonds
- 1 ½ cups Medjool dates, pitted
- 3 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Using a food processor, pulse ¾ cup cashews and ½ cup almonds until finely chopped but not overly processed into butter.
- Add 1 ½ cups pitted dates, 3 ½ tablespoons lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt to the nuts. Pulse until the mixture sticks together and forms a sticky mixture.
- Transfer the mixture into your prepared pan, pressing down firmly to form an even layer. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set. If you're in a rush, add them to the freeze for 20 minutes.
- Once firm, cut into bars and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for easy snacking throughout the week. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use Soft, Fresh Dates: If your dates are dry or firm, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain well before using. This helps the mixture blend smoothly. Cut the dates in half before adding them to the food processor for easier processing.
- Don’t Over-Process the Nuts: Stop pulsing once the nuts are finely chopped. You want some texture, not nut butter.
- Taste and Adjust: After blending, taste the mixture and add more lemon juice or a pinch of salt if needed.
- Line the Pan Well: Parchment paper makes it easy to lift out the bars and reduces sticking.
- Press Firmly: Use the back of a spoon or your hands (lightly greased or covered with parchment) to press the mixture down evenly and firmly into the pan.
Original post date 02/06/2017. Updated 03/26/2025.
Teresa says
I've been making these bars for over a year, and just keeping coming back to this recipe because I love them so much. I have found that it's super important to not use more lemon juice than the recipe calls for, otherwise they get too sticky. But to boost the lemon flavor, I add the zest! These are really yummy, and easy to take on the road - just wrap a bar in wax paper and tuck into a ziplock bag. We take them as airplane and roadtrip snack. LOVE THEM!
LaKita says
Thank you so much for sharing Teresa and I'm glad that you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Suzanne A says
Love! They taste almost exactly like the real Lara lemon bar. They are super sticky. I’m trying to find an ingredient to coat them with that won’t change the taste, but will make them less sticky. Then I could roll them into balls.
Thanks for the recipe!
LaKita says
Hi Suzanne, thank you! I'm not sure, but you could try reserving a small amount of the nuts from the food processor to roll the balls in last. A thin coating of the crusted nut mixture may help.
Donna says
I just tasted these & they’re a keeper. My husband liked them as well & he’s not a fan of lemon!
They were so easy to make & the simple wholesome list of ingredients is perfect!
LaKita says
Thank you Donna, happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed the bars 🙂
Brennan N. says
These taste great!
I think I needed to blend mine more cause they never set enough to stay together . I have to freeze them for them to maintain their shape 😅
LaKita says
Thank you so much Brennan!
Susan Jones says
Question: are the nuts raw?? I definitely am going to try these!!
LaKita says
Hi Susan, yes they are raw. Hope you give the recipe a try soon 🙂
Akaleistar says
They look so good! I need to make these 🙂
admin says
Thank you 🙂