Copycat: Blueberry Muffin Larabar Recipe

January 30th 098

When I first heard of Larabar’s new flavor I was excited. Slap the word “muffin” onto anything and you’ll grab my attention. You might even get me to watch C-Span if they named a show “Nancy Pelosi Discusses The Debt With Muffins”. The reviews I’ve read of the flavor have been mixed; I haven’t tried them because I don’t think they’re in stores yet. Rather than waiting, I decided to make my own and I have to admit that these are amazing. They taste better than any Larabar I’ve had; maybe because they’re fresher or maybe they just rock. If you need a muffin and don’t want a muffin top, these are a great, healthy, raw alternative.

Blueberry Muffin “Larabars®

Ingredients(Makes 6 bars):

  • 1 cup(about 20) pitted dates
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 2 tablespoons shredded, unsweetened coconut
  • 1/2 cup dried blueberries
  • 1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice(or cinnamon)

January 30th 030

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processer. Blend for 2-3 minutes until the mixture starts clumping. If your ingredients are dry, add water one tablespoon at a time until it starts sticking to itself.

January 30th 088

Line a pan with parchment paper and press the mixture in firmly towards one side of the pan. Cut out the bars with a knife and gently tear them apart. Alternatively, you could roll these into balls and eat them that way. Keep in the refrigerator for the best freshness.

January 30th 094

Like I said, these tasted amazing. They reminded me of blueberry munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts if anybody knows what I’m talking about. At a time when companies are getting condemned(and rightly so) for using artificial blueberry flavoring without any actual blueberries, this has a refreshingly pure flavor to it. These have created high expectations for the real blueberry muffin Larabars in my mind.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
38 Responses to Copycat: Blueberry Muffin Larabar Recipe
  1. Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!)
    February 3, 2011 | 10:09 am

    What an awesome recipe! I’ve made my own larabars before but I think I just used dates, nuts and coconut. You’ve inspired me to add dried cherries I’ve had laying around, too! I may just use them instead of the dates altogether…

  2. Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes
    February 3, 2011 | 10:16 am

    YUM. Unfortunately, Larabars have never been my favorite — recently, I figured out that it’s probably the dates. But you got my attention with the Dunkin reference. I want to try this!

  3. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    February 3, 2011 | 10:17 am

    I still haven’t seen this flavor in our stores yet…but now that I have this recipe, I guess I can stop looking!

  4. Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete
    February 3, 2011 | 10:20 am

    Blueberry is such a great flavor — and the artificial blueberry flavor tastes nothing like it! Same with “grape flavoring” — it tastes nothing like grapes!

    These look so good — I just wish my magic bullet was strong enough to grind dates and almonds. It is pretty wimpy.

  5. Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    February 3, 2011 | 10:23 am

    These look amazing!!! I’ve been wanting to try that flavor for a really long time, but I think I’ll just make these instead!

  6. Corey @ the runner's cookie
    February 3, 2011 | 10:37 am

    These look amazing – just like larabars! Almonds and blueberries go so well together. I love that they are only 5 ingredients and taste like munchkins!

  7. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Evan Thomas, Evan Thomas. Evan Thomas said: New Post: Copycat: Blueberry Muffin Larabar Recipe. http://tinyurl.com/4qovwmt […]

  8. Erin @ Big Girl Feats
    February 3, 2011 | 12:04 pm

    Yay! I can totally eat these! AWESOME idea. I made some homemade Larabars last week but these are extra fancy.

  9. jenn @ jennliveswell
    February 3, 2011 | 12:14 pm

    I am going to the grocery store this afternoon to get the ingredients – these look amazing. I think I’ll also take your suggestion of rolling them into little balls – then they’re even more like donuts! 🙂

  10. Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
    February 3, 2011 | 12:29 pm

    So simple! I need to get my hands on a food processor – I don’t think I can go any longer without one!

  11. rebecca lustig
    February 3, 2011 | 12:35 pm

    MAKING THESE this weekend. nothing more needs to be said

  12. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn
    February 3, 2011 | 12:37 pm

    I have been DYING to get my hands on one of the new Lara’s, but of course I can’t find them anywhere. I usually make my own bars (I call them KateBars, go figure), but I ahven’t been able to find dried blueberries that don’t have added sugar! Once I find some, I will PROMPTLY be making these.

    • Wannabe Chef
      February 3, 2011 | 4:28 pm

      Bob’s Red Mill is the brand I have

  13. Christin@purplebirdblog
    February 3, 2011 | 12:49 pm

    I was totally thinking of doing the same thing, I just haven’t been to the store to buy dates yet! Oh, and I made your PB chocolate chip dessert hummus last night and used vanilla bean paste and added 1/4 teaspoon of salt… tastes sooo much like cookie dough! I’ll blog about it today with some link love back for ya!

  14. Katy (The Singing Runner)
    February 3, 2011 | 1:06 pm

    I just started trying Larabars, so I am interested in trying this flavor. However, I may just make it from scratch because this looks too good to pass up. 😉

  15. Clare@ Fitting It All In
    February 3, 2011 | 3:05 pm

    Awesome recipe! I loved the blueberry muffin lara bar so being able to make my own is great. Any idea how these compare nutritionally?

    • Wannabe Chef
      February 3, 2011 | 4:29 pm

      About half the calories here come from fat and half from carbs so I would guess that they’re pretty close if not identical to larabars

  16. Debra
    February 3, 2011 | 3:34 pm

    Evan, this blueberry muffin bar looks fabulous.I will be traveling on a road trip next month and I am going to take a batch with me.Also I just love,love,love the Snickerdoodle hummus.I made some last week and will be making more later today.It reminded me of almond paste pastry filling.Thanks so much.

    • Wannabe Chef
      February 3, 2011 | 4:39 pm

      Glad to hear you loved the hummus so much! These will make perfect road trip food.

  17. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    February 3, 2011 | 4:23 pm

    They look great, Evan! I love blueberries and blueberry storebought bars are sometimes super disappointing. I can tell this recipe…would be wonderful!

  18. Kristina at spabettie
    February 3, 2011 | 5:08 pm

    the new Laras are good… (and I’m doing a giveaway tomorrow if you want to compare…).

    well done, these look great and I bet they are a perfect rival!

  19. Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
    February 3, 2011 | 6:47 pm

    I LOVE blueberries but I dislike artificial blueberry anything…it’s just not the same.

    I haven’t tried the new Larabar yet…or seen it in stores, either.

  20. Lisa (Dishes of Mrs. Fish)
    February 3, 2011 | 7:30 pm

    These look amazing! They sound amazing too! 🙂 Larabar flavors are very hit and miss for me. I have seen the blueberry muffin ones at Whole Foods, but have yet to try them.
    But I don’t have to now, I can just make these. 🙂

  21. Hannah
    February 3, 2011 | 9:12 pm

    Brilliant! Larabars don’t exist here in Australia so I always have to make my own. As soon as I finish the cookie douhg-ish raw balls I made, I’ll be trying this 🙂

  22. Angela
    February 4, 2011 | 12:52 am

    I did a similar copycat a while back (http://wp.me/p1cBYi-cL).

    DIY Lara Bars are one of my fave items to make. I have found that if you mix the nuts and blueberries first to really chop them, then add in the dates, you can get a more Lara Bar-like dense texture.

    And way to go – DIY Lara Bars are honestly better tasting (I think because they’re moister) than the real deal! And cheaper too!

  23. sophia
    February 4, 2011 | 4:17 am

    I have to admit, Evan, I dislike Larabars. I’ve never really understood the hype over them, even though the owner is my school’s alumnus so I guess I should support my fellow Trojan. ;-p

  24. Wendy (Healthy Girl's Kitchen)
    February 4, 2011 | 6:36 am

    Even-I’m so impressed! But here’s a test for you: invent the low(er) calorie version! I adore Larabars but only eat them in an extreme pinch because, even through they are very healthy, I’m not a runner and I just don’t burn enough calories to justify eating them regularly. Do you think you can do that for me Evan? Thanks love! 🙂

  25. Sophie
    February 4, 2011 | 7:55 am

    Waw!! These tasty good for you bars look amazing & must taste awesome too!

    Thanks & many greets from a gf foodie from Brussels, Belgium!!

  26. Tiffany @ Conor & Bella
    February 4, 2011 | 9:14 am

    Mmm, these sound good. Blueberry Muffins are one of my fave treats.

  27. Heather
    February 5, 2011 | 11:21 am

    I haven’t seen the new flavor in the stores yet, but I’m hearing a lot of mixed reviews when it comes to the taste. Some people say that it is spot on blueberry and others have said they can barely taste it. I’ve thought about creating an at home version, but looks like you beat me to it! 😉 Can’t wait to give them a try!

  28. Karen
    February 6, 2011 | 11:47 am

    Just made these and not only do they look like your picture, but they taste fantastic! Much thanks!

  29. Liza
    March 5, 2011 | 10:21 pm

    Thanks for this recipe. I can’t eat the Blueberry Muffin Larabars b/c they’re made with cashews which I’m allergic to BUT I made yours today, made little Munchkins out of them (like D and D). They are delicious!!

  30. Kristina @ Crunchy Soup
    November 18, 2011 | 11:46 pm

    These look really yummy. I make banana date bars for my family. I think I will try these for a change. Great blog!

  31. […] pas?) mais je n’avais pas les proportions. J’ai trouvé une recette sur un blogue, et même si il n’utilisait pas les mêmes ingrédients, j’ai décidé de […]

  32. NatashaK
    October 12, 2012 | 12:27 am

    I made the blueberry muffin larabars tonight. #winning I will be trying other flavors. No longer will I purchase them from the store.

  33. Teresa
    May 27, 2013 | 12:22 am

    Will freeze-dried blueberries work? I have been able to find those at Trader Joe’s; otherwise all other dried blueberries I have found have added sugar.

    • Wannabe Chef
      May 28, 2013 | 12:27 pm

      I haven’t tried this with freeze dried blueberries and arent very familiar with them but as long as there’s no moisture in them they should work.

  34. May | A Thousand Daily Deaths
    June 5, 2015 | 12:06 pm

    […] // chocolate chip brownie cookies // coconut flour pancakes // cheese crackers // coleslaw // blueberry muffin larabars  {I used cashews} // greenola // curried tuna […]