It’s no bake, healthy, sweet, delicious, gluten-free, dairy-free – no high fructose corn syrup or refined carbs – no preservatives or long words that are hard to pronounce – and paleo friendly! I really wanted to buy a bag of Lärabar bites every time I passed it in store, but I couldn’t justify spending $9.00 a bag. When these were on clearance, I bought several bags and my kids loved them. I was so happy they wanted – and craved something healthy! 
The Bites aren’t on clearance any more. The store doesn’t even carry Lärabar, so I decided to concoct my own version. In my opinion, these have more flavor because they are rolled in a cinnamon mixture – not regular cinnamon, but Saigon cinnamon.
If you’ve never had Saigon cinnamon, the best way I can describe it is that it has an intense tangy cinnamon flavor. It’s sometimes called Vietnamese cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon. Regular cinnamon will work, but it won’t have the same “kick”. Saigon cinnamon complements the sweetness of the dates and the tartness of cherries perfectly!
In a small bowl, combine coconut flour and cinnamon and set aside.
In food processor, add medjool dates and slivered almonds and blend until a ball forms.
Add cherries and chocolate chips.
*Note* – the date mixture is very sticky, so the best way to incorporate the cherries and chips is to evenly break apart and distribute the mixture in the food processor, and then pulse in the cherries and chocolate chips.
To help prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers, it helps to wet them first with a bit of water.
Pulse a few times until just incorporated. Don’t over blend the cherries and chocolate. You want bigger pieces mixed in with the dates.
Form balls approximately 1” (2.5cm) and dip one side in the cinnamon mixture. Don’t roll and coat in the bowl.
Coat each Bite with the flour mixture by rolling the excess flour off in your hand and roll to coat each Bite.
See photo below.
Comparison – The Bite on left shows the amount of coating you want. Not the one on the right!
I made the mistake of rolling the first few Bites in the flour mixture and it was coconut flour overload!
Next time I make these, I need to make a double batch because my son, Yoni, can’t stay out of it!
With only a few ingredients, they’re easy to make, naturally sweet, convenient and delicious. Did I say healthy, too?!
Special equipment needed – food processor
- 2 cups (350g) medjool dates, pitted
- ¾ cup (85g) slivered almonds
- ½ cup (85g) dried Montmorency cherries
- ½ cup (90g) semi-sweet mini chocolate chips *see note below for dairy free
- ¼ cup (28g) coconut flour
- 1 tsp Saigon cinnamon
- In a small bowl, combine coconut flour and cinnamon and set aside.
- In food processor, add medjool dates and slivered almonds and blend until a ball forms.
- Add cherries and chocolate chips. Pulse just a few times until just incorporated. Don’t blend the cherries and chocolate. You want bigger pieces mixed in with the dates.
- Form balls approximately 1” (2.5cm) and dip one side in the cinnamon mixture. Roll excess off in your hand and roll to coat. See photos above.
- Store in airtight container up to one week.
[…] an extra special healthy *breakfast, snack or quick pick-me-up, pair it with my healthy Copycat Lärabar Cherry Chocolate Chip Bites! Healthy Mochaccino Author: Cherie Snellen Recipe type: Coffee, Mochaccino, specialty […]