Tag: gluten free

Copycat Banana Bread Larabar Bites

Melissa King 85 Comments

Copycat Banana Bread Larabar Bites.  I just love making larabars!  So easy and they take minutes to make.

My favorite is still my coconut cream, but I think these banana bread larabar bites are my daughter Meadow’s favorite.  This is also a reader fave!  It’s easy to see why, they are delicious!

 

Copycat Banana Bread Larabar Bites

 

I think my husband’s favorite is the Chocolate Brownie.  This banana bread recipe took me two tries to get right.

I wanted to change it up, so this time I rolled them into bite sized balls instead of bars.  I got about 20-25 bites out of this batch.

Looking for more larabar recipes?

Copycat Banana Bread Larabar Bites

Copycat Banana Bread Larabar Bites

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Prep Time 10 min

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • 1 ripe banana sliced
  • 10-12 pitted medjool dates

Instructions

  1. In the food processor, grind the almonds into a fine consistency.
  2. Next at the banana and the dates and pulse until a dough starts to form. You may have to stop every couple of pulses to scrape down the sides to insure that everything gets well combined.
  3. Roll dough into little balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Place in the fridge to set.

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Recipe Notes

Keep them stored in the fridge and they should last a couple of weeks. Mine have never lasted more than a handful of days though!

Homemade Vegetable Broth

Melissa King 85 Comments

I have recently started making my own homemade vegetable broth for a few reasons.  First, most commercial vegetable broths are laden with MSG and other scary additives.  The only decent brand I have found was Pacific Organic.  You can read more about my comparisons of soup broth here.  Making your own homemade vegetable broth is easier than you would think.   The best part?  Homemade vegetable broth costs nothing because you use all the veggie odds and ends that you would normally throw away.

broth 1

This is the bag I keep in the freezer.  I just throw all kinds of veggie scraps in there and wait until I get a decent amount.  The tomatoes I had in my fridge, but they were almost on their way out, so I threw them in as well.

broth 2

 Homemade Vegetable Broth

Homemade Vegetable Broth

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Cook Time 6 hr

Ingredients

  • There really isn't a recipe, per say. Just a method. You can throw in any combination of vegetables and it will work.

Instructions

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    Recipe Notes

    In this case, I had cabbage, tomatoes, celery, green onions, garlic and broccoli.  I also threw in some sea salt and a bay leaf for extra flavor.  I threw everything in a pot and filled with water.  On the stove, I brought it to a boil and then turned down to low, covered it and let it simmer for 6 hours.  Most of the veggies break down in the long cooking process.  When it’s done, strain it into a bowl.  If you like a chunky broth, you can puree what is left of the veggies and throw them back in.  I strained mine and this is what I had at the end.

    I made about 10-12 cups of broth.  About enough for 3 large soups.  I just store it in the freezer in serving size containers so I just pull out what I need.  That’s it.  Super easy.

    Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars

    Melissa King 98 Comments

    Yes!  Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars is what today’s post is about.   I just can’t seem to get enough of them.  The Coconut Cream is still my fave larabar recipe, but these pecan larabars are very tasty as well.

    They are also no bake and take a few minutes to throw together.  This is my kind of recipe. Vegan, gluten free and paleo too!

    homemade pecan pie larabars

    They taste just like pecan pie with none of the guilt!  Feel free to have two, or three.  No added sugars in here.  They get their sweetness from dates.

    Nature’s candy.  Yum!  Warning….these are addictive.  These larabars are also gluten free and grain free!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

    Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars

    Pecan Pie Larabars

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    Prep Time 10 min

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Blend the pecans and the almonds in a food processor until they are fine.
    2. Then mix in the dates.
    3. The nuts will release their natural oils so there is no need for water. If yours looks a bit dry, you can add a tiny amount, but I didn’t have to.
    4. Line an 8X8 pan with parchment ,
    5. leaving enough room for some paper to stick out the sides.
    6. Press the dough evenly into the pan.
    7. Once it’s spread out, use the extra paper to press the dough down with your palms so it’s packed well.
    8. Stick in the fridge to firm up. About 2 hours should be good. 
    9. Once it’s chilled, cut into squares with a pizza cutter .

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    What are some of your favorite flavors?

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars

    Melissa King 71 Comments

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars.  Okay I am officially addicted to homemade larabars!  My first recipe was the Chocolate Brownie Larabar, then there was the Coconut Cream Larabar and now the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar.

    I have to say the coconut cream is still my favorite, but the cookie dough comes in at a close second.  You can roll them into balls as well if you don’t want to do bars.

     

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars

     

    These are just so easy to make and they contain just a few ingredients.  This was my second attempt for this flavor.  The first one came out good, but I didn’t think it was quite right.

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    Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

    Melissa King 178 Comments

    Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas. Nut free, gluten free and vegan.  This may be the easiest snack you ever make.  Seriously.  You need to try them asap!

     

    maple cinnamon roasted chickpeas

     

    First, I found Kale Chips, and I thought I was in love.  Then it was Cauliflower Popcorn.  But this snack beats them all hands down.

    It will satisfy your sweet craving without adding the pounds.  Even my daughter, Meadow, who claims to hate all beans, ate them.

    In fact, she grabbed the bowl away and took off with it!  Man, she is a sneaky one sometimes! It was gone pretty darn fast.  I am roasting another batch as I type this.

    Here is a little video of how to make them.  For more videos, you can subscribe to my You Tube Channel.

     

    Looking for more roasted chickpea recipes?

    Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

    Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

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    Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 45 min

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350.
    2. Mix everything well in a bowl.
    3. Pour the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
    4. Roast in the oven for about 45 minutes, shaking every 10 minutes to keep them from burning. That’s it. Easy peasy!

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    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Donuts (Vegan)

    Melissa King 110 Comments

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Donuts that are vegan and gluten free! Who says you can’t have donuts on a whole food diet?  Not me!  I just make them healthier.

    UPDATE: This recipe originally appeared on my blog back in 2013.  I had t remove it for 3 years because it went into my first cookbook.  Well, those 3 years are up, so I’m bringing it back to the blog! Yay!

     

    peanut butter chocolate chip donuts

     

    Most donuts are laden with saturated fat, processed sugars and flours.  Not these!  These are baked, not fried and made with whole grains.  Even your kids will love them.

     

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