Snack healthy with these homemade Larabar lemon balls! Made with almonds, dates, lemon and coconut, these little bites are tasty, portable and take only 10 minutes to make!
How was your holiday weekend? Did you do anything fun? We had one Memorial Day cookout on the calendar, but it got postponed due to the rainy weather so most of our weekend was pretty low-key. We hung out with friends, grilled out at home (we’re kind of addicted to these spinach and feta turkey burgers so we made them twice over the weekend) and did a bunch of house chores. We cleaned out the garage, planted some flowers, fixed a toilet… oh, the joys of being a homeowner. This weekend was actually our one year home anniversary! It’s pretty cool to think back about all the projects we’ve tackled thus far and all the projects still on our radar. <– Fingers crossed that renovating our master bath and kitchen will happen soon!
Before I get off on a tangent about home projects, let’s talk about these lemon balls shall we?This recipe is actually one I created and shot months ago, but I wasn’t happy with the photos so it got pushed backed for a while. Luckily, Maria and I had a chance to make them again last month and they’re ready for their EBF debut. It seems as though you all love the homemade Larabar recipes I’ve posted so I’m excited to add this lemon coconut version to the mix.
If I’m being honest I’ve never really been a huge fan of lemon-flavored baked goods or treats. I’m more of a chocolate and peanut butter lady, but lemony flavored desserts are growing on me. When you combine lemon with sweet ingredients (like dates) the tangy lemon flavor adds a pop of brightness without being too sour and it’s actually quite refreshing. I’m a fan!
If you’re a lemon-lover you will adore these balls! They take about 10 minutes to whip up and are perfect for snacking throughout the week. I love having a couple before or after a workout or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Lemon Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds, raw or roasted (no salt added)
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates* (10-12 dates)
- juice from 1 lemon, about 2-3 tablespoons
- zest from 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Add almonds, dates, lemon juice, zest, vanilla and sea salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until almonds are chopped and a soft “dough” forms, you may need to scrape the sides of the processor a couple times.
- Using your hands, form the dough into balls.
- Put shredded coconut into a small bowl and roll each ball into the coconut until evenly coated.
- Eat immediately and store any extras in the fridge or freezer for later consumption.
by Brittany Mullins
Recipe Notes
Did you miss some of the other homemade Larabar recipes I posted? Check them out:
Blueberry Muffin Larabar Balls
Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabars
Don’t see your favorite Larabar flavor? Leave me a comment with which flavor you’d like me to make next.
Just made these and they are fantastic!
You are fast!! So glad that you like them. 🙂
These look great!
Wow these look so yummy!
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I love lemon treats! I definitely want to try these…but I don’t have a food processor!! Do you have one you recommend? Also, what size (capacity) would you recommend?
Hi Susan. I have a 9 cup Cuisinart food processor. I love it and use it all the time — much more than I thought I would! I think they’ve discontinued my model (seen here: http://amzn.to/1r2ma66), but overall I like the Cuisinart brand and would definitely recommend it.
These look great. I love lemon treats and the fact that there is no added sugar!
Thank Jill. I hope you get a chance to try them. 🙂
I love Larabars, but I am a poor (and married) college student. Making my own has been the way to go for a while. God bless the medjool date. Always love getting new flavors, can you try the pb&j bar next? They are my fave, and I’m no good at making up recipes 🙂
Oh yesss! I can totally do the PB&J bar next!! 🙂
Happy 1 year Home Anniversary! And, I sure am happy to see these lemon balls – so simple and summery!
I have always been a fan of Larabars! These are great recipes and lemon coconut is my fav!
Me too! Thanks Lauren. <3
Yum, love me a homemade larabar (laraball?) I just recently tried a mint brownie larabar and am now addicted. I’d love an at home recipe that tastes just as good!!
Oh! I love the mint brownie Larabar idea!! I love all things mint chocolate. I’ll add that to my recreation list. 🙂
I don’t think there can ever be enough ball recipes out there, love the lemon tartness of these!
Thanks Gina! I agree, the more balls the better. 🙂
These are right up my alley, I love everything tart and lemony!
Can you use almond flour/almond meal as a substitute for raw almonds if you do not yet have a food processor?
Thanks!
Also, what brand food processor do you recommend for a reasonable price?
I always use my blender, but wonder what the difference is…
I’m looking forward to making these! Just wondering why you call them Larabar? Thank you 🙂
Hi Cris. Larabar is a brand that makes popular snack bars (http://www.larabar.com/). This recipe is very similar to their Lemon Bar, but in ball form. 🙂
I think my love of lemon anything comes from my grandfather who always enjoyed a lemon meringue pie, baked by my mom, on his birthday. 🙂 Every one of these recipes looks in-credible! I will have to set aside time to make each one for me and my fiance. We love Larabars, but I keep wanting to make our own. Thanks!
Going to try these tonight. I was thinking of a lemon raspberry and almond larabar?
Oh, I love that idea. With dried raspberries? Let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Just made these and although it took longer than 10 minutes, they turned out superb. Look just like the photo too! Hard to stop at just one.
Hooray! So glad that you they turned out, Kris!! Enjoy.
Finally made these and they are delicious!!! So excited to keep them in the frig and eat them in place of the expensive Larabars.
Woot woot! So glad you were able to make them recently. Enjoy!! 🙂