Since beginning this blog, I’ve created many flavors of Homemade Larabars.
But when, out of curiosity one day, I googled homemade Luna bars, I was surprised to find zero relevant results. Really? No one had made these yet? It was definitely time to change that.
I don’t usually buy Luna bars, but every now and then I find myself craving either one of their chocolate-dipped coconut or nutz over chocolate bars. The following recipe more-closely resembles the latter:
Homemade Luna Bars
Inspired by Homemade Rice Crispy Treats.
- 3 cups rice crispies (I used brown rice crispies. For a less-crispy bar, you can sub 2 cups of the crispies for 1/2 cup oat flour.)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt (I used salted pb, too)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice (for lower-cal option, see below link)
- 1/2 cup sticky sweetener, such as agave or brown rice syrup (I used agave)
- 2-3Â tablespoons protein powder (you can omit)
- melted chocolate chips or Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce
Mix your pb, sweetener, extract, and salt. Melt (either in the microwave or stove), then pour over the cereal and powder, and stir very well, making sure to coat all the crispies. Smush and smash the crispies. (Get mad; it’s fun!) Line a pan with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of wax paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can. Really press it down! Spread the chocolate on top, and freeze for at least a half hour before slicing.
Click for lower-sugar and Lower-Calorie Options.
I didn’t bother to figure out the nutritional info for these, as it will vary depending on what protein powder and chocolate sauce you use. But they are probably pretty comparable, calorie-wise, to packaged Luna bars. (The bars in the photos were made with the no-sugar chocolate sauce.)
Do you like energy bars?
My favorites are probably my Hot Fudge Brownie Larabars.
But I don’t always have time to make homemade bars. So if I’m in a hurry and need a quick and portable snack, I’ll often grab a cookie dough Larabar or a chocolate-chip Z bar, or a chocolate Jocalat bar… I’m picky about my energy bars; I only like the ones that have chocolate!
Oh gosh… when I found this, I wanted to find you and give you a big hug!!! I am OBSESSED with the Luna Nutz Over Chocolate… but I always feel SO GUILTY buying them, because they are just so dang expensive! I already have everything I need for these, so in essence, they’re free! Woo hoo! Rock on, Katie ~~~
Yum. I think I’ll try this with puffed millet and see what I get. Your spirit of adventure for the sake of health and flavor is contagious! I’m experimenting all the time now. Thanks!
I am curious about the nutritional comparison of the home made vs store bought Luna. I fuses I was under the impression the Luna had some added suppliments you can’t mimic at home? Does all that come in the protein powder?
These are super-yummy! I skipped the chocolate (lazy) and used melted banana as my sweetener since I didn’t have any liquid sweetener. Mine came out a lot thinner than the picture, though (I did use an 8×8), and the rice crispies were really soft after freezing. I wonder if baking for just a few minutes would help with that? I don’t mind since the flavor was great, but I thought they’d still have a little bit of crunchiness.
Hi there! LOVE your site. Your recipes are fabulous and every single thing I have made has turned out to be stellar!
I am making these for my son who is on a high protein diet. He has major sensory challenges & will only eat crunchy things – so this is perfect!
Do you think that adding a bit of ground flax and/or wheat germ would effect the taste or outcome to this recipe? Thanks!
Sorry, I haven’t tried it so I really don’t know!
I had to make myself stop reading your blog because every link I clicked on was something I wanted to make and eat. Thanks so much for all the great recipes! 🙂
Hey! Great recipe! Which brand and flavor of protein powder did you use?
I actually don’t have a favorite brand of protein powder; you can really use any!
Hey! Great recipe! What brand and flavor of protein powder do you use? Thanks!
Hey Katie, what would you suggest for storing these? I’ve currently just taken mine out the freezer and popped them in an air-tight container, would this be suitable enough? By the way, thank you so much for this recipe, it’s so good and I had fun making them!
I think they’d probably be best kept cold for the long term.
I just made these!!! They are fantastic, I have nut and peanut allergies. I used sun butter and agave and they are fantastic! Not a vegan, so, I used milk chocolate. I also have no patience so, I tried one before it was “set and fell in love with them!!!