Product Review – Larabar Apple Pie Bar

Last week, when I wrote a review of the Bora Bora Organic Almond Sunflower Bar, I mentioned that I’d purchased another bar as well. The Larabar Apple Pie bar is, according to my 29-year-old son, Aaron, “Not as bad as you would expect from an all-natural bar. Pretty cinnamony, with a little less apple taste than cinnamon.” Overall, he said, “It had more flavor than you would expect from something without artificial flavors added.”

Larabar Apple Pie Bars are packed with raw dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. Photo: J. Wasson

I suppose that’s high praise from a guy who thinks Mountain Dew is the nectar of the gods. For comparison, he also had tried the Bora Bora bar, and reported “It had no taste. It was very bland.”

But we differ. Joe and I both loved the Bora Bora bars because of all the nuts and fruits they contain. The Larabars are good, too, in our opinions. They’re made of a mixture of dried dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. The ingredients are formed into a dense bar that is packed with flavor and nutrition.

I’m not a fan of cinnamon, so that flavor is a bit heavy for me. Joe, who loves that spice, finds it perfectly satisfying. Although the texture is primarily like dried fruit smooshed together (in a very pleasant way, mind you), there’s still enough of a crunch from the occasional nut to appeal to those of us who like a firm texture. In fact, it’s the nuttiness that I like most of all.

So, what about the nutritional element? Here’s what the Larabar folks have to say about their Apple Pie Bar:

• All natural, unprocessed
• No added sugars or sweetners
• Raw
• Non-GMO
• Non-irradiated
• No sulfites
• No fillers
• No preservatives
• Gluten free
• Dairy free
• Soy free
• Vegan
• Kosher

Ingredients list for Larabar Apple Pie Bar.

The Larabar Apple Pie Bar has a bit of fat — 10g, to be exact. And half the bar’s total calories (180) are fat (90). Not great. But no transfat, so that’s a plus.

On the other hand, it’s real food, not artificial sugars and fluff. And it has actual vitamins and minerals, as opposed to a lot of the other snacks I might try.

At $27.99 for 16 bars, the cost is $1.75 each. But deduct the $4.19 cash back (for shopping through your own eCommerce site), and we’re down to $1.49 each. (Shipping charges apply if your total order is less than $167.) Most likely, you can also find Larabars at your local co-op or health food store.

Overall, though the Larabar is more expensive than a candy bar, it’s no contest when you compare the effects of the Larabar ingredients vs. typical junk food on your body.

Have you tried a Larabar? Let us know what you think.

Julia Wasson

Blue Planet Green Living (Home Page)

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Product Review: Bora Bora Organic Almond Sunflower Bar