LÄRA bar none.
When a snack bar promises to be good for you, good for the planet, and satisfy your cravings all in one bite, you can’t help but wonder if they’re actually pulling off the trifecta.
LÄRABAR claims to do just that — and with only 8 simple ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, and a commitment to sustainability,
I was intrigued.
But here’s the real test: can it win over my toughest critic, my 4-year-old?
I’d like to see if LÄRABAR (kids) is truly as good as they say — or if it’s just another snack bar making big claims.
LÄRABAR touts 100% real ingredients, sustainability practices like supporting bees, and flavors inspired by indulgent treats. So naturally, I had to see if they were worth the buzz — and who better to join me than my
brutally honest 4-year-old.
“We believe those who choose a healthy lifestyle deserve a daily treat too, proving that real food can taste real good.”
LÄRABAR is proudly free from dairy, gluten, and soy.
Their chocolate is Fair Trade Certified, and all their products are kosher, non-GMO, and 100% vegan.
Ingredients: buckwheat flour, honey, semisweet chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla extract), cane sugar, coconut oil, chia seeds, water, sea salt.
Lara Merriken founded LÄRABAR in May of 2000 in Denver, Colorado and it all
“started with combining simple ingredients like fruits and nuts to create a food product that’s tasty, wholesome, and convenient.”
Let’s start with my tiny chef and food reviewer:
After his first bite, my 4-year-old declared it "relicious" (**translation: delicious**).
And while his vocabulary might need fine-tuning (but truly, I will enjoy the toddler pronunciations for now), his enthusiasm didn't.
The mini bars are perfect for little hands and pack plenty of semi-sweet chocolate chips, which, unsurprisingly, were his favorite part.
He eagerly polished off one mini bar and then asked for
“little please, mom, I want more” (Translation: Pretty please, mom, I want more).
Ugh, he sure is cute.
“Sure, buddy. You can have another.”
Needless to say, LÄRABAR definitely passed the toddler taste test, and as most know, that isn’t easy to do.
If you’ve ever wondered, yes, you can definitely smell the difference between organic and non-organic chocolate. It’s hard to put into words, but trust me, it’s noticeable. And honestly, every type of chocolate has its own distinct aroma.
The scent here is mostly that of organic semi-sweet chocolate, and there’s a generous amount of chocolate chips packed into this little bar (DUH! It’s a chocolate chip cookie!).
It’s more square than rectangular — about 2 inches by 2 inches, which makes sense for the “kid” size.
(Side note: I’ll be eating two bars to get the full effect of a regular-sized snack. HA!)
Now, the chocolate chips have that slightly aged look — they’re not exactly fresh off the press. You know that light brownish tint they get over time? They have that, and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, but it’s definitely noticeable.
As for texture, it’s a little dry but not overly so. If left out too long, I imagine it could become hard quickly, but right now it has a slight resistance when broken apart.
When I took my first bite, it wasn’t nearly as dry as I expected.
The texture was chewy and pleasantly familiar, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it reminded me of.
The first bite was practically all chocolate, thanks to the abundance of organic chocolate chips
(Of course! That’s why my ‘little’ loves it!).
The second bite revealed a nutty flavor — and not just any nutty flavor.
It reminded me of something I’ve tasted before.
Ah yes, it’s buckwheat!
Bottom line is, this bar tastes like the ‘nutty’ and earthy buckwheat with the richness of semi-sweet organic chocolate.
It’s a unique combo, but it works almost perfectly.
However, the size of the mini bars (and no, LÄRABAR does not make them in a bigger size) feels more like a tease for adults, and the slightly higher price point could be a deterrent if you’re a momma on a budget.
A box of six bars ranges from $3.49 (Thrive Market- where I purchased) to $12.96 (Amazon), so where you shop makes a big difference.
But for a snack that’s sustainable, genuinely tasty, and backed by a mission to do good, LÄRABAR is worth keeping in the pantry.
I wish I could skip a mini next time and just eat a full size, but they don’t make them.
I will definitely be trying more flavors the next time I shop.
So, after a thorough taste test by both me and my mini critic, I can confidently say that LÄRABAR is winner in the snack department.
If you're looking for a treat that’s good for you, the planet, and your taste buds, this is a treat for you!
It's an
IMBHO-yes from me!
Have you tried LÄRABAR yet, or are you still debating? If you’re looking for a snack that checks all the boxes — tasty, sustainable, and made with real ingredients — it might just be time to give it a try.
What’s your favorite flavor? Or, if you’re a fellow parent, what are your snack requirements for your children? Let’s chat in the comments!
