Is Larabar chocolate hazelnut swirl fruit nut bars Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is truly gluten-free, we look for both direct gluten ingredients and hidden sources like flavorings or processing aids. Larabar is known for its "No Gluten" certification on many flavors, and the chocolate hazelnut swirl variety follows this strict standard.

The base of the bar consists of dates, hazelnuts, and almonds. These are whole foods that are naturally free of gluten. The binding agent in most Larabars is simply the sticky nature of the dates, removing the need for wheat-based glues or flours often found in other granola bars.

The chocolate elements—semisweet chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract—are the areas where gluten can sometimes hide in other brands. However, in this product, the chocolate chips are made from unsweetened chocolate, sugar, and cocoa butter. There are no malt ingredients (a common red flag for gluten) or wheat-based stabilizers. The inclusion of pears and sea salt adds moisture and flavor without introducing allergens.

While the ingredients list is clean, it is important to note that Larabar does not explicitly label this specific flavor as certified gluten-free on every package wrapper, unlike their Apple Pie or Peanut Butter Cookie flavors. However, the ingredient list remains free of gluten-containing grains. If you have Celiac disease, you should always check the packaging for the most current allergen statement regarding shared manufacturing facilities.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, the Larabar chocolate hazelnut swirl is a calorie-dense energy source rather than a low-calorie snack. A standard bar typically contains around 220 calories, with the majority coming from carbohydrates (primarily sugar from the dates and added sugar in the chocolate chips) and healthy fats from the nuts.

The fat content is largely unsaturated, coming from the hazelnuts and almonds, which is beneficial for heart health. However, because the bar relies on dates for its texture and sweetness, the sugar content is relatively high—often around 18-20 grams per bar. This makes it an excellent fuel source for hiking or a quick pre-workout snack, but it may not fit well into a strict low-sugar or ketogenic diet.

Protein is present but modest (usually 4-5 grams), sourced entirely from the nuts. There is no added protein powder. For those tracking macronutrients, this bar fits well into a balanced diet as a whole-food treat, provided you account for the carbohydrate load.