Quick and Easy Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars Recipe
Ahoy there, all you foodies and health enthusiasts! Are you looking for a snack that’s not only delicious but also healthy and gluten-free? Then look no further! I have a recipe that will satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals.
Introducing the Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars – perfect for any time of the day, whether it’s a mid-day snack or an on-the-go breakfast. These bars are jam-packed with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, oats, dried cranberries, and chocolate chips, making them both nutritious and scrumptious.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But hold on a minute. Peanut butter and jelly? That doesn’t sound very healthy to me.” Well, let me tell you – these bars are free from any refined sugar, corn syrup or unhealthy additives. Instead, we use nutritious ingredients like coconut oil and maple syrup to make them extra yummy and good for you.
Plus, they’re super easy to make. With just a few simple steps and the right ingredients in hand, you’ll have a batch of these tasty bars ready in no time.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your apron on and let’s whip up some Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars that will make your taste buds dance with joy while keeping your health intact!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture this: a delicious, guilt-free snack that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere, without compromising on taste or quality. Well, my dear reader, let me introduce you to the Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars – the ultimate gluten-free and dairy-free treat that is both healthy and indulgent.
Now, you may be thinking that gluten-free and dairy-free snacks can be dry and flavorless. But let me tell you, these bars are anything but that. Loaded with peanut butter, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and peanuts, these bars are an explosion of flavors and textures in your mouth. And the best part? They are super simple to make!
But wait – there’s more. Not only are these bars gluten-free and dairy-free, but they are also vegan-friendly! And trust me when I say this, even if you’re not vegan or allergic to gluten or dairy, you will still love these bars.
Imagine biting into a soft, chewy bar that perfectly balances the flavors of sweet jelly and savory peanut butter. The granola-like texture gives it a crunch while being moist at the same time. These bars are perfect for those who love peanut butter jelly sandwiches because they offer all the flavors without the mess.
If you’re worried about the excess sugar content in traditional granola bars (often containing corn syrup), fear not because these bars use healthy substitutes such as maple syrup and coconut sugar. So not only are they gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly but also low in refined sugars.
To sum it up, these Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick snack or breakfast item that is healthy yet indulgent. Plus, they are super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients readily available at your local Trader Joe’s or Bob’s Red Mill.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give this recipe a try; I guarantee it will become a staple in your snack stash.
Ingredient List
If you’re looking for a super simple gluten-free and dairy-free snack recipe that packs a punch, you’ve come to the right place! These Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars are a delicious and healthy option for any time of day, from breakfast to a mid-afternoon snack. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
Ingredients 1:
- 1 cup of peanut butter
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
- 2 cups of gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup of almond flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Ingredients 2:
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup of unsalted roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (check the label for gluten-free/dairy-free options)
- 1/2 cup of your favorite jelly or jam
Note: You can use any type of nut butter in place of peanut butter, such as almond or cashew butter. You can also substitute the jelly for another sweet spread, such as honey or molasses.
These easy-to-find ingredients will allow you to whip up some tasty Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack bars in no time.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s get started with creating these Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars!
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together ¾ cup of peanut butter, ⅓ cup of maple syrup, and ¼ cup of coconut oil until well combined.
Step 3: Add dry ingredients
Add in the dry ingredients including 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of oat flour, ½ cup of dried cranberries, and ½ cup of peanuts. Mix all the ingredients well so that everything is evenly distributed. If you want to add chocolate chips to this recipe, now is the time!
Step 4: Spread mixture into pan
Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the pan and press it down evenly. Use a spatula to smooth out the surface and make sure it’s compacted tightly.
Step 5: Bake peanut butter jelly bars
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until slightly golden brown around the edges.
Step 6: Cool and cut
Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut them into bars or squares, depending on your preference.
Enjoy these gluten-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened snack bars any time for a healthy midday snack or simply as dessert at the end of a meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Now, let’s talk about some fun substitutions and variations you can make in this Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars recipe (gluten-free).
Firstly, you can use different types of nut butter instead of peanut butter to cater to different taste preferences. You can choose from almond butter, cashew butter or any other nut butter available. From my own experience, a mixture of peanut butter and almond butter adds an extra oomph to the bars.
If you want to keep this recipe vegan, then maple syrup or honey could replace corn syrup in case it’s difficult to find or if you have a preference for these natural sweeteners.
Also, dried cranberries and chocolate chips can be substituted for anything from raisins, figs, apricots to nuts like almonds or walnuts- depending on what you like. To add more crunch to the bars, chopped peanuts or coconut flakes could be added as well.
Not a fan of jelly? Simply omit the jelly layer altogether and keep the snack bars as peanut butter granola bars. You can mix things up by adding different flavors — try it with cinnamon or vanilla for example.
These bars are easy to customize according to your taste preferences and dietary restrictions such as low-carb options. For instance, rolled oats are much lower in carbs than quick oats – so using them instead is a great option for those watching their carb intake!
Remember, when making substitutions always ensure that your ingredients stay gluten-free and/or peanut-free if that is important to you.
Serving and Pairing
Now that we’ve made these delicious peanut butter and jelly snack bars, let’s talk about how to serve and pair them! These bars are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day as a snack or even breakfast.
If you’re enjoying these bars for breakfast, pair them with a cup of coffee or tea. The combination of the sweet jelly and the nutty peanut butter pairs perfectly with a hot beverage in the morning. You could also crumble them over some oatmeal for added texture and flavor.
As a mid-day snack, these bars are perfect for on-the-go. Throw one in your bag for an afternoon pick-me-up at work or while running errands. They also make for great pre or post-workout snacks due to their healthy and sustaining ingredients.
For a fun and unique dessert, try warming up a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and drizzling some melted chocolate on top. This will create a PB&J chocolate bark! You could also crumble it over vanilla ice cream for an extra special sundae.
These bars are also perfect for packing in lunchboxes for both kids and adults alike. They are easy to transport, filling, and provide sustained energy throughout the day.
No matter how you choose to enjoy these peanut butter and jelly snack bars, they are sure to satisfy any craving!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Folks, just listen to me! These Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars are a treat that you absolutely don’t want to miss. Luckily for you, they are super easy to make ahead and store. Here’s what you need to know:
Make-ahead: You can make a batch of these bars up to 5 days in advance, which is perfect if you’re looking for a quick snack or breakfast on the go. Simply wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy.
Storing: If you happen to have any leftover bars, or if you want to make a bigger batch to save time during the week, these bars are easily stored in the freezer. Just like with refrigeration, wrap each bar individually for best results. You can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months, just be sure to thaw them out in the fridge overnight before eating.
Reheating: These bars are tasty enough on their own, but if you’re feeling fancy and want something warm, you can always reheat them. Stick your bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, it’ll become soft and gooey again. You can also pop them into an oven preheated at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes.
With these storage tips and reheating options from me, you can now indulge yourself in these tasty treats whenever you’d like!
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to baking gluten-free and dairy-free snacks, perfecting the recipe can be quite a challenge. Fear not, my fellow bakers, for I am here to share my tips for creating the perfect peanut butter and jelly snack bars.
First and foremost, when making this recipe or any other gluten-free snack bar recipe, be sure to measure your ingredients properly. This means using the correct measuring utensils and levelling off ingredients to ensure accuracy.
Next, be sure to mix your wet ingredients thoroughly before adding them to the dry ingredients. This will help ensure that the mixture is well combined and results in a cohesive final product.
Another important tip is to let the peanut butter and jelly snack bars fully cool before cutting them into slices. Otherwise, they may crumble or fall apart. Trust me, patience is key here!
If you are in doubt of your oven’s heating capacity, I recommend verifying its temperature with an oven thermometer as overheating or under-heating can cause uneven baking, which compromises the taste (though admittedly it can add some species of novelty).
Finally, consider adding some spice to your peanut butter and jelly snack bars by trying out different flavor of jelly or adding nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture. Don’t forget that ingredient substitutions might alter recipe outcome too.
By following these tips and trusting in your own intuition (and taste buds!), you’ll be able to whip up a batch of perfect gluten-free and dairy-free peanut butter and jelly snack bars every time. Happy baking!
Bottom Line
So there you have it, folks! A super simple and delicious recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars that are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan-friendly. With this recipe, you get the best of both worlds – the classic PB & J sandwich in the form of a scrumptious snack bar!
These bars are perfect for taking on-the-go, as a pre-workout snack or even as a breakfast option. Not only are they easy to make with ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, but they are also healthy and nutritious.
Plus, with the various substitutions and variations available, there’s always room to experiment and make these snack bars your own! You can switch out ingredients to create different flavor combinations or tailor them to fit any dietary needs.
So why not give this recipe a try? I guarantee that once you taste these homemade granola bars, you won’t want to go back to the store-bought ones. With their unbeatable taste, texture, and nutritional value, these Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars are sure to become your new favorite snack option.
Bake a big batch today and enjoy these delectable bars all week long – trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bars (Gluten Free) Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups puffed corn cereal (GF, I suggest EnviroKidz Organic Peanut Butter Panda Puffs Cereal)
- 1 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 cup corn syrup
Instructions
- Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the peanut butter and the corn syrup over medium low heat until smooth and hot.
- Combine with dry ingredients and press into a greased 9X13 pan.
- Chill in fridge for a half hour, then cut into bars.