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    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Snack Recipes

    Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

    Published: Mar 17, 2016 · by Nicole · Updated: Feb 15, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

    Granola bars have long been one of my favorite snacks to have on hand. From packed lunches as a kid, to keeping a box in my desk drawer at work, they have pretty much always been a snack time staple. I started on my quest to make them at home several years ago and I will confess that it’s taken me forever to get them just the way I envisioned. I tried so many combinations of ingredients and while the majority of the bars were incredibly tasty, they would also fall apart quite easily.

    After plenty of experiments, I finally landed on a combination that produces exactly what I’d been looking for: sturdy yet still chewy bars with slightly crisp edges. And when that’s combined with the ever-classic combo of peanut butter and jelly? Well, I’m in snack heaven.

    Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

    Now, a few things I’ve learned about making granola bars at home.

    The combination of the brown rice syrup along with the peanut butter (or another nut butter) really produces the most sturdy bars. I would not encourage any substitutions for the brown rice syrup (such as maple syrup or honey), as the bars just don’t hold together as well that way.

    When you press the mixture into the baking pan, make sure you really press it firmly into an even layer. This helps pack it down, which will also help produce sturdier bars. Along those lines, let the bars cool completely before removing them from the pan and cutting into squares. They firm up as they cool.

    You can store the bars at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh longer in the fridge. I like to wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, to make it nice and easy for a grab and go snack.

    And lastly, for these bars specifically, try to use either jelly or a jam that isn’t super chunky. It will mix and spread better without the big chunks.

    Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

    Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars

    Homemade chewy granola bars with the classic flavor combo of peanut butter and jelly!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Course: Baking, Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: chewy granola bars, Homemade chewy granola bars, homemade granola bars, Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars
    Servings: 16 (2x2-inch) bars
    Calories: 186kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
    • ½ cup oat bran
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts
    • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
    • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup brown rice syrup
    • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons jelly or jam divided
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, cutting a big enough piece so that it hangs over the edges on two sides. Lightly spray with olive oil or nonstick spray. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, oat bran, cinnamon, salt and peanuts. In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, peanut butter, vanilla, brown rice syrup and ¼ cup of the jam until well combined. Add to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until combined and evenly moistened.
    • Dump the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press firmly into an even layer. Drop on the remaining 3 tablespoons jam and smear over the top of the bars.
    • Bake for about 30 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan, then cut into squares with a sharp knife.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 110mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

      March 17, 2016 at 11:30 am

      My family would love these for a quick snack!

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        March 17, 2016 at 4:20 pm

        Thanks Lori!

        Reply
    2. LizinBR09 says

      March 17, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      Could you not bake these & eat raw? Seems like peanut butter and brown rice syrup would hold them together.......thanks for the idea. I love PB&J!

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        March 17, 2016 at 4:22 pm

        The baking definitely helps make them quite sturdy for homemade bars ... but you could definitely give it a shot raw. If you chilled them well, they may hold together (it's just tough to say since we haven't tested them that way!).

        Reply
    3. Claudia says

      March 18, 2016 at 5:06 am

      Making this tomorrow!:) Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        March 18, 2016 at 1:36 pm

        Enjoy!!

        Reply
    4. Lindsay says

      March 20, 2016 at 7:02 am

      What can i use instead of oat bran?

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        March 21, 2016 at 11:32 am

        Hey Lindsay - I would process rolled oats in my food processor (or even blender) until ground and use that!

        Reply
    5. marcie says

      April 07, 2016 at 12:42 am

      I love making bars like these at home because we're snack-aholics! The PB&J twist is so fun, too!

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        April 07, 2016 at 7:49 am

        Oh gosh us too! Thanks Marcie!!

        Reply
    6. Rebecca @ NOURISHED. the blog says

      April 07, 2016 at 9:27 am

      I definitely love me some PB and J! I think these would make a great snack but an even better breakfast on the go!

      Reply
      • Ashley Jennings says

        April 13, 2016 at 11:26 am

        Thanks Rebecca!! And yes!

        Reply

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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