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PB & J Oatmeal Bars! A wholesome, vegan dessert that everyone will love. Strawberry jam sandwiched between a whole-wheat peanut butter crust.
I think I’ve made 956 different versions of these PB & J oatmeal bars in the quest for perfection. Part breakfast bar, part cookie, part gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Part what I want to eat every day for breakfast.
I originally set out to make a chewy peanut butter bar that could sub-in for a nourishing bowl of oatmeal. One packed with chia seeds, flax, rolled oats, and a smidge of peanut butter for good measure. And I made them! Though, no one really wanted to eat them. Sure, they were packed with nutrients but they were way too dense and dry to be anything other than compost food. So, back to the drawing board. Again, and again.
So, I tweaked my original concept a bit. They’ve still got enough fiber to be considered a breakfast bar, but just enough sweetness to enjoy for an afternoon snack or dessert. Hearty, chewy, and oozing with strawberry jelly, it’s a PB & J sandwich in bar form.
For easy cleanup, I recommend lining the baking pan with two sheets of parchment paper, crossed in the middle and a bit of overhang over the side. Once the bars are completely cool, grab onto the parchment overhang to pull the finished bars out of the pan. Then, slice and enjoy. This method is my favorite for just about any baked good. It makes both cleanup and serving so much easier.
I also recommend heating the strawberry jam a bit before placing over the peanut butter layer. On version #877 I dolloped the jam onto the batter and it didn’t spread as much as I’d like in the hot oven. Melting, then spreading the jam ensures that every bite of these bars are packed with both peanut butter and jelly flavor. Mmmm, peanut butter & jelly forever.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
I first tried these with whole-wheat flour and the bars came out too dense. If you don’t have whole-wheat pastry flour, I recommend subbing in regular flour.
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Could you substitute fresh sliced strawberries for the ham or would that compromise the consistency?
It may affect the consistency slightly as the jam is thicker than sliced strawberries. Maybe mash the strawberries a bit and then place in the filling? I just wouldn’t want them to fall out when you slice the bars.
Do you know the calorie info for the ingredients?? I love these. My bf loved them too. I’m actually making them again. I like to put them in the fridge after they cool down so they’re cold. Thanks!
★★★★★
Hi Laura! So glad you liked them, thanks!
These sound like a dream come true. Has anyone tried making them with GF flour? If so, what kind worked and what didn’t? Thank you !
★★★★★
Hi Daniela, I haven’t tried gluten-free flour in this specific recipe but I’ve had success with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 baking blends.
[…] Flax oil: While flax oil is a great source of ALA, it’s also very unstable and therefore quickly to oxidize. I buy small bottles of flaxseed oil so that I am only using exactly what I need and am not exposing too much of the oil to heat and light- which turns the healthy fat rancid. Store it in the fridge! Same goes for flaxseed. I prefer to purchase my flaxseeds whole and then grind them into a meal as I use it, but I know this is also a giant pain. While whole flax seeds are pretty, you need to grind the seed to release the oil and therefore reap the benefits. If you buy already ground meal, store it in the freezer to help keep the fats stable. Try flax seeds in my Life-Changing Chocolate Cookies and PB&J Oatmeal Bars. […]
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These look SO good! love anything with peanut butter in it 🙂
Pretty sure the best part of making #877 versions is the batter you get to eat! Count me in– I’ll be your taste tester next time!
Nice and peanut buttery!! These look delicious!
I love pb&j themed desserts! This looks so yummy and I’m going strawberry picking in a few weeks to make jam – these will definitely be on the menu soon!
I love pb&j themed desserts! This looks so yummy and I’m going strawberry picking in a few weeks to make jam – these will definitely be on the menu soon!
I’ve been struggling with the same issue! It’s so hard to make a healthy peanut butter bar that doesn’t get too dry, but it looks like you found the winning combination! I can’t wait to try these out!
Way to go on your persistence in retesting the recipe! I think I would have given up on batch #5, hah! This is definitely a keeper!
I love anything and everything with peanut butter. Pinning now. My boys would eat the entire batch in one sitting!
Oh wow, these bars are what my dreams are made out of! Just one question, what’s the difference between whole wheat pastry flour and whole wheat flour? I don’t think I’ve ever seen whole wheat pastry flour (I’m in Australia).
Great question! Pastry flour contains less gluten (about 9% compared to 10-14%) than regular flour. It makes for a more tender baked good, but if you don’t have it- regular flour will work as well! I tried using all whole wheat flour with these and I felt like they came out too dense.
I’ve had a bit of a PB&J “thing” going on lately so I NEED to try this!
Me too! Thanks for the comment Kristy!
I’ve had a bit of a PB&J “thing” going on lately so I NEED to try this!
Pinned! Peanut butter and jelly, add oats….can’t go wrong!
These sound right up my alley. Nice work, Alex! 🙂
Thanks Ashley!
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