These No-bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars are a must try. Made with 5 ingredients, these are a delicious and healthier homemade snack that is gluten-free, dairy-free and great for all ages.
If you’re a fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and want a fun, healthy twist on that classic flavor, these peanut butter and jelly granola bars are about to become your new go-to snack. They’re packed with wholesome ingredients, are naturally sweetened, and have that nostalgic PB&J taste in every bite. Plus, they’re super easy to make and perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or just a quick snack on the go.
Why You’ll Love These Granola Bars:
- Healthy Ingredients: Made with creamy peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), gluten-free oats, and freeze-dried strawberries, these bars are full of whole foods that provide fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Customizable: You can easily swap out ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Add in your favorite nuts or seeds, or substitute the freeze-dried strawberries with another fruit.
- No-Bake Convenience: You don’t need to turn on the oven for these bars, which makes them perfect for when you want a quick, fuss-free snack.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These bars store well, making them an excellent option to have on hand throughout the week for busy mornings or snack time.
What ingredients are in these Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars:
- Creamy peanut butter – Make sure the only ingredients are peanuts and salt for the purest flavor.
- Maple syrup or honey – Both work well as a natural sweetener. Maple syrup keeps these vegan, while honey gives a slightly different flavor profile.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Gluten-free rolled oats – For a hearty base that gives these bars their structure.
- Chopped nuts or seeds – I used peanuts for these! Adds crunch and extra nutrients like healthy fats and fiber.
- Freeze dried strawberries – I used these – code RACHL15.
How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars:
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Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to easily pull the bars out later. If you prefer perfectly shaped bars, you can also use a silicone bar mold.
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Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
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Add in the dry ingredients: Stir in the sea salt, oats, nuts or seeds, and chocolate chips (if using). Mix until everything is evenly coated in the peanut butter mixture.
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Fold in the freeze-dried strawberries: Gently mix in the strawberries, being careful not to crush them too much so you can enjoy the burst of “jelly” in every bite.
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Press into the baking dish: Transfer the granola bar mixture into the prepared baking dish and use your hands or a spatula to firmly press it down into an even layer. The firmer you press, the better the bars will hold together.
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Freeze to set: Place the dish in the freezer for at least one hour. This helps the bars firm up so they’re easier to slice.
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Slice and enjoy: Once set, remove the dish from the freezer. Lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang and slice into 8-10 bars.
Tips for the Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars:
- Use fresh, high-quality peanut butter: Since peanut butter is the star of this recipe, it’s important to use a variety that only contains peanuts and salt. Avoid peanut butters with added oils or sugars for the best taste and texture.
- Don’t skip the freeze-dried strawberries: They give you that true “jelly” flavor without making the bars soggy. You could also experiment with freeze-dried raspberries or blueberries for a fun twist.
- Firmly press the mixture: When pressing the mixture into the dish, really pack it in to ensure the bars don’t crumble when you slice them.
Customization Ideas:
- Swap out the peanut butter: If you have a peanut allergy or prefer a different flavor, you can easily swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Add chocolate: If you’re a fan of the chocolate and peanut butter combo, sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Make them nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter and skip the chopped nuts for a school-friendly, nut-free version.
How to Store Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars:
Once sliced, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze beautifully! Simply wrap each bar individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw for a few minutes, and they’re ready to go.
A Perfect Snack for Any Time
These peanut butter and jelly granola bars are perfect for breakfast on the run, an afternoon pick-me-up, or even as a sweet treat after dinner. They’re a fun, nostalgic snack with a healthy twist, and both kids and adults alike will love them.
Whether you’re looking to meal prep snacks for the week, pack something wholesome in your kids’ lunchbox, or just satisfy your PB&J cravings, these granola bars have you covered!
Happy snacking!
A few other delicious snack recipes to try:
No-bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars
These No-bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars are a must try. Made with 5 ingredients, these are a delicious and healthier homemade snack that is gluten-free, dairy-free and great for all ages.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8–10 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (ingredients should be just peanuts and salt!)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons chopped nuts or seeds – I used peanuts for these
- 1/3 cup freeze dried strawberries (I used these – code RACHL15)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside OR use one of these bar molds
- In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract
- Add in sea salt, oats, nuts, chocolate chips and mix until fully combined
- Add mixture to baking dish and press down firmly with hands and/or spatula
- Place dish in freezer to set for at least 1 hour then remove from freezer
- Pull up the parchment paper on the sides to remove from baking dish, slice into 8-10 bars and enjoy!
Notes
*Store in freezer for 2 months or fridge for 1 week
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