Everyone's childhood favorite sandwich baked into a delicious gluten-free and vegan bar! Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, as a snack, or dessert! This healthy bar recipe will have you ditching the bread!
Ah, the fresh baked smell of peanut butter and jelly 😉 What? You don't bake your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? I think you're about to change that! Actually, I know you're about to change that, once you see this recipe!
There is nothing better than a PB & J sandwich for lunch. A childhood favorite and essential that grows with you just like mac and cheese! It's still a weekly lunch staple for me. It's not my all-time childhood favorite of 100% whole wheat bread with Jif peanut butter and Welches grape jelly. Lovingly made and packed in my lunchbox by dear old mom. I've had to make some modifications, but nonetheless, still my favorite lunch!
Why not make our all-time favorite sandwich a little more wholesome, trendy, and completely breakfast, lunch, snack, and dessert worthy! (That means you can have peanut butter and jelly 4 times in one day!) The secret these bars hold is that fact that there's no bread or peanut butter. What they're not missing is flavor (or smell!) These smell so drool-worthy while they're baking in the oven. I almost jumped in there with them!
Many celiacs lament the fact that finding a good, quality, and tasty sandwich bread can be rather difficult and frustrating. No bread-woes here! We're using our friendly little safe and certified gluten-free oat friends for these crumble bars! Not just rolled oats, but oat bran as well. These are super hearty and filling which is why they can make sure a great option for a satisfying breakfast.
I'm a huge fan of fruit butters, not jellies or jams. When I found some grape butter, the heavens sang! I usually make my sandwiches with apple butter, but these crumble bars needed to be authentic, so GRAPE had to be used. Eden Foods organic concord grape butter just had to be placed in my online cart and bought specifically for this recipe. It's just concord grapes, no added sugar or unnecessary things. Eden also makes some of my go-to's for apple and/or cherry butter.
Of course, you probably guessed it when I said there was no peanut butter in these, that instead there was peanut flour. Peanut flour will always be one of my favorite ingredients to bake and cook with. So much flavor in a healthy baking-friendly way. One thing I never want you to do with peanut flour...make it into peanut butter by adding water. If you want peanut butter, please just eat real peanut butter. Otherwise, that's just cringe-worthy and I'm not sure we can be friend anymore (haha!)
Since I know I'll get some questions for modifications, yes, using almond flour would be fine (yet much less taste as almond flour is very bland), and yes, you could use a different fruit butter or even jam. I've heard that some people think strawberry jam is the classic fruit flavor for the sandwich, but that's just blasphemy to me! It has to be grape to be classic! I did not grow up with strawberry jam (ever); I don't think I had it until I was older. Traditionally when the PB & J became popular (during WWII), the sandwich was made with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of jelly on white bread. The original brands used were Skippy or Peter Pan and Smuckers for the jelly. We were a Skippy and Welches family, but then I told my mom I liked Jif better. We were always Welches grape jelly, though, they never changed!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars
Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars
Everyone's childhood favorite sandwich baked into a delicious gluten-free and vegan bar! Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, as a snack, or dessert! This healthy bar recipe will have you ditching the bread!
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 9 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Certified Gluten-Free Oat Bran
- 1 Cup Certifed Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
- 1 Cup 100% Peanut Flour
- ¼ Cup Granular Erythritol
- ½ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 2 TB Water
- 1 8oz Jar (about ¾ Cup) 100% Grape Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients except the grape butter. I used my hands to get a nice crumbly mixture.
- In a parchment paper lined 8x8 baking pan, press in 3 cups of the mixture.
- Now evenly spread the jar of grape butter on top of this bottom layer of the bars.
- Finally, add the rest of the crumble mixture on top, not pressed, but crumbled on top of the grape butter layer.
- Bake the bars in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove and let cool before cutting into 9 squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
All your childhood lunchtime dreams come true! Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble BARS! Here's one question I forgot to ask. PB & J sliced diagonally or down the middle? To be honest I never really cared. Nowadays, I don't even bother with that nonsense, but I know it can be a point of contention for us PB & J purists!
So tell me:
+ Diagonally or down the middle?
+ Crust or no crust? Don't waste that crust! (I know that's a bit debate too!)
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Patrick
Who doesn't love PB&J in any form?? 🙂
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
Exactly!
Sam
These look delicious and easy to make!! I love using pb powder in baking!
Rebecca Pytell
Enjoy!
Jan Thomas
I think I could eat this as an on the go breakfast! I always struggle to find breakfast I can eat for some reason, so this will be my next go to! Thanks!
Jan
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You'll be ready for this breakfast every morning!
Deborah Davis
These yummy vegan and gluten free Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars take me back to my favorite childhood sandwich!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm glad they do!
Debbie
Hi Rebecca, I hold my hands up. I am guilty of enjoying peanut butter and strawberry jam on toast (multigrain, not white). I've never tried it in a sandwich and I've never tried it with grape jelly, which I'm not even sure I would find here!
Your peanut butter and jelly bars do look good and I am tempted to have a go, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the ingredients, that's island living for you!
xx
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well we can't hold you too accountable for not living in the states!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear!
Dee
My kids would love these bars! 🙂
indah savitri
oh my..perfect snacks for all occasions. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!
Amanda
Mmm..now there's a dessert I don't have to feel guilty having for breakfast.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know I enjoyed it many times for breakfast 😉
Katie
Each of my sons eats a pb&j EVERY day, so them loving this is a guarantee! Thanks for sharing this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! Well this will be a fun version to try!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
My husband loves to have his pb & j each and everyday. I cringe when I see him eat white bread, and I'd love to break him of this habit. This looks like the perfect recipe to do so. And it's so much healthier for him. I'm trying to take gluten out of his diet one meal at a time and this will be a huge assistance to achieving this! Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you can swap this in 😉
Erika
Those look so amazing! and definitely cut diagonal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Erika!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I love crumble!! And I love bars!! YUM!!! PB&J's are a big hit around here so these would be well received.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, well I'm glad to hear you have PBJ lovers on hand 😉
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
Yum!!! These look fabulous, thanks for sharing 🙂 Pinned.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Farrah
This is such a wonderful classic! <3 This is seriously going to have to happen soon--I'd love to have em' at the office to eat! 😛
I usually cut diagonally! 😛 And yes, crust. I hate food waste!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, good! Crust for life! You know these kind of get rid of that problem for the crust haters!
kimmythevegan
I didn't grow up with pb & j. I know... I know! Just pb for this kid. BUT these bars sound so good! My grown up self would quite enjoy them =)
I will give the almond flour a shot, despite the fact that they won't be quite as tasty, I bet they will still be pretty darned good =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Didn't you choke on just PB :O
Laura
Oh my golly, grape butter . . . I have never seen this in stores here. Now I'm intrigued and want to go looking!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've got to get some! The flavor is so intense!
smiling notes
These look incredibly delicious! Sharing it on twitter 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, dear!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
I can picture how delicious those smell!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
For sure!
Erin
These look glorious and like the perfect thing to take on my late summer hikes! Pinning for later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thank you, Erin!
Tara @ Run and Live Happy
Peanut butter and jelly is still my absolute favorite food! I could eat it everyday! Thanks for sharing this recipe! I can't wait to make these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, me too! There is just nothing not to love! xoxo
Evi @ greenevi
This is the kind of PB & J recipe I could never say no to! So delicious looking. Pinned of course 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, my dear friend! If it's PBJ, I always say YES!
Bianca
They look sooo good! I never ever heard of grape butter but it does sound intriguing 🙂 Yumm! Beautiful photos too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so delicious!
Andrea Wyckoff
I love the idea of peanut butter & jelly bars!! These look super delicious too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are fun and delicious!
The vegan 8
These look insane Rebecca! I'm a huge PB&J fan and these look delectable!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Brandi! I'm glad you're team PBJ!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle
If they are half as good as they look they will be a big hit - peanut butter jelly crumble bars - yum
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, o they are very very good 😉 Thanks Kathleen!
Catherine @ A Cup of Catherine
These bars sound (and look!) fantastic. I'm so glad I rekindled my love for PB&J this year! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Never let that love go!
Lauren Gaskill
I just know these are going to be my new favorite snack!! So good dear!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you!
Miz Helen
Your Crumble Bars look delicious, I would love one right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I would too 😉
Marla
Yum! These look & sound delicious. Pinned & Tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Johnna
I'm excited to give this recipe a try. I've never used oat bran but have ordered some now.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great way to get a more hearty "oat flour" ground!
Lauren
Now this is a pb&j that I can get behind! Totally gorgeous!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Lauren 😉
The Better Baker
My oh my! I would love the taste combo of PB & J, but that oatmeal crumble gets me every time. Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, I hope you can try and make some soon!! xoxo
Kayla Loves
These look so good! I'll have to bookmark this and try them out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do!! Thank you!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal
More PB&J! Fist pump! These bars look amazing. I'm such a sucker for peanut butter anything lol. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
PBJ party!!! You bring the oatmeal, I'll bring the bars 😛 Hahahahaha!
Arzo Travels
I am too lazy to do my own bars but these ones look gorgeous <3 Would love to have one right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, but these are so super easy! It is well worth it!
Florentina
Oh how lovely are these bars ?! I'm going to surprise my honey with a new snack this week. Can't wait myself!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you'll both be pleased!
Amanda {Striped Sptaula}
Love oat-based crumble bars and these look fantastic! These would be so great with a cup of tea.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yes they would!
J@BlessHerHeartYall
Wow do these look good! I think these will bring me back to when I was a kid and snacking on PB&J's! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These will bring back ALL the feel good memories 😉
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
Peanut butter and jelly really is the best, isn't it?? These crumble bars sound fantastic! I wish I had one for a snack right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sure is 😉 I'm always happy with some pbj in front of me!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
How'd you know all of my childhood dreams just came true? I just LOVE the PB+J combo. All day, every day, you know? 😉 But how did you possibly find grape butter? Woah!! I spent some time in New England (and that's where I am now, come to think of it haha), and apple butter was everywhere. But grape butter--fascinating! Rebecca, you know I love this recipe! Pinning, of course. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know!!!! When I saw the grape butter.....my dreams came true! Haha! The flavor is SO deep and rich! It's amazing!
Anne Marie @ CCHC
These look delicious!! I cannot wait to add them to my kids' lunchboxes this year.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They will LOVE you 😉
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
I could go for a whole bunch of these right now! Beautiful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Megan
Oh yum, yum, yum!! I could them all for breakfast today!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's why we have to eat them for breakfast, lunch, dessert...and a snack! 😉
Cathy @ Planet Veggie
These look great. The jelly must give it a nice sweetness1
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! No need for added sugars!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Peanut butter = love love love!
Jelly = love, yes but with ice cream. 🙂
The peanut and butter and jelly combination is one that I've never tried. It's not a thing over here. But I know it's huge over there.! And you know me, I'd never turn down trying something new! And these bakes look absolutely delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Jelly and ice cream!? Well, why not!
Haha, that is so sad! You need to do us "State-ers" a favor and MAKE it a thing over there! PBJ world domination!
Mandy
First of all, grape butter?!!? Get out! That sounds amazing! Grape jelly used to be my favorite for PB&J and I loved it cut diagonally 😉 Second...I didn't receive an email for this post (or for your previous three posts!), but I randomly checked your site and was surprised to see this delicious recipe! <3 Oh, and always yes to crust! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm glad you're a grape person!!
(About the emails...I ran out of free credits since my list has grown too much and no I need to figure out a way to pay....)
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
Grape butter?! What a cool ingredient. I'd never heard of it. And I LOVE how few ingredients this recipe has.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah, fruit butters are so much better that jams and jelly!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Ahhhh! So amazing - I want the whole pan! I've never baked with peanut flower before.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well then you're going to want 2 pans!!! You'll be in love!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
LOVING these! And I would be ALL about having a bar for breakfast, too 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They make a FANTASTIC breakfast! (I know 😉 )
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
i love pbj in general but in the bar form, so much better!!!!!! i will definitely give it a try 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everything in BAR form!
Adriana Lopez Martn
This is what I call perfection yummy =) crunchy, nutty and goey
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you dear! They taste like perfection 😉
Bethany
These bars look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I can't wait to try these! I think they would be the perfect pre-workout snack.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They would! You'll get some major peanut power!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
So, I didn't start eating peanut butter and jelly until I was an adult! I was a bologna kid - I know - GROSS! And I put ketchup on it, lol.
I love your posts and writing, Rebecca. They make me smile and laugh out loud. This sounds so scrumptious and your pictures are awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well...at least there was ketchup, that redeems you!
Haha! Well I'm glad they can entice some laughs! We all need more of those! xoxo
Julia
These would be a huge hit in my house! Nothing like PB & J but a bar!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! They were a hit in my house!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
Your pictures are so pretty!!! I need some PB&J in my life right now. Nothing like that warm, gooey goodness 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!! We all could use some PBJ!
Kari
Yay PB&J! I appreciate that these are gluten free.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well you wouldn't find anything else here!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands
Oh yes! PB&J is our jam so we are all over these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha "jam" (PUN!) 😉
tianna
yummy! these look so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Kirsten
Wow these look tasty! And I love your blog photography!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Aw, Thank you!
Elise @frugalfarmwife.com
Mmm, these look so delicious! Peanut butter isn't just a childhood favorite for me - I love it just as much now! lol.
I've never baked with peanut flour, but it sounds like I should give it a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I may just love it MORE now!
Get yourself some peanut flour! It will make all your baking THAT much better!
Harriet Emily
Oh my goodness Rebecca these look incredible! Peanut Butter and Jelly is the best combo. Such a delicious recipe! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is ONE of the best combos 😉 Haha! Thanks my dear!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
These look incredible! Can't wait to make them for my kids!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Lecy | A Simpler Grace
I am a sucker for anything peanut butter and jelly! These bars look so good. Pinning right now!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am too! Haha! Thanks Lecy!
Linda @ Veganosity
Two of my favorite things, peanut butter and jelly and crumbles, in one delicious dessert. I love that you used pb flour instead of butter. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm SUCH a peanut flour fan!
Kristen @A Mind Full MOm
Ha Ha! I may be baking my Pb&J from now on! So good
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think you should 😉
Kate
These look a million times better than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The "grown-up" PBJ 😉
Jamie Simons
I am so in need of these in my life. They look amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
PBJ for all!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life
These pictures are gorgeous! And making me wish these were siting on my counter.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Emily <3
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
Oh my gosh we are basically triplets today with our recipes today haha! two funny! I guess great minds think alike 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great minds....EAST PBJ ALL DAY!
nadia
Peanut butter and jelly is always a winning combo! I've really been into crumbles recently so this is right up my street! Love the colour of that grape butter! Gorgeous! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That grape butter is so good! It tastes like wine, it is so deep with flavor!