The classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly combine in these healthier crumble bars. A whole-grain brown sugar oat crust, jelly, and a sweet and salty peanut crumble. Enjoy for breakfast, snack or dessert.
Will I ever tire of peanut butter and jelly?
Nope. Never.
Nothing brings back the nostalgic warm fuzzies of childhood like the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly. Today I’m bringing you something even better than two slices of bread smeared with PB & J. I’ve got three sweet, salty, buttery, crumbly and crunchy layers that are loaded with the flavors of peanut butter and jelly.
Classic peanut butter and jelly crumble bars are often loaded with a fair amount of butter, sugar, and processed peanut butter. They are delicious (no argument there), but I knew I could make them better for us. A few simple ingredient swaps makes these a wholesome and hearty treat that your whole family will love.
Let’s talk about what’s in these beauties…
- They are 100% whole grain thanks to a combination of oats and white whole wheat flour.
- They contain natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt); none of those nasty hydrogenated oils.
I’ve made a couple different batches of these bars for, let’s call it, recipe development. Wink wink. I should note that in my extensive “research” I’ve found that these bars are a fantastic snack/meal/nibble any time of day. I was sure to sample them all throughout the day just to make sure. 😉
Slightly indulgent meets balanced and wholesome. PB & J perfection.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: JAM FILLED OATMEAL BARS, MIXED BERRY CRUMB BARS, PEACH CRUMB BARS
Recipe
Healthier Peanut Butter and Jelly Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- salt, if needed, see note
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup natural creamy peanut butter, well stirred and at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup Jam, jelly, or preserves
- 3 tablespoons chopped roasted salted peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 square baking dish with foil or parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides (this will allow easy removal). Lightly grease the foil or parchment.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt (if using). Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Add egg, peanut butter and vanilla and beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined; the mixture will be crumbly.
- Scoop out 1 ½ cups of the mixture and set aside for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Tightly pack it into an even layer (I used a measuring cup to press it in). Top with jam, spreading into an even layer. Crumble the reserved topping over the top of fruit spread. Press the mixture between your fingers to form clumps.Bake for 20-25, until the top is light golden brown and the fruit spread is bubbling slightly around the edges. Cool to room temperature and then transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely. I found that these hold their shape best when chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
These look delicious! I want some with breakfast today … or a snack later, or both!
Stacey Werner - client
I think I would be sampliing these all day long too! I’ve never gotten rid of my love for pb&j – this is a great way to enjoy it.
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks, Stacey!
Janette@CulinaryGinger.com
I need to try this new chia fruit spread and certainly need to try this recipe.
Carolyn
I eat a PB&J sandwich every day for breakfast or lunch, so I’m definitely going to have to try switching it up with these PB&J crumble bars! And jelly with chia seeds? I need to try that! I try to eat some chia every day, so this would be an easy way to incorporate them into something I already eat. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Love that jelly center! I’m going to have to give this a try with another nut butter. Looks great!
Chelsea Spinos
I have been eating a pb&j almost everyday this week… but these look so much better than just a sandwich 🙂 The chia jelly looks good too!
Sarah Althouse
These look so good and I can’t wait to make them!
Brittany Wise
I love how healthy these are and my kids will gobble these up! Have you ever made them using a nut free butter? I ask becuase these would be great for the kids, however they aren’t permitted to have nuts at school.
Celebrating Sweets
Hi, Brittany. I have not tried them with a nut-free butter. If you do, let me know how it goes.
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish
I haven’t seen the new chia jam by welch’s… but I NEED IT! <3 And I agree, peanut butter and jelly for liffffffffffffffffffffffe!
anne @onedeterminedlife
this looks so amazing!! My kids and I love peanut butter and jam, so these will be perfect to try.