Jelly Bars with Peanuts and Oats

Jelly bars are sticky, sweet, and a fun treat! They are made with a base of oats, whole wheat flour, peanut butter powder, peanuts, and shredded apple. The base is topped with fruity jam, then sprinkled on top is the crumble mixture. They have a fantastic texture, are super kid-friendly, and are easy to make! Follow along for the how-to for homemade jelly bars!

Jelly bars

There is nothing more classic than peanut butter and jelly, and these bars really bring those flavors together.

The star is the sweet jelly (use your favorite store-bought or homemade option here).

We pair the fruity spread with an oatmeal peanut butter mixture that works SO well together. To really amp up the peanut flavor a combination of peanut butter powder and chopped peanuts are used.

They keep well in the fridge, and are fun to eat!

Do you have to use peanut butter powder?

The only less common ingredient in this recipe is peanut butter powder. Often it can be found in grocery stores now, and also purchased online.

If you can’t find it, or simply don’t want to buy it, check the substition section below for my alternative options!

What you need for jelly bars

• rolled oats
• whole wheat flour
• peanut butter powder
• coconut sugar
• dry roasted peanuts
• sea salt
• apple
• eggs
• avocado oil
• vanilla extract
• jam or jelly

How to make pb and j bars

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix the oats, flours, sugar, peanut, and sea salt together in a large bowl.
3. In a smaller bowl whisk the apple, eggs, oil, and vanilla together.
4. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.  Mix until combined.  It will seem dry as you mix it but it will eventually fully combine.
5. Take 2 pieces of parchment paper and lay them in a criss-cross pattern in an 8 x 8 glass pan.  Press half the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.  Spread the jam or jelly evenly on top, then crumble the remaining oat mixture on top of the jelly.  Gently press the top layer into the jelly.
6. Bake for 28-30 minutes. Allow to fully cool before cutting into your jelly bars!

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this jelly bar recipe. If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Rolled oats – You can substitute quick cooking oats or oat flour for the rolled oats.

Whole wheat flour – Regular flour or a gluten-free flour mixture will work too.

Peanut butter powder – You can substitute peanut butter here, or use oat flour.

Coconut sugar – Natural cane sugar is a great substitute here.

Dry roasted peanuts – Substutute your favorite chopped nut for the peanuts.

Apple – Grated pear will work too!

Eggs – Make this egg free by making a flax egg (2 tbsp ground flaxmeal mixed with 6 tbsp water – let sit for 5 minutes before adding into the mixture).

Jelly – Your favorite jam wors well. You could also use fresh berries and mash them up before spreading into the recipe.

More recipes you’ll love

• Apple pie protein bars
• No bake peanut butter coconut bars
• Peanut butter fig bars
• Peanut butter and jelly fat bombs

If you try this jelly bar recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published February 2011. Updated April 2022.