Irresistible Plant-Based and Gluten-Free PB & J Bars

irresistible peanut butter and jam bars (gluten-free & vegan)

if you’re craving a dessert that hits all the right notes—sweet, nutty, fruity, and perfectly crumbly—these peanut butter and jam bars are exactly what you need!

they’re gluten-free, vegan, and absolutely delicious.

the combination of a soft, chewy base with a layer of homemade blueberry chia jam and a crunchy crumble topping makes these bars a treat you won’t be able to resist.

taste and texture

these bars are a fun mix of textures and flavors.

the base is rich and buttery, thanks to the combination of almond flour and peanut butter, while the blueberry chia jam adds a bright, tangy sweetness.

the crumble topping provides the perfect contrast with its crispiness, making each bite a little piece of bliss in taste and texture.

how to make these peanut butter and jam bars

making these bars is simpler than you might think.

it starts with a peanut butter and almond flour base that’s easy to mix up and press into a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

next, you whip up a quick blueberry chia jam by cooking frozen blueberries with chia seeds, water, maple syrup, and a touch of arrowroot powder to thicken it up.

once the jam is spread over the base, a crumbly topping made from almond flour, oat flour, oats, and coconut sugar is sprinkled on top.

after a short bake in the oven, you’ll have a batch of delicious peanut butter and jam bars ready to enjoy.

key ingredient: edward & sons, let’s do organic, organic cornstarch

one of the secrets to these bars’ perfect texture is the use of edward & sons, let’s do organic, organic cornstarch.

this cornstarch is a staple in my baking because it adds a lightness and tenderness to the dough that’s hard to achieve with other ingredients.

it also plays a crucial role in thickening the blueberry chia jam, giving it just the right consistency to hold up between the layers.

if you’re looking for a high-quality cornstarch for your baking, i highly recommend giving this one a try. it’s organic, reliable, and perfect for gluten-free recipes.

jam fruit substitutions

while the blueberry chia jam is a classic choice, you can easily swap in other fruits to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries would all work beautifully in this recipe.

you could even mix a few different berries together for a mixed berry jam.

if you prefer a less tangy flavor, peaches or apricots would make a deliciously sweet alternative. just follow the same process for making the jam, adjusting the sweetness to your liking.

nut butter substitutions

peanut butter is a classic choice for these bars, but you can easily switch it out for other nut or seed butters if you prefer.

almond butter would add a mild, creamy flavor, while cashew butter would give the bars a slightly richer, buttery taste.

for a nut-free option (although the base has almond flour), sunflower seed butter or tahini would work well, adding their own unique flavors to the mix.

how to serve

these peanut butter and jam bars are perfect for any occasion.

they make a great afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee, or you can serve them as a dessert at a casual gathering.

for an extra indulgent treat, try warming a bar slightly and serving it with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream.

the warm, melty jam paired with the cold, creamy ice cream is simply irresistible.

storage tips

to keep your peanut butter and jam bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

if you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.

these bars also freeze well, so you can make a batch ahead of time and freeze individual squares for a quick treat whenever the craving strikes.

just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit before enjoying.

these peanut butter and jam bars are a must-try if you love the combination of nut butter and fruit.

they’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for both casual snacking and more special occasions.

give them a try, and they just might become your new favorite treat!

if you love Irresistible Plant-Based and Gluten-Free PB & J Bars, try these other recipes from my blog!

Vegan Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

Obsession-Worthy No Bake Cinnamon Sugar Pop Tarts

Unreal No Bake Healthy Hostess Cupcakes

Crustless Higher Protein Lower Carb Vegan Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Life-Changing Vegan and Gluten-Free Ferrero Rocher Banana Cake

No-Bake Cookie Dough Freezer Squares

Healthy No Bake Blueberry Pie Protein Donuts

Small Batch Vegan and Gluten Free Healthy Nutter Butter Cookies

Date Sweetened No Bake Healthy Oreo Sandwiches

You Won’t Believe it’s Vegan Cookie Dough Banana Bread

No Bake Banana Bread Protein Donuts

Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Glazed Protein Donut Holes

Plant-Powered Blueberry Dream Cake

are you going to make my Irresistible Plant-Based and Gluten-Free PB & J Bars!?

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be sure to leave a review in the comments section, it is so appreciated and helps my small business. 

also, you can follow upbeetandkaleingit on InstagramPinterest, and Facebook for more vegan recipes!

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Irresistible Plant-Based and Gluten-Free PB & J Bars

Recipe by MaryCourse: Snacks
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

28

minutes

Ingredients

  • for the base:
    1 cup almond flour
    2/3 cup oat flour
    2 tbsp cornstarch
    1/4 tsp baking powder
    1/8 tsp sea salt
    1/3 cup peanut butter
    1/4 cup maple syrup
    3 tbsp melted coconut oil
    3/4 tsp vanilla extract

    for the blueberry chia jam:
    8 ounces frozen blueberries
    1 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
    2/3 cup water
    2 tbsp maple syrup
    1 tbsp corn starch (mix with a little water then add so it’s not lumpy)

    for the crumble topping:
    1/3 cup almond flour
    4 tbsp oat flour
    1 and 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar or brown sugar
    1/8 tsp sea salt
    2 tbsp melted coconut oil
    1 tbsp dairy-free milk
    1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Directions

  • for the blueberry chia jam:
    in a medium saucepan, combine the frozen blueberries, chia seeds, maple syrup and water. heat up and mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. add the slurry to the blueberry mixture and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring continuously until the jam thickens further.
  • keep a close eye on the jam, you will know it’s done with it thickens and looks somewhat gelatinous. remove from heat and let the jam cool completely.
  • for the base:
    preheat your oven to 350°f (175°c) and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, oat flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and sea salt until well combined.
  • add the peanut butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. mix until a dough forms. press the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base layer.
  • for the crumble topping:
    in a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, oat flour, coconut sugar, sea salt, and cinnamon (if using). add the melted coconut oil and dairy-free milk to the dry ingredients. mix until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
  • assembling the bars:
    spread the cooled blueberry chia jam evenly over the base layer. sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the jam layer.
  • baking:
    bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set.
    remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. this is important to ensure the jam sets. you can even place in the fridge or freezer 30 min or so. enjoy!!

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hi, i'm mary!

I create healthy recipes using real foods that will nourish both your body and soul.

Here, you’ll find everything from scrumptious desserts to savory and nourishing comfort food. Thank you for being here and I hope you enjoy my delicious creations

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