These PB &J Healthy, Soft Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are chewy, hearty, and kid-approved!
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich may be a childhood favorite, but the truth is, it never goes out of style, no matter how old you get. It’s sweet, satisfying, and has a good amount of protein to keep your hunger in check. So when we created this peanut butter and jelly oatmeal bar, we knew we had an instant winner. While we love this as a quick grab for breakfast-on-the-go, it’s equally satisfying with a glass of milk as a before-bed snack. It’s made with satiating, fiber-filled oats, has a nice sweetness from jelly, and that nutty goodness we all adore in peanut butter.
These are so good and so easy to make. I make this recipe in bulk at the start of the week, ensuring I’ll have them on hand for the after-school snack attacks that always strike my kiddos. The fiber, protein, and fat seem to keep their energy up and the munchies at bay.
This recipe is versatile, and while I don’t tend to stray far from it, I do love to use freshly picked berries in place of the jam (I just cook the berries down before using), and almond butter is a fantastic swap in place of the peanut butter. Regardless of how you go about making these bars, you’ll have a hit. The comforting PB&J flavors, the dense, chewy texture, and the subtle sweetness make for a delicious snack any time of day.
Are These PB&J Soft Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Healthy?
It’s definitely much better than some of the preservative-laden store-bought options out there! Oats and oat flour add fiber, while the peanut butter adds healthy fats. That said, this bar does contain coconut sugar, which has a lower glycemic index than refined white sugar, but should still be consumed in moderation. The bars are sweet enough without the sugar (thanks to the strawberry preserves), so if you’d prefer to omit the sugar, you certainly can. Additionally, you can use sugar-free preserves.
What Is Kefir?
You might have noticed an addition to this recipe that you may not be familiar with. Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to yogurt but with a much thinner, more milk-like consistency. It typically has a tangy flavor and can be enjoyed plain or flavored. It’s made by fermenting milk with kefir grains, resulting in a drink that’s high in probiotics.
Kefir a wonderful addition to this bar. It adds a touch of tang that balances out the sweetness, while providing a dose of moisture that makes for a dense, chewy bar rather than a crumbly, dry bar.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week. To do so, simply cut them into serving-sized bars and store them in an airtight container. They can also be frozen. Place the bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and flash-freeze for 1 hour. Once they’re completely frozen, place the bars into an airtight container and consume within 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
While this recipe does suggest serving this bar for breakfast, I personally love them as an afternoon snack. Serve one up with a Fruit Salad (or this divine Smoothie Bowl!), a Frozen Fruit Smoothie, or a side of homemade Greek yogurt for added protein.
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup rolled old-fashioned oatmeal 88 grams, gluten-free, if needed
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oat flour 68 grams, gluten-free, if needed
- 1/4 cup powdered peanut butter 21 grams
- 1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder 22 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup vanilla kefir
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup organic strawberry preserves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and rub an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the peanut butter and honey until smooth and melted, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the coconut sugar on top and let stand for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, mix the oats, oat flour, powdered peanut butter, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well mixed.
- Whisk together the coconut sugar and peanut butter mixture. Add in the kefir, egg yolk, and vanilla and whisk until smooth. The mixture will thicken a lot.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk until well combined.
- Spread 1/2 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the preserves evenly over top. Drop the remaining dough in little clumps over top of the preserves, and then use a spatula to smooth out to cover the preserves.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (a little bit of preserves on the toothpick is fine!), about 30-35 minutes. Place a hot pad into your refrigerator and place the pan immediately on it in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, return to the counter and let the bars cool in the pan completely.
- Slice and DEVOUR!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
I love your recipes and have used with great success. I am wanting to try this but no Kefir, would a thinned down greek yogurt work? Thank you
Hi Jennifer, thinned-down Greek yogurt should work great, happy baking!