Chewy No-Bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars

By srumbel

Soft, chewy no-bake granola bars that combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and strawberry jelly with crunchy peanuts. They contain no butter and can be gluten free if you use certified gluten free oats.
from dessertnowdinnerlater.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp or a tiny pinch of salt ** (optional and use only if your peanut butter is unsalted)
• 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats*
• 1/3 cup quick oats*
• 1 cup of oat flour* (You can grind your own in a food processor. Use gluten free oats if gluten is a concern.)
• 2 tsps of ground flaxseeds, optional
• 1/3 cup of peanuts
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup strawberry jelly for filling, plus more for drizzling, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Line an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or foil sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside.
Add peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil to a large pot over medium low to medium heat. Stir continuously with a spoon until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt**.
Add rolled oats, quick oats, oat flour, and flaxseeds; stir until combined. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon the jelly across the top of the oat mixture and spread evenly. Spoon in the remaining half of the oat mixture pressing down gently with a spatula or your hands.
Sprinkle the tops with peanuts or chocolate chips if desired. Press down lightly so the nuts will stick to the surface.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm and set. Remove from the fridge and cut into bars or squares. Store bars in the refrigerator, either in an airtight container with wax paper separating the layers, or individually wrapped in plastic wrap.
For the jelly drizzle, scoop jelly into a small zip-top bag and cut off one corner. Pipe in desired pattern across granola bars (If jelly is too thick to pipe, microwave the amount you need in a small bowl for a few seconds first). Return to the fridge until jelly is set or enjoy immediately.

Notes
**For the oat flour, you can make your own by grinding up oats in your food processor.

*Use certified gluten free oats if gluten is a concern.

**Optional - add a tiny pinch of salt only if your peanut butter is unsalted. This balances out the sweetness from the honey and jelly.

Granola Bars will keep up to one week in the fridge or up to two months in the freezer.

You can substitute any chopped nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and/or dried fruit for the peanuts or add them additionally.

Bars are best enjoyed straight from the fridge or chilled as they tend to soften up at room temperature.

Yield: 12 to 16 bars