(Feature Impact) Peanut butter and jelly flavors come together in these easy Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars, a portable snack that combines whole-grain oats, peanut butter, bananas and jam for a satisfying, nutritious bite. The customizable recipe can be adapted with different mix-ins, nut-free alternatives and favorite fruit spreads, then finished with a simple Greek yogurt glaze and dried berries for extra sweetness.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars

Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Prep time: 10 minutes

Bake time: 25 minutes

Servings: 16

• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large)
• 1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned whole oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•  raspberry or strawberry jam, to taste

Greek Yogurt Topping (optional):

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries, to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on sides to easily remove bars from pan. Set aside.

In large bowl or stand mixer, mash bananas. On medium speed, whisk in peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Batter should be thick but still pourable.

Pour mixture into prepared pan and use spoon or knife to swirl jam into batter. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until center is set.

Remove from oven and cool at room temperature 30-60 minutes then refrigerate pan until chilled, about 1 hour.

Lift parchment paper to remove bars from pan then cut into 16 equal squares.

To make optional yogurt topping: In bowl, whisk yogurt, vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before drizzling on bars. Add dried fruits, as desired.

Store leftover bars in airtight container and refrigerate up to 10 days.

Notes: Egg can be replaced with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Bars are difficult to cut before chilling.