Every time I hear the words “back to school” a chill goes down my spine. I’m so thankful those dreaded days are over forever and ever for me. Even so, the commercials about school supplies, the talk on the news, the upcoming sightings of those big yellow school buses. It’s enough to make me want to cry. But then I remember, for me summer is endless and nonexistent all at the same time. If I want to take a day off in the middle of the week just to go shopping I can, but with a blog and big writing dreams, the work is never far away, especially in this age of social media and smartphones.
If you didn’t already guess or know from reading my blog, I didn’t exactly like school. This time of year was perhaps the worst of all. After roughly two and a half months off, going back to the classroom seemed nearly impossible. How could I give up freedom and fun for early mornings and “learning?”
In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, the anxiety would creep in as teacher assignments and schedules would come in the mail. Books and uniforms needed to be ordered, supplies purchased. I put off as much as possible until the last minute. I didn’t care if all of my folders had to be neon green as long as it meant I didn’t have to go shopping until the day before school began. Mom did a lot to help me out and relieve the pressure as well, giving me as much of the summer as possible.
Luckily, I never had summer assignments. I feel so bad for the kids who are given reading lists and projects to do over the summer. At the end of one school year, I didn’t even know who the teachers would be the next, so they couldn’t give me assignments. Score! We only get summers for so long, we should get to enjoy them.
On the first day back to school and many days during the school year, I’d find a note from Mom in my lunchbox or purse. It provided comfort to me, much like little treats like these Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars will provide a fun and comforting treat before, during, or after school.
These easy to make, no-bake treats are healthy, yet definitely a sweet treat! Full of oats, natural sugar, protein packed peanut butter, flavorful dried blueberries, and Fruity Pebbles and peanut butter chips for a special surprise, these are sure to be a hit for kids everywhere and make going back to school a little easier! There’s no actual jelly in them, but that classic flavor comes through thanks to the blueberries and Fruity Pebbles. Plus, as long as you use gluten free oats, these are gluten free!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 ½ cups quick cooking oats (gluten free, if necessary)
- 1 ½ cups Fruity Pebbles
- ½ cup dried blueberries
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment. Set aside.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, add peanut butter and honey. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and microwave on high an additional minute. The mixture should be bubbling; if it is not, microwave an additional 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla.
- Add oats and Pebbles and stir until fully coated. Add blueberries and peanut butter chips and stir until evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press down firmly. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to firm before cutting into bars.
- Bars may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen, wrapped individually in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up 6 months. Thaw at room temperature about 1 hour or in the microwave about 30 seconds.
Notes
Additional chilling time is necessary
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper dishes!
Back to School Beginnings
- Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Muffins from Killer Bunnies
- Make Ahead Waffle Casserole from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Apple Muffins from Meal Diva
- Apple Oat Breakfast Cookies from What Smells So Good?
- Toast Three Ways from Foxes Love Lemons
Back to School Lunches and Simple Suppers
- Owl Bento Box from Simply Gourmet
- First Day of School Pinwheels from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Quick and Easy Hot Pastrami Sliders from Webicurean
- Grilled Chicken Revamp from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Baked Eggplant Parmesan from Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken and Zucchinin Meatballs from Casa de Crews
- Clean Eating Lunches Your Kids will Love from Amee’s Savory Dish
- Crispy Chicken Legs from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- DIY Veggie Cup Noodles from Food Lust People Love
- Chicken Nuggets from Nosh my Way
- Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese from Take a Bite out of Boca
>Chicken Schnitzle from Panning the Globe
- Berry Nutty Bento from Ninja Baking
- Spagetti and Chicken Meatballs from Soni’s Food
- Chopped Shrimp Salad with Honey Lime Vinagraitte from The Weekend Gourmet
- Steak & Cheese Pockets from Momma’s Meals
- Turkey Pinwheels from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Back to School Sips
- Hulk SMASH Smoothie from Run DMT
- Good Morning Smoothies from Family Foodie
Back to School Super Snacks
- Nutty Granola from Life Tastes Good
- On the Go Guacamole from Shannon at Country Girl in the Village
- Cinnamon Caramel Apple Energy Balls from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Playground Granola Bars from Noshing with the Nolands
- Apricot Dip from Magnolia Days
- Parmesan Garlic Oven Roasted Chick Peas from Ruffles and Truffles
- Home Made Graham Crackers from Curious Cuisiniere
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars from Pies and Plots
- Gluten Free Apple Zucchini Flax Bread from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Beef and Veggie Sliders from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn from Simply Healthy Family
- Frushi (Fruit Sushi) from Mama Bee Does
Back to School Sweets and Treats
- Open Face PB & J Cookies from Desserts Required
- Berry Topped Chocolate Silk Tart from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Paletas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Love Note Doodle Bugs from Happy Baking Days
- Frozen Yogurt Mud Pies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Brown Butter Peanut Butter Crispy Treats from The Texan New Yorker
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
How fun are these! Any recipe that includes ‘Fruity Pebbles’ as a listed ingredient gets a gold star in my book 🙂
Oooh – I love a peanut butter and jelly combo in general, and I think these bars sound like a fabulous treat!
These are adorable! School is kind of endless for me at the moment, but I love PB+J flavored things year-round. They provide endless comfort!
I would not eat a pb&j sandwich for lunch, but I’d happily accept a handful of your scrumptious granola bars!!! YUM!
Fruity Pebbles?! These sound terrific! I love they are easy to make too!
What a fun lunchbox idea! These look fantastic!!
PB&J will always be comfort food to me and your added touch of sweetness will, certainly, make all the kids happy…even the grown-up ones!
Yes! My parents and I loved these cookies! I also took them to the doctor’s office where they were a hit. But we all are kids at heart 🙂
These sound wonderful…. I can see how these could be a great substitute for the normal PB&J.
These would be a great after school snack, my daughter really likes peanut butter but can’t have it at school!!
You could definitely serve them as an after school snack or quick breakfast before school, Tara! Or you could substitute almond butter and white chocolate/chocolate/cinnamon chips if almond butter is allowed.
No nuts at all are allowed. I tried asking at the chat on Sunday if it was like this in the US but no one answered me.
I’m not in school any more (thankfully ;)) but I have heard some schools don’t allow peanut butter – I haven’t heard of them banning all nuts, but I can’t say for sure. I didn’t know you weren’t in the US. Where do you live?
I am from the great white north, CANADA!!!
These treats look yummy and easy to make, my kind of recipe.
I love this. A combination of my childhood all rolled into one recipe. Perfect.
These granola bars would make going back to school easier I think! They look delicious!
Ha! Fruity pebbles-how awesome! I couldn’t figure out what made those colorful flecks until I finally read the recipe!
I have rediscovered my Fruity Pebble addiction lately. They make a fun addition to granola bars instead of Rice Krispies.
Oh these are soo soo smart! I love them!
Such a fun idea!My kids would go crazy for these 🙂
So many PB&J recipes today, I’m loving this!
I love the little colored flecks!
Fun twist on a classic! Fruity Pebbles – haven’t had those in ages, that brings a smile to my face:)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars? Heck, I’d go back to school just so I could score some of these! Fun recipe — thanks.
Laura, these bars look so delicious! I love peanut butter and jelly, and gluten free seems to be my way of living now!
just in time for back to school.
i’ve got a couple pb & j creations coming up, hope people like em!
These sound so fun and yummy!
I love this easy no fuss gluten free recipe that looks amaZZZing! Bookmarked 🙂 xoxo
Thanks, Johlene!