Keto peanut butter jelly bars make the ultimate keto-friendly snack. The salty, rich flavor of peanut butter combines beautifully with the homemade strawberry jelly for one fantastic keto treat.
Without a doubt, these low-carb PB&J bars will be a hit with the entire family.
These bars are a delicious gluten-free option for the classic PB&J sandwich. Except this is a deliciously yummy cookie bar recipe that is void of the carbs from bread.
I grew up eating PB&J sandwiches, as most of us did, and if I weren’t doing keto, I would enjoy toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I’m just being real here.
But for me, it’s not an option because gluten intolerance is a major issue. This is why I am always looking for ways to bring classic flavor profiles together in a keto-friendly way without worrying about gluten.
As a major fan of peanut butter, I have an extensive keto peanut butter recipe collection, and if you share the same love, I highly recommend you check it out.
Keto Peanut Butter Jelly Bars
It’s peanut butter and jelly time—made keto! The classic combo oozes childhood memories and comfort for most of us. And it’s a combo that, as adults, we still crave. Or at least I still crave it.
Thankfully, a treat like these keto PB&J bars allows us to enjoy all the flavors without worrying about being kicked out of ketosis.
Who says grown-ups can’t enjoy PB&J bars?
As a fan of cookie bar recipes, I’ve been saving this recipe to share near the time that school opens back up because it would make the perfect healthy after-school treat for the kiddos.
How To Make Peanut Butter Jelly Bars
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Decadent peanut butter bars with a sandwich layer of homemade sugar-free strawberry jam. What’s not to love?
You’ll be making the jelly layer first since you will need to allow it to cool fully before adding it to the batter.
You can use store-bought sugar-free jelly if you prefer to save some time. Just make sure it’s considered keto-friendly.
I recommend the Good Good brand of Sweet Strawberry Jam since it is sweetened with stevia and contains only all-natural ingredients.
I decided to make these low-carb peanut butter jelly bars with coconut flour since I get many requests for keto coconut flour recipes.
As a plus, coconut flour makes this dessert lower in carbs. And don’t worry, it doesn’t have a coconut flavor thanks to the peanut butter and strawberry jelly.
Peanut Butter Substitution
If you cannot consume peanut butter, you can still enjoy this treat by substituting it with Sunbutter or almond butter.
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List Of Materials And Ingredients You’ll Need
The following are the ingredients and equipment you’ll need. Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the post.
- Mixing bowl
- Electric stand mixer or hand mixer
- 9×9 baking pan
- Coconut flour
- Granulated sugar substitute
- Unsalted butter softened
- Vanilla extract
- Sugar-free peanut butter
- Full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- Fresh strawberries
- Large eggs, room temperature
- Lemon juice or lemon extract
- Unflavored gelatin
- Baking powder
- Salt
Sugar-Substitute Options
Lakanto Monk Fruit is my favorite since the texture and flavor are what I have found to be the closest to real sugar and because the flavor fools your taste buds like nothing else I’ve found in the market.
Having said that, I’m also a fan of the brand Swerve which is an erythritol blend. Like Lakanto, it uses sugar alcohols and has a 0 % impact on blood sugar.
You could also use the stevia and erythritol-based brand Pyure if you prefer a stevia-based sweetener. I don’t like using stevia because I am sensitive to the aftertaste.
But if that’s not the case for you, you could certainly use it in this keto bar recipe. However, if you do, reduce the amount called for in the recipe by half since it’s a much sweeter option.
Lastly, if you can’t easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda successfully.
I know not everyone would agree with me here and I respect that, but in my book, it’s still better than regular sugar.
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I sure hope you will give this recipe for keto PB&J bars a try. Once you do, remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.
It’s what encourages this girl to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.
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And if you need an excellent keto meal plan I recommend this one.
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Keto Peanut Butter Jelly Bars
Keto Peanut Butter Jelly Bars are the ultimate keto snack. The salty rich flavor of peanut butter combines beautifully with the homemade strawberry jelly! It's a gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free PB&J tasty treat.
Ingredients
Keto Peanut Butter Jelly Bars
- 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar substitute
- 3/4 cup all natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Strawberry Jelly
- 2 cups of sliced strawberries 1/4 inch slices.
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar substitute
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons of gelatin powder
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract
Instructions
- Make the jelly first: In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the strawberries, sugar substitute, lemon juice, and water and allow to simmer then reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
- In a small shallow bowl combine the gelatin powder to 2 tablespoons of water and allow it to bloom. The gelatin will expand in about 3-5 minutes.
- Next, add the bloomed gelatin to the saucepan and stir until the gelatin melts into the jelly.
- Allow the jelly to cool completely and store in the refrigerator in a clean covered jar for about two weeks if not making the recipe the same day.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x9 pan.
- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer cream the softened cream cheese, butter, and sugar substitute until well combined about 2 minutes.
- Next, with the electric mixer set to low add the eggs one at a time and vanilla extract and mix until all the ingredients are combined.
- To the batter now add the peanut butter and combine until well incorporated.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the coconut flour, baking powder, salt.
- With the mixer set to low add the flour mixture to the peanut butter batter. Mix until just combined.
- Spread half the batter into the 9x9 greased pan with an offset spatula or knife.
- Next, spread half the cooled jelly over the peanut butter batter.
- Then add the reminder peanut butter batter in large spoonfuls to the pan spreading carefully. But do not worry if all the jelly is not covered as it will spread in the oven.
- Lastly, top the bars with the remainder of the jelly being careful to spread as evenly possible.
- Bake the PB&J bars for 40-45 minutes in the preheated 350-degree oven until golden brown.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
If you cannot consume peanut butter you can still enjoy this treat by substituting with Sunbutter or almond butter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 175Total Fat: 14.6gSaturated Fat: 6.9gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 6.4gNet Carbohydrates: 3.7gFiber: 2.7gSugar: 1.7g
Rachel K.
Monday 7th of September 2020
Just made this and thought I'd share my thoughts... All in all, these turned out great. -I reduced the sweetener (3/4 C Lakanto monkfruit and ~1/4 C brown coconut sugar) and it was just sweet enough. -I used a store bought jam, and the recipe doesn't note how much to use if you aren't making it yourself. I mixed about 7-8oz of jam with ~3-4oz of softened cream cheese to make a creamy jam spread. I had enough spread for 2 full layers of jam in a 8x8 pan but when I ate the finished product wished there was more jam in the bars. Next time I will use quite a bit more jam (or finish with straight jam). I did like the creamy mixture in the middle. -As noted above, used a smaller pan then indicated (8x8). Cooking time was 55-60 mins. -Let it cool completely before cutting- I got impatient and the first piece crumbled to bits! :) -Lastly, a pro tip for cooking with almond or coconut flour that most recipes leave out: Once you have your batter or dough mixed, let it sit for 10+ mins- otherwise can be very grainy. I let this sit for at least 15 mins and it was hardly grainy at all. Thanks for sharing!
Hilda Solares
Tuesday 8th of September 2020
Wonderful tips and insight Rachel. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.