Healthy Recipe Link-Up: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars (Soy, Wheat, Milk, Egg and Fish-Free, Can Be Nut-Free)

I know it's been awhile since I've had a new recipe for you.  I sincerely apologize for that.  It was my intent to post one sooner than this, but time got away from me.  Hopefully I'll have another one up sooner than later.

Anyway, today I have a link-up for you!  I am part of a multi-blogger link-up (with a lot of wonderful bloggers from The Blogging Collective), that is designed to offer you some yummy, healthy recipes!  If you have a recipe that you'd like to link-up, feel free to do so below (you can only link-up through today).  Also, please check out all the recipes that have been linked up.  You are missing out if you don't!

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Now, onto my recipe for the link-up:

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars!

This is my version of a recipe I found here.  It is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), wheat, milk, egg and fish-free and can be nut-free (see variations).  Not only that, these is SUPER easy to make.  The hardest thing about it is waiting until the next day to eat them! :)  I hope you enjoy them.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

1 Cup natural, soy-free peanut butter (chunky or creamy is your choice)

1 Cup soy-free jam, jelly or preserves (your flavor of choice)

2 to 3 Cups quick or old fashion oats (make sure these are gluten-free if you need them to be)

1. Line a 13x9 inch pan with tin foil; set aside.
     
   
2. Put peanut butter and jam, jelly or preserves into a heavy saucepan and heat on low until thoroughly combined and becomes a liquid consistency, stirring constantly.  (Note: If using preserves, you will find that the mixture will not become completely liquid, but will become obviously melted.  Stop heating the mixture at this point or the mixture will start to re-thicken.)
    
3. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the oats until well-blended.  (Note: The first time I made this, I used the full 3 Cups of oats and found it a little drier than I'd like.  I found 2 Cups more to my liking.  You can use any amount between 2 and 3 Cups that suits your tastes without ruining this recipe.)
     
4. Press mixture into the prepared pan.
    
5. Cover pan with another sheet of tin foil and let set overnight.
    
6. Cut bars into desired size and enjoy!

Makes a minimum of 12 servings.

Variations (Please keep your individual allergen needs in mind when using substitutions!):

• Nut-Free: If you can have tree nuts or seeds, you can substitute any tree nut or seed butter for the peanut butter.
     
• Grain-Free: If you have trouble with all grains, including oatmeal, sub quinoa flakes for the oatmeal and make as directed.
     
• Peanut Butter and Honey Bars:  Substitute honey for the jam, jelly or preserves and make as directed.
    
• Mix-ins: You can add up to a Cup of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, etc. when you add the oats.  If you do this, you might need to use the lesser amount of oats, though.
    
• Coconut Bars: You can try subbing coconut for all or some of the oats and using coconut oil for the peanut butter for a coconut treat.  You can leave the jam with this variation or use honey.  You could even stir in chocolate chips or nuts or dried pineapple or anything that you think would taste good with coconut.  You can even use chocolate chips in place of the jam as well for a chocolaty coconut bar.
   
• Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars: You can substitute chocolate chips for the jam and make a peanut buttery, chocolate version that tastes very similar to my No-Bake Cookies.
   
• Thicker Bars: Press the mixture into a 9x9 pan vs. a 13x9 pan for thicker bars.
     
• Other Subs For Jam: You can use molasses, maple syrup or any other substance that is sweet and will melt into liquid for the jam.
     
• Feel free to mix and match any of these substitution ideas as well.  Let your imagination go wild! :)

So many possibilities, so little time!

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What's your favorite quick and easy treat?

What's your favorite "go to" healthy snack?

 Don't forget to link-up your own healthy recipe below and check out some of the other yummy, healthy recipes linked up, as well!

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(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)