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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars


  • Author: Marcus
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 bars 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These easy Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars combine creamy peanut butter, natural ingredients, and a delightful crunch into a quick and delicious snack perfect for anytime. Ready in under 30 minutes, these bars offer a satisfying balance of creamy and crunchy textures, making them an ideal lunchbox favorite or afternoon pick-me-up. Customizable and kid-friendly, they bring nostalgic comfort and wholesome flavor in every bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup natural brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
  • Pinch of salt

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup quick oats (certified gluten-free)
  • 1 cup crispy rice cereal (certified gluten-free)

Binding Agent

  • 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine creamy peanut butter, natural brown sugar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, vanilla extract (natural), and a pinch of salt. Stir gently until everything is smooth and thoroughly combined, creating a luscious, fragrant base.
  2. Add Dry Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in the quick oats and crispy rice cereal. Mix well to distribute the texture evenly while ensuring every bit gets that rich peanut butter coating.
  3. Incorporate the Natural Gelling Agent: Sprinkle the natural gelling agent over the mixture and stir until fully incorporated. This step is key to making sure the bars hold their shape while staying soft and chewy.
  4. Press Into the Pan: Line a square baking pan with parchment paper and transfer your mixture into it. Press down firmly using the back of a spoon or your fingers to create an even layer that will set nicely.
  5. Chill and Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling period helps the bars firm up and makes them easier to cut into perfect squares.

Notes

  • Use natural peanut butter with minimal ingredients to keep the flavor pure and fresh.
  • Press firmly when spreading the mixture in the pan to prevent crumbling later.
  • Do not skip chilling as cooling enhances texture and lets flavors meld beautifully.
  • Adjust sweetness by tasting the mixture before chilling and tweak sugar if needed.
  • Make bars within 3 days for optimal flavor and texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 110mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: peanut butter bars, natural snack, gluten free snack, kid-friendly bars, quick snack