Everyone needs some strawberry jam bars in their life. As my friend Janelle would say, they help overcome those “brown bag blues” of back to school. This recipe is a classic, that just happens to be dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, plant-based, and even soy-free. It’s also versatile, so you can whip up a batch with whatever you have you in your pantry. Just stir, press, and bake for a special treat to enjoy with your kids while they tell you about their school day.
Vegan Strawberry Jam Bars to Take Away the Brown Bag Blues
This sweet recipe for strawberry jam bars was originally shared with us by my friend Janelle, way back in 2007. According to her, it’s the jam that really makes these special.
Well, the secret is in the sauce. We have ‘grandma’s strawberry jelly,’ which is the only kind my fourth grader will consume. No, it isn’t sugar free, not even close. In fact you would probably be mortified if I shared the recipe. Hey: at least there are strawberries in it, too.
Sugary treats aside, you can use any number of organic or sugar free jam or jelly in this recipe. These bars can be made with apricot jam, raspberry, blackberry or blueberry jelly, you name it. I should probably just call them Jam Bars. But for us and our strawberry-based nostalgia, they will forever be: Strawberry Bars.
Special Diet Notes: Strawberry Jam Bars
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
For gluten-free strawberry jam bars, you can substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend. You can alternatively substitute gluten-free oat flour. Gluten-free bars might be a bit more fragile depending on the blend or flour you use.
- 1 cup wheat flour (can sub all-purpose)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup dairy-free buttery spread
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup strawberry jam (can sub another type of jam)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F, and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the buttery spread and whisk until combined.
- Evenly press 2 cups of the mixture into your pan. Spread the jam over top, then sprinkle with the remaining mixture. Lightly press the top mixture into the am.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
More Jammin’ Vegan Recipes
Homemade PB&J Pop Tarts
Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bars
Easy Pie Pops
5 Comments
These bars look like they have the *perfect* texture!
As a continuation to my last question, do you have to add a binder to the gluten-free flours (as above) such as psyllium husk, etc.?
It might help, but if you don’t mind bars that are a little crumbly, then I would leave it out.
Can these bars be made with a crust made from gluten-free flour such as buckwheat, rice or quinoa etc. flours?
I’ve made bars like these with oat flour, and they turn out great. I think some other flour blends might work, but I haven’t tested them. Buckwheat adds some binding, which can help.