Peanut butter and jelly is a classic combination that many people love. Trader Joe’s, a popular grocery store chain in the United States, has taken this classic combination and turned it into a snack bar. In this article, we will explore what Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are, their ingredients, and whether they are vegan or not. If you’re looking for other peanut butter an jelly snacks, you should consider this PB&J Frooze Balls Review, which are also available at Trader Joe’s.
What are Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars?
Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a snack bar that combines the flavors of peanut butter and jelly. According to the Trader Joe’s website, these bars are made with “a chewy peanut butter cookie base, strawberry fruit filling, and peanut buttery crumbles on top.” The bars are individually wrapped, making them a convenient on-the-go snack.
I want to emphasize that these PB&J bars are not replacements for a PB&J sandwich. Uncrustables and Chubby snacks PB&J sandwiches are must more substantial.
Ingredients
To determine if these Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are vegan or not, it’s important to take a closer look at their ingredients. The ingredients listed on the Trader Joe’s website are as follows:
- Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Soybean oil
- Peanut butter (roasted peanuts, sugar, contains 2% or less of: molasses, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils [rapeseed and soybean], mono and diglycerides, salt)
- Corn syrup
- Strawberry puree concentrate
- Invert sugar
- Cornstarch
- Contains 2% or less of: natural flavor, salt, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate), citric acid, soy lecithin.
Are Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Vegan?
Now that we know what ingredients are in Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars, we can determine whether or not they are vegan. The answer is no, they are not vegan. While the ingredients do not contain any animal products, the bars contain mono and diglycerides, which are often derived from animal sources. Additionally, the natural flavor listed in the ingredients could potentially come from an animal source, so it’s not entirely clear whether or not the bars are vegan.
Alternatives for Vegan Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to TJ’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars, there are several options available. One option is to make your own bars at home using vegan-friendly ingredients. You can use peanut butter, jelly or jam, and a variety of other ingredients to make a delicious and healthy snack. There are also several vegan snack bars available on the market that offer similar flavors and textures to Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TJ’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a tasty and convenient snack that combines the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly. While they are not vegan due to the presence of mono and diglycerides and the uncertainty around the natural flavor listed in the ingredients, there are several vegan alternatives available. Whether you choose to make your own bars at home or purchase a pre-made vegan snack bar, there are plenty of options for those who follow a vegan lifestyle.
