Van's, PB&J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Sandwich Bars, 5 Count

The best way I can describe these is to say that they taste like healthy, whole grain poptarts. It's difficult believe that a gluten free baked pastry could taste so good but these really do.They come in two flavors, blueberry and strawberry. My favorite is the blueberry. The fruit flavors are very rich and true, no chemical taste at all.The peanut butter taste isn't very strong so if you want a heavy peanut flavor, jusT spread a little actual peanut butter on top.These are MUCH better if you pop them in the toaster for about twenty or thirty seconds (ymmv on time). I like mine gooey and warm on the outsidE and lightly crispy outside. Don't leave them the full cycle in the toaster our they will burn/char around the edges.These are so good I put them in SubscRibe and Save and started looKing for other products from Van's. I have to keep these hidden from my "snack fiend" husband, who doesn't do "good for you" foods. For him it's all about taste. And he loves these. You would never have to tell anyone you served them to this they were gluten free.In short, a healthy sweet treat with no guilt factor (unless you eat Paleo and don't eat any grains at all). But if you're going to cheat on Paleo, these would be worth it.

I love these bars BUT I am sick and tired of the games Amazon is playing moving things to Fresh or Pantry to FORCE one to buy a big order that you pay through the nose for, just to get the one thing you want at a reasonable price. Sure, they are $3.84 on Fresh but some marketplace sellers want $20 for TWO BOXES. This an Amazon rip-off plain and simple. I will be surprised if this review is posted.Just so you know, these bars are great and this review should not at all reflect on the product. Unfortunately, Amazon leaves nowhere to comment on their service or policies. I have been a really good customer since the 90's and they are, in Google parlance, doing some evil on their customers. I can only guess they have some slick, stick it to you, marketing people who are making these "hurt the customer, who cares?" decisions. Very sad, especially when these days there are alternatives to Amazon...Oh well...

Although I enjoy the flavor, texture, and smell of these PB&J's, the amount in each box is ridiculous and often, they end up crushed because of that. There's plenty space to have double the amount in each box, and if you or anyone else involved in shipping is not careful, the entire box is crushed and essentially ruined.As far as the actual product, I'd say 3 out of 5 stars because they are tiny. Think the shape and half the height of a standard deck of playing cards tiny. It's impossible to only eat one and feel like you've actually ate something. Plus, the flavor is barey there sometimes and is hidden between the layer of PB, which really sucks!Overall, I'd only consider this if you had food allergies, like myself, and have a hard time finding high quality GF bread that has that PB&J quality we all liked as a kid. This kind of resembles that: PB layer is similar to toasted bread, and Jam is good.. but it's also akin to when you got you opened your lunch box and your PB&J was smashed...

I have celiac disease, and my reaction to eating gluten is the dreaded DH rash - I have never had gastrointestinal symptoms from eating gluten. I used to be able to eat these bars with no issues at all, but the last few boxes I've had have caused my gluten reaction rash AND diarrhea/intestinal upset. I tested this several times, and ate nothing else new, and every time I ate these bars I would break out in the rash within an hour and wind up with nausea/diarrhea. I am not allergic to peanut butter, because I can still eat different brands of peanut butter and I do so regularly, without issue. I tested other gluteny foods and still only get the rash from them, so it seems I am either sensitive to something else in this product or it has trace amounts of gluten that are causing problems for me. For a while I thought that something was happening to the bars when they sat in hot trucks before delivery, because the last few deliveries I've received have been on hot days and the entire box of bars were melty and very warm, but I also tested this by buying a box from an air conditioned store and had the same reaction.I should note that if I eat most brands of "gluten free bread" or "gluten free pasta", I also get the DH rash. This product now joins the list of "gluten free versions of gluten foods" that I absolutely can not touch. If you have celiac disease but find that you can't eat the common "gluten free" commercial foods, DO NOT BUY THESE. For the record, my only other diagnosed allergies are to mold and ragweed, but I have contact dermatitis reactions to citrus oils and bananas, and rosacea. Hopefully this helps someone else!

Taste is ok but texture is dry

Great bars. Neither the peanut butter or jelly flavor is overpowering. It's just right. The texture is nice, and it makes for a great snack when I'm on the go. Sadly I will not buy them from Amazon anymore. Their price, even with the 15% S&S discount is still. Ore experience site than Wally World. And while you're there, grab the Mama Mary's gluten free pizza crusts. Also cheaper there than the ripoff 3rd partt seller through here. Posted a review of them a few minutes ago. Good prices on Gf products therethere.

If you need GF or just want GF Van's is hard to beat! I have started ordering from Amazon as they can be hard to find locally. There is no issue with texture or flavor, they are really good. The snacks are small, but just right in many ways. I have found no GF that matches Van's. I have been eating GF for over 10 years, long before it was a "fad" - realizing that for some, it is a life threatening issue.