12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (2024)

We'll never tire of the classic sweet and salty combo—so why restrict it to brown bag lunches? These PB&J recipes span every meal of the day, from smoothies and granola to decadent ice cream sammies.

01of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (1)

With their crunchy streusel topping and berry jam drizzle, these transportable treats make mornings sweeter. There's no skimping on the peanut butter, either—a hefty ¾-cup serving is swirled into the batter. Whip up a batch (or two!) over the weekend, then serve for weekday breakfasts or as an after-school snack.

Recipe and photo from Erica's Sweet Tooth.

02of 12

PB&J Smoothie

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (2)

A winning way to use in-season strawberries, this refreshing, healthy smoothie is simple yet satisfying. The addition of peanut butter makes it hearty enough for breakfast, but it's also a great post-workout snack. A drizzle on top gives it an extra punch of protein (not to mention a gorgeous presentation).

Recipe and photo by Kitchen Treaty.

21 Healthy Breakfast Smoothies

03of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Donuts

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (3)

Instead of stopping at the bakery, whip up a batch of doughnuts at home—these have a soft, moist texture that rivals any store-bought option. This family-friendly version is piped full of jam, then dipped in a peanut butter glaze and sprinkled with chopped peanuts. There's no yeast in the recipe, so a last-minute Saturday morning indulgence is never out of the question.

Recipe and photo by Broma Bakery.

1 Great Donut Recipe, 5 Amazing Fillings

04of 12

PB&J Overnight Oats

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (4)

Start your day with these cool and creamy oats, which are made with almond milk, chia seeds, chunky peanut butter, and jam. Let the mixture sit overnight in the fridge, then grab a spoon and dig into the deliciousness. For an even heartier bowl, top the oats with sliced banana.

Recipe and photo by Oats For You.

05of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (5)

Creamy peanut butter, strawberry jelly, and honey combine to form this irresistible granola that crisps as it cools. Pair with yogurt and berries for a picture-perfect parfait, or eat by the handful (no judgment!). Make a large batch to enjoy all week long. For best results, store granola in an airtight container.

Recipe and photo by Maebells.

06of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bread

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (6)

When packing lunch, save yourself a step by swirling peanut butter and jelly straight into a loaf of homemade bread. If you've ever made cinnamon rolls, the technique will be familiar—rolling up the dough and sealing with a pinch. While it takes some time to rise, the results are impressive (and we're willing to bet it makes great French toast).

Recipe and photo from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody.

07of 12

Vegan PB&J Cups

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (7)

These vegan peanut butter cups come together in minutes, and their petite size keeps portions in check. Every bite bursts with homemade berry-chia jam, which we'd gladly spread on toast (or eat by the spoonful). The peanut butter shell is just as delicious, with cocoa butter lending a rich and creamy flavor.

Recipe and photo by Love Me, Feed Me.

31 Easy Vegan Recipes

08of 12

PB&J Waffle-Grilled Sandwich

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (8)

A waffle iron gives this sandwich crispy nooks and crannies—making it infinitely tastier than the average panini. Simply pile soft sandwich bread with toppings of your choice (think nut butters, berries, coconut, and chocolate), and then grill in the iron until warm and golden brown. Set up as a make-your-own sandwich bar for a special weeknight treat.

Recipe and photo by Edible Perspective.

09of 12

Grown-Up PB&J Toast

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (9)

If you love the classic combo of peanut butter and banana, try pairing nut butter with a medley of fruits. This five-ingredient masterpiece does just that, combining nectarines and blackberries with a smear of creamy peanut butter. Everything is piled onto a slice of toasty bread and drizzled with honey for a slightly sweet finish.

Recipe and photo from Healthy Nibbles and Bits.

10of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Sandwiches

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (10)

Cookies that are too crunchy can make eating ice cream sandwiches a messy affair, but (eggless) peanut butter cookie dough keeps these perfectly intact. The homemade grape jelly ice cream provides a cooling, creamy contrast to the rich slices of dough. Store leftovers in the freezer, and enjoy when cravings hit.

Recipe and photo from Perpetually Hungry.

11of 12

Peanut Butter and Rhubarb Jelly Hot French Toast Sammie

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (11)

Treat a regular old peanut butter and jelly sandwich like French toast—dip it in egg, fry in butter, and dust with powdered sugar—for a truly decadent weekend brunch. The star of this version? Homemade rhubarb jelly, which is made with real vanilla beans and a fresh squeeze of lemon.

Recipe and photo from Half Baked Harvest.

12of 12

Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (12)

You'll happily get out of bed for these golden, fluffy waffles, which have a dose of creamy peanut butter mixed straight into the batter. Fresh grapes give the syrup a juicy burst of flavor, and a sprinkling of peanuts adds a salty, nutty crunch. For a real indulgence, serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream atop each waffle.

Recipe and photo by Miss Hangry Pants.

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich (2024)

FAQs

How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich more filling? ›

Add fresh berries or fruit

With so few elements, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich needs each part to be perfect, and jelly is sometimes where it falls flat. Many store-bought versions are mostly sugar and added flavor, with little berry flavor (or even berries, in some cases).

What is the world record for eating PB&J? ›

The most Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches eaten in a minute is six, according to official record-keepers Guinness World Records.

How do you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches not soggy? ›

"Put peanut butter on both slices of the bread with the jelly in the middle," they offer up. "This will keep your bread from soaking up the jelly and getting soggy." Similar with the first tip, the key is minimizing the amount of bread exposed to the jelly for hours on end.

How to spice up your peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

10+ Ways to Switch Up a PB&J
  1. Make a regular PB&J, then toast the whole thing. ...
  2. Swap the jelly for romaine lettuce and honey. ...
  3. Make a triple decker: bread, jelly, peanut butter, bread, peanut butter, jelly, bread. ...
  4. Add Nutella OR smoked almonds OR mini chocolate chips OR cereal. ...
  5. Go for an open-faced treatment.
Sep 22, 2023

What is the best bread for peanut butter and jelly? ›

The Bread. As we have already discussed, it is vital for a PB&J to be made with soft, white bread. Enter: Japanese milk bread, also known as Hokkaido milk bread, also known as shokupan. It is the lightest and fluffiest bread you will ever taste.

How far in advance can you make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? ›

Frequently asked questions. How far ahead can you make the sandwiches? These are great to make the night before, or they are so quick to put together in the morning to take to work or school. If you want to make them further ahead of time, keep them covered and refrigerated and consider toasting the bread.

How do you say PB&J in Spanish? ›

peanut butter and jelly
  1. la mantequilla de maní y jalea (F) (Latin America) I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. ...
  2. la crema de cacahuate y mermelada (F) (Mexico) Peanut butter and jelly is a classic flavor combination.La crema de cacahuate y mermelada es una clásica combinación de sabores.
  3. c.

What is the best ratio of peanut butter to jelly? ›

Smooth, generic pb is the standard. On the perfect ratio, Morning Edition consulted an expert: Kevin Pang from the PBS TV show "America's Test Kitchen" suggests that a 5-to-4 is the optimum ratio of peanut butter to jelly. "You really don't need too much of the jelly for it to poke through," Pang said.

What does the J stand for in a PB&J sandwich? ›

PB&J is short for peanut butter and jelly. : We made PB&Js for the kids and their friends.

Does eating pbj add time to your life? ›

The results

Of all the included foods, a beef hotdog in a bun was associated with the greatest loss of life per serving (−36 minutes), whereas a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich was associated with the greatest extension of life per serving (+33 minutes).

Can I eat PB&J everyday? ›

Generally, yes, but some top tips can help you get the most benefits from eating PB&Js regularly. "To start, look for a whole grain or whole wheat bread for some added fiber," Harbstreet says. "Most Americans only eat about half of the recommended daily amount of fiber, so every gram counts."

How to make a jam sandwich step by step? ›

  1. You need: bread.
  2. butter.
  3. jam.
  4. knife.
  5. plate.
  6. First put the butter on the bread.
  7. Next put the jam on the bread.
  8. Then put the bread together.

How to make a sandwich kids instructions? ›

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. First decide what type of filling you would like and check to see if there is some available.
  2. Next take two slices of bread and butter each of them on one side only.
  3. Put your filling on one slice of bread, butter side up. ...
  4. Place the other piece of bread, butter side down, on top of the filling.

How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich interview question? ›

In this particular instance, the best way to answer this type of question is to map out in your mind, from beginning to end, every action someone needs to take and decision they need to make, in order to complete the sandwich. It's not enough to give general instruction.

What is the perfect ratio of peanut butter to jelly? ›

Smooth, generic pb is the standard. On the perfect ratio, Morning Edition consulted an expert: Kevin Pang from the PBS TV show "America's Test Kitchen" suggests that a 5-to-4 is the optimum ratio of peanut butter to jelly. "You really don't need too much of the jelly for it to poke through," Pang said.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5948

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.