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

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

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

What can I eat peanut butter and jelly on besides bread? ›

Yes, you can enjoy peanut butter and jelly without carbs by using lettuce wraps instead of bread or by simply spreading the peanut butter and jelly on celery sticks or apple slices for a low-carb snack.

What can I add to peanut butter and jelly? ›

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

How to jazz up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

You can also add crunch elements like coconut flakes, granola, or chia seeds. If you're feeling adventurous, try the popular bacon-peanut butter combo, or try Elvis's famous peanut butter, bacon, and banana combination.

How to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without getting 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.

What can I use instead of bread for sandwiches? ›

Healthier bread choices
  • Cloud bread.
  • Homemade bread. ...
  • Cornbread. ...
  • Homemade sourdough. ...
  • Rice paper wraps. ...
  • Lettuce wraps.
  • Egg wraps. ...
  • Rye bread.

How do you eat peanut butter other than bread? ›

Food Pairings: Here Are 5 Foods That Pair Well With Peanut Butter:
  1. Apples. The combination of apples and peanut butter can never go wrong. ...
  2. Oats. We all know that oats are incredibly healthy for us. ...
  3. Chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter make for a stellar combination. ...
  4. Berries. ...
  5. Ginger.
Jan 6, 2024

What is the best bread for peanut butter 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.

Does peanut butter go first or jelly? ›

Some people said the trick to a non-soggy sandwich is putting peanut butter on both slices of bread and then spreading the jelly in the middle. For those who prefer jelly on top of peanut butter, one tweeter suggested loading up both sides for an extra ooey gooey treat.

What is the best jam for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? ›

"Grape is a classic flavor," admits Campbell. "Most people will lean on grape because it's what they know, but once introduced to other jams, many realize that they enjoy strawberry jam." In fact, Campbell prefers strawberry himself "because of the fruit bits." "It gives a more natural taste," he explains.

Can I make a PB&J the night before? ›

A coupe of tablespoons of each on each piece of bread is plenty. Cover with plastic if making further ahead of time. These are great to make the night before, but if you want to make your sandwiches further ahead, once cut, wrap them in plastic wrap and keep the refrigerated, then you can just pop them into lunchboxes.

How long will a peanut butter and jelly sandwich last unrefrigerated? ›

How long can you leave a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out? Most types of sandwiches can be safely left out at room temperature for about two hours — or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Will a PBJ get soggy overnight? ›

Unless you're planning on eating the sandwich right away, though, the jelly will start seeping through the bread, eventually leading to a soggy mess.

What to use instead of bread with peanut butter? ›

How To Eat Peanut Butter Without Bread
  • Peanut Butter and Apple Slices. For a healthy and satisfying snack, try pairing peanut butter with crisp apple slices. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Banana. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Celery Sticks. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Yogurt. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Oatmeal. ...
  • Peanut Butter Smoothie. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate.

Can I eat peanut butter and jelly on a diet? ›

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."

What can you use peanut butter for besides eating? ›

Peanut butter can be used as everything from a room deodorizer to a shampoo. Peanut butter is dynamite in a range of recipes from smoothies to sauces. You can smear PB on a sandwich with jelly and fluff, layer into a cake or eat it straight from the jar with a spoon or a finger.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5917

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.