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 add to my 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 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.

How to make a triple decker peanut butter and jelly? ›

Recipe for Triple Decker PB&J:

Spread another layer of butter on the sandwich so from bottom to top it goes: bread, peanut butter, butter, bread, butter. Spread jelly on one side of the last slice of bread, placing that face down on the butter to make a triple decker sandwich. Cut in half and serve.

What to add to a peanut butter sandwich healthy? ›

Sliced banana is delicious with peanut butter, as are raisins, chopped prunes or dried apricots, or thinly sliced apples.

How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without getting soggy? ›

you can try toasting the bread first, or putting less jam on it, or buying thicker jam like preserves that might not be as watery. or use harder bread like french bread. or finally, put peanut butter on each slice of bread, and jam in the middle, so it doesn't touch the bread.

What is the perfect peanut butter to jelly ratio? ›

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.

Can you make PB and 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.

What is the best jam for a peanut butter sandwich? ›

When it comes to the classic peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich, there's no doubt that grape jelly reigns supreme. Our research indicates that its sweet, fruity flavor perfectly complements the creamy richness of peanut butter, creating a harmonious blend of taste and texture that's hard to resist.

Is it OK to eat peanut butter and jelly everyday? ›

"No nutrition professional will recommend eating any food — PB&J or otherwise — for every meal, every day. Don't take it to extremes, but know that if it's a food you enjoy, can afford, and want to have, you can safely include it multiple times per week with no major concerns."

What is a healthy alternative to jelly for PB&J? ›

Whole fruit PB&J

Look for whole fruit jam without added sugars, or better yet, make it yourself by simply boiling down mashed berries. Consider making your own version of fresh berry jam by mashing or mincing up your favorite fruits, and mixing them with a little maple syrup or honey.

What does peanut butter and jelly do to you? ›

Health Benefits

Contains Important Vitamins And Minerals: PB&J sandwiches are a good source of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and potassium. These play roles in energy production, bone health, and nerve function.

How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in 4 steps? ›

directions
  1. Spread the peanut butter on one piece of bread.
  2. Spread the jelly on the other side.
  3. Put the two pieces of bread together to form a sandwich.
  4. Toddler adaptation: cut off crusts before serving.

How to spice up a peanut butter and jelly? ›

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to put your sandwich on the milder side of wild, or get really spicy with some red chili flakes, a dash of cayenne, or chipotle powder. Chipotle has a smoky undertone that adds a new depth to earthy peanuts. If using chipotle powder, consider adding a few mini chocolate chips.

What is it called when peanut butter and jelly are in the same jar? ›

Goober PB&J Stripes combines the best of Smucker's all in one jar — fresh-roasted peanuts paired with Smucker's fruit spreads.

What else can you put on a jelly sandwich? ›

Add banana or apple slices to the sandwich. Instead of jam or jelly, use honey butter, fresh fruit, or dried fruit. We love almond butter with fresh raspberries and peanut butter with golden raisins. Substitute one ingredient.

What to add to peanut butter jelly sandwich reddit? ›

add something spicy, like a spicy honey or a pickled jalapeño....it blends well with the sweetness.

Can you put butter on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Spread jelly on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread; spread peanut butter on the other unbuttered side.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 5867

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.