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.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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PB&J Waffle-Grilled Sandwich

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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.

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Grown-Up PB&J Toast

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 goes with peanut butter and jelly besides bread? ›

People make peanut butter sandwiches with all kinds of foods. While jelly is the classic, bananas, marshmallows, marshmallow cream, Nutella, and even pickles are very popular.

How to make PB and J without 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 is the best flavor jam with peanut butter? ›

"I think, generally speaking, for a classic PB&J, grape jelly is the only jelly," says food blogger Alea Chappell, although she adds that strawberry is better for "just about everything else." Susan Anderson, a writer at The Worthy Goods, is also turned off by strawberry jelly.

How to jazz up a peanut butter sandwich? ›

Make your sandwich as usual, then top it with chopped nuts or granola. Make homemade granola to customize your upgrade even more. Another way to give your sandwich some texture is by adding potato chips or crushed pretzels. This adds salt to bump up the sweetness of a classic peanut butter and jelly.

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 is the healthiest spread to put on toast? ›

Try our five healthy toppings for toast, crumpets or rice cakes, and enjoy a tasty snack without harming your heart.
  • Avocado. ...
  • Mashed or sliced banana. ...
  • Berries and low-fat Greek yoghurt. ...
  • Pure nut butters. ...
  • Chia and berry 'jam'

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.

Can I freeze a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, labeling "PB&J" and place in the freezer. Sandwiches will stay fresh for up to 1 month. When wanting to eat for lunch that day, simply remove a sandwich from the freezer and place in a lunch tote, bag or or the counter and it will be thawed by mid-day.

Is PB and J just peanut butter and jam? ›

It can be made with any type of juice, but the traditional PB&J uses concord grape jelly. It's a soft set that's spreadable with a knife or the back of a spoon. Different from jam, which contains fruit puree or preserves that have pieces of fruit. All three will work in a sandwich, but the jelly is a classic.

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 best jelly for peanut butter and jelly? ›

Making the perfect PB&J sandwich is an art form, and it all starts with selecting the best jelly for PB&J. As we've highlighted throughout this article, GOOD GOOD's Concord sugar free grape jelly stands as the best jelly for PB&J sandwiches, thanks to its exceptional quality and natural grape flavor.

Is jam or jelly better for PB&J? ›

The natural pectin in fruit along with any added sugar also thickens jelly and jam into a delicious and nutritious spreadable treat! So, what is the difference between jelly and jam you ask? Jelly is strained to remove any chunks of fruit or seeds, while with jam, fruit and seeds are left in to provide texture.

What else goes good on a peanut butter sandwich? ›

Bananas, pickles, honey, or marshmallows — they're all ingredients that go with peanut butter, if you ask enough people.

What are good things to put in a peanut butter sandwich? ›

People make peanut butter sandwiches with all kinds of foods. While jelly is the classic, bananas, marshmallows, marshmallow cream, Nutella, and even pickles are very popular. The Fluffernutter sandwich is a variation considered a classic in New England and beyond.

Is peanut butter and jelly a good sandwich to eat? ›

It's power packed. ESPN magazine recently called the PB&J a “staple snack” of the NBA. Athletes love PB&Js for all of the reasons listed here and because it provides amazing nutritional benefits. A PB&J has 15 grams of protein per serving, 13 grams of plant-based unsaturated fat and 5 grams of fiber.

Is there a correct way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Directions
  1. On one slice of bread, spread peanut butter evenly over the bread.
  2. On the other slice of bread, spread the jelly evenly over the bread.
  3. Put the two slices of bread together with the peanut butter and jelly facing in.
  4. Serve and enjoy!
  5. Optional: Remove crusts, cut diagonally.

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