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

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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.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Donuts

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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

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PB&J Overnight Oats

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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

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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

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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

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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

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.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Sandwiches

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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

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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

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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

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes That Go Way Beyond a Sandwich? ›

You've probably added bananas to your PB&J. But how about blueberries, strawberries (amazing with strawberry jam), apples or even grapes? Give the little ones a chance to build their own sandwich or pack 'em a surprise. This peanut butter and jelly idea makes the perfect lunch for kids.

What else can you put on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

You've probably added bananas to your PB&J. But how about blueberries, strawberries (amazing with strawberry jam), apples or even grapes? Give the little ones a chance to build their own sandwich or pack 'em a surprise. This peanut butter and jelly idea makes the perfect lunch for kids.

What is peanut butter and jelly good on besides bread? ›

Simply swap your standard bread for a waffle and slather it with your spreads of choice to create a toasty, crunchy, and slightly sweet creation. If you don't have a waffle iron, no worries. A generous helping of peanut butter and jelly is right at home on a toasted frozen waffle.

How to jazz up PB&J? ›

Tip 3: Switch up the Jelly

As in, skip the jelly! Try fresh fruit instead, like berries or sliced apples or peaches. The classic banana and honey sandwich is amazing with a layer of creamy peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. You can also add crunch elements like coconut flakes, granola, or chia seeds.

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 put jelly on besides bread? ›

10 Uses for Jams and Jellies
  1. Yogurt. Stir jams and jellies into plain yogurt to create a delicious and easy dessert. ...
  2. Salad Dressings. Sometimes you might add a little sugar or honey to a salad dressing for sweetness. ...
  3. Grilled Cheese. ...
  4. Barbecue. ...
  5. Cocktails. ...
  6. Pancakes. ...
  7. Oatmeal. ...
  8. Biscuits.

What is the healthiest way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

If you use whole wheat bread, you'll get a fiber boost, which is healthy for your heart and digestive system. Two slices of whole wheat bread equal about 150 calories,” Leininger says. Leininger understands not all kids like the crust, and she says it's ok to cut it off.

Does peanut butter or jam go first? ›

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.

How do you intensify peanut butter flavor? ›

Salt: I use sea salt for this recipe. It's optional, but salt does make peanut butter taste better. Sweetener: I always add a little bit of maple syrup or honey when making peanut butter. I don't like sweet nut butter, but I love the flavor a teaspoon or so adds.

Can I make a PBJ 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.

Should peanut butter and jelly be refrigerated after opening? ›

Foodsafety.gov agrees that most commercial peanut butters that contain stabilizers will last two to three months at room temperature after opening (for natural peanut butters, they recommend refrigerating to preserve the quality).

What is a good side dish for PB&J sandwiches? ›

I love my PB&J sandwiches with pretzels, apple slices and an extra scoop of peanut butter on the side to dip my apples in. On one side of the PB&J sandwiches, I put healthy options like apple slices and celery with a small bowl of peanut butter to spread on them as well as some grapes, cheese crackers and potato chips.

What makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

The most common solution to this is to put peanut butter on both slices of bread and the jam in the middle, so that the peanut butter acts as a buffer between the jam and the bread. Another tactic is to toast or griddle the bread to crisp the exterior and delay sogginess.

What goes well with peanut butter? ›

A classic pairing like apple or banana slices and peanut butter are a safe bet and will leave your sweet tooth satisfied without any guilt. You can also think outside the box and try other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, or raspberries.

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

For each sandwich, spread 2 tablespoons peanut butter onto 1 slice of bread. Spread 1 tablespoon jelly onto another slice of bread. Place on top of peanut butter, jelly-side down. Spread 1 teaspoon butter onto outside of each slice of bread.

How to make peanut butter and jelly without jelly? ›

I personally like PB & honey sandwiches- just replace the jelly with a teaspoon or two of honey, and you're set.

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