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

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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

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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

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

Which jelly goes best with peanut butter? ›

When it comes to the classic peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich, there's no doubt that grape jelly reigns supreme.

What to pack with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Jam: Strawberry jam works so well with peanut butter, but you could also use grape or raspberry if you prefer. Veggies: Add in some celery sticks and baby carrots for some vitamins and minerals. Snap peas or sliced bell peppers are great additions too. Dip: Add in a little ranch dip to dip the veggies in.

How to jazz up a peanut butter sandwich? ›

Instead of jelly, add fresh banana slices to your peanut butter sandwich. If you want to be like Elvis, grill both sides of your sandwich on a skillet in a bit of butter. You can also even add a few slices of bacon!

What to eat with peanut butter and jelly without bread? ›

You can also opt for lettuce wraps or collard green leaves as a carb-free alternative to traditional bread.

What is a healthy substitute for peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Sunflower seed butter and raspberry jam sandwich

It is considered a safe alternative for those with peanut and tree nut allergy. 1 Sunflower seed butter is a good source of vitamin E, iron, and fiber. 2 Spread a slice of bread with sunflower seed butter and top it with raspberry jam.

What to replace jelly with? ›

How to replace jelly: 5 vegetable products to try
  • Agar Agar. Certainly the best known, but not the only substitute for jelly, agar agar – also called kanten – is a natural thickener derived from the processing of a red alga called Gelidium. ...
  • Pectin. ...
  • Carrageenan. ...
  • Corn starch. ...
  • Potato starch.

What is a healthy alternative to jelly? ›

Chia Seed Jam is an easy and healthy alternative to store-bought jams and jellies. It's made with only 4 plant-based ingredients, comes together with only 15 minutes of work, and is incredibly customizable!

What is the healthiest, jelly or jam? ›

In the health arena, deciding between jelly, jam, or preserves boils down to ingredients, processing, and nutritional content. Jelly is primarily made from fruit juice with added sugar, making it smoother but sweeter. It lacks the wholesome fruit pieces found in the other two, which means less fiber content.

What is the healthiest bread for PB&J? ›

If you use whole wheat bread, you'll get a fiber boost, which is healthy for your heart and digestive system.

What is the best white 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 to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich 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 make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without getting soggy? ›

Using the knife, scoop a large dollop of peanut butter and spread it onto the top of each slice of bread. Use as much peanut butter as desired. Putting peanut butter on each side will prevent the bread from getting soggy from the jelly- this is especially important if preparing the sandwich ahead of time.

How to keep PB&J from getting soggy? ›

Turns out, there's a better way to construct the sandwich, which is simply to spread peanut butter on both slices of bread first, and then adding the jelly. The peanut butter forms a barrier between the jelly and the bread, which means no more soggy PB&Js!

What to put on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Reddit? ›

Banana shake sounds perfect. Especially good when the grilled pb&j is on a multi-grain bread with chunky pb and apple butter. :) Nutella on a pb&j is pretty awesome too. Thin apple slices, adds some crunch and a bit of sweetness.

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.

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