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

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

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 you put peanut butter and jelly on besides bread? ›

PB&J Overnight Oats

Regular old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can get old after a while, that is why you have to switch up what form you eat them in! Try out this healthy and delicious option of PB&J overnight oats! Overnight oats are the perfect meal prep option for those that have busy mornings!

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 use instead of bread for sandwiches? ›

Healthier bread choices
  • Cornbread. ...
  • Homemade sourdough. ...
  • Rice paper wraps. ...
  • Lettuce is a good wrap substitute; ideally you want a soft butter lettuce or large cos leaf but you can use other varieties. ...
  • Egg wraps. ...
  • Rye bread.

What is the most popular jelly with peanut butter? ›

In this article, we'll explore why grape jelly is considered the best jelly for PB&J sandwiches and delve into the reasons why GOOD GOOD's Concord sugar free grape jelly stands out as the best grape jelly for this beloved culinary duo.

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 flavor jelly goes best 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 make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in 3 steps? ›

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.

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.

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

Fruit is basically raw jelly, so putting the sliced fresh stuff on a peanut butter sandwich is an obvious move. Even without bacon, apple and banana make a good peanut butter sandwich, as do berries, pears and some stone fruits—especially if they're dried apricots.

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.

Are peanut butter and jelly healthy for you? ›

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.

What is the healthiest alternative to peanut butter? ›

Tree nut butters, such as almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and pecan butters, are great substitutes for peanut butter. They all have similar nutritional profiles and provide heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

How to replace bread in diet? ›

Here are some bread substitutes to try

Corn, reduced-carb or whole-grain tortillas. Cheese wraps or cheese slices. Coconut wraps. Cauliflower bread.

What can I make to eat with peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter recipes
  1. Peanut butter cheesecake. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  2. Elvis sandwich. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  3. Peanut butter cake. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  4. Peanut butter cookie cups. ...
  5. Res kanyah. ...
  6. Peanut butter brownies. ...
  7. Peanut butter-stuffed French toast. ...
  8. Peanut butter & jam pudding.

Is mayonnaise and peanut butter good? ›

Today, a seemingly limitless array of sandwich ingredients are affordable, but peanut butter and mayonnaise remain a beloved combination among the many Americans who grew up eating them.

Is it OK to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ›

Peanut butter and jelly is a classic favorite among kids and adults. And, good news, UnityPoint Health Dietitian Tricia Leininger says it's an excellent snack or quick meal.

References

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