15 Unique PB&J Recipes Kids Will Love (2024)

Looking for a little variety in the routine that the kids will actually still eat? Try these twists on an old favorite

If you’ve got a picky eater, there’s one thing you can almost guarantee they’ll eat—a PB&J. It might not be the most exciting combo in the world, but the good news is, there are a bunch of inventive recipes with peanut butter and jelly out there to help you kick it up a notch. To keep things fresh, we’ve found 15 ways to enjoy this classic treat for breakfast, snacks, and dessert.

Breakfast Recipes with Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast

This recipe brings two classics together in the most perfect way. The only problem will be having to stop yourself from making it every Sunday.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles

What we love about this breakfast idea is that you can absolutely use frozen waffles. Top them with peanut butter, honey, banana, raisins, or jelly.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Swirl Bread

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As much as we'd like to have a sit-down breakfast every morning, sometimes we just have to grub on the go. That's where this tasty breakfast bread from Cook Nourish Blisscomes in super handy—no messy knives and no sticky fingers, just a hearty slice of heaven to start your day. A word of warning: do NOT try and toast this bread, it will make quite a mess!

PB& J Pancake Sandwiches

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Using pancakes instead of bread? Why not? Before you go thinking you're spoiling your little jelly monsters, take a look at this recipe from Weelicious—it's healthy! We're pretty sure you won't hear many complaints, as your kids will be too busy snacking on their new favorite way to eat PB&Js.

Related:23 Easy-to-Prep School Lunch Ideas for Kids

Snack & Lunch Recipes with Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Bites

These energy bites could work as a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack. Full of protein and flavor, they take 15 minutes to make. Get the recipe from Favorite Family Recipes.

PB&J Pizza

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Our kids are already big fans of the cheesy variety, so we're pretty confident that they'll be beside themselves when they hear you're making them Nicole'sspecialPB&J pizza for snack. They'll be even more excited when you let them pick a topping or two—banana slices for pepperoni, coconut flakes for shredded cheese, get creative! Major style points if you can pipe the jelly out onto the pizza like this.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi

How do you make a sandwich even more finger food-y? Roll it up and cut it into sushi rolls. These would be great for feeding a bunch of little rugrats, as they could just pop a few of these in their mouths. We love Brit + Co.‘s idea of topping them with fresh fruit to compliment the flavors of the jelly.

Peanut Butter Quesadillas with Jelly Dipping Sauce

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This PB&J from Home Cooking Memories goes south of the border. Reducing the jelly down to a sauce makes a sweet, syrupy mixture that is great for dunking. Another great snack choice for multiple hungry mouths, whip up a few of these and lay them out for an afternoon snack.

Dessert PB&J Kids Will Love

Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake

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Sounds good, looks good, tastes great. ThisChocolate-Covered Katierecipe uses a mixture of milk and vanilla extract instead of ice cream, so it's at least a little healthier for you. Adding in frozen berries for jelly also makes this shake extra smooth without the extra guilt. Best enjoyed with a crazy straw.

Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich

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After this treat, you may never want to sink your teeth into plain ole PB&J again! Peanut Butter & Co.'s Dark Chocolately Dreams spread, preserves and coconut is all it takes to make the sandwich of your dreams a reality.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake

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Sweet and savory is a classic flavor combo, and no two things bring together these tastes like peanut butter and jelly. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Jessica of How Sweet It Is thought to create a PB&J-inspired dessert. Using whole wheat flour makes this cake a little more healthy, so you don't have to feel guilty about eating it for dessert...and next morning's breakfast.

PB&J Pops

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How many licks does it take to get to the center of a PB&J pop? We're not sure, but we know of a few little ones who wouldn't mind being our guinea pigs for this little experiment. Thanks to Catherine of Weelicious for another great PB&J recipe.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

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We love bite-sized desserts almost as much as our kids do. Plus, desserts always seem that much more adorable when they're just pop-able enough to warrant eating at least two or three. Jamie of My Baking Addiction makes these cupcakes with white cake in lieu of white bread, and have a hollowed-out center filled with sweet jelly, then topped with peanut butter frosting. Simplydecadent.

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15 Unique PB&J Recipes Kids Will Love (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my PB&J more interesting? ›

For a fresh take on the standard PB&J, try a Pita Pocket PB&J layered with the great taste of Jif Peanut Butter, Smucker's Jam, and fresh strawberries and bananas. Be creative! Swap out strawberries and strawberry jam for blueberries and blueberry jam, or raspberries and raspberry jam.

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.

How to make a sandwich 5 steps for kids? ›

How to Make a Sandwich
  1. Gather all the ingredients you need for your sandwich. ...
  2. Take two slices of bread. ...
  3. On one or both slices of bread, spread your desired condiments. ...
  4. Add vegetables of your choice on one of the bread slices.
  5. Add your chosen meat if you want to have a non-vegetarian bite.
Nov 1, 2023

What does the J stand for in a PB&J sandwich? ›

PB&J is short for peanut butter and jelly. : We made PB&Js for the kids and their friends.

How to jazz up a peanut butter sandwich? ›

Sliced Banana: Add some natural sweetness and a creamy texture by layering sliced bananas on top of the peanut butter. Honey: Drizzle some honey over the peanut butter for an extra touch of sweetness. Nutella: For a decadent treat, spread Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) on your peanut butter sandwich.

What flavor is best for PBJ? ›

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 strawberry or grape better for PB&J? ›

Is strawberry better? It's hard to resist the nostalgia of a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich made with grape jelly, but overall more prefer strawberry. Samuel Campbell, owner of Indianapolis-based restaurant PB&J Factory sees this in action daily. "Grape is a classic flavor," admits Campbell.

How to make a sandwich grade 2? ›

  1. Use butter with the help of a butter knife or the flat back of a spoon and spread the butter on each slice of bread.
  2. Place the cheese slices or shredded cheese between the two pieces of bread.
  3. Inside the two slices of bread, place the chopped veggies such as onion, tomato, avocado, cucumber, and lettuce.

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

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. Place bread slices together, so peanut butter and jelly are in the middle.

What goes first in peanut butter jelly? ›

Always put the peanut butter on first. Peanut butter is thicker than jelly so once you spread the peanut butter its easier to spread the jelly over the peanut butter. If you spread the jelly first, all you've done is lubricate the bread and the peanut butter won't spread as well.

How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sequence? ›

Get two pieces of bread, jelly, peanut butter, and a knife. Spread peanut butter on one slice. Then, spread jelly on the other slice. Put the two pieces of bread together to make a sandwich.

Are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches good for kids? ›

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. If you're wondering how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich healthy, Leininger gives these suggestions.

Is PB and J healthy for kids? ›

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

A peanut butter and jelly (or PB&J) sandwich is one of the oldest lunch staples for good reason. It's easy to make and is a healthy option as long as you use the right ingredients.

Are peanut butter sandwiches good for kids? ›

Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats, important for all stages of life, especially growing children. Plus, it's a good source of fiber.

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