WOW!! This recipe has been pinned and shared over 200,000 times! Who know that Grilled PB&J could stir up so much excitement (and controversy!) Yes… I’ve even had angry emails over this recipe, lol! Don’t mess with people’s PB&J I guess!
What are you thoughts? Yea or nay?
How to Make a Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Opinions are strong on this one but the one thing I say, don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it. Leave a comment down below and let me know, and enjoy reading through those who have some great recipe spins on this sandwich and some who just really don’t even think this should be a recipe. What say you?
I probably make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches more than I should but my kids love them and let’s be honest, they are easy!
However, when I really want to up my “mom game” I bring out the Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich for the win. Even my hubby loves these grilled PB&Js and this is seriously one of my favorite super easy recipes.
Making grilled PB&J is so easy that you probably don’t even need a recipe, but sharing just in case you want to know how we have perfected them, I’m here for you will all the scoop about making THE very best peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you’ve ever had. Promise.
According to my hubby, it’s all in the bread but if you asked my kids, they don’t have a preference as to what type of bread I used, they love them all.
We first discovered this sandwich at a local restaurant, it’s a favorite on their kids’ menu. Once you’ve tried the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it’s really really hard to go back to a non-grilled version. In fact, you’ll just keep finding different ways to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich better!
This grilled sandwich recipes is definitely a favorite at home. I promise you, this recipe takes the PB&J to new heights. The buttery, crispy bread with the ooey gooey peanut butter and warm jam is heavenly! #MomWin for sure – everyone will love the melty peanut butter sensation that happens when you grill up a pb&j sandwich and this twist on a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a delicious addition to your favorite recipes.
How to Make a Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
(makes one sandwich)
Ingredients to make a Grilled PB&J
2 slices of bread: good quality sourdough bread (or white bread)
2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter (creamy peanut butter works, but chunky is better!)
1-2 tablespoons of your favorite jam or jelly
1-2 tablespoons softened butter (1 tablespoon butter if you are wanting to make a healthier sandwich)
Instructions for making a Grilled PB&J
Spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and the jam on the other.
Place the two sides together to make a sandwich, and spread the outside with the softened butter, making sure to go all the way to the edges.
Place a non-stick pan over medium heat.
When the pan is hot, carefully lay the sandwich in the middle.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned / golden brown on each side
Place sandwich on a plate and serve immediately!
Doesn’t that just look amazing? And really, it’s not much more complicated that a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich! If this is your first time making a grilled pb&j then you’ll just want to start simple – it’s pretty much just like making a grilled cheese sandwich but a little more messy and a lot more savory for the taste buds!
Believe it or not, this is also one of our favorite brunch recipes. It’s perfect for that transition between breakfast and lunch and this is such an easy recipe to make that I’ll often add it to our lineup when we serve buffet style brunch. It’s also great for kids or picky eaters!
Things to add to Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Over the years, we’ve gotten experimental with this sandwich and there are quite a few ways to change it up so that you are getting the same ol’ grilled PB&J all the time.
First of all, when it comes to the peanut butter, I really prefer the extra crunchy peanut butter, but that’s definitely a personal preference. I also prefer strawberry jam, but again, that’s a personal choice. The melted peanut butter with the warm jelly is really what puts this recipe over the top as the best bp&j sandwich you’ve ever had!
Drizzling some honey in between the peanut butter and jelly is a great way to kick this up a notch and if you really want to put it over the top, add in some banana slices. My tip if you decided to add banana slices and honey is to mash the banana slices into the peanut butter side – not the jelly side – because they’ll stick more and stay in place. Then you can drizzle the honey over the bananas and bring both pieces of bread together.
My son (he’s a teen) loves a few plain Lay’s potato chips in the middle to give it a salty touch and an added crunch.
To each his own, right?
Now I’m going to warn you, this next suggest might really seem like a stretch however, after a reader suggestion we tried it and I have to say, it’s an amazing combo: Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly and Bacon sandwiches.
I was skeptical but thought that for the sake of this popular recipe, I needed to try it out and I’m going to have to agree with the readers who swore by it, it’s an amazing flavor sensation.
Other reader suggestions (see comments below) include marshmallow cream, making this in the panini (yum!) and someone on my Facebook page also suggested pickles. I’ll have to take their word on that one, lol!
As you can see, this is more than just a plain on peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s a work of classic food art.
Print the Recipe for Grilled PB&J Sandwiches
Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
A fantastic twist on the old favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this grilled pb&j will become your new favorite. Such a yummy way to enjoy your favorite sandwich and it's so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 2 slices of good quality sourdough bread (or any bread will work)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite jam
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
Instructions
Spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and the jam on the other.
Place the two sides together to make a sandwich, and spread the outside with the softened butter, making sure to go all the way to the edges.
Place a non-stick pan over medium heat.
When the pan is hot, carefully lay the sandwich in the middle.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
Serve immediately!
Doesn’t that just look amazing? And really, it’s not much more complicated that a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Looking for other unique and easy recipes that your family will love? My kids go bananas (literally!) for my Peanut Butter Banana Waffles and they are another recipe that is SO easy. Also, while they are great for breakfast, we’ve been known to have them for lunch and even dinner … my kids LOVE these!
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
I don’t mind eating this everyday! I love peanut butter and jelly and this is absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Marie-The Interior Frugalista says
I must try this grilled peanut butter sandwich! Thank you, Keri Lyn for sharing it at the Talk Of The Town Party – it is my feature this week. See you at the party on Tuesday evening!
Sheena says
I may need a peanut butter and jelly sandwich now!! Yummy!! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty hope you will join us again this week.
Nan says
I make these in my panini machine, I make them with bananas added! The Elvis special!
Vee says
This sounds soooo good!!
Penny says
Add cheese to this it is great!!
Berniece Perry says
I have been making these for 50 years but mine have couple slices of bacon in the middle.. Yummy
Keri Lyn says
Berniece, you are my new hero!! That sounds so yummy!!
Berniece perry says
Delicious. My kids loved them
Judith Graham says
I spread the peanut butter on both slith slices of bread, and
Freida Fulton says
Keri Lynn, I first had this sandwich the summer of 1973 at a drug store lunch counter in Morehead City, N. C. I don’t remember the name of the store, but I never forgot the sandwich—it was love at first bite! I was an 18 year old newlywed to. U. S. Marine. Thanks for this trip down memory lane. This sandwich has to be one of the definitions of comfort food.
Keri Lyn says
Frieda, your comment absolutely made my day! I’ve gotten several comments from grouchy people saying this is gross, but your comment alone makes this completely and totally worth the fact that I shared it. I agree with you, this is the best comfort food and one that my kids (and hubby!) always ask for when they need a little extra love from mama 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
Keri Lyn says
Oh wow… we are definitely trying these with bananas!
Megan says
I want the recipe for the eanit butter banana waffles
Bucky Gilpin says
This was included in a WonderBread cookbook a few years ago. My wife and I had submitted it and they published it! This was Sunday night supper at our home.
Hard to beat PBJ no matter how you fix it.
AreYouForReal? says
This has got to be a joke right? All I do and anyone would have to do is toast the bread in a toaster and put the peanut butter on the toast when it is still hot and it will melt. I mean seriously if anyone does it just like grilled cheese you have got to be some sort of special.
Lisa says
I love peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches. Never had one grilled. I have had peanut butter and marshmallow cream grilled we call a Fluffer Nutter sandwich that it’s delicious!
Lisa
Robbie J says
Why are you ppl being disrespectful. If its not for you then move on. Didn’t your moma teach you any better. If you can’t say sonething nice don’t say anything at all. Thanks for sharing this. I just had someone ask me recently abt grilled pbj and i had never hears of it. PB and banana grilled.. im so gomna try this for a dessert this week..thanks
Keri Lyn says
Frieda, every time I see this comment it makes me smile. Also, I have fond memories of drug store lunch counters – my grandmother used to take me for a Shirley Temple. I wish those types of drugs stores were still common.
Keri Lyn says
Oh this makes me so happy!! Thanks for letting me know!