Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Bento

In this post, you'll learn how to build a filling bento lunch with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and keep all the ingredients inside fresh for hours!

PBJ Sandwich Lunchbox for Kids

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will never go out of style. But if you're like me, you want to make sure your kids are getting more than just bread and spreads. This PBJ Bento Box is the perfect way to turn a simple sandwich into a balanced school lunch!

My youngest loves picking out the fruits and veggies for the bento-a fun way to get kids involved in packing simple school lunches, like this homemade lunchable or these Ham & Cheese sliders!

What You Need

This sandwich is fast to put together and easy to customise making mornings a breeze. You can follow the recipe card below or use what you have on hand because PB&J pretty much goes with anything!

• Bread: any fresh bread, including whole grain or gluten-free.
• Peanut Butter: creamy or crunchy peanut butter or a nut-free option like sunflower butter.
• Jelly: any jam, jelly, preserves, or fruit spread; lower-sugar options offer more nutrition.
• Apple: any type of crisp apple works here to add a nice crunch and a touch of sweetness.
• Carrots: baby carrots provide a boost of nutrition and crunch. Other options are cucumbers or even broccoli florets.
• Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, or mixed berries add a burst of color and flavor, plus they're packed with antioxidants.

How to Pack a Peanut Butter and Jelly Bento Box

After making hundreds of PB&J sandwiches, here are my top tips to keep them fresh for hours in a lunchbox.

1. Make the sandwich
   Spread nut butter on both slices of bread so the jelly doesn't soak through, then add the fruit jelly, keeping a margin around the perimeter so it doesn't ooze out.
2. Cut the sandwich
   Sandwich halves or quarters fit snugly into the bento box; for younger children, cut into fun shapes.
3. Add fruit and veggies
   While crunchy apple slices and baby carrots can go with the sandwich, berries should be in a separate compartment of the bento box to avoid moisture build-up.
4. Pack for school:
   Put everything in a lunch bag and keep refrigerated until ready to leave for school.

School Lunch Packing Tips

With these additional tips, you can ensure your peanut butter and jelly sandwich stays fresh until lunchtime.

Keep fruits & veggies separate
Placing sides in a separate compartment of the bento box will keep moisture from reaching the bread and prevent a soggy lunch.  

Keep it safe
Popping in an ice pack will help regulate the temperature and keep everything safe and fresh until lunch.

Keep apples fresh
Watch my video to learn how to prevent apples from browning.

More Easy Lunchbox Ideas for Kids

If you're looking for a fun twist on the typical PBJ sandwich, you can elevate it by trying this grilled PBJ lunch box or peanut butter & jelly roll-ups. My son especially enjoys the roll-ups because they're fun to eat. If you want to make more bento boxes, check out Greek chicken bento lunch or egg salad bento with pita.

PB&J Sandwich Bento

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Bulk up your peanut butter and jelly sandwich with healthy school lunch sides packed inside a bento lunch box.

5 from 5 votes

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Ingredients

• 2 slices of sandwich bread
• 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 ½ tablespoon jelly
• 1 apple, sliced
• ½ cup baby carrots
• ½ cup berries

Instructions

Make the sandwich:

• Spread the peanut butter on both slices of bread. Spread the jelly on one side and close the sandwich. Slice in half or into 4 pieces.

Fill the bento lunch box:

• Place the PBJ sandwich pieces inside the main compartment of a bento-style lunch box. Add the apple slices and the baby carrots, packed tightly inside. These can go in the same compartment as the pbj.
• Place the berries, sliced strawberries or blueberries, in a separate compartment, away from the sandwich, since these contain a lot of moisture. Close the bento lunch box.

Pack for school:

• Place the bento lunch it inside a lunch bag with an ice pack, if necessary.

Equipment

Kids Lunch Box

101 Packed Lunches