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This DIY Uncrustable is a winner with my kids and they’re just as convenient since I make them in bulk and keep them in the freezer.
Below you’ll find my tips for sealing the edges and preventing the filling from oozing out.
Frozen Homemade Uncrustables
Having a box of Uncrustables in the freezer is super convenient for my kids because they can grab and eat one when they’re home or pack one for a school lunch in seconds.
However, they’re expensive, gone too quickly with 3 kids, and they don’t have that much filing! Enter this recipe plus my tips for making them at home.
Making homemade Uncrustables is really easy and can be just as convenient. I can turn an entire loaf of bread into sandwiches in minutes, filling them with our favorite peanut butter and jelly and using the bread we like.
Plus, once you own a crimper, you can mix up the fillings and even turn them into a pizza Uncrustable!
Homemade Uncrustables Ingredients
You’ll find the measurements in the recipe card for these Uncrustables. A few notes on the ingredients needed:
- Sandwich bread: the softer the bread the better when making these. Read this post that reviews the most popular gluten-free breads for gluten-free uncrustables.
- Peanut butter: creamy or chunky, both work! You can also use one of these nut-free peanut butter alternatives to make these.
- Jelly: strawberry, grape, or any fruit jelly or preserves will work.
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How to Make Uncrustables
Making Uncrustables at home is easy when you read the essential tips below to eliminate the filling from leaking out of the sides when using a sandwich crimper. Here is how:
- Make a PB&J
Keep most of the filling in the middle when you make the classic sandwich. - Seal the sandwich
Press the sealer down and hold it in place for 15 to 30 seconds to seal the edges. Holding it down will seal it tightly and prevent the filling from leaking. - Remove the crust
Once it’s sealed, the edges of the crimper should be sharp enough to cut through the bread. Then, pull the crusts away from the sealer. - Freeze
Place the uncrustables on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 2 hours before transferring them into a large zip bag. You can also freeze them inside individual sandwich-sized zip bags for easy pack-and-go. - Pack for School
Place a frozen Uncrustable inside the lunch box along with healthy lunch sides.
If you’ve never made these before, watch this short video with all the tips:
How to Freeze Homemade Uncrustables
The best part of making a big batch of homemade Uncrustables is that they can be frozen inside a sandwich-sized zip bag and stay in the freezer for up to a month. Probably more like 3, but I find that if they’re in there too long, the bread feels dry.
Pack them frozen inside a lunch box and they’ll thaw by lunch. Try these Air Fryer Uncrustables which are incredibly delicious with their toasty bread and melty filling!
Easy Homemade Uncrustables (Freezeable!)
Watch How It’s Packed:
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread, your favorite
- ½ cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky
- ¼ cup jelly or preserves, your favorite
Instructions
Make the sandwiches:
- Spread the peanut butter on half of the bread slices, keeping most of it in the center. Top it with jelly, keeping it in the middle of the sandwich, and top it with another bread slice to close the sandwich. Make as many as needed.
Seal & remove the crusts:
- Place the sandwich cutter in the middle of the sandwich. Push the sealer down and hold it to seal for 15 to 30 seconds. Remove the crusts from around the sealer and then lift the sealer.
Freeze for later:
- If making a lot, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them into a large zip bag and keep them frozen. Or, place each uncrustable inside a sandwich size zip bag and freeze individually.
Pack for lunch:
- Pack the frozen uncrustable inside the main compartment of a lunch box. Add any sides, like fruit and veggies, in separate compartments or containers. If the uncrustable is inside a zip bag, just add it directly inside the lunch bag.
Cheryl-Ann Allard says
My grandchildren are always on the go and making my own unscrutables might be a fun experience.
Jenn says
These are FANTASTIC for kids!! So convenient to pack and make!
christie says
So good
Krissy K. says
Thank you! Can’t wait to make these with almond butter and jelly.
Sara McSweeney says
No one is talking about additives! (Quite frankly, I only read about 10-15 reviews, but I am surprised). My kid is not autistic, but which I have learned can be greatly helped by eliminating additives from his diet, but he is hyper- take out additives! I have a great app which scans bar codes and rates foods and why (it’s a yuka carrot)(I learned about it from another mom). Uncrustables from the store have extra chemicals we do not need and contain additives, so I thought maybe I can make them myself with good ingredients and not have chemicals added in? Lo and behold! Thank you!
(I’m not so naive to think I can keep my 7-year-old from having any chemicals [after his baseball game – Gatorade time! Bring on the neon blue drink!}, but at least I can limit them at our own house?)
Laura Fuentes says
You are correct that there are many additives in our children’s most favorite foods -Uncrustables included. I am glad you found this recipe and now can make them with your favorite ingredients and keep a stash on hand in the freezer for when you need them. -Laura
Sara Welch says
Made a batch of these for back to school lunches, and they do not disappoint! Quick, easy and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
Ben says
Nice. I fell in love with uncrustables when I was making lunches for my kids. These are fully awesome.
kushi says
This is awesome. Can’t wait to try this for my kids. Thanks for sharing.
DK says
Yes! I’ve been buying these like every week from costco, but now, thanks to your recipe, I can make them at home! They turned out just like the store bought ones – thanks!
TAYLER ROSS says
My kids loved these lunchables! And I loved how much cheaper it was to make them than buy them!
MacKenzie says
I am so excited about these! I spend way too much money on uncrustables. I just added all the ingredients to my cart. I can’t wait to get started on them
Gianne says
The process was simple and the end result was delicious. I love having these homemade snacks ready to grab from the freezer whenever I need them. Great recipe!
DK says
Yes! I love uncrustables and I’ve always wondered how to make them. Thanks for teaching me!
Ann says
This makes so much sense to just do at home and save for later. Thanks!
Ned says
My kids love these, what is even better is my teenagers can make them on their own. Thank you so much for this awesome one!
Simone says
Excited to try these! Any recommendations for wholesome sandwich bread?
MOMables - Laura says
I have used whole wheat bread, sprouted grains, even sourdough and oat bread to make these uncrustables. the sprouted grains, however, don’t seal as well but they worked “good enough”
Linda Olsen says
Hi, I love crustables and I’m looking forward to making these. My question is, if I vacuum seal these sandwiches instead of putting them in a ziplock bag, will they keep longer than a month in the freezer?
MOMables-Laura says
The vacuum seal will help them last longer than packing them into a zip bag, but I’m not certain how long. I’d check the user manual for your vacuum sealer.
Jill says
Have you ever tried this with any other fillings? I’m English and not a big fan of peanut butter and jelly.
MOMables-Laura says
Yes! You can make these with Nutella and sliced strawberries.
cathy says
Hi Jill,
I’ve tried the ‘glass’ technique with egg salad as the filling for some tea sandwiches.
1 tsp of egg salad in the middle of the bread slice is all you need. Any more than 1 tsp of filling and the bread will crack open at the top. These are the cutest little egg salad pouches :)
Grandma says
My grandson loves cinnamon and sugar on top of regular bread as a special treat.
Kimberly says
What is the flash freezing step for? Could you skip that step and slip a sandwich into a bag before freezing?
Mazz says
I’m in Australia so maybe I’m missing something here… What is the purpose of freezing sandwiches? Just make them fresh. Can you actually buy frozen sandwiches in America? This is so weird to me. Does it save that much time?
MOMables says
Yes, frozen sandwiches are actually sold here! Many people like frozen sandwiches because you can have a ton in your freezer without worrying about them going bad. These are much healthier than the packaged ones!
Heather says
They’re very handy for long bike ride instead of Gu or energy gels. Put a frozen one in your jersey pocket and it’s ready to eat when you need it and the sealed crust keeps it from being messy (I still put in a baggie though).
gg says
No. Hahaha I don’t see the point of it either… it does not sound good Id rather do them fresh.
Bean says
When you have a disability, on the days you’re too sick to move but need to eat… They’re pretty clutch.
Lynsey says
I saw someone mention needing to put peanut butter on both sides of the bread to help prevent the jelly from making the bread soggy. What was your experience one they defrosted? Thanks!
MOMables - Laura says
The bread is not soggy at all when thawed out. You can, add peanut butter on both sides but I don’t find it needs it.
Beth says
They also take 10 times better frozen the peanut butter and jelly have such a unique texture. I make these for my kids and it saves me so much money rather than buying a box at $7 for 6!
MOMables-Laura says
Exactly! My kids love these just as much if not more than the storebought version.
Linda says
I do not worry about sealing my sandwiches. They freeze fine and are great when thawed. I’ve done them all: grilled cheese, meats with/without cheese, PB, Tuna with added chopped celery and pickle (pickle patted dry) is great. Tuna takes a little longer to thaw but heck they’re already made! Just hold back the lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle slices for meat and tuna till just before serving.
Tricia says
Two questions……first, could you just freeze the entire sammie?? (without sealing and cutting crusts off) and, second, if you did ham and cheese would mayo freeze okay, or should that be left off too??
MOMables says
Tricia,
you can definitely freeze the whole thing (with crusts). You can also freeze ham and cheese (with mayo) sandwiches. Vegetables do not freeze well in sandwiches.
Suzanne says
will this work with nutella?
MOMables says
It sure could!
Shari says
Cream cheese and jelly might also be an option instead of a nut butter.
MOMables says
great idea!
Kat says
We just made a couple of these tonight using a cheap Toaster Pastry press that I had bought from Williams-Sonoma.
My husband likes his PB&J toasted so I did one with toasted bread and one without toasting. That didn’t turn out so well since toasted bread doesn’t like to be molded. What did work was making the pockets as directed, checking for leaks or holes and then toasting.
I am so excited to make a full batch for lunches. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bethany says
I love this! I was just wondering how long these would stay good in the freezer?
MOMables says
About 30 days in a freezer bag. Anything longer the bread tends to dry.
Tiffany says
What about using this idea for the “grilled cheese” uncrustables? Maybe they could be popped in toaster or toaster oven?
Laura says
hmmmm might have to test that….
Valerie Testi says
Anyone try grilled cheese uncrustables? I think it could work?
MOMables - Laura says
They could absolutely work! Make sure you use the crimper so the cheese is sealed inside. Enjoy!
Mary Ellen says
Have you ever tried this with gluten free bread(we use Udi’s)? I’m wondering if it would “stick” together as easily as regular bread would.
Laura says
I have and it does. you may have to “crimp” the edges a bit more… but it works great. Remember to save the crusts for the frugal french toast sticks! :)
feelingalittlelunchy says
I spread peanutbutter on both sides of the bread to keep the jelly from glooping out the top…and I eat them frozen, too. Mmmmmm….
Vicky says
Hi Corey
I love these, what a simple yet brilliant idea! Unfortunately my son’s not allowed pb at school because of other children’s allergies and I’ve never seen your alternatives in the UK. Does this work with ‘drier’ fillings like cheese and ham?
Laura says
Hi Vicky!
You can freeze any sandwich containing deli meats and cheese. It is a great time saver! lettuce and tomatoes do not freeze well. Yes, you can use this same technique to seal the bread but make sure the ham and cheese are “tucked” inside the bread. You can also make your own sunflower butter (sunflowers are not nuts). -Laura
Linda says
Or Tahini ! It’s made from sesame seeds and very popular.
Mary Wilson says
Is the flash freezing to keep the sandwiches from sticking together in the bag?
MOMables-Laura says
Yes! Freezing them on a baking sheet first will prevent them from sticking together.
Pat says
Awesome! My daughter loves sun butter sandwiches since she’s got a peanut allergy. I cannot wait to try these out. You rock, Chef Corey!