February 14, 2022
updated
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Before you grab the frozen uncrustables from the freezer aisle, why not make your own at home! Made with your choice of bread, nut butter, and jelly, these homemade uncrustables are a much healthier and budget-friendly lunch option.
These sandwiches are always on my kid’s shopping list. I’ve heard ” MOM… can we get these, pleeeeeeaaaase?” too many times to count.
There are a lot of reasons I don’t grab the beloved uncrustables from the freezer aisle, they’re expensive, gone too quickly, and making them at home is so easy and they taste just as good.
Homemade Uncrustables Ingredients
Everything you use to make PB & J’s you’ll need for these homemade uncrustables:
- Sandwich bread
- Peanut butter or nut-free option
- Jelly, of choice
Homemade uncrustables are great for school lunches, especially when your child attends a nut-free school because you can swap peanut butter for a nut butter alternative. In fact, I share the top five peanut butter alternatives here so your kids can enjoy all their favorite sandwiches and snacks at school or daycare.
Craving pizza? Try these homemade Pizza Uncrustables next!
If you’re on the lookout for more simple and delicious lunch ideas your kids will love, you can find 101 of them in my Packed Lunches eBook.
How to Make Uncrustables
I’ll be showing you how to make these DIY Frozen Uncrustables with a sandwich sealer, or a large glass with a THICK edge.
A fair warning though, oftentimes, if you make these with a round glass it will lead to leaks in the sandwich. I prefer using this round crimper or this square crimper to virtually eliminate leaks.
- Start by placing your favorite peanut butter and jelly filling in the middle of one piece of bread. Make sure to leave some room on the outer edges, where the sandwich will seal.
- Place the second piece of bread on top, and use a sandwich sealer or glass to seal the sandwich, by pressing and holding firmly for 30 seconds.
- Make sure to remove crusts while the sandwich is still in the press or glass.
- Flash freeze sandwiches in the freezer for about 2 hours.
- After the 2 hours, you can now place sandwiches in individual sandwich bags or all in one big freezer bag for storage. Homemade Uncrustables can be frozen for up to a month.
When you are ready to use, simply pack in your child’s lunch box frozen, and it will thaw in time for lunch, or microwave for 15-20 seconds if you need to serve them immediately.
Need a gluten-free version? See how to make DIY Gluten-Free Uncrustables here!
Easy enough right? You can also watch how to assemble this lunch in the video below:
Want to take them to the next level? You can also make uncrustables in the air fryer!
How to Freeze Homemade Uncrustables
Freezing homemade uncrustables is so easy! Place the sandwiches into individual zip bags, and store them in the freezer, making sure they’re in a place they won’t get squished.
You can freeze them for up to 1 month, but I guarantee your stash of frozen uncrustables will be gone long before then!
Now before we go, let’s not forget about all those extra crusts. Don’t even think about tossing them because they’re going to make these French Toast Sticks EPIC!
DIY Frozen Uncrustables
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup jelly, your choice
Instructions
- Spread the peanut butter onto 4 slices of bread, keeping the peanut butter in the center. Spread the jelly in the center of the remaining 4 slices and assemble the sandwiches.
- Using the cutter, press it into the center of each sandwich and remove the outer crust.
- Place onto a baking sheet and repeat with remaining sandwiches. Freeze for 2 hours or until frozen.
- Remove from freezer and pack each uncrustable into separate sandwich bags. Store in freezer for up to 2 months.
Simone
Excited to try these! Any recommendations for wholesome sandwich bread?
MOMables - Laura
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
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
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
Have you ever tried this with any other fillings? I’m English and not a big fan of peanut butter and jelly.
MOMables-Laura
Yes! You can make these with Nutella and sliced strawberries.
cathy
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 :)
Kimberly
What is the flash freezing step for? Could you skip that step and slip a sandwich into a bag before freezing?
Mazz
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
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
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
No. Hahaha I don’t see the point of it either… it does not sound good Id rather do them fresh.
Bean
When you have a disability, on the days you’re too sick to move but need to eat… They’re pretty clutch.
Lynsey
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
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
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
Exactly! My kids love these just as much if not more than the storebought version.
Linda
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
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
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
will this work with nutella?
MOMables
It sure could!
Shari
Cream cheese and jelly might also be an option instead of a nut butter.
MOMables
great idea!
Kat
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
I love this! I was just wondering how long these would stay good in the freezer?
MOMables
About 30 days in a freezer bag. Anything longer the bread tends to dry.
Tiffany
What about using this idea for the “grilled cheese” uncrustables? Maybe they could be popped in toaster or toaster oven?
Laura
hmmmm might have to test that….
Valerie Testi
Anyone try grilled cheese uncrustables? I think it could work?
MOMables - Laura
They could absolutely work! Make sure you use the crimper so the cheese is sealed inside. Enjoy!
Mary Ellen
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
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
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
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
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
Or Tahini ! It’s made from sesame seeds and very popular.
Mary Wilson
Is the flash freezing to keep the sandwiches from sticking together in the bag?
MOMables-Laura
Yes! Freezing them on a baking sheet first will prevent them from sticking together.
Pat
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!