This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Making Uncrustables at home with this DIY method is super convenient because you can make them in bulk and keep a stash frozen for when you need them. Here, you’ll learn how to make them and my tips for sealing the edges well so the filling doesn’t ooze out.
DIY Homemade Uncrustables
Store-bought Uncrustables are convenient, but making them at home is more affordable and lets you use your family’s favorite bread, peanut butter, and jam. My Uncrustable crimper quickly became one of our favorite inexpensive gadgets because I can make one or a whole batch in just a few minutes, freeze them for later, and pull one out whenever I need an easy lunch. At home, my kids love popping one into the air fryer too! The outside gets lightly toasted while the filling stays warm and gooey. These will be a hit at your house too.
How to Make Uncrustables
- Make a PB&J
Keep most of the filling in the middle when you make the classic sandwich.
- Seal and remove the crust
Push down from the sides, like using a cookie cutter, and once you’ve cut through the bread, press the middle sealer down and hold it in place for 15 to 30 seconds to seal the edges. Cutting it first, then sealing, ensures a tight crimp and helps prevent the filling from leaking. Holding it down will seal it tightly and prevent the filling from leaking. After that, pull the crusts away from the sealer.
- Store, Pack for School, or Freeze
Refrigerate them for up to 1 week, pack one or two inside a lunch box along with healthy lunch sides, or freeze them.
Stop Wondering What to Pack.
Pack lunches your kids will actually eat with 101 lunch ideas, practical packing tips, a complete Thermos Lunch Guide, and my Pack Meals Like a Pro bonus.
How to Freeze Homemade Uncrustables
Make a big batch and freeze them inside individual zip bags for quick grab-and-go lunches. Or, freeze them flat on a baking sheet, and once frozen, transfer them to a gallon zip bag. While they can last frozen for 3 months, I find that after a month, the bread starts to feel a little dry and freezer burn begins to show.
Laura’s School Lunch Packing Tips
A sandwich crimper makes the job faster, seals your homemade Uncrustables much tighter, and gives them that classic sealed edge. You can use a large round cookie cutter to cut them, use a glass to seal them tight, and press the edges together with a fork.
Soft sandwich bread seals the easiest. Fresh bread is less likely to crack around the edges, giving you a better seal that keeps the filling inside.
Absolutely! Make sure to check out my gluten-free uncrustables recipe to see the results of making them with the most popular gluten-free breads.
Absolutely! Try almond butter, a nut-free peanut butter alternative, cookie butter, cream cheese and jam, or your family’s favorite nut or seed butter with fruit preserves. Just avoid overfilling the sandwich so the edges seal completely.
Easy Homemade Uncrustables (Freezeable!)
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread, your favorite
- ¼ 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, especially the jelly. Make as many as needed.
Seal & remove the crusts:
- Push down from the sides, like using a cookie cutter, and once you've cut through the bread, press the middle sealer down and hold it in place for 15 to 30 seconds to seal the edges. Cutting it first, then sealing, ensures a tight crimp and helps prevent the filling from leaking. Holding it down will seal it tightly and prevent the filling from leaking. After that, pull the crusts away from 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.
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.