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This grilled PB&J turns a basic peanut butter and jelly sandwich into something warm, crispy, and gooey in just a few minutes. Here, I'll show you how to grill it and eat it now, and pack it for lunch to eat later.
Can You Grill a PB&J?
Absolutely. Grilling a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is one of my favorite ways to make this classic feel completely different. The bread gets buttery and crisp while the peanut butter and jelly warm up inside, which is exactly why my kids ask for it on repeat.
They usually eat it at home because the warm filling can get a little messy, but you can still pack it for school if you let it cool completely first. And when I want the filling sealed in a little better, I make an air fryer Uncrustable instead.
How to Make a Grilled PBJ
- Assemble
Spread the peanut butter over one slice of bread and the jelly over the other. Keep the filling moderate so it doesn't ooze out once everything warms up. - Butter the bread
Close the sandwich and spread butter over the outside of both slices. - Grill
Place the sandwich in a hot non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook until the first side is golden. Flip and cook the other side until the bread is crisp and the filling is warm.
Important: Warm peanut butter and jelly are softer and more likely to ooze than when the sandwich is cold, so don't overfill it.
Laura’s Tips for Packing it for School
If you're building a grilled PB&J lunchbox, let it cool completely before putting it in a container. This small trick will prevent steam from building up in the container and seeping into the bread.
Yes, but keep them in separate compartments so moisture from the sides doesn't reach the sandwich. A compartmentalized lunch container works best here. These are my top recommendations.
Yes. Use a nut butter alternative in place of peanut butter and pair it with your favorite jelly.
You can make the peanut butter and jelly sandwich a day ahead and keep it in a lunch container. In the morning, grill it first, then let it cool before packing. Grilling it the night before and letting it sit in the fridge can add moisture and make the sandwich soggy.
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More Grilled Sandwiches
Grilled PB&J Sandwich
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons jelly, jam or preserves
- Butter or spray, for grilling
Instructions
Make the sandwich:
- Spread peanut butter over one slice of bread and jelly over the other, then close the sandwich. Don't overfill the sandwich, especially if you want to pack it for school. Warm peanut butter and jelly soften quickly and can ooze out once heated.
Grill it:
- Butter or spray both sides of the sandwich and place it in a pan. Grill it over medium-high heat, for 2 minutes on the first side before flipping it over and grilling it for an additional 2 minutes or until the sandwich is golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the sandwich from heat and serve.
Pack it for school:
- If packing for lunch, let the sandwich cool completely before placing it in a lunch container. This keeps the bread golden and crisp instead of turning soggy from moisture that builds up inside the container from the warm sandwich.
Carrie Robinson says
I don’t think I have ever had a PB&J grilled before! What a great idea. I will have to try this soon. :)
zachary says
first time I heard of this
Kimberly says
I hope you enjoy it!
Fiona Maclean says
I love a good grilled sandwich – Peanut butter and jelly is so quintessentially American -and looks utterly delicious grilled!
Harriet Young says
Nothing better than a PB and J sandwich – apart from a grilled one! This was delicious!
bianca says
absolutely INCREDIBLE grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich! must-try!