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Grab some peanut butter, jelly, and bread because today we’re making this grilled PBJ!
It’s an epic upgrade on the classic sandwich, and I’ll show you exactly how to prepare it so the bread is super crispy and you can pack it in the lunchbox!
Can You Grill a PB&J?
This version of PB & J will definitely take your favorite lunch to the next level, and it’s just as easy as grilling a cheese sandwich. Every bite has a savory-sweet combination of warm peanut butter and jelly with an extra layer of flavor from buttery toasted bread- whew!
Warning: warmed peanut butter and jelly isn’t as sturdy as their chilled/room temperature state, so oozing does happen.
It’s totally fine if you’re enjoying this sandwich from home, but if you want to pack it for lunch, I’ll share some simple tips so the sandwich isn’t a gooey mess hours later.
Make next: Grilled Nutella Sandwich
What You Need
Let’s take a trip to the kitchen and grab the following ingredients:
- Jelly: could be strawberry, grape, blueberry, or your favorite flavor!
- Peanut butter: creamy, crunchy, or a nut butter alternative.
- Bread: regular slice sandwich bread is perfect.
- Butter: for grilling.
By the way, you can take this sandwich up to the next level by adding cheese for a grilled cheese PB&J!
Making epic lunches with simple ingredients is my game, and I’ve created a TON of ideas, which you can find here:
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
How to Make a Grilled PBJ
Follow the directions below, and you’ll have the best-grilled peanut butter and jelly in a flash!
- Start with a HOT pan
Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. This is crucial for getting the perfect golden crust on the bread. - Assemble
Spread the peanut butter onto a slice of bread, followed by the jelly. If you’re packing this for lunch, don’t go too heavy on the filling, or it will seep out of the sandwich; 1 ½ tablespoons of each is plenty. - Butter it up
Close the sandwich and butter both sides. - Grill
Add the sandwich to the pan and grill for 2 minutes before flipping and grilling for another 2 minutes or until both sides are golden brown and toasted.
Watch this epic sandwich come together in this short video.
Packing it for Lunch
To keep a grilled PBJ toasty in the lunchbox, allow the sandwich to cool down to room temperature before packing it into a container. This small trick will prevent steam from building up in the container and seeping into the bread.
Next, you’ll want to make sure to pack the sandwich in its own compartment, away from other snacks like fruit and veggies, which can make the bread soggy. A compartmentalized lunch container is perfect for moments like this since it allows you to pack multiple wet and dry ingredients under one lid.
Grilled PBJ Sandwich
Watch How It’s Packed:
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons jelly, jam, or preserves
- Butter, for grilling
Instructions
Prep:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Spread the peanut butter onto 1 slice of bread, followed by the jelly and the remaining slice of bread. If you are packing this in the lunchbox, make sure not to add too much jelly, or it will ooze out of the sandwich.
Grill:
- Butter both sides of the sandwich and place it into the hot pan. Grill 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:
- Allow the grilled sandwich to cool down to room temperature before packing it into a lunch container.
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. :)
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!