Recipe

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The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a bagel for a more filling and delicious lunch.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make this PB&J bagel and keep it fresh for hours in a lunch bag.

peanut butter and jelly bagel sandwich on a plate

Filling PB&J Bagel Sandwich

Transform a classic combo into a heartier option with this PB&J bagel! This easy upgrade makes the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich an even more filling lunch idea, ensuring your kids stay satisfied all the way until dinner.

Enhancing traditional flavors as our kids turn into tweens and teens has resulted in new household favorites like this Hawaiian grilled cheese and this BLT Bagel Sandwich – more substantial and still quick to prepare.

What You Need

I am always on a mission to find healthy lunches that pack well for school that also keep my growing kids full, and this PB&J bagel is one of them. Some ingredient options:

Bagel: more filling and substantial than bread; any type or flavor of bagel will work.
Peanut Butter: your favorite nut butter or nut-free butter will work, whether it's creamy or crunchy.
Jelly: choose your favorite flavor of jam, jelly, fruit spread, or fruit preserves.

How to Pack a Bagel Sandwich for School

Making this PB&J on a bagel is just as easy as it sounds. And, with the following tips, it will be just as delicious whether you eat it now or save it for later:

Prep your bagel
Cut your bagel into two circular halves. I usually don’t toast it; just keep it fresh.
Apply PB&J
Spread your peanut butter on both halves of the bagel to prevent the jelly from soaking through, then spread some jelly onto the peanut butter.
Slice the sandwich
Cut the bagel into two semicircles for easy packing.
Pack it for school
Place the two halves snugly in a sandwich-sized lunch container to prevent it from moving around. Keep sides like fruit and veggies in different compartments or a separate container.

closeup of a peanut butter and jelly bagel sandwich

Keep This School Lunch Fresh

Here's how to keep this PB&J fresh so your kids can enjoy it when it’s time to sit down to lunch:

Use the right container
The bagel sandwich should fit snugly in a hard, lunch container. This will prevent it from getting squished in a backpack or lunch bag.

Separate the sides
Fruits and veggies contain moisture that can make the bagel soggy, so make sure you keep them in their own compartments or containers.

Keep it cool
If your child won't be eating this sandwich until much later in the day, make sure you add an ice pack in the lunch bag.

Other Ways to Make a PB&J

I can't even count the number of PB&J variations I've made over the last 15 years! Whether your kids are still young or getting older, you can find inspiration with these PB&J roll-ups, a PB&J grilled cheese sandwich, or a grilled PB&J lunchbox.

PB&J Bagel Sandwich

a bagel sandwich with peanut butter and jelly

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5

The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a bagel for a more filling and delicious lunch.

5 from 5 votes

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Ingredients

1 bagel, sliced in half
2 tablespoons peanut butter, your favorite
1 ½ tablespoons jelly, your favorite

Instructions

Make the sandwich:

Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both slices of the bagel. Spread the jelly and close the sandwich. Sliced in half and enjoy.

Pack it for school:

Pack it inside a lunch box container where the bagel fits nice and tight.
In another compartment or container, add fruit, veggies, and your favorite sides for extra nutrition. Add an ice pack in the lunch bag if necessary.